Mpunyati Lesepen: The Story of the Great Samburu Astrologer

Mpunyati Lesepen: The Great Astrologer of the Samburu
Many years ago, legend has it that one Sof Omar emigrated from the land of the Borana into that of the Samburu whereupon he took the new name of Mpunyati Lesepen. He was the founder of a long line of astrologers which survives to this day.

Mpunyati Lesepen, was initiated into the Lmarikon, an age-set whose members were initiated around 1879.

Mpunyati was very close to Nkai meaning ‘God’ with whom he was able to communicate directly, by reading the stars in order to pass on Nkai’s messages to the Samburu people.

While he was dreaming in his sleep, he could see visions of the past, present and future. At other times, these visions were brought about by using objects for divination or through intoxication. Consequently, Mpunyati was able to warn of droughts, pestilence and impending disease or war.

Mpunyati also possessed divination gourds (or cattle horns) called nkidong from which he could cast divination stones. Mpunyati had secret knowledge to prepare ntasim powerful, mystical medicines which could be used to treat afflictions such as infertility, blindness, insanity, and the death of livestock.

In succeeding years, successive Lesepen were, therefore, called upon to protect warriors with ntasim before they went into battle.

Mpunyati Lesepen had a son, Lokulume Lesepen, another great Samburu astrologer who lived in Ng’iro. In the 21st century, Ldumeme Lesepen also a descendant of Mpunyati truthfully predicted the 2007 post-election violence in Kenya and also that Uhuru Kenyatta would one day become president.

Mpunyati Lesepen's legacy lives on
Samburu are nomadic pastoralists. They follow patterns of rainfall, seeking out lush pastures and water for their cattle, camels, goats and sheep.

Clad in a striking red cloth wrapped like a skirt and a white sash, the traditional dress of the Samburu tribe is embellished with vibrant beaded earrings, bracelets, anklets and necklaces. The colourful, decorative jewelry reveals and represents the status of an individual.

A significant and essential part of the Samburu culture is the art of dancing. Men dance in a circle and jump high from a standing position. They merely use their voices to complement their singing and dancing, no other accompaniments.

They reside in a stunning, sparsely populated part of Kenya prolific with wildlife.