Laibon: An Anthropologist's Journey with Samburu Diviners in Kenya

by Elliot M. Fratkin

Elliot Fratkin shares the story of his early anthropological fieldwork in Kenya in the 1970s. Using his fieldnotes and letters home to bring to life the voices of those he met, Fratkin invites the reader to experience his cross-cultural friendships with the enigmatic laibon (a diviner and healer of the Samburu and Maasai peoples) Lonyoki, his family, and the people of the nomadic community of Lukumai. Fratkin participated in the daily lives of the Ariaal livestock herders and accompanied the laibon as he performed divination and healing rituals throughout Marsabit and Samburu Districts. After Fratkin reunited Lonyoki with his son and wife, Lonyoki adopted Fratkin into his family, and Fratkin continues his close friendship with Lonyoki s son Lembalen today. Black-and-white photographs, a guide to the characters, words, and places, and a list of suggested readings supplement the engaging narrative. Laibon is more than a memoir; it delves into nitty-gritty details of fieldwork, speaks to larger questions about ethnographic research, and provides unparalleled insight into the world of the laibon."

Genres: Anthropology, Kenya

202 pages, Paperback

First published September 29, 2011

Reviews

[Camryn Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting and insightful ethnography. Really loved Fratkins writing style. It's amazing to see the development of his relationships throughout the book.

[Jeffrey Comer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is an anthropologist and this book takes through his real life experiences living with the Samburu people in Northern Kenya. However this is no dry technical book but a collection of personal recollections and stories about the author's encounters with the so called Butterfly People that he first encounters in the early 70s. Elliot is a young graduate student looking for a research project in the remote northern desert country in Kenya and comes across the Samburu by chance, and at that time he knows little about them. He meets the Laibon Lonyoki. A laibon is a seer and something of a medicine man, who is believed to have powers of prophecy and can bring protection to a village. They are feared and mysterious figures even by the Samburu. When Elliot rescues Lonnyoki's wife and son from a neighboring manyatta ( village) Lonyoki declares Elliot to be his adopted son in front of the Elders of Lukumai manyatta, and from then on he has access to learning about the spiritual world of the Samburu. Over the next year Elliot goes from mere observer to a full member of the community of Lukumai and the stories he recounts from his time there range from humorous to deeply moving. These characters while real are as vivid as any that would be found in a work of fiction, He finds a best friend in a man called Dominque and a father figure in Loyoki, and even a girlfriend as he goes through his warrior training. We see the people of Lukumai deal with drought, Turkana raiders, and the hardships of survival, yet there is a beauty to the compassion and personal relationships that allow them to survive by working together. The book details what happens to the residents over the years as Eliiot returns over the following decades as a Professor with his own family. Those of you who have been to Kenya will particular enjoy this account but it is written in a style that is accessible to everyone and all will learn much about this fascinating culture.

[MissPosabule · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Fratkin assembled a compelling anthology of short stories about his time studying the Samburu. His experience is far from objective because of the time he spent clearly getting to know and care for the people he studied. There were a few moments in this book that were difficult to read, like story of the young girl who drowned, but all of it is told with compassion. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Maasi culture or who would like to know more about pastoralist societies.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short read, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Fratkin is a wonderful storyteller. If you enjoy nonfiction and cultural anthropology, this is a wonderful read.

[Rebekah Gyger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really fun and interesting read. I can't believe what an awesome experience Fratkin was able to have. As a student of anthropology, this is basically my dream.

For anyone who is not an anthropologist, the book reads more as an autobiography or a work of fiction than it does a textbook. Fratkin writes with a sense of humor and is able to laugh at his own cultural fumbles, making you forget that you're reading something for class. Not only that, but he gives an inside look at Samburu culture that few people will ever see. The one drawback in my opinion was when Fratkin interjected his own political opinions into the mix.

I highly suggest this for anyone interested in the Samburu or how cultural anthropologists do their work.

[Lainey Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to read this book for my Anthropology of Religion class and it was amazing. Fratkin did a wonderful job of giving the reader insight on Samburu culture and laibon practices, as well as what was going on in Northern Kenya in 1970s all the way up to the early 2000s. There was never a boring moment. I felt like I was reading a fiction novel and could not wait to get to the next chapter. For anyone who is wanting to learn about the Samburu or is interested in African pastoralists' culture, this is a must read!