‘Kailetab Kariik’a Kalenjin ceremony held 40 days after the death of a head of a family
-Within the 40days,no circumcised man would enter into the Widow’s house-
Kalenjin Elders/Image Courtesy
‘Kailetab Kariik’ is a Kalenjin traditional ceremony done after 40 days from the demise of the head of the family(Father) who always is referred to as ‘Toloita’ of the family.
Within the 40 days,no circumcised man would enter into the Widow’s house.
The ceremony literally involves oiling weapons and ornaments but also a succession and closure event. This event was taken as very sacred amongst the Kalenjin Community especially the Nandi
Immediately 40 days have passed since the demise of the head of the family, an Ox (Eito)is slaughtered and the deceased’s Paternal Relatives and a few friends, mainly those circumcised together with the deceased (Bakulei)partake the Ox meat.
It is at this point that they all put oil on their ornaments.
One of the brothers, or half-brother(If he was the only son remaining), a paternal cousin, climbs on to the roof of the main house(Grass thatched house was the norm) and solemnly breaks off the stick that stands alone at the centre tip of the roof called ‘Kimonjokut’ to signify that the Toloita of the family is no more.The action is referred to as Keng’isir Toloita.
Thereafter, he enters the main house and damages the place where the deceased used to hang his weapons,also the mud separator of his bed(Itogut)was broken and his utensils would all be damaged.
This ceremony marked the end of the mourning period .
At this point, the widow would be allowed to remarry or if she decides never to remarry, then she would never again wear married women’s ear-rings.
After this ceremony, the dead persons personal effects including weapons and attire would now be shared by the Paternal Brothers and sons.
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