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
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 .’’
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