Several communities fall under the Kalenjin umbrella: Kipsigis, Nandi, Keiyo, Marakwet, Sabaot, Pokot, Tugen, Terik, Sengwer, and Ogiek. There are similarities in the ways that these communities built their houses but there are significant differences as well. One common vein that ran among all the communities is that women were the builders of houses.
Walls were constructed using bent saplings. These saplings were malleable when wet, but once dry they hardened and became durable. They were anchored to larger posts and covered with a mixture of mud and cow dung. Roofs were thatched with local grasses.
Most of the Kalenjin communities did not plaster the outside of their houses and opted to leave them with a rough finish. However, the Kipsigis plastered the outside of their houses and even decorated the exterior walls with red and white ochre mud.
The first wife’s hut was centrally located in the compound and faced the main gate. Her hut also had a back entrance used by the husband. Behind her hut was the husband’s hut, and right next to this was the second wife’s hut. Once a male child was circumcised, he constructed a hut to the right of the main gate and moved into it. This became his home until he married and moved away from his father’s compound to start his own.
Are there any other similarities or differences you know about traditional Kalenjin houses? Let us know.
#BomaZetu
