Maryknoll Institute of African Studies

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Browsing Maryknoll Institute of African Studies by Subject "Bukusu Quakers"

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    Death and Burial Rites Among the Bukusu Quakers of Bungoma County in Western Kenya
    (Tangaza University College, 2014-07) Kolala, Zacharie Kyungu
    The study explored traditional death and burial rites as practiced by Ababukusu today in relation to Christian funeral rites. Cultural diversity and exposure to practices of neighboring ethnic groups, and to Christianity, have played an important role in the evolution of traditional death rites. Those who become Christians usually adopt the Christian burial rite and abandon the complicated traditional rituals. Africans yearning for modernization have often found themselves at crossroads when choosing which death rites to follow. Events such as funerals cause Africans be “Africans”, different from any others in the world. Certain questions constantly arise. What is missing in Christian practice that is an important part of Bukusu tradition? Is it possible to fill this void? Thus, the study has revealed that Bukusu Quakers of Western Kenya continue to perform traditional death and burial rites because they believe that if they do not perform rites of purification, the spirit of the deceased will harm them. Examination of traditional ritual process and Christian funeral rites reveals that Bukusu Christians live with combination of fears: of misfortunes from ancestors, and of rejection by the Christian community. Because they feel that the Christian funeral rites lack important elements, they are forced to integrate traditional and Christian rites. Thus emerges the behavior pattern of “Christian by day, African by night.” Obviously, church leaders have become more concerned with issues of death and burial rites, and some still hold onto the early missionary prejudices that African traditional rites of passage are evil and demonic. The research, therefore, suggests the necessity of an inculturation process among Bukusu of Western Kenya Province in their interactions with Christianity. Traditional death and burial rites among Bukusu cry out to be preserved today for the sake of familywelfare and safety. Many traditional rituals and practices have value because they bind people together; however, those that engage people in immorality or lead to financial ruin need not to be preserved. Changes in the traditional funeral rites are inevitable and to be expected. Community members ought not to ignore and reject those which are compatible with modernity and Christianity. The study has made use of oral interviews, observations, in Bungoma County with the aim of pointing out new directions for the Bukusu. This study concludes that a dialogue is needed between African Traditional Religion and Christianity in order to create an environment which allows people to continue with their cultural practices insofar as they are compatible with Christianity. Such a dialogue can strengthen the Christian faith of the Bukusu and enable it to take deeper root. This thesis recommends the establishment of competent Family Ministries in the various churches with qualified pastoral agents to help people as they move to other stages of their lives. Traditional rites of passage especially funeral rites, with all their rich cultural backgrounds, should be utilized by churches to comfort the bereaved. When people suffer the loss of a loved one, both the ancestors and the Christian God can sustain them.