The Theology of The Gate Among the Luo’s As A Territorial Initiation in Relation to Christ Being the Eschatological Gate to The Heavenly Homeland.

Abstract

After the African synod, which was held in Rome in 1994, the matter that arose very strongly was Inculturation of Christianity in the African culture. As a matter of fact Christianity as I know it is nothing less than an Inculturaied or Incarnated Religion. Around that time the terminology that swept across Africa was "Inculturation". Many documents that came after the synod were full of the term "Inculturation". By "Inculturation" I mean the process by which the Gospel enters into a culture, takes from the culture all that is already gospellcd and it is enriched by it- the culture.' The term Inculturation...expresses the great mystery of incarnation.., it is called to bring the power of the Gospel into every heart of culture and cultures.2 .1-hat is, it is an on going dialogue between Gospel and culture.3 After the synod, the anthill task that remains is the implementation of the outcome and exploring the specific areas that need to be inculturated. It is in the same spirit of the African synod that I would like to present the I,uo concept of the Gate and see all the possible ways of Inculturating it. The Gate is very essential among the lams as a Territorial Initiation into adulthood and consequently into the company of the ancestors. Once one has achieved this Territorial Initiation one is ranked on the same level with one's grandfathers, fathers, brothers and all those who have undergone this same kind of initiation.