Nandi people
| 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 Nandi Hills in the former Rift Valley Province of Kenya. They speak 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.
The traditional Nandi account is that the first settlers in their country came from Elgon, 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. They are said to have settled in the emet (county) of Aldai in south-western Nandi. Kakipoch's people were later joined by a few Kipsikis, who were then followed by people from the other Kalenjin branches.
One of the earliest districts (bororiet) was named after Kakipoch. The site of his grave is still shown on Chepilat hill in Aldai, and is 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.
The earliest recorded mention of Arab caravans in Nandi oral tradition date to the 1850's during the time when the Sawe age-set were warriors. The contact was antagonistic with raids on the caravans carried out by Nandi warriors. By 1854, the name Marmar ("to ornament a dress") had been conveyed upon a sub-set of the Sawe possibly as a result of the very successful raiding of Arab caravans or perhaps as a result of the major defeat at Kipsoboi. These were good years for the Nandi.
...
Wikipedia