Kailet-ap-Karik is a traditional Kalenjin ceremony done in the last quarter of the moon ( around 40 days) after the head of family has died.
This is how this ceremony was done in the old days. Currently the event has different variations.
It literally involves oiling weapons and ornaments but also a succession closure event.
When the moon is in the last quarter after the head of a family has died, an ox is slaughtered and the deceased's relations and friends partake thereof. This ceremony is called kaiilet ap karik, as all present put oil on their ornaments.
One of the brothers, or, if there is no brother or half-brother, a paternal cousin, climbs on to the roof of the huts and solemnly breaks off the stick called 'Kimonjokut' which is bound on to the central pole. This shows that the 'Toloita' of the homestead is no longer there. This breaking is commonly referred to as "Kengisir Toloita".
After this he enters the huts and breaks the pegs from which the weapons were suspended, the beds, and the mud partition between the rooms ; he also cuts pieces out of the stools and baskets, and chips the drinking-cups.
The stools and cups are chipped as no warrior may sit on or drink out of a dead man's things. As long as a widow is in mourning, no warrior may enter her house. She may also never re-marry or again wear married women's ear-rings.
After cleansing, the dead persons personal effects including weapons can now be used by those bequeathed to them.
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