Samburu
Age Sets
|
Name
|
Initiation
|
Age
Grade
|
Roles&
Responsibilities
|
|
Lmeoli
|
1990
|
Moran
|
Long
distance herding, warfare.Should avoid homesteads, and not eat food which
has been seen by women.Glamorous
in order to attract girlfriends, married women.Distinctive
braided hairstyle. Many Lmeoli have attended school.
|
|
Lkirroro
|
1976
|
Junior
elders
|
Married
with small families. Still assume some roles of moran according to need,
but have settled into married role. School started to become popular during
youth of Lkirroro.
|
|
Lkishili
|
1960
|
Firestick
elders
|
More
settled into married life. Often polygynous.Are
responsible for overseeing, supervising moran. Traditionally should not
have moran sons.Few attended school.
|
|
Lkimaniki
|
1948
|
Senior
elders
|
Usually
wealthier, with a number of wives.Traditionally
this age grade will be the fathers of the moran.
|
|
Lmekuri
|
1936
|
Senior
elders
|
Wealthier,
and polygynous. May have married sons.Process
of dividing herd may begin.
|
|
Lkiliko
|
1921
|
Retired
elders
|
Few
remaining. Herd usually divided among sons.
|
|
Lmerisho
|
1912
|
Retired
elders
|
Only
one who I found alive during my research. Old, no responsibilities.
|
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Note:The
terms "junior elder," "senior elder" and "retired elder" are descriptions
of roles, rather than translation of Samburu terms.Samburu
insist that all elders are equal, and therefore call them all "Lpayeni"--elders.Firestick
elders (lpiron) are named this for their role in supervising the moran.