Radio Documentary:The Resilience of Dini ya Musambwa Amidst Modern Challenges
The religion emphasizes ancestral worship and the sacredness of Mount Elgon, believed to house spirits
An AI-generated image showing a Dini ya Musambwa elder lifting his hands toward the towering Mount Elgon, which stands powerfully in the background, symbolizing its deep spiritual importance to the Bukusu community and the sacred traditions of their faith.Hubz Media Ai
By Jamilla Nasenya
Jamilla Nasenya delves into this radio documentary exploring Dini ya Musambwa, one of Kenya’s oldest indigenous religions, deeply rooted in the Bukusu community of Bungoma County. Founded by the revered prophet Elijah Masinde in the 1940s, Masinde, a devout believer in “Were Khakava”—the supreme deity—blended African traditions with teachings from missionaries. The religion emphasizes ancestral worship and the sacredness of Mount Elgon, believed to house spirits. Known for resisting colonial oppression and advocating for African cultural preservation, Dini ya Musambwa played a significant role in liberation movements. However, with modern regulations and technological advancements reshaping societal views on faith, the question remains—can traditional religions like Dini ya Musambwa survive these new challenges?
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