Purpose: This study investigates the early migration, settlement, and assimilation processes of the Kaptumois (Pororiet) community among the Nandi, with a specific focus on the integration of the Uasin Gishu Maasai into the Toiyoi clan. Methodology: The research is grounded in oral history, drawing from interviews with elders and analysis of cultural proverbs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three key informants aged 65-85 years, selected for their recognized knowledge of community history, genealogies, and totemic traditions. Findings: The study traces the migratory path of the Kaptumois from Mount Elgon to their present settlements. It documents the ritual processes of assimilation, including totemic shifts from kipyegen (monkey) to toiyoi (rain), and the resultant socio-political roles assigned to the assimilated group, such as serving as spies and boundary guardians to deflect curses from native Nandi families. Originality/Value: The findings challenge rigid ethnic boundaries and document enduring cultural and identity linkages between Nandi and Maasai descendants. This clan-level analysis provides a more nuanced understanding of Kalenjin history, revealing the intricate ways in which identity, power, and cultural practice were managed at the micro-level.
Esther J. Arusei (2014) studied this question.