The Akurinu churches: a study of the history and some of the basic beliefs of the Holy Ghost Church of East Africa 1926-1980

Abstract

This study is an investigation of the history, beliefs and practices of /Holy Ghost Church of East Africa; a spirit/the type church that belongs to the movement popularly known

among the Kikuyu of Central Kenya as, Akurinu. The period chosen is 1926-1980. Among other factors, this study was instigated by the observation that African Christianity and particularly Kenyan Christianity, is characterised by a multiplicity of denominations. These new denominations or sects are today referred to as African Independent Churches. In the last few decades there have been surveys of some areas or of groups of such .Churches as indicated In the

Literature Review. These studies have provided outlines of the history, beliefs and practices of some of these Independent Church movements. Some of the studies have also addressed themselves to the question of the causes which have led to the emergence of these churches. However, little attention has been paid to the theological factor as a cause of Church Independency. This study therefore, attempts to highlight among other factors, the theological factor in the emergence of the Akurinu movement. From the study of all the available information from the field and from both primary and secondary sources on

the Akurinu Movement and particularly the Holy Ghost Church of East Africa, three important facts have been established. Firstly, that the Akurinu Churches have been in existence since 1926 and the causes of their emergence are many and varied. Secondly, that their beliefs and practices were developed from both the Bible and the Kikuyu religious heritage and they have undergone changes since 1926. Thirdly, that disagreement on theological issues is an important causative factor of African Church Independency. In order to establish the ahove facts, the study begins in Chapter One with an examination of the existing views on the rise of Independent Churches. Most of the material in this chapter is collected from written sources. Chapter Two outlines the Kikuyu traditional background, its religion, socia] organisation and the effects colonialism and western culture had on this society . This chapter concludes that

the Akurinu Churches are to a certain extent products of the conflicts and tensions created by the economic, political, social, -religious and Cultural pressures of the period 1830-1930.

Chapter Three discusses the origin, history and development of the Akurinu Chur,ches and their organisational structure, and also gives a brief history of the chief founder of the Church between 1926-1934.

Chapters Four, Five, Six and Seven discuss the major distinctive beliefs of the Holy 6host Church of East Africa, namely, the Holy Spirit, the concept of prophecy, spirit ,baptism and the concept of ritual uncleanness or Thahu. 'These beliefs .are significant because the Akurinu churches differ from other churches in the way they hold and understand these particular beliefs. It was also on account of their understanding and experience of the Holy Spirit that some of the founder members were expelled from the African Inland Church, Kijabe in 1927.

Chapter Eight is the conclusion and sums up the main findings of the study. This study is not exhaustive and it is pointed out,that there is still much that requires to be researched especially on the other beliefs and practices of the Akurinu churches, such as marriage, ordination, funeral rites, and community life. Their theology can also be studied from an analysis of the beliefs and practices as

well as their hymn book, Nyimbo cia Roho Mutheru.