CUSTOMARY LAWS, AND SPIRITUALITY
We had traditional rules and practices that governed our way of life, relationships, and interactions with the environment. These laws held significant importance as they provided guidance on everything from resource sharing, land use to conflict resolution and social organization. Passed down orally from one generation to the next, these laws are deeply rooted in the Lmartin community’s cultural heritage. They serve as a foundation for maintaining harmony within the community and ensuring sustainable practices for protecting and preserving our natural resources. Our customary laws are upheld through storytelling, rituals, and community gatherings, where elders play a central role in transmitting knowledge and wisdom to younger generations, ensuring their continuity
Spirituality
They believed in the existence of one supreme being(Nkai) to whom they offered their prayers and respected ancestral spirits Sacred sites and Spiritual places Lkitasinge, lakira falls Springs Lkitasinge and Suguta Marmar Springs
Sacred trees – Reteti, Oloirien. where we prayed and offered sacrifices to our gods.
Sacred rivers – Amaiya Caves: Nasur & Lakira
Our Spiritual practices
Prayers and sacrifices were made under sacred trees
The non- sacred trees like the Morijoi were prohibited to sit under its shade during prayers and meetings. Prayers were made separately for each gender. Elders (men) used to pray early in the morning before sunrise (Prayed first).
The elderly men prayed at the main homesteads entrance. Early morning prayers by elderly Women were incanted while facing the Sun (East)- this prayer were made at sunrise after the men had prayed. Before prayers Women would pour the milk to the sky while facing sunrise during rainy season to thank God. During dry season women would go to wetland areas like suguta spring, Lkitasinge and Amaiya river to ask for the rains from the gods. All prayers were made while facing the sun in some occasions holding grass. Our women those not blessed with a child visited the Suguta springs for a special prayer called (Remore) – Barren woman would go there to sing where they believed was gods dwelling place where children come from.
Milk was poured to Lkitasinge and Suguta springs water for asking God for forgiveness in case of prolonged drought.
Areas of the forest that contained sacred trees Loirien or Reteti were marked as sacred. This part of the forest was where the elders prayed and offered sacrifices to our gods inside the forest.
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