The poppy appealing tunes which normally robs air at mid and the end of the year in Baringo has for reasons cut feelings of many, wholly in search of the lost culture through songs and dance.

Every year  in December , is  a day to remember by section of small group  of Samor community neighbors to Elgeiyo’s  ‘‘ irong ’’while  Arror bordering the warrior Pokot all meet in Oinobmoi and Koroto  respectively in Baringo County to showcase culture.

Elites  ,area leadership and people from all walks of life including dry land tourists and visitors from abroad do not wait to be narrated the incredible culture possessed by some elderly to the digital generation.

Curious multitude however buy their time while others are moved by edifying narcissisms which sends their judgments to join the stage for a chef-d’oeuvre  showpiece .

The  well choreographed songs and dance has one thing in common for  activities namely marriage , good harvest , customary songs by Tugen natives  are narrated  and illustrated .

The unique  songs brings  middle aged men’s  instincts down memory lane in primary schools where they staged  a replica  of traditional songs for a  music festival.

John Sergon a director at e-government and a member of Baringo Advocacy and Development Organization (BADO)  says Tugenin Cultural fete held annually  is a rare and ideal  point  where friends ,age mates and relatives have a golden opportunity to chat  and exchange fun.

‘‘ Some of us have been away because of work.Phone calls have become ideal to communicate to our people in the countryside but with the event ,we have nostalgia in it  , explains the Director at e-government  .’’

Locher Cherono 68 from Kerio Valley, in one of the songs to praise his bull as part of songs  sang by all communities  do not miss in hunt for  a spouse in a marriage song  that  in the air also  attributes  age set .

Climax of event will be meaningless for nosey cultured few if ‘‘ Chesaina’’ the famous Tugen man  from the who grasped the bull by the horns  and took to the market confirming to other communities  that the Tugen were and are brave men.

Zephania Chepkong’a  75 ,a former Baringo North MP however explains that not all who turned up for  ‘‘ Kaptien ’’ (Where Tugen men and women met  for  a song and  dance) was also meeting place for  partners  .

Some of us who did not know how to sing   or ‘‘praise the bulls ’’  , those years   were turned away .We had to trek several kilometers away from our homes after being despised and had to call it a day ,not now where diseases has reversed the trend on taking chances on women  ,says Mr. Chepkong’a  .’’

Lost Culture

Controversial Joseph Lokot 45  from Turkana community says their neighbors from Tugen and Pokot communities have lost originality in their culture.

‘‘ This communities out of flowing and easy to understand Turkana language have convinced them to borrow from us some words in their songs .Most of them (communities)  have landed easy way to attract audience in their songs mostly in marriage and celebration songs out of our well entertaining traditional songs  , explains Lokot.’’

Some of the words in the songs will reveal your   identity  of borrowed culture. This has  for instance helped us coexist as one in rich multiethnic Baringo County, adds Lokot.’’

Legislatures Grace Kiptui (Baringo County Women Representative) and Baringo North MP William Cheptumo at the recent events graced by elites with pomp and color at  Koroto called on the communities in the county to embrace peace and harmony through cultural songs.

They noted that culture among forefathers was strictly adhered especially in the line of marriage. The new generation has ruled out  a number of important things which the communities still recognize and risks bad presage .

‘‘ It is regrettable our young girls have lacked some basics applicable during motherhood especially during and after birth. They have forgotten and have never bothered to ask their grandmothers what one would do for example , if her child persistently cough.
I remember our  grandmothers    would chew a certain kind of tree root  believed to be herbal  and spit to child’s mouth and would stop the persistent cough ,isn’t it ? , asked  the women representative to old and young women .’’