By Winnie Cherop
As Kenyans across the country were celebrating the winners of the recently concluded 2022 General Election, the Kalenjin community stood out in the unique way of their celebrations.
In their celebrations, the community that predominantly lives in the Rift Valley region showcased their cultural art of adorning election winners with a special plant around their neck known as ‘Sinendet’.
‘Sinendet’ is a Kalenjin name given to the green plant whose scientific name is Periploca linearifolia.
In the just concluded elections, immediately after a winner is announced, celebrations would rent the air with dance and songs, while the individual declared winner would get the plant wrapped around their neck.
With Dr William Ruto declared winner of the presidential elections, now that locals had no opportunity to give the ‘Sinendent’ to him, they put it on his campaign posters, some on vehicles and motorcycles as well as motorbikes – all in the name of celebrating his win.
But for the politicians within their reach, they had to wear it.
Wearing the ‘Sinendet’ usually comes with its own traditions as the winner is usually asked to drink the popular fermented milk known as ‘mursik’ as jubilant supporters chant traditional prayers.
During this ritual, the crowd usually kneels down as a symbol of adorning God.
Antony Kesior, a Kalenjin Elder from Nandi County says ‘Sinendet’ is used by all Kalenjin communities during celebrations such as weddings, circumcision ceremonies and dowry negotiations as a sign of victory.
Origin of Sinendent
“Kalenjin love using Sinendet due to its evergreen nature, it has a white sap, and it is associated with milk – a treasured drink in Kalenjin communities. Sinendet is used as a symbol of agreement and unity,” Kesior tells Uasin Gishu News.
“We don’t regard an event as fully celebrated without ‘sinendet’. We believe it has for a long time been used by our ancestors. The plant can be placed on the neck of the celebrated leaders by anyone, but has a lot of significance when festooned on by an elder as a sign of blessing,” he adds.
The Kalenjin ancestors are believed to have identified the plant because it acted as a protector from bad omens and wards off evil spirits and also brings in good tides.
‘Sinendet’ has a lot of cultural significance. Its origin is traced back to ancient Greece and it has been passed on from one generation to another.
“This plant does well during the rainy season and can have a short life span during dry seasons. Selling of the plant or using it for promoting businesses is a taboo to the Kalenjin community as it is regarded as sacred,” notes the Kalenjin elder.
During the initiation period, women from the Kalenjin community are given sinendet to represent the completion of the hardest and most painful part of their son’s life as they transition to adulthood.
Glittering flowers used in modern-day’s celebrations can serve barely the same function as Sinendet.
However, sinendet is more unique to Kalenjin culture as it shows a sense of their cultural belonging.
