The Effects of the Missionaries’ Strategies Upon the Agikuyu Rituals in the Light of Kiama Kia Athuri and Its Persistence: A Case of Anglican Church of Kenya, Diocese of Mount Kenya South: 1960-2020

Abstract

The study assessed the effects of missionary's strategies on the rituals in light of Kiama kia athuri (Council of elders) among the Agikuyu Anglican Christians in the Diocese of Mt. Kenya South (DMKS). This persistence has caused conflict in the Church leadership due to Kiama Kia athuri rituals. The Church holds the view that these rituals are contrary to the Christian faith. Kiama members maintain that the rituals are compatible with Christian faith. The general objective of this dissertation was to investigate the effects of the missionaries' strategies among the Agikuyu ritualistic life and the persistence of Kiama Kia Athuri. The guiding objectives were first, to establish how Kiama kia athuri rituals were culturally performed in the pre-colonial second, to evaluate how the missionaries historically interacted with the Agikuyu ritual practices in light of Kiama kia athuri and third, to examine how the Agikuyu in the DMKS view the practice of Kiama Kia Athuri today. The hypothesis was that proper understanding of the Kiama Kia Athuri; dealing with the loopholes in the Church and coming up with the right theology by the Church will reduce the drifting back of the Agikuyu Christians to their cultural tendencies. This was to answer the questions on how Kiama Kia Athuri functioned during the pre-colonial period, how the missionaries historically interacted with the Kiama Kia Athuri, and the present views of the Agikuyu Christians and traditionalists concerning the Kiama Kia Athuri. This was a triangulation of qualitative and quantitative research whereby a historical research methodology was used. Research design was primary and secondary data collections. Primary data involved interviews, questionnaires and focused group discussions (FGDs). Research design and technique were interviews and questionnaire. The sampling methods were purposive and snowballing. The target population was the clergy and the Christians in the diocese. The data was collected through open-ended questionnaire, semi-structured interviews for indepth investigation. The research results showed that there was a problem with Christian with its aspects of sacrifices (blood) praying facing Kirinyaga and libations. However, the study revealed that amicable dialogue can reduce the rift between Kiama and the Church.