The nature, causes and participation in traditional oathing. The case of the Akamba in Mwala Parish, Machakos Diocese-Kenya.

Abstract

The prevalence of traditional oathing in Mwala Parish prompted the researcher to undertake the study. There are conflicts between the traditional oathing and Christianity. Some of the Akarnba see traditional oath as an outdated practice while others see it as an inevitable tool for solving socio-cultural problems. Review of literature shows that some studies relating to this problem have been conducted but not from the religious point of view. In addition, these studies are too general. They do not address specific Parishes like Mwala. The purpose of this study was to investigate the nature, causes and participation in traditional oathing ritual, the case of the Akamba in Mwala Parish Machakos Diocese Kenya. Four research questions guided the study: I. What are the types of oaths Akamba people participate in? 2. Why do the Akamba people still continue to participate in traditional oathing ritual? 3. What are the attitudes of Akamba people towards traditional oathing ritual? 4. Is there any relationship in the mean attitude towards Akamba participation in traditional oathing ritual when categorised by: age, gender, marital status, level of education, socio-economic status, and religious denomination? The researcher employed survey and naturalistic design. Stratified random sampling technique was used to draw a sample of 200 students, 96 ordinary old Akamba, 96 Single Akamba, 200 ordinary adult Akamba, 96 religious leaders and 200 non Christians, all aged between 13 and 90 years old. The Parish was selected because the majority of the inhabitants still strongly valued traditional oathing. tV Primary data were collected by questionnaires, with a sub-likert scale, an interview schedule and focused group discussion schedule. Secondary data were collected from journals, textbooks and dictionaries. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. Null hypotheses were tested by ANOV A at 0.05 level of significance. The following were the main findings of the study: Belief in the efficacy of traditional oathing ritual is very strong among the Akamba. Six null hypotheses posited in the study were tested. The results show that: The attitude of Akamba towards traditional oathing ritual is positive; Akamba saw the exercise as being helpful. Oathing improved administration of justice, solved socio-religious, psychological, cultural, economical, and legal problems. \ The following are some of the recommendations of the study: Ordinary Akamba adults should be honest when participating in traditional oathing ritual. There is need for the unmarried Akamba to be positive to the exercise rather than just dismissing it as share waste of time. For the exercise to be free and open, all religious leaders should be involved. For Ordinary Old Akamba oathing is a common exercise in government, church institutions, in secular traditional societies but rather different, there is need to exchange notes and see how it could be done. According to students, schools are centres for learning and research; hence, there should be a continuous study towards how best traditional oathing can be improved. Akamba traditional oath seems to stay for at least to some unforeseeable future. The oath has philosophical, legal, psychological, religious, political and cultural aspects.