Origin

The origin of the highland Nilotes is not clearly certain but most historians believe that they came from the North Eastern part of Lake Turkana and which is most likely to be Ethiopia.

They were mainly pastoralists who by 1000 AD had covered a large area around the present Northern borders of Uganda, Kenya, and Southern Sudan and Ethiopia. They were farmers also who came into East Africa from southwest Ethiopia after they had acquired iron-working methods.

Some of the tribes comprising of the Highland Nilotes are the Tugen, Trik, Elgeyo, Keiyo, Nandi, Kipsigis, Marakwet, Pokot, and Elgon Kelenjins.

The largest group of highland Nilotes were known as the Kalenjins who comprised of the Sabiny, Kony, Bok and Bangomeki. They were also called Nandi speakers currently occupying the Mt. Elgon region and the rift valley parts of Kenya

Reasons for their Migration

The reasons for their migration are not certainly known to historians but the following are suggested.

Firstly, the outbreak of diseases and epidemics could have forced people to leave their homeland for disease free areas.

Secondly, the high population in their areas could have forced them to migrate.

Thirdly, external conflicts must have forced them to move. They were running away from stronger and warlike tribes like the Galla.

Fourthly, there were also internal conflicts that made the weaker clans to migrate.

Further more there was shortage of food caused by persistent drought in the area. People were therefore disturbed and moved away in search of food.

The Nilotes are partly pastoralists and they must have migrated in the search for green pasture and water for the cattle.

It is also possible that the area could have been overstocked and therefore this group must have moved away in order to get free grazing fields.

Being farmers too, they were searching for fertile land for their crops.

Pests and diseases that attacked their crops rampantly forced them to migrate. Such pests like tsetseflies and diseases like anthrax were common.

Also witch craft and superstitions which are common among all African societies must have forced some of them to migrate to East Africa.

The natural need for adventure could have forced them to migrate. They wanted to know what existed beyond their home areas.

Finally, the desire by some clan leaders to create their own dynasties forced some the highland Nilotes to migrate.

Their migration and settlement

The Highland Nilotics include the Nandi, Kalenjin, Kipsigis. Tugen, Keiyo, Marakwet and Pokot. These Nilotic groups were attracted by the highlands of East Africa. They were farmers and pastoralists who came into East Africa from southwest Ethiopia after they had acquired iron-working methods.

These Nilotics arrived in East Africa from Lake Turkana area and settled in the eastern side of Mount EIgon around 1000 A.D.

By the beginning of the 17^th century the Nilotes group had dispersed and resulted into the assimilation of the many tribes from new groups.  After leaving their original homeland, the Nilotes wandered and settled around Mt. Elgon area.

The first of these groups to arrive in East Africa were the Kalenjin. These early arrivals were known as the Proto-Kalenjin.

The Kalenjin got divided into two groups around 1300. One group became known as Pokot, better known as the Suk.

The group of the Kalenjin which comprised of Bok, Bangomeki and Kony stayed in the Elgon area.

The Terik and some of the Bangomeki migrated south and arrived in the modern Asembo in Western Kenya. Between 1652-1733. They had some intermarriages with Bantu people.

They continued to move to the present Tirik in Buluyia where some Baluyas of Kenya joined them.

The Kalenjins entered Nandi country in the Beginning of the 17^th century. They first settled at Aladai and were later joined by the Kalenjins from Tugen, Elgeyo, Elgon and Kipsigis. These caused population pressure that led to further migration North, south and West.

The Elgon Kalenjins occupied areas from Mt. Elgon and the Western area of Kenya at Kitale and Kapenguria.

The Pokot moved to the North where they encountered the Turkana, the Karamojong and other related Nilotics.

The Highland Nilotics continued to move and by 1700, they had controlled the entire highlands and plains from Laikipia to Iringa where they settled permanently.

Effects of the highland Nilotes

Bantu people who intermarried with the Terik acquired the new custom of circumcision as well as their name of Abatirichi.

There was therefore formation of new cultures arising from the intermarriages.

The Kalenjins absorbed other people like Sirukula and Uasin Gishu and the Masai.

