Laikipia University Journals
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Item Nandi Age Set System and Ethnic Conflict in Contemporary Kenyan Politics(Laikipia University, 2013) Chelang’a, James K.,; Jeannette Dickerson-Putman.Kenya is known as home to a number of age-set communities. Among them are the Kalenjin, a speech community made up of eight culturally related groups. Traditionally, the community categorized its members into different distinct age groups and age grades based on annual generational initiation rites. The young community members went through circumcision which marked transition from childhood to adulthood. The male initiates in this community defined their specific generation and age set or grade. This system contributed significantly to the development of male identity and intra-set solidarity, created warriors to protect communities, to carry out raids, and regulated behaviour between generations. It also reinforced the mystical, and judicial status and power held by the community elders. The age set system further curbed inter-group and intra-group conflict while at the same time providing models for conflict resolution and restoration of social harmony. Despite a long history of colonization and globalization, age set/grade principles continue to influence male identity and inter-generational relationships among members of this community. This paper draws upon ongoing research on the Kalenjin groups in Kenya with the interest of exploring the role that male age set identity played in the activities surrounding the 2007 Kenyan General Elections. Key informant interviews were employed to collect primary data from the Nandi sub-ethnic group of the Kalenjin between November 2007 and April 2009. The research findings indicate that politicians manipulated the age set system for political objectives and this has partly eroded the age set institution. The paper recommends the development of a new curriculum for circumcision rituals that can provide some alternative role models for members of contemporary male age sets/age grades and avoid the future misuse of the age set system. It is hoped that these new rituals and intergenerational identities can provide a foundation for a more harmonious response to future social strive especially those that relate to politics. Key Words: Age Sets, Age Grades, Conflict, Ethnic group / community.