The Kalenjin community which mostly occupies the Rift Valley region in Kenya is the second largest in terms of numbers. The Kalenjin comprise a number of Southern Nilotic ethnic groups indigenous to what was formerly the Rift Valley Province in Kenya. They are divided into 11 culturally and linguistically related tribes: Kipsigis, Nandi, Keiyo, Marakwet, Sabaot, Pokots, Tugen, Terik, Sengwer, Lembus, and Ogiek.
Like most African communities, Kalenjins name their children
in regards to events, character, seasons, place of birth, weather, mom’s
situation at birth, time of birth among other factors.
As you might already know, most Kalenjin names start with
“K” for boys and “Ch” for girls. But there are also a few variations that do
not follow this pattern. For instance, names like Birir, Maina, and Tuwei are
still Kalenjin although they are not very common.
Another variation is whereby you
find some names starting with “J” for girls and “Ch” for boys.
Kalenjin women during a Koito
ceremony
In case you have been wondering what
all these “Kips” and “Cheps” mean, we have compiled a list of some of the most
common Kalenjin names with their meanings:
1. Kipsang/Chesang – born outside
the house
2. Kibet/Chebet – born midday
3. Kiprop/Cherop – born during the
rainy season
4. Kipkoech/Chepkoech – born very
early in the morning
5. Kiprotich/Cherotich – when cows
are coming home
6. Kipkemoi/Chepkemoi – born at
night
7. Kiptoo/Cheptoo – born when the
visitor arrived
8. Kiprono/Cherono – When
goats/sheep are coming from pastures
Kalenjin Kids Playing a Game
9. Kiplangat/Cheplangat – born after
7 pm
10. Kipngetich/Chepngetich – born
when cows are being takes to pasture
11. Kipchirchir/Chepchirchir – Mom’s
labor did not last long
12. Kipchumba/Chepchumba – born when
visitors are around
13. Kimutai/Chemutai – mom’s labor
lasted longer
14. Kipruto/Cheruto – when mom went
for a visit
15. Kipkorir/Chepkorir – born before
sunrise
16. Kipngeno/Chepngeno – born when
goats were waking up
17. Kiptanui/Cheptanui – born when
someone fainted
18. Kipyator/Chepyator – opening the
way(firstborn)