The Njemps Community of Kenya

Role of elders

The Njemps had a council of elders, who were responsible for settling quarrels, offering sacrifices, and conducting ceremonies.

Fishing in Lake Baringo

This fishing canoe (Kaldich) was made by men from ambach wood and tied together using wild sisal (Rapai). Men would sit on the light pieces of ambach wood and use two wooden paddles to move the canoe on Lake Baringo, where they fished.

Wooden paddles

These are canoe paddles made from kaemai wood. They were made by men and used for paddling ambach canoes while fishing on Lake Baringo.

Farming and irrigation

This wooden hoe was used for digging by the Njemps, who practice farming along Lake Baringo. Since part of the area is usually dry and has unreliable rainfall, the Njemps use irrigation to stimulate crop growth.

Honey gathering

This traditional wooden barrel with cowhide and twisted fiber straps was used for storing honey. Men harvested honey and put it into the container. Honey was then carried home for use in other various activities like making beer or eating.

Njemps warrior

A Njemps warrior wearing a lion mane headdress, indicating his status. He holds a shield, spear and axe.

Men hunted and protected the community

This barbed arrow is made from iron, sticks, and feathers. It was used by men for hunting wild animals, and as a weapon when they were attacked.

Hunting for meat

This club (eng'udi), made from salabani wood, was carved by a Moran or an older man using a panga and a penknife. It would have been thrown at animals' legs to put them down.

Children's ear plugs

These wooden earplugs (sura), with holes at the centre, are made from Labusekeil wood. They were made and worn on the earlobes by young boys and girls. At the age of six (Libatin Awari), the earlobes were cut and the plugs inserted.

Colorful beads

A pair of bead earrings (oIchonyi onkiya) sewn on leather and worn on each earlobe by married women.

Copper earrings

Copper earrings made by a blacksmith.

Men's ornament

This is an earring made from copper wire, coiled over an iron rod and worn by old men as an ornament.

Beaded skirt

This kind of skirt (Olekesena) was made from goat skin (or cowhide), decorated with beads. Women would scrape off the hair from the goat skin and make it supple by rubbing sheep fat mixed with red ochre. Then colorful beads would be sown on. It was worn by women.

Sandals

This is a cowhide sandal (nkamuka) that has a double sole and coil of cowhide on the straps for decoration. These were made by men and worn by everybody.

Old men loved their tobacco

This tobacco box (ilkidong) is made from a black plastic pipe with cow hide ends and a handle. It was made by old men and the bead work done by their wives. Old men used it to keep tobacco that they chewed for leisure.