Orkoiyot
The Orkoiyot occupied a sacred and special role within the Nandi and Kipsigis people of Kenya. He held the dual roles of chief spiritual and military leader, and had the authority to make decisions regarding security particularly the waging of war.[1] Notable Orkoiik include Kimnyole Arap Turukat, Koitalel Arap Samoei and Barsirian Arap Manyei.
Contents
1 History
1.1 Origins
1.2 Geneaological Table
2 Administrative structure of the Nandi
2.1 Kiruogik
2.2 Maotik
3 See also
4 References
History
Origins
The office that the Orkoiyot held was referred to as the Orkoinotet[2] and was established among the Nandi by Kipsegun, a Segelai Maasai. The abilities that distinguished an Orkoiyot were hereditary and thus the office passed on to his son Arap Kipsegun though their dynasty was short-lived and ended with the son.[3]
The second dynasty was founded through a woman named Moki chebo Cheplabot, the wife of a Maasai Laibon who fled during a war with the Nandi while pregnant. She later bore two sons, Kopokoii and Barsapotwa, while hiding in caves near Keben in the Mogobich Valley. Moki and her sons, the former who would become the first Orkoiyot of the second and last dynasty, were captured and adopted into the Talai clan.[4] The Talai are a widespread Kalenjin clan and among the Nandi are aligned with the Lion Totem.
Geneaological Table
The Orkoinotet lasted for over fifty years and went through a period of a dual administration during the time of Arap Kipsegun and Kopokoii until the former was ousted.[5]
Kipsegun 1st Nandi Orkoiyot, unknown | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Arap Kipsegun 2nd Nandi Orkoiyot, unknown | Kopokoii 2nd Nandi Orkoiyot, unknown | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Turukat 3rd Nandi Orkoiyot, unknown | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kimnyole 4th Nandi Okoiyot, 1870's to 1890,[6] killed by Nandi in 1890 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kipeles Arap Kipchomber 1st Kipsigis Orkoiyot | Koitalel 5th Nandi Orkoiyot, 1890 to 1905 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kipeles Arap Tamasun 6th Nandi Orkoiyot, 1905 to 1919 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Barsirian Arap Manyei[7] 7th Nandi Orkoiyot, 1919 to 1922 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Administrative structure of the Nandi
The Orkoiik were recognized across Nandi as being at the head of the governance system. They did not however play a large role in the affairs of everyday life; which were handled by the Kiruogik, heads of the districts and direct representatives of the people.[8]
Kiruogik
The Kiruogindet (pl. Kiruogik) was spokesman or counselor chosen by the people in each district (pororiet). They were responsible to the Orkoiyot through the Maotiot for the good governance of their respective districts and the enrollment of troops in time of war.[9]
Maotik
The Orkoiyot appointed one Maotiot (pl. Maotik) in each district to represent the Orkoiyot at the district level.[10]
See also
- List of rulers of the Nandi
- Kimnyole
References
^ Hollis A.C, The Nandi - Their Language and Folklore. The Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1909, p. 48
^ Genealogy of the Nadi Orkoiyot from Kipsegun to Samoei online
^ Hollis A.C, The Nandi - Their Language and Folklore. The Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1909, p. 50
^ East African Standard, Why leaders seek blessings in a Nandi Village, Nov.2009 online
^ Hollis A.C, The Nandi - Their Language and Folklore. The Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1909, p. 50
^ Genealogy of the Nadi Orkoiyot from Kipsegun to Samoei online
^ EastAfrican, December 5, 2008: Murder that shaped the future of Kenya
^ Hollis A.C, The Nandi - Their Language and Folklore. The Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1909, p. 50
^ Hollis A.C, The Nandi - Their Language and Folklore. The Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1909, p. 50
^ Hollis A.C, The Nandi - Their Language and Folklore. The Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1909, p. 50