The Nandi became the most powerful people in western Kenya and carried out raids on all her neighbours except their Kipsigis cousins

They caused a lot of suffering by raiding the neighbouring communities.

New crops were introduced by a group of people called Iworopom.

Trade between the highland and the plain Nilotes and the Bantu increased.

The Kalenjin are actually the name the British gave to several different ethnic groups that speak the same language but different dialects. Some of the ethnic groups that comprise the Kalenjin are the Kipsigis (who have produced some of Kenya's best runners), Nandi, Tugen, and Elyogo. Kenya's former  president, Daniel Toroitich arap Moi, was a Tugen. Because of his political power, the Kalenjin became politically powerful. They mostly live in the Rift Valley and probably migrated from the Sudan about 2,000 years ago. Although mainly pastoralists, the Kalenjin have taken up some agriculture and also produce honey.

PLAIN NILOTES

It is not very clear as to why people left their original land to settle in present areas. However, it is believed that the following factors might have been responsible.

Firstly, the outbreak of diseases and epidemics like rinderpest, foot and mouth disease and nagana could have forced people to leave their homeland for disease free areas.

Secondly, the high population in their areas could have forced them to migrate.

Thirdly, external conflicts must have forced them to move they were running away from stronger and warlike tribes like the Galla.

Fourthly, there were also internal conflicts that made the weaker clans to migrate.

Further more there was shortage food caused by persistent drought in the area. People were therefore disturbed and moved away in search of food.

The Nilotes are partly pastoralists and they must have migrated in the search of green pasture and water for the cattle.

It also possible that the area could have been overstocked and therefore this group must have moved away in order to get free grazing fields.

Pests and diseases that attacked their crops rampantly forced them to migrate.

Also witch craft and superstitions that are common among all African societies must have forced some of them to migrate to East Africa.

The natural need for adventure could have forced them to migrate. They wanted to know what existed beyond their home areas.

The Masai, Samburu and Turkana are probably the most well known ethnic groups outside of Kenya. The Masai migrated to Kenya from what is today the Sudan about 1,000 years ago and constitute about 2% of the total population. Their comparatively small number does not equate with their reputation and fame outside of Kenya as stoic and brave lion hunters and warriors. In spite of pressure from the Kenyan government to modernize, the Masai have fiercely maintained much of their traditional culture and way of life. They are nomadic cattle and goat herders, and for them cattle is the most important social, economic, and political factor. Cattle are a sign of wealth, social standing as well as a food source.

Milk and blood, tapped from a cow's jugular vein, is a staple. Their traditional homeland is southern Kenya and northern Tanzania in an area that has the most visited game parks.Thus many tourists come in contact with the Masai morani (warriors) clad in red blankets, red ochre covering their heads and carrying spears and clubs as well as Masai women wearing colorful beads. The Masai help to manage and maintain the Masai Mara National Park and receive a percentage of the park fees.

The Samburu are closely related to the Masai and their traditional homeland is around Maralal in Northern Central Kenya. Like the Masai their morani prefer red blankets, use red ochre to decorate their heads and the women wear beaded jewelry. They also tend cattle and goats, but it is cattle which is the center of Samburu social, political, and economic life. The Samburu are still nomadic people and when pasture becomes scarce in this semi-arid land, they pack up their manyattas (small settlements) on camels and move to better pastures.

The Turkana are closely related to the Masai and the Samburu. They have a reputation as fierce warriors. Although they keep goats, sheep and camels, cattle is the most important component of Turkana life. Their diet consists mainly of milk and blood. The Turkana live in Northern Kenya, near Lake Turkana on arid land. Like many other ethnic groups in Africa, Turkana men have several wives.

The Masai, Samburu and Turkana practice cattle rustling. Law enforcement officials tend to stay clear of disputes arising between and within groups. Disputes are settled by elders and often the guilty person is fined cattle, goats, camels, or sheep.

Migration and Settlement of Plain nilotes in East Africa

The plain Nilotes settled down in the Turkana area for some time and later on another dispersal took place.

