Abstract
Christian churches have been in existence in Bukusu land for over a hundred years and their influence on African cultural practices cannot be overemphasized. The role of traditional circumcision initiation of boys into adulthood, as practiced by various communities in Kenya has been transformational, especially in the development of positive social values such as morality. Over the years, traditional Bukusu circumcision has however failed to produce moral ‘graduates’, especially because the focus has been to instill values such as bravery, which requires encouraging boys to violence and coarse talk. This has resulted to increased sexual promiscuity among the youth, violent behavior, dropping out school prematurely, robbery et cetera. Many people in Bungoma, especially Christians, have adopted a Christian circumcision model, to provide an alternative rite of passage, which would allow for both developments of positive values and propagation of their Faith. The purpose of the research was to find out how Christian circumcision model helps to enhance positive societal values among the boys in Bungoma County. This was an ethnographic study which was cross-sectional and exploratory in nature. Qualitative methods of data collection were employed, that is, focus group discussions, in-depth interview, and observation. The central question of this study was how the Christian circumcision as practiced by Bukusu Christians enhances inculcation of values among the initiates. This study operated with three objectives: to find out how Bukusu Christian circumcision and initiation into adulthood processes are designed to inculcate positive societal values; to explore the circumcision candidates’ perspectives on the role of Christian circumcision in the development of positive societal values; to examine existing challenges which inhibit Christian circumcision initiation from successful development of positive societal values. The findings of this study revealed a relationship between the adoption of Christian circumcision, and the growing attraction to good morals and values.
Highlights
Christian churches have been in existence in Bukusu land for over a hundred years and their influence on African cultural practices cannot be overemphasized
This study operated with three objectives: to find out how Bukusu Christian circumcision and initiation into adulthood processes are designed to inculcate positive societal values; to explore the circumcision candidates’ perspectives on the role of Christian circumcision in the development of positive societal values; to examine existing challenges which inhibit Christian circumcision initiation from successful development of positive societal values
This form of rite is practiced by a wider proportion of the Bukusu Christian families in Bungoma County who claim to deviate from the traditional circumcision practice to be guided by Christian values and principles
Summary
Christian churches have been in existence in Bukusu-land for over a hundred years and their influence on African cultural practices cannot be overemphasized This has culminated in the transformation and metamorphosis of the Bukusu traditional circumcision rite in what is currently referred to as the Christian Bukusu circumcision. There are those who may cut off completely from the old religion to practice the new religion and on another hand are those who may end up blending and combining the two faiths in an act of syncretism This is the scenario with the Bukusu rite of circumcision where some Christian families try to mix the two practices while others follow the Christian teachings to abandon completely the traditional circumcision rite. They fear using the traditional knives and using African medicine and opt for the hospital process which they consider more hygienic than at the village courtyard (p. 109)
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