Kipsigis elders finally return the controversial bull ‘kirgit’ to Kaputie clan of Tugen community
The cultural cleansing ceremony was performed on Friday 24th March 2023 at the banks of Kipchorian River, Londiani in Kericho County. The event was attended by Kericho County Deputy Governor Eng Fred Kirui and representatives from all the 196 Kipsigis clans residing in Bomet, Kericho, Nakuru, Nandi and Narok counties.
According to the Kipsigis Talai historian Mr David Tuei, some Maasai from Purko clan came from Tanganyika in 1897 with some cows. They were heading to Baringo, reaching Angata Barigoi in Transmara a cow of one of them gave birth and the owner told a member of Kipsigis community living there to let the cow and its calf together with other cattle that included a bull to stay at his home until when the calf is strong enough to travel. The rest of the Maasai people travelled with their cows until they reached Baringo. These Maasai people from Purko clan called themselves Kaputie clan.
When the Maasai retuned to Angata to bring his cows after some months, the owner of the homestead where he left the cows told him that some Kipsigis people stole the cows. The Maasai man told the Kipsigis people they should not have taken his bull. He, therefore, cursed the Kipsigis community that ” Betok Kiruk” (you will not have leadership) and he went further to say that when the Kipsigis want him to forgive them they should give him a bull that will cross river Kipchorian. Hence the performance of the ceremony at the hedge of Kipchorian River.
When the Kipsigis elders learned the sad history in 2018 they started looking for the Kaputie clan members in Baringo County. They were found and informed of the long-standing curse imposed by their great grandfathers.
In February this year, some Kipsigis representatives went to Baringo including David Tuei and they were told that the family whose cows were stolen in Angata was found. They came back and reported the matter to the Kipsigis clan members. A date was set to be 24th March 2023 and the bull crossed river Kipchorian as was said by the owner.
Prior to the bull symbolically crossing the river, a cultural ceremony that included exchanging honey and milk was performed. This signified that the two communities had reconciled and forgiven each other.
