The Nandi are a Kalenjin people group that are presently living on the highland escarpment in Western Kenya. They are part of the larger group of highland Nilotes. We look at Reasons behind Kenya’s Nandi people’s resistance to the British invasion.
The Nandi are one of the communities sharing cultural characteristics and a Southern Nilotic language known as Kalenjin. The dialects are considered separate languages; for example, the Nandi speak the Nandi language, which may or may not be mutually intelligible with other Kalenjin languages. The Kalenjin groups, including the Nandi, Kipsigis, Tugen, Keiyo, Okiek, Marakwet, Sengwer, Sabaot, Terik, Pokot, and Sebei, reside in the highlands of East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. This confederation formed due to the First and Second Mutai upheavals.
Kalenjin languages are generally similar, and most dialects are mutually intelligible. The Nandi use Kalenjin nomenclature, which is largely consistent across communities, except in the Marakwet, where gender inversion occurs in personal names. Folklore suggests this may have resulted from a genocide targeting Marakwet males or females. Kalenjin mythology is believed to have evolved from early sky worship to sun worship, possibly originating from the Kibasisek clan of Marakwet. Today, most Nandi, like most Kalenjin, are Protestant or Catholic Christians.
The Nandi heritage significantly influences Kalenjin identity and modern culture. Many customs are shared among Kalenjin groups, though some do not practice circumcision. Traditionally, Kalenjin could marry within their broader community. Clan membership (oret) transcends individual communities, with intricate ties between the Nandi and Kipsigis ortinwek, often giving the impression of a single identity even today.
For several reasons, the Nandi fought the British invasion of their territory:
- They fought the British in order to defend their independence. Their leader knew very well that the British interference would erode their independence, freedom, and authority. They had even been forewarned by prophet Kimnyole that their land would at one time be ruled by foreigners. As such, they did not want any stranger crossing their land. The construction of the Uganda railway gave the Nandi an excuse of fighting the British. Their prophet Kimnyole had forewarned against the coming of an iron big snake belching smoke that would come from the East to quench its thirst in the west (Lake Victoria). So they were filled with fear and did not want to lose any of their lands to the construction of the railway
- Superiority complex also led to the Nandi Resistance. They believed that their culture and The military were superior to those of other communities in Kenya, in their military strength since they had defeated all their neighbours such as the Masai.
- They also believed that their land was the most fertile and did not want to lose it to anyone.
- They resented the colour of the White man since he looked so pale and was associated with evil spirits. They, therefore, had to reject the British by all means.
- They were inspired by rebellions such as the Hehe and Abushiri which took place in Tanzania
- The British were also interfering in the Ivory and Slave trade which were the main source of livelihood for most of the Nandi
- The Killing of their leader Orkoiyot annoyed the Nandi. They did not think this could happen to them and therefore they had to take up arms and fight against the British. Reasons behind Kenya’s Nandi people’s resistance to the British invasion
