By Lilian Museka
Culture has always been part and parcel of the African society. It is always attached to a certain meaning of a particular society.
For example, in the Maasai community, for one to be acknowledged as a man you must have the status of a “Moran” which is given to a young man after killing a lion.
However , these cultures vary by ethnic affiliations, In western Kenya Bull Fighting has gained popularity just like in Mexico and Spain. In Kakamega County, the tradition has been in existence for quite some time and it seems most generation came and found it.
It is considered a sport among the Luhyia tribe , with an annual competition that always attracts many people including a famous politician Dr. Bony Khalwale, senator , Kakamega County. Quite a number of men in the region preserve their bulls for this particular sport. It takes quite some time to ensure the bulls are ready, caring for them psychologically and grooming them.
Unfortunately , this bull fighting is taking a different direction as a ritual to be undertaken when an owner of the participating bull dies. The bulls are expected to show their last respect to the deceased by making rounds on the grave once it is covered. However, this seems not to go down well with Christians who always take the lead in burial ceremonies.
In the latest incident in Shinyalu, Kakamega County, the late Cosmas Lijoodi, owned two bulls that he specifically reared for the sport. The deceased had interacted with Senator Khalwale who has been championing for the sport to be made a tourist attraction for revenue generation.
The deceased passed on in October and on the day of his burial, the quiet village of Liranda was turned into a fighting battle between those supporting bull fighting culture to give a final send off to the late while on the other hand the church (Pentecostal Assemblies of God- PAG) terming it a practice that goes against Christian believes.
What began well as a final church send off for the late culminated into a battle ground of who has the last say. After speeches were done and the eulogy read, the church took over to offer last prayers for the deceased. However, when the body was lowered to the grave, a group of men and women arrived at the scene chanting cultural slogans demanding that the church takes a back seat as they had to perform the last rituals.
An argument ensued between the two factions with the church insisting that they must finish the burial ceremony. They (church) sung religious songs as they went round the grave. Infuriated, the other fraction forcefully joined into song and dance chanting slogans of bull fighting. This sent a signal to the people guarding the bulls to release them. The religious leaders and other invited mourners had to run for safety, seeking refuge in the deceased house.
The bulls as tradition demands come to the graveyard in turns, making rounds at the grave in what the locals termed as paying their respect to the deceased who was a member of bull fighting. More than 30 bulls followed suit. After the ritual, they were led to a battle field.
One of the organizers of the event Mr. Onyango Felix said the church had no authority to deny them permission to proceed with the sport, terming it the region’s culture.
“This has been part of our culture, even before we were born, our great grandfathers used to perform it. We therefore have an obligation to continue with it. By so doing, we are therefore honoring our brother who has left us. The bulls are trained to show their last respect to the deceased by going round the grave and leveling it using their hoofs and mouth. The spirit of the dead is appeased by such an act,” He says.
However the church insists the practice is against religious beliefs terming it as a cult that has no place in the modern society. The PAG Pastor who sought anonymity for fear of being attacked says some cultural practices promoted cultism that leaves a negative impact on the surviving family. He says appeasing the spirit of the dead through such practices makes it impossible for the deceased to rest and always has a role in the lives of the living. “Its like devil worship’” he says.
Reverend Owen Wafula of Deliverance Church Saika International says the church and religion can never mix, adding that the deceased need to be given a befitting send off without interference by some cultural practices which he termed harmful.
“The church may be forced to take a back seat on presiding over masses for the dead if these practices are not tamed. The event damages the graveyard, causing disrespect to the dead. It also destroys the bereaved family’s plantations which in most cases are their source of income,” He added.
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