Unlike other Kalenjin sub tribes, Tugen is more diverse in culture and language. Lembus, Kakimor, Keben and Endorois share a lot in terms of language and culture. They have generally adopted Nandi circumcision rites which was initially practiced by Lembus alone. Aror and Samor follows Tugen circumcision rites. In terms of language, Aror is more isolated. They have strong connection with Marakwet people.
Origins
The oral traditions of the Tugen indicate three areas of origin located north, west and east of the present Tugen homelands. The bulk of the population originated from the west, from a place known as Sumo which is located between Mount Elgon and Cherangany Hills. The northern and eastern migrations came from Suguta and Koilegen and brought with them non-Kalenjin speaking people from northern Kenya and the highlands to the East of the Rift Valley respectively.
Demographics
The Tugen are further subdivided into six subgroups or sections :
Kakimor who live in Mogotio ward, Mogotio constituency and some parts of Baringo Central.
Pokor/Keben who live in Mogotio and Baringo South constituencies.
Culture
Religion
Traditionally, like other Kalenjin people, the Tugen prayed to a God called Asis There are also gods namely Chepapkoyo, Cheptengeryan. Most have converted to Christianity. Islam has flourished in the major towns and it was these towns that some Tugens convert into Islam and adopted Islamic names.
Age-sets
The Tugen social organisation centres on the age set, or ibindo. There are seven age-sets which are rotational, meaning at the end of one ageset new members of that generation are born. The order is roughly as given below. Among the some Kalenjin peoples, an age-set called Maina exists. However, among the Tugen, this ageset is extinct. Legend has it that the members of this ibindo were wiped out by the Keiyo, in skirmish between the two tribes near present dayCheploch gorge. For fear of a recurrence, the community decided to retire the age-set. Ibindo was given out at initiation and by simple arrangements, there ought to be one ibindo between a father and a son. For example, a korongoro cannot beget a kipkoimet. The Tugen don't consider a woman to have an ageset, hence she can marry any ageset except that in which her father belongs. The Tugen say "ma tinyei ibin Kirkoswald meaning they can any age set but they have their own ageset like chesiran, masinya, chepigwek Mary ".
Chumo
Sawe
Korongoro
Kipkoimet
Kaplelach
Kipnyigei
Nyongi
Age sub-set (siritie)
In each age-set, the initiates were bundled into siritie or what can be understood as a 'team'. There are three 'teams' or siritoik in an age-set namely:
