PCEA church bans members from 'nyama choma' ceremonies

ruby orimba

May 24, 2018 2:31 PM

Elders have not taken the matter lightly and have termed the alleged decision of the church as misguided

The Presbyterian Church of East Africa has found itself in the midst of a storm after a decision to bar its congregation from Kikuyu traditional rites.

Members of the church that is hugely popular in the Mt. Kenya region were told to keep off a Kikuyu cultural practice referred to as “Mburi cia Kiama”, which involves slaughtering of goats and giving advice to men on how to become respected elders.

Men who undergo the process then join different kiamas (groups), where they receive advice on Kikuyu culture, marriage and community responsibilities.

Mburi Cia Kiama

A general assembly meeting held from April 11 to 14 came up with the order which was among its deliberations. It was later communicated to churches during Sunday services in the weeks that followed.

“The highest body in PCEA church has distanced itself from Mburi Cia Kiama, terming it a negative cultural practice, among other practices like polygamy, female circumcision and witchcraft,” a Facebook post associated with the church read in part.

The church is said to be sticking to its doctrines, which bar its elders and the congregation from practising cultural rituals associated with Agikuyu elders.

Unethical

Despite the growing popularity of the ritual, part of the church feels some practices like giving of sacrifice and drinking traditional brew are unethical.

The church is said to be giving its members the option of abandoning these cultural ways of worship or leaving the congregation.

But elders have not taken the matter lightly, and have termed the alleged decision of the church as misguided and personal. The elders, who have in the past tried to build bridges with mainstream churches, feel undermined by the PCEA.

ruby orimba