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Only seven can speak dying language
Ms Eunice Sirankasio displays the Yakunte dictionary. Ms Sirankasio has been distributing the dictionary, a glossary of Yakunte words translated into the Maasai language, in an effort to preserve the language of her Yaaku people. Photo/MWANGI NDIRANGU
Posted Friday, March 5 2010 at 22:30
According to Mzee Leitiko, the young generation is ashamed of their Dorobo origin and struggle to hide anything that might disclose their historical origin. The name Dorobo has gained the meaning and now refers to people who live in the in the forest. According to the research documented by Mr Mous, the Yaaku are not the only Dorobo in East Africa.
In Kenya there are the Ogiek, Akiek and Aasax or l’Aramanik, and other small marginal peoples who try to live off the land, like the Dahalo. Over the years, the Yaaku have not taken education seriously and only a few have gone past primary education.
One of the prominent people from the community is the Ms Jennifer Koinante, who was a teacher before she founded Yaaku Peoples Association seven years ago.
She also vied for a parliamentary seat in 2007 but lost. Another prominent person from the community is Mr Peter Matunge, who was a district officer in Kirinyaga district before he moved to a state corporation. Ms Koinante has been articulating the rights of minority groups in international fora, her main concern being the preservation of the Yakunte language and Mukogodo forest.
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