The Church and African Mortuary Rites

Towards the Inculturation of Nyere Za Mwezi, Agiriama funeral rite in Kilifi County, Kenya

Abstract

There is no doubt that there is an existential conflict between African funeral rituals with certain Christian religious beliefs and social norms. Conflict over burial rituals and especially among the Agiriama people has led to tension between the community and Christian churches andparticularly the Catholic Church in Kilifi, Kenya. In order to avoid such conflicts, this article set out to explore the possibilities of enculturating some funeral rites, such as ‘Nyere za Mwezi,’ a cardinal post-burial ritual among the Agiriama community. The latter has continued to practice their traditions and culture associated with burial and funeral despite their conversion to Christianity and Islam, the two dominant religions in the region. This article primarily aims to analyze the Agiriama funeral rites, their symbolic meanings, and their significance to the community.It extends the discussion by examining the Roman Catholic Church's interpretation of those rituals such as ‘Nyere za Mwezi.’ It concludes by examining the challenges and opportunities for inculturation of‘Nyere za Mwezi,’ one of the most significant post-burial rituals that enhanced the community well-being. The article relied on both secondary and primary data based on informed interviews with 30 respondents, mainly priests, Kaya elders, and lay Christians.