Kipsigis people

rdf:langString Kipsigis people

rdf:langString Kipsigis

rdf:langString Kipsigis, Swahili and English

rdf:langString Kipsigis

rdf:langString Kipsigiis, Kipsikiis

rdf:langString kpsgs

rdf:langString Kenya

rdf:langString Asisian Religion, Christianity, Islam, Atheism

rdf:langString The Kipsigis or Kipsigiis are a Nilotic tribe in Kenya. They are contingent of the Kalenjin ethnic group and speak Kipsigis language, a tonal language which is closely related to a group of languages collectively known as Kalenjin language. It is observed that the Kipsigis and an aboriginal race native to Kenya known as Ogiek have a merged identity. The Kipsigis are the most numerous of the Kalenjin. The latest Census population in Kenya put the kipsigis at 1.972 Million speakers accounting for 45% of all kalenjin speaking people (both in Kenya and Uganda). They occupy the highlands of Kericho stretching from Timboroa to Mara River in the south, the west of Mau Escarpment in the east to Kebeneti in the west. They also occupy, parts of Laikipia, Kitale, Nakuru, Narok, Trans Mara District, Eldoret and Nandi Hills. Earlier impressions depict the Kipsigis as having 'beautiful' Caucasian physique and high positive regard, often declining tedious manual labour although they would condescend to shepherding cattle, proving invaluable at that and with lack of fear for the maraunding lions. Most Kipsigis are reputable for attributes including: humility, hardship endurance and strong emotional expressions. They are also characterized as loyal and courageous people. The kipsigis are among the most hospitable and courteous ethnic groups of Kenya. Apart from the Kalenjin, the other tribe in this group is the Tatonga of Western Tanzania. In their expansion Southwards, the Kipsigis and the Tatonga people reached present-day Shinyanga Area in Western Tanzania only for the former group to return to the Kericho area before some went back again going Southwards but could only settle at Angata Barigoi in Trans Mara next to the Tanzanian Border. The IBEAC company and the British colonial government referred to the Kipsigis people as 'Lumbwa' and 'Kwavi'. The pre-colonial traditional occupations of the Kipsigis included semi-pastoral herding, military expeditions, and farming sorghum and millet. Post-colonial Kipsigis today still live predominantly in their historical tribal territory on the Western Highlands of Kenya at an altitude of 1500m to 2000m; they mainly grow tea, undertake dairy farming and farm maize. They also grow wheat, pyrethrum and coffee. The Kipsigis are also famous for their great singing talent. In tandem with the sterling success of Kenyan long-distance runners, the percipience that a majority of them are of Kalenjin origin also spills over to the bestowal of the same realization as there are many successful athletes and sportspersons from the tribe.