When Leaving Home Became a Name

 By William Kiptoo

Have you ever heard of the name Chemwaka? It is a common male name among the Marakwet. Well, the name has an interesting historical origin tied to migration and labor during the colonial period.

It is derived from the Swahili word Mwaka, meaning a year. In the past, many men from Marakwet would leave home to seek employment in the Shamba, the Kenya white highlands. They worked mainly in manual jobs such as guards, shamba boys, herdsmen, and similar roles. Typically, they would stay away for about a year before returning home.

Over time, children who were born and raised away from Marakwet, especially in these work areas, came to be referred to as Chemwaka, meaning those born and bred away from home. When they eventually returned, many of them did not fully understand the local language or community customs. As a result, a clear distinction developed between those who had grown up locally and those who had grown up elsewhere.

That distinction still exists today. Even now, people who were born and raised outside Elgeyo Marakwet often refer to themselves as Chemwaka, embracing the name as both an identity and a reminder of this shared history of migration and separation from home.