| dc.description.abstract | This thesis is a survey examining and assessing the impact of the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church on the Luo tradi tional funeral ri tes and practices with special reference to Jokanyamkago of Migori District. It also examines and assesses these rites and determines their signi ficance in the contemporary Luo society.
The obj ecti ves of the research are to find out how the
socio-poli tical,
religious
and
economic
organization
of
Jokanyamkago influenced their traditional funeral rites and practices; to study and analyse the Luo tradi tional and the Christian concepts of death and find out if there are any similarities; investigate and study the Luo traditional funeral rites in detail; study the current practices at Luo funerals and determine the extent to which Christianity has had an impact on them, its nature and effect on the society; and finally, predict the future of these Luo traditional funeral rites and practices
given continous changing curcumstances.
To get the required data, a questionnaire was prepared to help in interviewing the informants in South and North Kanyamkago locations in Migori District of Kenya. Systematic sampling was used to get the informants.
The research results have shown that there are several ways in which the socio-poli tical, religious and economic organization of Jokanyamkago influenced the people's traditional funeral rites and practices.
Further, the research findings have also shown that several aspects of the Luo traditional funeral ri tes and practices have changed. It is also evident, from the research, that some people have abandoned the traditional funeral rites while others have continued to practise some alongside Christianity. Also evident from the research is the fact that some of the traditional funeral rites have been abandoned altogether.
The research findings have also shown that Christianity is not the sole agent of change on these aspects of the Luo culture. Other agents of change include colonialism, Western education, urbanization and modern attitudes.
The thesis has concluded that due to lack of appreciation of the Luo culture pertaining to funeral rites and practices by the Christian missionaries, the society is currently in disarray. There is confusion, instability and lack of cohesion among the people.
Finally, the thesis has suggested and recommended that the Church leaders concerned should be understanding and tolerant towards the Luo traditional values especially pertaining to the funeral rites and practices since they have a very important role to play in the society. Such leaders should carry out an objective study of the people's traditional values and get the
posi ti ve ones which they interaction between the whereby they can enrich,
can incorporate in Christianity. The two systems should be made positive complement and supplement one another
where necessary. It has also suggested and recommended to the people concerned that they should accept the fact that the society is chanqinq and some of the traditional values are bound to perish. | en |
