| dc.description.abstract | This study was carried out to identify and examine the roots of the Catholic
Church in Kakamega from the period of Father Agt to this time of Bishop
Sulumeti. It was also done to asses the impact of the Catholic Church initiated
Development Programmes on the people in their rural setting. The study also
tried to find out whether or not the conversion of the Abaluyia to Catholic
Christianity affected or was not affected by their African identity by which we
mean their traditional norms and values. In other words, did one cease to be
a Luyia in order to become a Christian or one remained a Luyia despite the
changes that were taking place?
The study looked at the following: First, the historical genesis of the Abaluyia of
Kakamega before and after the Missionary period as a preliminary observation
necessary for a better understanding of the subject. This is because of the fact
that these people are our reference group and were affected by the coming of
the Missionaries. It is our conviction that by reflecting on the past, we can
manage to understand better the present situation in Buluyia. Consequently, the
historical origins of the Abaluyia, their socio-cultural, economic, political and
religious life are examined. Furthermore, the changes based on the coming of
the Europeans and the Missionary contribution in introducing and imparting the
new Christian religion to the Abaluyia is considered.
The second step is that of the advent and activities of the Mill Hill Missionaries in
Buluyia, the early Mission stations and early Miisionary activities are looked at
and the Abaluyia reaction to these activities. This helps us to know the form of
conduct and interaction that existed between the Abaluyia and the Missionaries.
The analysis of the role of the Catholic Church in rural development in
Kakamega is the third step in our study. The study looks at the Church initiated
development programmes and assesses their impact on the people in their rural
setting. It is realized that despite the changes that have taken place, the Abaluyia
have "remained Luyia to a certain degree. Aspects from both the Luyia and
Missionary values are seen to have combined to suit the Luyia Christian, as
there is no complete assimilation on both sides. Today, the church is being
inculturated into the local language, material and thought forms so that it can
reach the Abaluyia in a manner that they can understand and comprehend. This
if achieved, will make them defend their faith which they understand rather than
the old copy of the "Roman Church". Since there will be clear understanding of
the church and its activities, it is hoped that little will be reduction in the exodus
of our catholics to join the African Independent Churches.
The study also examines the contribution of the African Christians to the
development of the church and its activities in Buluya. The role of the laity and
African leaders is discussed.
Finally in the conclusion, the work reflects on the whole study and the
implications thereby with regards to development and African Christian identity.
This helps us to understand the expansion of the Catholic faith, the Church's role
in development and the place of the African Christians.
The study found out that the Catholic church reached Kakamega early this
century. The M.H.M, who evangelized the area brought in the new religion and
way of life. The impact of the initiated development programmes and institutions
on the Abaluyia is big though it has not alienated them from their "roots". This
conclusion is reached since the study found out that a lot of changes have taken
place without "uprooting" the Abaluyia from their way of life. The Church is being
unculturated in language, material and thought form so as to accommodate fully
the Luyia Christian, the study also found out that by being a Christian, one does
not discard his or her cultural values and thus the Abaluyia Christians are called
upon to accept that their values are just as good and God given. It was also
found out that the old generation of Christians i.e., the Sulumeti's and the young
one have a continuous conflict. The Sulumeti's cherish memories of the church
as it was at the Missionary period hence accuse the younger one of laxity. The
latter on the other hand stresses on inculturation and are happy with the new
changes hence they accuse the former of heresy. This conflict calls upon the
church and the society to reconcile the two. | en |
