The Traditional Burial Practices of the Bukusu People Prior to the Introduction of Christianity

This study examines the traditional burial practices of the Bukusu people of Bungoma County, Kenya prior to the introduction of Christianity in the late 19th century. Using qualitative methods including interviews, focus groups, and observation, the research explores Bukusu beliefs and rituals surrounding death, funeral preparations, burial customs, mourning periods, and ancestral worship. Key findings reveal that the Bukusu held complex beliefs about death as potentially caused by supernatural forces, engaged in elaborate communal funeral preparations, practiced distinctive burial customs like burying personal belongings with the deceased, observed extended mourning periods, and maintained strong traditions of ancestral worship. The introduction of Christianity led to a syncretic blend of traditional and Christian practices, with some indigenous elements persisting alongside new Christian rituals. This study contributes to the preservation of Bukusu cultural heritage and provides insights into processes of cultural change and adaptation in the face of external religious influences. The findings have implications for understanding cultural resilience, interfaith dialogue, and culturally sensitive approaches to death and bereavement in Bukusu communities.