• Source: Sabaot people

The Sabaot are one of the nine sub-tribes of the Kalenjin of Kenya and Uganda. The Sabaot in turn are divided into six sub-tribes largely identified by their dialects. These dialects of the Sabaot language are the Pok, Somek, Mosop, Koony, Bong'omek and Sabiny (Sebei Uganda). Being resident around Mount Elgon, the original homeland of most Kalenjin, the Sabaot are seen as the keepers of the authentic Kalenjin tradition. They and the area they inhabit are often referred to as Kapkugo (meaning grandparents/ancestors place) by other Kalenjin.




Origins


The Sabaot were among the Southern Nilotic-speaking communities, i.e. proto-Kalenjin, who moved into the western highlands and Rift Valley region of Kenya around 700 BC. Their homelands lay somewhere near the common border between Sudan, Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia. Their arrival in Kenya occurred shortly before the introduction of iron to East Africa. Contemporary studies, supported by a number of historical narratives from the various Kalenjin sub-tribes point to Tulwetab/Tuluop Kony (Mount Elgon) as their original point of settlement in Kenya.




Settlement






= Oral tradition

=

The traditional account states that most Sabaot once lived at a place called Sengwer which is near the Cherangani Hills. The patriarch of the Sabaot community is said to have been a man called Kingo who moved to Kony from Sengwer. It is said that Kingo had four sons; Chebok, Chepkony, Chesabiny and Chebong’Om. These sons or one of them at least once broke a gourd belonging to their father and Kingo being very mad banished them from their home. The four sons dispersed, some to Bungoma and others to areas further south and west. Wherever each of these sons went, they established a clan and at a later date these clans returned becoming the main clans of the Sabaot community.




Traditional life






= Initiation

=
Like other Kalenjin and a number of East African societies, the Sabaot traditionally practiced male and female circumcision. Male circumcision was meant to enhance cleanliness and bravery while female circumcision was practiced to reduce promiscuity.




Economic activities


In previous times, the Sabaot had vast lands which allowed for a pastoral lifestyle. With decreasing land size, the Sabaot have been forced to drastically change their lifestyle from cattle herding to planting maize (corn) and vegetables.




Culture


The principal reference points in the Sabaot identity have been land and cattle both of which are coming under increasing threat, from growing land shortages and decreasing pastoralism respectively, which along with a decline in the practice of certain traditional customs such as initiation and polygamy have led to a sense among the Sabaot that their identity is under threat.




Notable people


Hon.Jonson Authur Sakaja, Politician,Governor Nairobi county
Hon.Fred Kapondi, politician and a member of parliament, Mt. Elgon Constituency.
Caxton Masudi Ngeywo former Deputy commissioner Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA),cosultant world bank based in
Dubai,UAE

[Mr.Chamngei Cheworei Kiboi-Pioneer Educationist and teacher in Mt. Elgon
Hon Lawrence cheshari Mokosu former MCA kinyoro ward
Wilson chemasuet Kenya Civil aviation Authority (KCCA)
Dr. Robert Pukose, Medical Doctor & politician, a member of parliament, Endebess Constituency
JOHN BOMET SERUT, late member of parliament mt elgon kenya
Maruga mca chesikaki ward cheptais district.
Joshua Aramis upcoming politician and influencer student leader kenyan kalenjin communities
Moss Ndiema, Politician, Secretary General, Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU), Kenya
William Chemonges, Politician,MP. Kween, Uganda
Hon.Rose Emma Cherukut, Politician,Woman MP. Kween District, Uganda
Hon.Abdi Fadhil Kisos Chemaswet, Politician, MP. Soi County, Uganda
Reuben Paul Chelimo, Politician, MP. Kongasis, Uganda
Hon.Solomon Malinga Chelangat, Politician, MP. Too, Uganda
Hon.Everlyn Chemutai, Politician,Woman MP. Bukwo District, Uganda
Twalla Fadhil, Politician, MP. Tingey, Uganda
Hon.Sam Cheptoris Mangusho, Politician, MP. Kapchorwa Municipality, Uganda
Hon.Phyllis Chemutai, Politician,Woman MP. Kapchorwa District, Uganda
Moses Masai, Olympian, 10000m bronze medallist
Linet Masai, Olympian, 2009 World 10000m champion
Milcah Chemos Cheywa, World Champion 3000m Steeplechase
Joshua Cheptegei 5000m Olympic champion, 10000m World champion. Kapchorwa District, Uganda
Cellphine Chesipol, athlete
Mercy Moim, Volleyball Captain,Kenya National Team
Hon.Allan Chesang, Senator, Tranzoia County
Hon.Lilian Siyoi, Woman Representative, Tranzoia County
Hon.Philomena Kapkory, Deputy Governor, Tranzoia County
Hon.Janepher Mbatiany, Deputy Governor, Bungoma County
Paul Kiptoo Masaba, Bishop, Sebei Diocese, Church of Uganda
Bishop.Emmanuel Chemengich, ACK, Bishop Diocese of Kitale
Ben Jipcho, an Olympian
Peter Kemei, Gender Equality Advocate, Top 60 @60, Kenya
Rev. Dr. Ptallah Butaki, Founder and Executive Director Imani Radio & Tv, Kenya and Uganda
Davis Kipkania Kiboi, Engineer and Academician from Chepkube, Mt. Elgon
Prof. George Chemining'wa, Principal, Turkana University College




References

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Sabaot people
• Sabaot
• Sabaot language
• Sabaot Land Defence Force
• Pok
• Ethnic conflicts in Kenya
• Ilchamus people
• Southern Nilotic languages
• Elgon languages
• Nilotic peoples