CHRISTIANITY AND CULTURE

 CHRISTIANITY AND CULTURE 

The idea of most African countries having several ethnic groups is a blessing because of the rich cultural diversity that comes with it. The ethnic groups seem to be fast disappearing in a new generation of young people who dissociate themselves with their ethnic backgrounds on one side, and on the other, through embracing modernisation as well as westernisation, both ideals that think the cultures as backward. 

In many African countries the cultures have gone to the background and save for a few cultural exhibition events or museums displays, real life cultural experiences are as good as gone. 

Good or bad, cultural association is for anyone to judge. To respect the cultures or not is a choice people must make. 

Tribe is the biggest symbol of the ethnic groups and sometimes define the groups themselves. In Kenya for example the word Kamba refers to both the ethnic group and the language the group speaks. Can we speak our languages well. Can our children?

Christianity, modernisation and culture interactions have left many people without clear identity as to where they stand, what to follow, to avoid or just where to draw the line. The winners are the clans that require you to pay dowry before you can marry their girl. Those old men have helped to keep that culture alive to that particular extent. Traditions help us understand our origin but to what extent should we practice them? What of attires, artefacts, celebration seasons and our heroes. Can we rightfully say we know ourselves when we choose the cultures to follow and what not to? The good thing that happened is the way Africans were able to borrow from Traditions in practice of Christianity especially traditional musical instruments like drums for early church.

Save for Maasai, whose Traditions are a great cultural export for Kenya, someone fails to point our strong cultural identifies for other groupings.

Theologians teach that the bible was written within Hebrew and Jewish traditions set-up making the narratives like passover feast key features. 

Christian identity in God does not necessarily disapprove our traditions to the extent of them not being against God's word and no darkness involves. 1 Peter 2:9 says 'But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.'

So, what traditions are to keep and what should we throw away?

@Stephen Mungai