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mount elgon

Though difficult to follow at times, this interview with Robert, a 30 year old farmer from the Sabaot people yields interesting and illuminating material, and the narrator describes many of the problems which he perceives face the Sabaot. Intermarriage between his people and the neighbouring Bukusu is, for him, the main reason why there have been changes in his culture, particularly in relation to education, social relations, language, technology, and agricultural practices. Although this has led to what he perceives as positive changes, such as the introduction of new agricultural technology and cash crops, he laments the loss of language and custom, and the social disruption that has come about. This interview highlights the ambiguity the Sabaot seem to feel towards the changes that have been affecting their society, a theme that runs through most of the testimonies in this collection.