Expiation in the Light of Gutahikio: Towards an Agikuyu Theology of Atonement

Abstract

Despite the fact that the Church in Africa has grown both demographically and spiritually, there seems to be a problem somewhat since Africans have still held on to some of their customs that contradict Christianity. This demonstrates that there is something wrong with the way Christianity has been understood, presented and integrated into the African frame of thought. As a result of this, the Church in Africa has fallen into syncretism and Christianity has not become part and parcel of the lives of the Africans. This dissertation aimed at investigating gũtahĩkio which is a purification process for those individuals who had contacted thahu among the Agĩkũyũ community. It also investigated whether there are some authentic aspects of gũtahĩkio that can be used to help the Agĩkũyũ Christians to better understand, the Christian doctrine of atonement. To achieve this, the study employed analogia entis as its methodology which is a theology that considers the day to day living of the people and attempts to lift from their experiences and their struggles means by which they understand their lives and how they understand God. The study established that there is anxiety among the Agĩkũyũ Christians since even after absolution and repentance, there is no guaranteeing that their sins have been forgiven. Gũtahĩkio was used to purify those people who had contracted thahu and as such welcome them back to community life. The study shows that once one went through gũtahĩkio, they dealt with the guilt and the worshiper went back home assured that their thahu was removed. This process of infusion employed by analogia entis helps the Agĩkũyũ Christians understand the doctrine of atonement through a frame of mind familiar to them.