Analysis of Ritual Actions Performed During Tachoni Last Rituals for The Transition of the Dead

• Author(s): Dinah N. Wekesa ; Rispah Wepukhulu Namasaka ; Margaret Matisi
• Paper ID: 1708878
• Page: 19-25
• Published Date: 03-06-2025
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 8 Issue 12 June-2025

Abstract

Death rituals among the Tachoni community of Western Kenya represent sophisticated cultural technologies that facilitate spiritual transitions while maintaining community cohesion. Despite their cultural significance, limited scholarly attention has been paid to the specific ritual actions that structure these ceremonial processes. This study analyzed the ritual actions performed during Tachoni last rituals for the transition of the dead to the spirit world, examining their sequence, symbolic significance, variations, and adaptations to contemporary contexts. A qualitative research design was employed with 200 purposively selected participants from Ndivisi location, Bungoma County. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, observations, and questionnaires. Thematic analysis was used to identify patterns, with triangulation employed to validate findings. The study revealed a structured six-stage ritual sequence involving body preparation, mourning and gathering, specific rituals and ceremonies, farewell and separation, committal and burial, and ritual closure. Each stage carries deep symbolic meaning, with washing representing soul purification and communal mourning expressing collective grief. Significant variations were observed based on the deceased's age, social status, and regional differences, with nearly all participants noting some form of ritual modification based on these factors. Despite modernization pressures, core ritual elements demonstrated remarkable persistence, though adaptations included shortened mourning periods and incorporation of modern materials. Tachoni last rituals represent dynamic traditions characterized by adaptive resilience rather than static preservation. The structured ritual actions continue to provide effective frameworks for grief processing, community support, and cultural transmission while evolving to meet changing social realities.

Keywords

Tachoni community, death rituals, spiritual transition, ritual actions, cultural preservation, Western Kenya

Citations

IRE Journals:
Dinah N. Wekesa , Rispah Wepukhulu Namasaka , Margaret Matisi "Analysis of Ritual Actions Performed During Tachoni Last Rituals for The Transition of the Dead" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 8 Issue 12 2025 Page 19-25

IEEE:
Dinah N. Wekesa , Rispah Wepukhulu Namasaka , Margaret Matisi "Analysis of Ritual Actions Performed During Tachoni Last Rituals for The Transition of the Dead" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 8(12)