African Spirituality and the Environmental Crisis in Kenya: The Agĩkũyũ of Perspective

Abstract

In the Agĩkũyũ spirituality, religion permeated every aspect of people’s lives and their environment. Before the Christianity researched Kenya, Central Province was a haven of life. Rivers and streams most of them now dry or seasonal waded through thick forests. Animals were part of people’s lives. Their wellbeing, relationship with people was perpetuated through folklore, religious beliefs and totems. Some were hunted for food not exploited. Thick forests, magnificent hills and mountains were sacred. They were holy graves of the ancestors, home tob the spirits, wild animals and holy sanctuaries. The land was communally owned and individual exploitation was unknown. Today we face an environmental crisis in Central Province. Western culture and religion has changed the African ways of life. The neglect and spurn of African traditional religious beliefs have led to indiscriminate destruction of forests. People pollute rivers, clear land for farming and kill animals for trade. This paper argues that an appreciation and integrating of African Spirituality with the modern way of life can go a long way in restoring our environment that is quickly falling apart.This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls (Jeremiah 6:16).