Samburu warriors transition into elders

Over 600 warriors from Samburu community on Tuesday graduated into elders in a traditional transition ceremony held at Baawa village in Samburu Central.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, an elder of the Samburu community, Godfrey Lekimenjo, explained that grandaunts from Lumasula clan represented all young men, who, he says, were circumcised between 2005 and 2015 in Lkishami age set.

The ceremony, dubbed Lmuget Lemouwuo, is first marked in the region by the Lumasula clan before all the eight clans forming the community do the same.

According to Lekimenjo, Moran youth from Lumasula clan are given priority of being the first to graduate into elders as the clan is respected for carrying the community’s calendar and giving direction.

“The Lmuget Lemouwuo ceremony is the most important stage as it completes the stages a warrior has to go through, and unlike transition celebrations marked by other clans, a bull is usually slaughtered in Lumasula’s clan  for feasting,” elaborated the elder.

He added that members of the new age set would be given a chance to play certain roles and enjoy certain privileges offered by the community.

The ceremony was also attended by Governor Moses Lenolkulal who gave a vote of thanks to the warriors and those who attended the ceremony he termed a success.

“The Samburu community is highly valued because of its rich culture and, therefore, we should encourage such ceremonies which relate to our culture and traditions and later result into uniting the community,” said the Governor.

Governor Lenolkulal added that the county government will cooperate with the county assembly to formulate policies that will promote the community’s beneficial cultural values.

Written by Treeza Awuor