Baringo County Bans Traditional Kwara Kwara Dance Over Moral Concerns

The local government in Tiaty Constituency, Baringo County has implemented a ban on the traditional Kwara Kwara dance, citing its connection to rising cases of social instability and moral concerns.

This popular nighttime dance, predominantly practised by the Pokot community during celebrations like weddings and fundraisers, has been linked to marriage dissolutions, teenage pregnancies, premature marriages, and increased school dropout rates. The dance, which typically continues from evening until dawn, has drawn particular criticism for its lack of age restrictions. This openness has resulted in the participation of school-aged children.

The practice involves energetic dancing accompanied by loud music, creating an environment that authorities believe facilitates inappropriate behaviour among participants. Deputy County Commissioner Aaron Omaset, who announced the ban, expresses specific concerns about women failing to return home at appropriate hours after attending these dance events. In response, he has implemented strict guidelines for community gatherings, mandating that fundraising events must now occur between 6 am and 6 pm, with a complete prohibition on musical entertainment.

Omaset emphasizes that music is not essential for fundraising activities and notes its potential to disturb students during examination periods. Local Solomon Karani reports losing his wife after she attended one of these dances, never to return - an occurrence he claims is commonplace in the region. According to Kapau Location chief Sadaam Kalale, the dance has become so embedded in local culture that residents actively seek information about upcoming events, often travelling considerable distances to participate.

Kalale further details how the dance events have become associated with additional social problems, including the consumption of illegal alcohol known as busaa. The combination of these factors has contributed to widespread issues such as prostitution, family disintegration, and poor school attendance rates in the area. The chief expressed support for the government's ban, anticipating that it would help restore order in village communities and facilitate better tracking of school enrollment.