Elgeiyo

Elgeiyo is a subgroup of the Nandi people, an ethnic group from Kenya. They inhabit the Elgeyo Marakwet County in the Rift Valley province, concentrated in the northern areas around the Kerio Valley.

The Elgeiyo language is a dialect of the Nandi language, belonging to the Nilo-Saharan language family. It is mostly spoken by the Elgeiyo people, but also used by neighboring communities. In addition to Elgeiyo, the Nandi people speak a variety of languages, including Swahili, English, and other regional dialects.

Traditionally, the Elgeiyo people were pastoralists and farmers, inhabiting the Kerio Valley for generations. Their economy was based on livestock rearing and agriculture, producing crops such as maize, wheat, and sunflowers. They also practiced subsistence farming, cultivating crops for personal consumption.

Elgeiyo people have a rich cultural heritage, with a strong emphasis on community and social bonding. They are practitioners of traditional Nandi customs and follow strict social rules, including age-based hierarchies and residency traditions. In terms of governance, the Elgeiyo are administered by the county council, which distributes support and resources across their region.

The Elgeiyo people are mostly Christian, with some adhering to traditional animist and Islamic practices. Despite years of colonial rule and subsequent state-building efforts, the Elgeiyo community maintains its distinct cultural identity. Elgeiyo spoken language serves as a marker for cultural distinction, often used as a means of maintaining cultural autonomy.