The Kalenjin community respects circumcision of boys.
The boys pass through a series of secret rituals and upon successful completion, they are categorized to certain age set. The new community gentlemen are said to belong to one "Ipinda".
When an age set comes to age, it is their responsibility to take care of the Kalenjin society. Long ago when raiding was common, elder age set would go out for cattle rustling.
The Kalenjin community has eight age sets. They are;
Maina
This was the first formed age set in the Kalenjin community. It took a longer period in Kalenjin age set systems. It worked from 1800 After Death of Christ (A.D) to 1885 A.D.
Nyongi
Nyongi were among the first honoured age sets in the Kalenjin community. They took charge from 1885 A.D to 1900 A.D.
Chumiot
This age set existed from 1900 A.D to 1924 A.D
Saweiyiek
This group of age set took over from Chumiot hence running from 1924 A.D to 1940 A.D
Korongoro
Korongoro is known to have been so strong taking over for 26 years. Korongoro is among the current respected elders in Baringo. They recently vowed to curse cattle rustlers. The age set ran from 1940 A.D to 1966 A.D
Kipkoimet
Kipkoimet took only 10 years from 1966 A.D to 1976 A.D
Kaplelach
Kaplelach became the second last age set. They took 20 years from 1976 A.D to 1996 A.D
Kipnyiige
The last age set to be formed in Kalenjin was Kinyiige. They over from Kaplelach in 1996A.D
Tugen community are known to have lost Maina when they were killed in Naivasha by Masaai hence the age set was skipped to next making Keiyos behind and Tugen ahead by one set.
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