It began when someone noted the popularity of the brown jacket among the Kalenjin people.
At first, it was an object of great ridicule, often used in a derisory manner. But just like the endurance of a long distance athlete, it overcame it and became a fad.
A Kalenjin can now proudly wear that chaget (yours truly is even adding to my word dictionary so that it does not get underlined anymore) which is some sort of a fashion statement, or someone telling the world ‘there’s a kale inside this jacket.’
Perhaps this popularity can be traced to Propesa the popular comedy group, famous for their signature ‘Hallo William’ style of comedy.
At no point do you see these guys without their chaget, especially when they are out to perform. They even did a comedy routine dubbed 'chaget party.'
The popularity of this chaget has grown in leaps and bounds, even culminating in a chaget festival in Eldoret.
Event organizers also ride in the chaget fame, hoping to cash on a Kalenjin signature wear.
The chaget shows how people can turn what can be seen as an object of ridicule to a popular social fad, that uniquely identifies a particular group of people.
There’s no shame in being who you are even if people find it funny. It will only take your courage and consistency to be different and then people notice. That’s when they stop judging you and start seeing from your perspective.
The chaget will continue being a ‘fashion’ statement among people, to a point where it will be a must have for anyone who is a Kalenjin.
It can only be said that the chaget has risen from a point of ridicule and a butt of all jokes to a commercial as well as a fashion statement.
#hivisasaoriginal