The ancestors of the Jie, Dodoth, Karamojong, Iteso and the Turkana who first settled in Mt. Moroto area from where a major dispersal took place during the 17^th century and 18^th century.

The ancestors of the Masai moved southwards and first settled in the area between Mt. Kenya, Kilimanjaro and the Turkana hills. The Masai later expanded along the rift Valley.

The Iteso migrated and first settled in Usuk and the population steadily increased in Usuk leading to another dispersal.

Some Iteso settled in the present day Teso land between Mt. Napak and Mt. Elgon and became the Iteso of Western Kenya

The Karamojong first moved southwards from Mt. Moroto and then Northwest wards and settled in the present day Karamoja.

For the Turkana, they first moved Northwards into the present day North western Kenya but were turned south near L. Turkana due to pressure from the Samburu.

Effects of the Plain Nilotes

The plain Nilotes were hostile tribes who raided and displaced or absorbed societies they came into contact with.

The plain Nilotes fought other societies and established military influence over those societies such as Masai.

The Plain Nilotes bartered goods with their neighbours like the Basoga and Langi for iron implements.

Cattle keeping was adapted by the people among whom they had settled.

The intermarriages led to mix up of cultures.

There was considerable development within the Masai speaking group like the Laikipia, Turkana and Uasin Gishu.

The Nandi copied from the Masai system of ritual leadership based on the Olaiboi.

The Plain Nilotes were hostile and great fighters and therefore some people used the Masai as their allies like the rulers of the Wanga and Chagga.

Another Ateker (Jie) group moved north west wards to join the Luo. The interaction led to the formation of the Langi people in Uganda

There was the spread of the Ateker culture among the Iteso, Langi and the Jie in Uganda. Thus the Jo Abwor have their culture influenced both from the North West and North East.

Other communities became bilingual because of these experiences. E.g. the Jo Abwor not only have a language of their own but they understand the Acholi language too.

It led to the settlement of the Teso people in Palisa and Tororo districts of Eastern Uganda.

There a catastrophic war between the Iworopom and the Karamojong in 1830.

 

THE ITESO MIGRATION MOVEMENT AND SETTLEMENT

The Iteso belong to a branch of plain Nilotes called the Jie. They are believed to have come from Southern Ethiopia and temporarily settled in Karamoja (Moroto) areas before finally moving to their final present settlements.

In the 18^th century the Iteso left Karamoja and moved to a place called USUK in modern Katakwi district. Later others moved close to the shores of Lake Bisina, in modern areas of Kumi and Soroti Districts.

Due to pressure for more land the Iteso continued their movement through Bugisu up to Tororo areas. From Tororo some Iteso entered and settled in Western Kenya.

Today the Iteso occupy the modern districts of Katakwi, Soroti, Kumi, Tororo, Pallisa, Kaberamaido and Teso district in Western Kenya.

 Possibly the Iteso migrated because of the following reasons:

The increasing population and the demand for new areas for settlement;

Internal conflicts among the different families could lead to their migration; external pressure from their neighbours in Ethiopia; drought and famine could have caused hunger which forced them to move; they may have been forced to migrate by outbreak of diseases like small pox which affected both human beings and their animals. Also the desire for fresh pasture and water for their animals could have caused their migration.

Others moved due to the pleasure to explore unknown lands as a form of adventure. Others moved after seeing others move or something of group influence.

 Effects of the Iteso migration

The effects of the Iteso migration were both positive and negative.

They contributed to the peopling of East Africa (added on the East African population).

They introduced the practice of cattle farming.

They introduced permanent settlements in Eastern Uganda and Western Kenya.

They formed new decentralized societies in East Africa.

They introduced a new language called Ateso.

They brought new weapons e.g. a spear (Emachar) for defence and hunting.

They promoted' barter trade with their neighbours, the Luo and Bantu.

They introduced the building of grass-thatched houses decorated with cow dung on the floors and walls.

They introduced the culture of beer brewing using millet and sorghum.

They introduced the crafts of making baskets and wooden stools.

The settlement of the Iteso led to the conflicts or raids between them and their neighbours, the Karamoiong and the Bagisu.