Factors Leading to the Initiation of Christian Men into the Agikuyu Cultural Eldership (Kiama)

Abstract

This study examined factors leading to the current resurgence of the Agikuyu cultural eldership council known as Kiama, especially the initiation of the Christian men into this cultural position. The study was informed by the current conflict between the church and the Kiama elders, especially in Central Kenya. The researcher applied the social analysis framework (or the Pastoral Circle), which investigates a social phenomenon in four steps: immersion, analysis, reflection, and response. The researcher used a qualitative research design involving face-to-face open-ended interviews with several men in the Agikuyu Council of Elders (Kiama), pastors, and elders of selected churches within the Kikuyu constituency in Kiambu County. The study found that the factors leading to the initiation of Christian men into Kiama ranged from cultural identity, personal crises, social support, seeking community, reinforcing patriarchy, economic factors, societal status, and religious factors. The Christian men involved in the cultural initiation do so despite their standing in the Christian community.