Loading

Kipsang Arap Tengecha: The Linguist Senior Chief (Kipsigis community)

Shujaa Stories2020

National Museums of Kenya

National Museums of Kenya
Nairobi, Kenya

The sun was starting to set on Kipsang arap Tengecha’s life and as he reflected, he couldn’t help but beam with pride. He had done well for himself. Although the white man had placed so much emphasis on formal education, he had achieved great things without attending the white man’s school.

Born in the early 1890’s, Kipsaang arap Tengecha, alias Cherbogei was born to Tengecha arap Leel from Kapchemagondeet clan and Tamusok chepo Mososwo in Masarian village in Kericho County, among the Kipsigis people.
When he was of age, he was circumcised into the Nyongi age set. He learned to read and write without any formal education. He could speak fluent Maasai, Ekegusii, Luo, Swahili and little English.

A mischievous grin appeared on Kipsang’s face as he thought about his four wives. There was his darling Sofiah Tabarng’etuny kobot Johana, his first wife whom he married in 1914 at Masarian. Together, they had six sons. There was his sweet Tabrangwe kobot Lois, his second wife whom he married in Bomet and had four sons and seven daughters with her. There was his third wife, the amazing Tabutany kobot Lezebeth whom he married when still in Bomet in 1927 and was blessed with six sons and five daughters. Finally, there was his fourth wife (whom he inherited), his angel Roda Tapkoligee chepo Mapengo who begot him four sons one from the first marriage and three with chief Cheborgei arap Tengecha. His wives had borne him enough children to make the men in his village ever so envious of the power of his seed.

Kipsang was no stranger to hard work. His first employment was in the District Commissioner’s office in Kericho as an official government translator. In 1921 he was transferred to Kerendei in Maasailand in the same capacity. He worked as a government translator for almost thirteen years. He was then promoted to be an administrator in Bomet where he served with diligence for nine consecutive years. In 1943 when the ageing chief Ezekiel arap Roronya retired, Chief Cheborgei arap Tengecha was transferred to Bureti.
Anger and frustration welled up inside Kipsang when he remembered how he tried to help his people but they continuously shunned him because they thought he had forsaken them in favour of his colonial masters. He tried introducing cattle insemination to prevent Rinderpest but his people refused. He also tried branding the cattle to guard them against theft but again, none of his people listened to him.

In the fading light of his final moments, Kipsang caught sight of the certificate he received in Edinburg, England, after climbing to the top of The Great Scott Monument as well as the Member of the British Empire medal he received in 1961. Kipsang closed his eyes and felt the tiredness leave his body. His time had come and he was done fighting. He opened his eyes and took it all in for the last time and giving up a great sigh, Kipsang Arap Tengecha breathed his last. The date was July 5, 1978.

Kipsang is remembered for many things. When the colonial government gave him a large tract of land, from Togomiin up to Chebilat, he declined and suggested that he be given the same portion as everyone else. He went ahead and identified where a school would be built. This is where the famous Tengecha Schools are situated. He also initiated the construction of Kapkateet historical grounds where landmark meetings and decisions have been made. Chief Tengecha taught his people the importance of protecting the environment through planting of trees. He personally instructed two pioneer agricultural assistants Elijah arap Ng’asura and Chelogoi arap Kormom to establish a tree nursery where people could obtain seedlings for free. Araap Tengecha started Kapkateet shops in 1944.

Many good things today are accredited to this great Kipsigiis colonial administrator. Cheborgei arap Tengecha set aside enough land for the establishment of schools, health institutions, stadia, urban centers and human settlements.

Bonus Information
Tengecha Boys High School and Tengecha Girls High School are among the top performing schools in Kericho county. Kericho County is home to the best of Kenyan Tea which is renowned worldwide for its taste. Some of the largest tea companies including Unilever Kenya, James Finlay and Williamson Tea are based here. It is also home to the popular Ketepa brand.

Show lessRead more
  • Title: Kipsang Arap Tengecha: The Linguist Senior Chief (Kipsigis community)
  • Creator: Shujaa Stories
  • Date Created: 2020
  • Location: Kenya
  • Rights: Shujaa Stories in collaboration with Nature Kenya and the National Museums of Kenya
  • Research statement: Research was undertaken through on ground field work in Samburu and Marsabit (for Gabbra, Samburu, Rendille, Saakuye, Dasanach, Elmolo, Waayu a.k.a Waata, and Burji superheroes/heroines), Embu and Tharaka (for Aembu, Tharaka, Ameru and Mbeere superheroes/heroines) and Taita-Taveta/Voi (for Taveta superheroes/heroines) capturing all information about the heroes from the 30 selected ethnic groups/communities by Museum’s research team.
  • Community: Kipsigis
  • About Shujaa Stories: This is a Kenyan superhero display of the country’s pre-independence legends who fought for their communities’ land, freedom and spiritual well-being; and are revered by their communities to date. Conceptualized in 2017, the idea was the brain-child of Masidza Sande Galavu (1993-2020) who was a Creative Director and co-founder at Shujaa Stories and Tatu Creatives in Nairobi. ‘Shujaa’ is a Swahili word that means brave or courageous. It also refers to someone who is a hero. Shujaa Stories made its public debut with an exhibition at the Nairobi National Museum in 2018. It shined light on 28 of Kenya’s greatest heroes and heroines. Each story was coupled with a bonus text on conservation related to the heritage sites surrounding where these legends once lived. In 2020, supported by National Museums of Kenya and Google Arts and Culture, Shujaa Stories Ltd completed over 30 new shujaas that cut across the major and marginalized Kenyan communities. Kenya is rich in history and culture. Some of this richness has been brought out in our books, museums and in theatre. But there is one major section of our history that has been left out, especially to the younger generation of Kenyans, which are our pre-independence legendary heroes. Some of these heroes are known well beyond their communities due to the respect they managed to garner across the region. Many of them have a well-developed and sophisticated folklore which embodies their history, traditions, morals, worldview and wisdom. The design language chosen for the entire exhibition is animated illustrations that seek to bring out the superhero character of each shujaa.
National Museums of Kenya

Get the app

Explore museums and play with Art Transfer, Pocket Galleries, Art Selfie, and more

Interested in History?

Get updates with your personalized Culture Weekly

You are all set!

Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.

Home
Discover
Play
Nearby
Favorites