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An alleged impending bad omen following the recent flowering of a mysterious plant in Kipsigiis land has divided the community elders down the middle on the boys’ circumcision ritual.
The community is in disagreement on whether grown up boys will be circumcised in 2018 or not. Kipsigiis community has over the centuries believed that circumcision of boys was prohibited during a year that the woody herb, botanically called MimulopsisSolmsii and locally called Setyoot flowers.
They believe that the initiates would tremble and become susceptible to mysterious ailments if the belief was not followed.
While Christians are against this conviction, claiming age old superstitions should not be allowed to deter development, traditionalists have cautioned that dire consequences would befall those who will go ahead to circumcise their boys in 2018.
The woody plant is reported to have flowered in virgin thickets in most parts of Kericho, Bomet and Narok counties in areas occupied by members of the Kipsigiis community.
So contentious is the issue, the Kipsigiis council of elders will meet this Friday in Kericho, to discuss it and give a comprehensive statement.
The social media and vernacular FM radio stations have lately been awash with stories on the mysterious plant and the debate, some of which are scaring as they alleged terrible consequences if the boys would be circumcised this year.
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