The History and Culture of the Nandi Community

Description

This book focuses on the definition and application of Nandi customary laws on the backdrop of modern civilization. The author has good knowledge regarding the Nandi culture due to his personal observation including his participation in some of the events recorded in the book. Most of the information was indeed received in the form of oral transmission via stories and myths passed from generation to generation by past ancestors. Nevertheless, ideas may differ due to the influence of Nandi neighbours and immigrants who came in with their different cultures and practices. The book title, Chepnandindetab Keny, was intentionally coined by the author to commemorate the widow by the name Tabkendi; whose efforts contributed to the largest Nandi Bororiet (Sub-clan) as per the Nandi mythical oral traditions. Although, in many cases, matters relating to the Nandi woman take a centre stage, other issues regarding men are discussed in detail. This book is a reliable resource with regard to Nandi intangible cultural heritage. It is a relevant reference for scholars interested in Anthropology, Cultural Studies and general readership.

Kebenei Kiprop was born on the slopes of Koyo hills along the central part of the Nandi escarpment in 1930. He joined the Nairobi Government African School – Pumwani in 1941. From 1950 to 1952, he learnt at Government African School, Kabsabet , then between 1953 and 1954, he took a Certificate in Farm Management course at Siriba Agricultural Training Centre. He went for survey training in Kisumu for six months in 1955 after which he was posted, alongside other surveyors, to set up drainages in Marigat (Perkera) irrigation Project and Chewoyet Rural Agricultural School. He also worked at Kaimosi Farmers Training Centre. In 1957, he acted as an Assistant Presiding Officer during Kenya’s first general election. In 1959, he was involved in the formation of Special Crop Development Authority which later on changed to Kenya Tea Development Authority (K.T.D.A.). Thereafter, from 1966 to 1968, he travelled to Dresden in East Germany to undertake a Diploma course in Farm Management and Economics. He later on got a sales promotion job in 1970 with Kenya Farmers Association (K.F.A.). He was employed by Windmill East Africa Fertilizer Company and went for a one month familiarization tour in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Since his retirement, he has been practicing small-scale farming and currently stays at Kamagut near Moi Barracks in Eldoret, Uasin-Gishu County.