The Intervention of Ugo Beliefs and Practices among Gikuyu Presbyterian Christians of Nyeri Presbytery (1908-2008)
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Date
2014-03-06
Authors
Muraya, Hezekiah Murage
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Abstract
The beliefs and practices in iigo remain an issue for the Church in Kenya. In
particular, the Gikiiyi: have been evangelized and indeed have lived with
Christianity for over a hundred years, but most of them have continue with beliefs
and practices in iigo. This scenario precipitates dualism. In this regard, the study
sought to address religious dualism among Gikiiyii PCEA Christians of Nyeri
Presbytery; which has been perceived by the church as hindrance to spiritual
growth. It aimed at resolving dualism and offer Gikfiyfi PCEA Christians
wholistic living. The study employed three theoretical models, namely; Turner's
ritual symbolism theory. The theory was useful in describing the functional and
structural aspects of the beliefs and practices in iigo (their organizations, values
and meanings). Horton's theory of African religion as one of prediction, control
and manipulation of mystical powers to work in their favor; this was instrumental
in evaluating and identifying Gikiiyii religion as one entailing a quest for
achieving control of events in the current world. Niebuhr's missiological model
was vital in evaluating and identifying the beliefs and practices in iigo that merit
inculturation. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative data. Four
levels of sampling procedures were used: purposive, random, stratified and
snowball. A total sample size of 342 respondents, which comprised of six ago
(diviner-healers) was used. The instruments for data collection were observation,
in-depth interviews and self-administered questionnaires. The research findings
reveal that beliefs and practices in iigo are deeply rooted within the Gikiiyii
religio-cultural worldview. This is a view that gives credence to the
interrelatedness between material and the spiritual world. The Gikiiyi; continue to
perceive Ago as divine agents in charge of the entire medical discipline. Further,
the community has a "disease-theory system" which identifies, classifies and
explains diseases and misfortunes in physical and spiritual dimensions. However,
the Church of Scotland Mission condemned this reality, equating it with Satanism
and therefore unfit for inculturation. As such, they transposed their home brand
Christianity, culture, education, denominational organizational structures and
medicine and planted them indiscriminately among the Gikiiyii. Resilient to
beliefs and practices in iigo makes Gzkiiyii Christians revert to the same to obtain
spiritual nourishment that lacks in Mission Christianity. This reversion
precipitates a situation of religious dualism, spurred by the Gikiiyi; PCEA
Christians understanding of health, illness and healing from an African
perspective that takes into account both physical and spiritual aspects. This has
devastating effects upon the PCEA. In order to bridge religious duality and offer
Gikiiyi: PCEA Christians an integrated wholistic life, this study has proposed and
inculturation procedure. This process involves integrating cultural elements, that
are in tandem with Biblical teachings into Christianity and replacing those that are
incompatible. Such integration not only enriches the Presbyterian Church by
overcoming dualism among the Christians, but also gives them wholistic
Christian life.
Description
Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, 2013. BV 4637 .M8