BEEFS
BEEFS
Church Opposes Bull Fighting Cultural Practises at Burial Ceremonies in Kakamega County
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
A bull paying last respect at the grave yard
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 .
LIFE TODAY MAGAZINE Issue 1 , No . 001 / 17 / December 2016 7