In many parts of the world, stone circles that date back thousands of years draw international attention. They are renowned for their unique placement and their possible ties to ancient astrological practices. One of the best-known examples is Stonehenge in England, which is also a World Heritage Site. But only in Kenya will you find a stone circle that is the first evidence of archaea-astronomical activity in Sub-Saharan Africa.
50 metres off the Lodwar-Kalokol Road near the western shores of Lake Turkana are The Dancing Stones of Namoratunga. Also known as Kalokol Pillar Site or Namoratunga II, this is one of East Africa’s most intriguing archaeological sites. Kalokol Pillar Site consists of 19 magnetic basalt pillars that each have smaller rounder stones that rest on their relatively flat tops. The pillars stand over a circular platform made of smaller stones. The site was originally believed to have been created around 300 BC, but recent excavations place the estimated date as 2398 BC. Multiple tales are told by the Turkana people of how the pillars came to be…
One story tells of the people who were brave enough to make a deal with the devil. Anybody was free to traverse this land where the devil resided, on one condition: that they could pass his test. The test was fairly simple, the devil would sing a song and expected his audience to listen without showing any emotion. Those who were daring enough to strike this deal had to stand motionless as the devil enticed them with his melodious voice and his sweet harmonies. Many were unable to resist the urge to smile, laugh, or even weep, and ended up petrified. According to the myth, one chief had successfully managed to outwit the devil. However, just when he thought the song had come to an end, he smiled and his soul was also claimed. That chief is believed to be the upright pillar in the midst of the tilted pillars.
Another folktale attributes the presence of the stones to a punishment incurred by the first Turkana to arrive in the area. On that fateful day, they came across a woman dancing on this site. Her movements were disjointed and unusual, and she was quite the spectacle. When the woman realized she had company she pleaded with them not to laugh at her, but the strangers could not contain their amusement and burst out laughing. This infuriated the woman who had magical powers, and she turned them to stone.
These stories influenced the naming of the place as Namoratunga, a Turkana word which some sources say translates to “people of stone” while others say “dancing people”.
One research theory suggests that in the past, the Kalokol Pillar Site functioned as an ancient stellar observatory. Because the stones pre-date the arrival of the Turkana in the region, it is believed that the community that had initially settled in this region aligned the stones with the positions of important star systems. This theory is backed up by the fact that many neighbouring Cushitic communities such as the Borana and the Gabra traditionally used astrology to create a 12-month 354-day lunar calendar.
The initial creators and use of the pillars remain shrouded in mystery, but the site maintains a spiritual focus. In December, Turkana clans gather in this space to conduct ritual ceremonies. Not to mention the hundreds of tourists that visit the site annually. The Dancing Stones of Namoratunga continue to attract those who are on a spiritual journey, as well as those who are simply looking for answers to their burning questions.
#KePlaces