04/10/2024
The Kipkenda clan or Sololo is one of the popular clan among the Kalenjin tribe. Their totem is a bee and this characterize their ever hardworking traits. 🐝
The Kalenjin Kipkenda clan origin, history and norms
The kalenjin community has It's own outstanding culture, the description of a family to them is not only based on blood ties but most importantly-the clan of ones belonging. Now let us speak of one of its largest clan: 'Kipkendek'
Their name 'Kipkendek' may be traced to have been derrived from the Kalenjin word 'kekenda' meaning to deprive or use something without wastage.
The clan consist of two Families: Mateilong and Kimosin; Mateilong was the firstborn and ventured mostly on hunting and gathering and It's descendants are now mostly found in the North Rift, some parts of Tinderet, others in Kosirai and others in Usin Gishu. The kimosin family are found in Kiptere, Ainamoi, Kabokyek,Kebeneti and litein in kericho and most parts of Bomet county.
The mythical story of their origin comes from an old man who was a honey gatherer, at one time while smoking the hive up in the tree with his friend awaiting on the ground, he got stung and overpowered by the bees. He fell on the ground and before his death he told his friend to go and tell his family to always cherish the bee for it has always fed them and since then they were to always take care of the bees.
This clan was and is blessed with leadership skills begining from the old Kalenjin foreteller and messanger-Mugeni Arap Monde.
The outstanding norms of this clan is that they are not allowed to take part in cursing or cleansing. They are also forbidden from honey harvesting. A function in this clan is marked by the pressence of a bee or bees and such bees during such time are harmless.
Their praises(Salanik) include:
Kipkenda komut koot koech
Kipkenda chemele nout kosete kotule
Kipkendek chepo sololo, maimi toek kopa koo
Some of the prominent people who belong to this clan are: The late foreteller
