FEATURES FOUND in TUGEN LAND HISTORY of TUGEN PEOPLE by PHILIP CHESANG
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TUGEN PEOPLE TUGEN PEOPLE FEATURES FOUND IN TUGEN LAND HISTORY OF TUGEN PEOPLE By PHILIP CHESANG TUGEN LEADERS RETIRED PRESIDENT DANIEL ARAP MOI TUGEN PEOPLE TUGEN PEOPLE The Tugen are highland nilotes (native to Upper Nile region), sub tribe of the Religion Kalenjin people a also known as Kamasia ,The Tugen people speak the Tugen Traditionally, like other Kalenjin people, the Tugen prayed to a God called Asis language. They occupy Baringo County and some parts of Nakuru County in the (which means ‘sun’.) Most have converted to Christianity. former Rift Valley Province, Kenya Tugen population is estimated at 350,000. Age-sets Alongside other tribes Nandi, Kipsigis, Keiyo, Pokot, Marakwet, Sabaot. The The Tugen social organisation centres on the age-set, or ibindo. There are seven Kerio Valley and Kamasia Hills bound their home west and east respectively. The age-sets (ibinwek) which are rotational, meaning at the end of one ageset new Tugen live on two levels, the Highland Tugens also known as South Tugen or members of that generation are born. The order is roughly as given below. Sammor and the North Tugen also known as Arror. The South Tugen are mainly Among the some Kalenjin peoples, an age-set called Maina exists. However, pastoralists but practice more agriculture because their land has adequate rain- among the Tugen, this ageset is extinct. Legend has it that the members of this fall. The North Tugen are nomadic pastoralists but keep a few sheep and goats. ibindo were wiped out by the Keiyo, their cousins in war. For fear of a recur- •Arror live in the Highlands of Kabartonjo and the lowlands of Kerio Valley rence, the community decided to retire the age-set. (Barwessa) and Lake Baringo of North Baringo District. They are perceived as Ibindo was given out at initiation and by simple arrangements, there ought to be the most advanced group in terms of education and wealth accumulation. one ibindo between a father and a son. For example, a korongoro cannot beget a •Samors who live in the wider Kabarnet in Central Baringo district. This is the kipkoimet. The Tugen don’t consider a woman to have an ageset, hence she can group from which the second president of Kenya, Daniel Toroitich arap Moi marry any ageset except that in which her father belongs. The Tugen say “ma comes. tinyei ibin korko” which means a woman has no ageset. •Lembus who occupy the fertile and well drained farmlands of Koibatek District. 1. Chumo Tugen has several clans that one can marry or be married •Endorois who come from the Marigat and Mogotio Districts. They are a mar- 2. Sawe to but others are prohibited following some norms and ginalized community and are known to take great pride in their culture 3. Korongoro cultural differences, here are some of them : Their lowland area has little rainfall but they are able to grow millet and maize to 4. Kipkoimet Tarkok Kobilo Sokome Ringoi Teriki supplement their meat diet. The floor of the Valley gives them good ranging -ar 5. Kaplelach Talaa Saniak Sote Toiyoy Kimoi Kipseger Shokwei eas for their cows including the Lake Baringo area. Their cattle herds are a source 6. Kipnyigei Chepsirere Kipyegen Nge’leno of great wealth and prestige. Historically, they ambushed passing caravans, which 7. Nyongi Age sub-set (siritie) is related to the cattle rustling that still goes on. Cattle are sometimes shared for insurance. However, the North Tugen are very industrious and were the first to In each age-set, the initiates were bundled into siri- tie or what can be understood as a ‘team’. There are seek employment on the farms south of North Tugen. Their medicine men are NOTABLE LEADERS three ‘teams’ or siritoik in an age-set (ibindo) namely: famous among the Nandi. They are skilled in making poisonous arrows for trad- • Daniel arap Moi Chongin kapchepsuei Barnot (literally youth ing with their neighbors. • Gideon Moi Their homes are circular huts with a center post of cedar, which is designated as • Reuben K. Chesire Lawrence Bomett Bishop Jackson Kosgey a sacred place for ancestors. Walls are mud-plastered and roofs are thatched with • Sialo Kimiring Benjamin Chesire Cheboi leaves. Lately more and more people are using wood, stone and other modern • Stanley Kiptis Governor Baringo county Hosea Kiplagat facilities in their homes. They sometimes use the Kalenjin Bible, but linguists • David kiplagat kerich speaker Baringo county assemply Peter Kipyator have determined that Tugen speech varies from Kalenjin enough to be consid- • Paul Tergat Solomon Rutto Ngemui Philemon Chelagat ered a distinct language. Tugen is linguistically similar to Samburu and Maasai. • Lucy Jebet Mitei, Philanthropist and Civil Society Activict For instance, greetings will be similar among Samburu, Maasai and North Tugen. • Phyllis Kandie - Cabinet Secretary LABOUR However, their primary identity has been affected by their political identity as • Joel Bartai Masiror Hellen Sambili Prof. Japhet Kiptoon, Prof Segor Ps Kalenjins. African Inland Mission has done extensive work among the Tugens water and irrigation Joshua Kandie Mp B.central Sammy Mwaita retired mp. Daniel Arup Moi, the second president of Kenya (1978–2002) was • Grace Jelagat Kimooi Kipchoim first MP of Baringo South Constituency from the Tugen branch. Notable people • William Cheptumo - MP of Baringo North Constituency • Moses Lessonet - MP of Eldama Ravine constituency.