The Major Tugen Clans

 Learn about the major Tugen Clans

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Tugen is an ethnic group that’s part of the Kalenjin tribe.

The Tugen people are organized into several clans, each with its own distinct identity and lineage. 

These clans typically trace their ancestry through shared male ancestors and are an essential part of the Tugen social structure. 

Each clan has specific totems or symbols associated with it, often representing animals, insects, or celestial objects. 

Want to know the clans and totems?

Well, you’re in the right place.

This article will explore all clans and sub-clans of the Tugen tribe.

Keep reading!

Related:

The Kipsigis clans you should know

The major Nandi clans you should know

The Major Tugen Clans You Should Know

I’ve compiled all the major clans and sub-clans of the Tugen tribe along with their respective totems.

1. Tungo Clan

Tungo clan is subdivided into two sub-clan;

• Tungo Kipsura

• Tungo Kibetu,

Their clan totem is Hyena Chesiny/Kimakeet (Kipteben ngurion and Kipsingirtitwo).

Their ladies are Tingo/Tungo

2. Soot/Soti Clan

Soti clan is subdivided into 9 sub-clan;

• Soot Kapbarturo (Sun)

• Soot Kapsisiywo (Sun)

• Soot Kapbaket (Sun)

• Soot Kapkat (Sun)

• Soot Kapbarkinyo (Sun)

• Soot Kipcheret (Tortoise)

• Soot Kapmanyapai (Kololyon)

• Soot KapMamer (Sun)

• Soot Kapbasiso (Sun)

Their major clan totem is Sun (Asis) except Soot Kapmanyapai (Kololyon) and Kipcheret(Tortoise).

Their ladies identify by Sote

3. Talai Clan

Talai clans are sub-divided according to their clan totem;

• Talai Ngetung (Lion)

• Talai Morooch (Frog)

• Talai Chelanga (Leopard)

Their ladies identify by Talaai Saniako which is among the small clans in Tugen, Their clan totem is Chereret (Velvet Monkey)

4. Kabon Clan

Kabon is one of the famous clans in Tugen, They are subdivided according to their clan totem (Black and White Baboon);

• Kabon Chesibon

• Kabon Kapkeluny

• Kabon Kipsiwa

• Kabon Kapkuoi

• Kabon Kapsenge

• Kabon Kipyegen

• Kabon Kap Paraot

• Kabon Chepsiror

Their ladies identify by Kabon

5. Kipkenda Clan

Kipkenda is one of the groups among the Tugens but the majority of Kipkenda are in parts of Nandi and Uasin Gishu Their clan totem is Bee🐝(Sekemian)

6. Mooi Clan

Mooi clans are subdivided as per their clan totem

• Mooi Kong’ooy (Crane)

• Mooi Soe (Buffalo)

• Mooi Kipkuykui (Crocodile)

• Mooi Sekemian (Bee)

Their ladies are identified by Kimooi Terik (Kiboroge) clan which is classified according to four clan totems, namely;

• Teriki Kipngotop

• Teriki Kipkwony

• Teriki Kipkoitin

• Teriki Kibabii

Their clan totems are Belion (Elephant) and Chepkulie (Small safari ants)

Their girls are Teriki.

7. Ringoi Clan

Ringoi clan is an independent clan identified by their clan totem (Eren) Snake.

8. Kobil Clan

Kobil clans are sub-divided into two categories according to their clan totem.

Namely;

• Kobil Sapit (Porcupine)

• KobilToree (Wild Pig)

They are distributed across all Kalenjin communities in Rift Valley.

Their girls are Kobilo.

9. Toyoi Clan

Toyoy is among the independent clan in the Tugen clan as they are identified by their clan totems (Ropta) Rain/Birechik

Their girls are Toyoy

10. Tarkokot Clan

Tarkokot clan is subdivided into two categories as per their clan totem, Namely;

• Tarkokot Kapkerwa

• Tarkokot Kapter

• Tarkokot Kipteryek

• Tarkokot Sogon

• Tarkokot Kapchepsoi

• Tarkokot Kapchesum

• Tarkokot Kapbarkute

They have three clan totems (animals)

• Takolie (Scorpion)

• Terkeyan/Kiplekwee (Guinea fowl/Hare)

• Pangaa’ng (Crow).

Their girls are Tarkok

11. Sokom Clan

The Sokom clan is also an independent clan who have its own customs and cultural practices. The majority of their members are in Rift Valley.

In Baringo, they are mostly in the central parts of Biretwo and in Keiyo and Marakwet they are found in Koitilial, Kipkunuru, salaba, and Kibaldamet.

Their clan totem is (Chesireree) Hawk

NB: Sokom clan don’t intermarry among each other.

12. Tulo Clan

Tulo is one of the small independent clans in Tugen. The majority of the clan members are in South Rift.

Their clan totem is Lel (Fox) or Lelwot in Kipsigis and Nandi.

13. Chepsiror Clan

Chepsiror is amongst small clan groups in Tugen whose clan totem is Muriat (Rat).

14. Kipsochon Clan

Kipsochon is the smallest group clan in Tugen, Their clan totem is Loitige (Zebra)

15. Mokiy Clan

Mokiy clan is dispersedly distributed among the Tugen people of Rift Valley.

They are small groups identified by their clan totem Arawet (Moon)

16. Kipseger Clan

Kipsenger clan is one of the independent clans with independent clan practices and beliefs (Kusanja).

Their clan totem is Kipiset (Black and white Monkey).

Note: Kipsenger doesn’t intermarry among each other.

They can only marry girls from Kong’ato clan

17. Kong’oot Clan

Kong’oot is one of the small independent clans in Tugen with their own independent clan customs and beliefs.

Their clan totem is Maat (Fire)

Final Thoughts

Now you know all the major Tugen clans.

In case I have omitted any clan just let me know in the comments. 

And if there’s a specific tribe you’d want me to write about, please suggest in the comments.