It is common practice that when one attends an event, the host provides seats, but among the Pokot, adult men always carry their own special stools irrespective of whether sitting arrangements are provided for or not.

Known as ng’achara, the traditional stool is one of the cultural symbols of identity among elderly men either when travelling or just relaxing at their homes.

A former paramount chief, who is currently the chairman of the Pokot Council of Elders John Muok, says the traditional stool is an invention of pastoralist communities.

“The stool is used mostly by herders in dry areas where pastoralism is the major source of livelihood and people are always in search of water and pasture for their livestock. There are dangerous insects that can bite them when they sit down while herding, hence the invention of the stool,” Muok explains.

He adds that the stool helps the elderly when they move around or even while resting at home.

“One must carry his own stool even if he knows there are chairs where he is visiting,” he says.
Mzee Muok revealed that there are different designs of the traditional stool depending on one’s choice, with some being multipurpose, improvised to serve both as a seat and a pillow.

Hardwood

The Pokot and the Turkana, who share borders, also share the stool.

The former paramount chief says the Turkana community refer to the seat as charadum.
“We call the stool ng’achara, while the neighbouring Turkana community calls it charadum, and it serves the same purpose,” says Muok.

The council chair explains that there are specific indigenous hardwood trees preferred for the manufacturing of the stool, and experts who carve the stools know the trees well.

“There are specialists who carve the stools. Not just anyone can do it,” reiterates the paramount chief, adding that the specialists can make different designs just for aesthetic value but do not have hidden symbolisms.

According to elders, the stool is exclusively for men and at no time are women allowed to sit on it.
“It is an abomination for a woman to use the stool, and our women know this and will, therefore, never dare go against the tradition,” he says.

In a situation where the owner of the stool dies, friends, brothers, or neighbours of the deceased are allowed to inherit it on the first anniversary memorial, when the property belonging to the deceased elder is shared.

The children of the deceased are not, however, allowed to inherit the stool.
Muok adds that anyone aged 55 years and above is considered an elder and has the privilege of owning a traditional stool.

Another Pokot elder, Nicholas Domokwang, adds that the stools are not shared at all and each elder moves along with his all the time.

Mzee Domokwang refers to the Covid-19 pandemic period, saying the stools came in handy since as they made it easier to keep social distance and avoid sharing equipment that could contribute to the spread of the disease.

Walking stick

“We, the elders, don’t mingle with the young. Instead, they sit in a separate area during gatherings. Therefore, the individual stools help in adherence to this,” he explains.
Besides that, Domokwan states, elders walk with a rungu, which signifies an elder’s power, respect, and leadership experience.

“A rungu is only used by elders, but a walking stick can be used by anyone for protection against attacks, among other purposes,” discloses the elder.

Domokwang adds that the traditional stools are usually one of the most honourable gifts given to elders and leaders visiting the community, irrespective of where they come from.

“We use the stool when anointing our leaders. Men of respect who visit our region are usually gifted with the stool as a mark for the community’s courtesy and respect,” explains the elder, noting that currently the stools are sold to anyone who wishes to have them for decorative purposes.