The Sabaot are one of the nine sub-tribes of the Kalenjin of

Kenya ) , national_anthem = " Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi , ...

and

Uganda }), is a landlocked country in East Africa. The country is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the south-west by Rwanda, and to the south by Tanzania. The south ...

. The Sabaot in turn are divided into six communities largely identified by their dialects. These dialects of the

Sabaot language Sabaot (''Sebei'') is a Kalenjin language of Kenya. The Sabaot people live around Mount Elgon in both Kenya and Uganda. The hills of their homeland gradually rise from an elevation of 5,000 to 14,000 feet. The Kenya–Uganda border goes straight ...

are the Pok, Somek, Mosop, Kony, Bong'omek and Sabiny ( Sebei). Being resident around

Mount Elgon Mount Elgon is an extinct shield volcano on the border of Uganda and Kenya, north of Kisumu and west of Kitale. The mountain's highest point, named "Wagagai", is located entirely within Uganda.

, the original homeland of most Kalenjin, the Sabaot are seen as the keepers of the authentic Kalenjin tradition. They and the area they inhabit are often referred to as Kapkugo (meaning grandparents/ancestors place) by other Kalenjin.

Origins

Tha Sabaot were among the Southern Nilotic speaking communities, i.e. proto-Kalenjin, who moved into the western highlands and Rift Valley region of Kenya around 700 BC. Their homelands lay somewhere near the common border between Sudan, Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia . Their arrival in Kenya occurred shortly before the introduction of iron to East Africa.Clark, J., & Brandt, St
From Hunters to Farmers: The Causes and Consequences of Food Production in Africa
University of California Press, 1984, p.234 Contemporary studies, supported by a number of historical narratives from the various Kalenjin sub-tribes point to Tulwetab/Tuluop Kony (Mount Elgon) as their original point of settlement in Kenya.

Settlement

Oral tradition

The traditional account states that most Sabaot once lived at a place called Sengwer which is near the Cherangani Hills. The patriarch of the Sabaot community is said to have been a man called Kingo who moved to Kony from

Sengwer The Sengwer people (also known as Cherang'any and previously as Sekker, Siger, Sigerai, Segelai, Senguer, Senguel and Jangwel) are an indigenous community who primarily live in the Embobut forest in the western highlands of Kenya and in scattered p ...

. It is said that Kingo had four sons; Chebok, Chepkony, Chesabiny and Chebong’Om. These sons or one of them at least once broke a gourd belonging to their father and Kingo being very mad banished them from their home. The four sons dispersed, some to Bungoma and others to areas further south and west. Wherever each of these sons went, they established a clan and at a later date these clans returned becoming the main clans of the Sabaot community.

Traditional life

Initiation

Like other Kalenjin and a number of East African societies, the Sabaot traditionally practiced male and female circumcision. Male circumcision was meant to enhance cleanliness and bravery while female circumcision was practiced to reduce promiscuity.

Economic activities

In previous times, the Sabaot had vast lands which allowed for a pastoral lifestyle. With decreasing land size, the Sabaot have been forced to drastically change their lifestyle from cattle herding to planting maize (corn) and vegetables.

Culture

The principal reference points in the Sabaot identity have been land and cattle both of which are coming under increasing threat, from growing land shortages and decreasing pastoralism respectively, which along with a decline in the practice of certain traditional customs such as initiation and polygamy have led to a sense among the Sabaot that their identity is under threat.

Notable people

* Jonson Authur Sakaja, Politician,Governor Nairobi county * Fred Kapondi, politician and a member of parliament, Mt. Elgon Constituency. * Dr. Robert Pukose, Medical Doctor & politician, a member of parliament, Endebess Constituency * William Chemonges, Politician,MP. Kween, Uganda * Rose Emma Cherukut, Politician,Woman MP. Kween District, Uganda *

Abdi Fadhil Kisos Chemaswet Abdi is a male name. It is a given name used in several countries with different origins. The Oromo version of the name, used within Ethiopia, translates to ‘Hope’. Among others, one version has Arabic has meaning which is loosely translated a ...

, Politician, MP. Soi County, Uganda * Reuben Paul Chelimo, Politician, MP. Kongasis, Uganda * Solomon Malinga Chelangat, Politician, MP. Too, Uganda *

Everlyn Chemutai Everlyn Chemutai (born 12 October 1976) is a Ugandan accountant and legislator. She has been the woman Representative Member of parliament, member of the Parliament of Uganda for the Bukwo District since 2016. She is affiliated with the Nationa ...

, Politician,Woman MP. Bukwo District, Uganda * Twalla Fadhil, Politician, MP. Tingey, Uganda * Sam Cheptoris Mangusho, Politician, MP. Kapchorwa Municipality, Uganda *

Phyllis Chemutai Phyllis Chemutai (born 30 June 1962), is a Ugandan politician who represented Kapchorwa district in the 9th Parliament of Uganda, and is now the Woman MP elect for Kapchorwa district, representing her district for the second time in the 11th Parli ...

, Politician,Woman MP. Kapchorwa District, Uganda * Moses Masai, Olympian, 5000 and 10000m champion * Linet Masai, Olympian, 10000m champion *

Milcah Chemos Cheywa Milcah Chemos Cheywa (born 24 February 1986 in Bugaa, Mount Elgon District) is a runner from Kenya who specialises in 3000 metres steeplechase. She was, until 2015, African record holder at the distance and is the gold medalist of the 2013 ...

, World Champion 3000m SteeplechaseMoses out to deliver ‘Caanan’ in London
Citizen * Joshua Cheptegei Olympian, 10000m runner * Ben Jipcho 1972 Olympic silver medalist * Cellphine Chesipol, athlete *

Mercy Moim Mercy Moim (born ) is a Kenyan volleyball player. She played with the Kenya national team in the 2010 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Championship. She was team captain for the postponed 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo (the only women's volleyball t ...

, Volleyball * Allan Chesang, Senator, Tranzoia County * Lilian Siyoi, Woman Representative, Tranzoia County * Philomena Kapkory, Deputy Governor, Tranzoia County * Janepher Mbatiany, Deputy Governor, Bungoma County .

References

{{Reflist Kalenjin Tribes of Africa