Death and Burial Rites of The Luo in Kenya: The Islam or Christian Way?

Christianity and Islam have interacted with African traditional beliefs and practices for many years in many parts of Africa. Both these religions have affected African traditional worldview in varied ways. In Kenya for example, Christianity came earlier than Islam. It penetrated and affected many communities in the interior parts of the country. The effect has been in socio-cultural, economic, religious and political dimensions. Christianity has mainly been spread by Western missionaries. Areas that Christianity has impacted include medical services, schools and building of churches. But while this impact of Christianity abounds, Islam, a religion that came later in Kenya and other parts of Africa, has affected many lives in Africa especially in socio-cultural spheres. This book highlights this phenomenon of culture in the area of death and burial rites among the Luo community of Kenya. The story about these traditional practices in death and burials among the Luo people came into limelight in 1986 following the death of SM Otieno. The court case that ensued between his wife and his Umira Kager Clan in Western Kenya was so severe that it took almost a year to be resolved. The fact that the ruling was done in favour of the clan left many people with questions. But while there are many people who have embraced Christianity in the region, death and burial rites tend to follow either traditional way or Islam. Christianity ought to cultivate sound theological and biblical practices that are aimed at addressing this critical area of need not only among the Luo people but different communities in Kenya that still seem to revert or incline to Islamic practices. This book is relevant for theological institutions, pastors, missiologists and missionaries for teaching and providing practical guidance in cross-cultural ministry.