Nandi (ethnic group)
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| (949,000 (2009)) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Languages | |
| Kalenjin | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity, African Traditional Religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Kalenjin and other Nilotes |
The Nandi are part of the Kalenjin ethnic group found in East Africa. They traditionally have lived and still form the majority in the highland areas of the former Rift Valley Province of Kenya, in what is today Nandi County. They speak the Nandi dialect of the Kalenjin language.
Main Article: Kalenjin History
According to the Kalenjin narrative of origin, the Nandi section was formed from the separation of what had been a combined group of Kipsigis and Nandi. They had been living at Rongai near Nakuru as a united group for about a century before they were forced to separate due to antagonistic environmental factors, notably droughts and invasion of the Maasai from Uasin Gishu. The Kipsigis moved southwards, settling around Kericho while the Nandi continued west and settled at Aldai.
Radiocarbon dating of archaeological excavations done in Rongai (Deloraine) have ranged in date from around 985 to 1300 A.D and have been associated with the early development phase of the Sirikwa culture. From here the culture radiated outwards toward the western highlands, the Mt. Elgon region and possibly into Uganda.
The existence of the Nandi as a tribe dates from about the beggining of the seventeenth century. The traditional Nandi account is that the first settlers in their country came from Elgon during the time of the Maina ibinda (age-set), and formed the Kipoiis clan; a name that possibly means 'the spirits'. They were led by a man named Kakipoch, founder of the Nandi section of the Kalenjin and are said to have settled in the emet (county) of Aldai in south-western Nandi. One of the earliest bororiosiek (districts) was named after Kakipoch and the site of his grave, still shown on Chepilat hill in Aldai as lately as 1926, was marked by the stump of an ancient olive tree. The account of his burial is that his body was laid on ox-hide, together with his possessions, and left for the hyenas.
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