A Reflection on the Contemporary Application and Relevance of Traditional Death Rituals of Christian Maragoli of Western Kenya

References

[1] Akaranga, S.B.I (1996). Astudy of Logoli Moral Values With Particular Reference To Taboos, Curses and Oaths. University Of Nairobi: Unpublished PHD Thesis.

[2] Alembi, E.(2002). The construction of the Abanyole Perception on Death Through Oral Funeral Poetry. PHD dissertation, HelsinkiBell, C. (1992). Ritual Theory, Ritual Practice. New York: Oxford University Press.

[3] Bockie, S (1993). Death and the Invisible Powers: The World of Kongo Belief. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.

[4] Durkheim, E (1995). The Elementary Forms of Religious Life. The USA: The Free Press.

[5] Gehman, R. (1989). African Traditional Religion in Biblical Perspective. Nairobi: East African Educational Publishers.. Gennep, A. (1965). The Rites of Passage. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul Publishers.

[6] Gluckman, M. (1965). Politics, Law and Ritual in Tribal Society. Blackwel: Oxford University Press.Groenwegen, T. (1986). Christian Religious Education Book 1. Nairobi: Longman Kenya Limited.

[7] Idowu, E.B. ((1973). African Traditional Religion-A definition. London: SCM Press Limited.

[8] Kayeli, E.C. (2012). The role and meaning of birth, naming, initiation, marriage and death rituals among the Logoli of Western Kenya in view of Inculturating related sacraments in the Roman Catholic Church. Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi.

[9] Kilonzo, S & Rutto, K. (2014). Conversation with the Living Dead in Relation to Necromancy and Transfiguration: The Case of Nandi in Kenya. Ibadan Journal of Humanistic Studies. Volume 24. University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

[10] Kodia, D.H. (2021). Critical Survey of Luo Cultural Practices and their Decline in the Face of Pandemics with special Focus on COVID-19. World Journal of Innovative Research., 10(2)

[11] Kweingoti, R. (2007). Ritualization among the Abanyole. Astudy of Cleansing Rituals. Unpublished PHD Thesis: Maseno University.

[12] Kunhiyop, S.W. (2008) African Christian Ethics. Nairobi: Word Alive Publishers.

[13] Lagat, D.K. (2017). Luhya burial rituals versus Biblical view of life after death: Finding a balance. African Multidisciplinary Journal of Research, 2(2).

[14] Levi, L. (1989). God Meets Us – Christian religious Education Form 3. Nairobi: East African Educational Publishers.

[15] Liyongo, T. (ed) (1972). Popular Cultures of East Africa. Nairobi: Longman Kenya Limited.

[16] Luvai, N. (1986). Miima Jo Murogooli. Nairobi: Henry Chakava Press.

[17] Magesa, L. (1997). African Religion- The Moral Traditions of Abundant Life. Nairobi: Paulines Publications.

[18] Malidoma, P.S. (1999). The Healing Wisdom of Africa. London: Thorsons.

[19] Mbiti, J.S. (1969). African Religions and Philosophy. Nairobi: East African Educational Publishers.

[20] Mbiti, J.S. (1992). Introduction to African Religion 2nd Edition. Nairobi: Longman Kenya Limited.

[21] Mugambi, J. (1989). African Heritage and Contemporary Christianity. Nairobi: Longman Kenya Limited.

[22] Mugambi, J. & Kirima, N. (1984). The African Religious Heritage. Nairobi: Oxford University Press.

[23] Nigel, D (1981). Human Sacrifice: In History and Today. Macmilan: University of Texas.

[24] Odetola, T., & Ademola, A. (1985). Sociology-An Introductory African Text. London: Macmillan Education Limited.

[25] Radcliffe-Brown, A. (1950). Introduction to African System of Kinship and Marriage. London: Oxford University Press.

[26] Olupona, J.K. (2014). African Religions: Avery Short Introduction (vol.377). Oxford

[27] University Press. USA

[28] Shiino, W. (1997). Death Rituals Among the Luo in South Nyanza. African Study Monographs, 18(3,4).

[29] Shisanya, A. (1993). The Impact of Christianity on the Abanyole Indigenous Beliefs and Rituals. Unpublished M.A Thesis. Kenyatta University.

[30] Shiyuka, E.K. (2017). Continuity and Change In The Funeral Rites of Abatirichi Of Western Kenya 1850-1960. Unpublished M.A Thesis. Kenyatta University.

[31] Tambid (1979). The Psychology of Rituals: An Integrative Review and Process. University of California: Berkeley.

[32] Turaki, (2006). Foundations of African Traditional Religion and World View. Nairobi: Word Alive Publishers.

[33] Wepukhulu, B.J. (2024). The Traditional Burial Practices of the Bukusu People Prior to the Introduction of Christianity. Iconic Research and Engineering Journals. 8 (2)

@article{1707130,
      author = {Kagali Chabuga Oscar, Susan M. Kilonzo, Daniel Kasomo},
      title = {A Reflection on the Contemporary Application and Relevance of Traditional Death Rituals of Christian Maragoli of Western Kenya},
      journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
      year = {2025},
      volume = {8},
      number = {8},
      pages = {183-198},
      issn = {2456-8880},
      url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1707130.pdf},
      abstract = {Death rituals in Africa are given a lot of attention. This is because the departed souls are believed to transition to next world where they continue to be in touch and in communion with the living. The rituals are therefore believed to be ways of communication between the living and the dead, but also a way of preparing and ensuring the departed are comfortably ushered in to the next world. The article relied on field data collected from the Maragoli community in Western Kenya to understand the applicability and relevance of traditional death rituals in this community. The article centres highlights the different types of death and although it does not explore the rituals in these types of deaths, it picks a case of ?normal death? and aims to explain the rituals that are related to this type of death. Using mainly key informant interviews, the article explains what exactly happens from the time a ?normal death? occurs until after the burial ceremony. The idea is to highlight that even in the contemporary society, African communities are keen on the observances that speak to kith and kin while living, and after death.},
      keywords = {Maragoli, Western Kenya, Death Rituals, Luvego, Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG), Traditional Practices, Burial Rituals.},
      month = {February},
  }