| dc.description.abstract | Christianity was introduced to Africa by western Christian missionaries who believed that African religion was at the base of development. They believed that there were only rudiments of religious
beliefs and practices. Therefore, the missionaries who worked in Ukambani saw the Akamba religion as primitive and worthy only to be substituted with Christianity. with this view/they embarked on eradicating Akamba traditional beliefs and practices. If Akamba religion was not well rooted, one would expect Christianity to be accepted with great ease, and the former to be completely forgotten. This has not been the case; for Christianity and Akamba religion have continued to co-exist. The present study has/ therefore/compared both traditions, paying attention to their beliefs and worship practices, and their interaction in Ukarnbani.
Our methodology has been both library and field research. Library research comprised of reading
both published and unpublished materials on Akamba people, their traditional religion and also Christian evangelism in the area. The field research was located in Kitui District. Data was collected using questionnaires and interviews. Notebooks and tapes were used to record the information. Examples for Christian tradition were drawn from the Africa Inland Church.The findings of the study include the following: Before the coming of Christianity, the Akamba had an elaborate religious system. They believed in God, whom they conceived as the creator and sustainer of the universe. He was approached by man'any time there was need. The Akamba also believed in the existence of spirits, both,general and those of the ancestors. The latter were seen as intermediaries
between man and God, and were therefore venerated. Worship in Akamba society was directed to
God. They worshipped him through offering sacrifices of animals, foodstuffs and weapons. 'Prayer
accompanied sacrifice; for it expressed the intentions for the sacrifice. Music and dance was also
performed as a form of worship. On the other hand, Christianity introduced
new religious beliefs and practices into Ukambani. First there was the teaching on the existence of the
Holy Trinity. It also brought the teaching on man's need for salvation. This salvation was to be achieved
by believing in Jesus Christ,'as the saviour of mankind. Christian worship is therefore, centred on
Christ as the sole and final sacrifice. The interaction of the two religions has brought three categories of people. First, there is the category of believers, that is/ those who have taken up Christianity. Secondly, there are the nonbelievers, who have continued to adhere to the traditional religion. Finally, there are those who borrow from both Christianity and Akarnba religion.
In conclusion, it was suggested to the Christian church to re-examine its doctrines and the
Akarnba beliefs in order to have an objective consideration for Akamba religion. The church needs to incorporate some Akamba beliefs and practices into its worship. For instance the church needs to address itself to the question of Akarnba world-view. Insteadof referring to Akarnba belief in God as idolating, belief ingodsand spirits, the church needs to realise the fact that Akamba religion was monotheistic. The church needs to include Akamba traditional musical instruments and rythm.~rinto'the church worship. It is hoped that if such recommendations are put into consideration, the Christian Church would be more rooted in the Akamba life. | en |
