Death and Burial Rites among the Bukusu Quakers of Bungoma County in Western Kenya
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Date
2014-07
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Tangaza University College
Abstract
The thesis aims at understanding Bukusu death and burial rites in Bungoma and
Kimilili, Western Kenya. The research was carried out among Bukusu in general, with a
particular attention to Bukusu Quakers of different gender, age categories, married and
single.
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 family welfare 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.
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Keywords
Death, Burial Rites, Bukusu Quake