Kalenjin is an ethnic group of Nilotic origin living in the Great Rift Valley in western Kenya. The Kalenjin population is estimated at roughly 3 million. There are several smaller tribal groupings within the Kalenjin: Elgeyo, Endorois, Kipsigis, Marakwet, Nandi, Pokot, Sabaot, Terik, and Tugen. They are pastoralists and are believed to have migrated to their present location from Sudan 2,000 years ago.

Until the early 1950s the Kenyan peoples now known as the Kalenjin did not have a c... Read More

A Clan in the Kalenjin community is a kinship group based on actual or purported descent from a common ancestor, as traced through the male (patriclan) or the female (matriclan) line. Kalenjin Clans are normally exogenous, marriage within the clan being regarded as incest. Clans may segment into sub clans or lineages, and genealogical records and myths may be altered to incorporate new members who lack kinship ties with the clan. Clan membership may be useful in en... Read More