A section of Kalenjin elders in Uasin Gishu county now says the annual initiation ceremony for the boys in the community will go on as planned.
This is despite concerns that the ceremonies could not go on after the flowering of Setyoot, a sign some elders said would affect the boys who will be circumcised.
Addressing a media briefing in Eldoret town on Thursday, the elders under the umbrella of Myoot Council of elders dismissed fears that flowering of Setyoot would affect the initiates.
“Plants flower always and they help in pollination but for us, we have no problem with that, the ceremonies will go on as planned,” said Alex Mursi, the council’s chairman.
“Flowering time for Setyoot has not yet come, when that time comes we will let you know,” he added.
The elders from different Kalenjin sub-tribes further said whoever declared that the initiation ceremonies will not go on this year has no knowledge of the Kalenjin traditions.
“As the Kalenjin elders, we follow almost the same customs and so whatever we have declared here cuts across all sub-tribes be it Nandi, Marakwet, Pokot, Kipsigis or any other Kalenjin tribe,” insisted James Malakwen, an elder from the Keiyo community.
Setyoot. [Source/Facebook/Chelaa Chebokongoto Korara]
Some tribes among the Kalenjin community, more specifically the Kipsigiis community has over the centuries believed that circumcision of boys was prohibited during a year that the woody herb Setyoot, botanically called MimulopsisSolmsii flowers.
They believe that the initiates would tremble and become susceptible to mysterious ailments if the belief was not followed.
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