GOD'S NAMES IN KENYA AMONG DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES.PART 2

GOD'S NAMES IN KENYA AMONG DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES.PART 2

Kenya is a multicultural country with over 40 ethnic groups, each possessing a language, culture, and religious tradition. While Christianity, Islam, and other world religions are dominant today, many Kenyan communities already believed in God before the missionaries arrived. They created their own names and attributes of God according to their concept of the divine.

Let us examine some of the traditional names of God for various ethnic groups in Kenya and what they reveal concerning how each society perceives the Creator.

Amongst the Kikuyu, one of Kenya's largest ethnic groups, God is referred to as Ngai. The Kikuyu believe that Ngai resides on Mount Kenya, referred to by them as "Kĩrĩnyaga," which means the mountain of brightness. Ngai is considered to be the giver of life, rain, and fertility. In prayers among the traditional Kikuyu, people would used to face Mount Kenya as a sign of respect when referring to Him.

The Kamba community, which is related to the Kikuyu both in language and tradition, refer to God as Ngai as well. They sometimes refer to Him as Asi or Mwatuangi, emphasizing the point that God is a supplier or giver. The people of Kamba believe in a benevolent creator who provides for human beings and favors them with rains and crops.

Nyasaye is what the Luo people refer to as their God. Even today, in Christian churches, this name is used in prayer and worship. Nyasaye is described as being everywhere at once, all-knowing, and the highest judge. Luo traditional songs and stories mention the power of Nyasaye to save, heal, and lead the people.

To the Luhya, the other major people in Western Kenya, God is referred to as Were or Nyasaye, depending on sub-tribe. For Maragoli, one of the sub-groups of Luhya, use is made of the name Were Khakaba, meaning "Were the provider." This reflects their view of God as a provider of community and life.

The Maasai, a semi-nomadic community which subsists on cattle herding, call God Enkai or Engai. Enkai is a gender-neutral god — both male and female — and is considered to be the source of all life, especially rain, which is essential to their economy of cattle herding. Prayers and offerings are offered to Enkai under holy trees or in open grasslands.

God is also known as Akuj among the Turkana of northern Kenya. The Turkana believe that Akuj created the world and sustains it. Akuj is associated with the heaven and rain, and is considered a far-off but powerful god who communicates with people in the form of signs and nature.

God in Kalenjin society is named Asis and is generally associated with the sun. Asis is viewed as the giver of life, light, and order. In some cases, the sun itself is employed as a representation of the existence of God. The majority of Kalenjin blessings and rituals invoke Asis for protection, guidance, and prosperity.

For the Mijikenda communities on the Kenyan coast, God is referred to as Mulungu. The name is also common in the majority of Bantu-speaking communities across East and Central Africa. Mulungu is believed to be a supreme being in heaven who controls the affairs of men. Traditional Mijikenda rituals and prayers requested favours from Mulungu for peace, rains, and prosperous harvests.

The Borana, Cushitic-speaking and inhabiting northern Kenya, address God as Waqa. Waqa is viewed as a powerful and just God. Traditional ceremonies are witnessed in the Borana that are prayed by the elderly to Waqa for rain, health, and safety from disaster.

God is also known as Mulungu among the Pokomo people who are found along the Tana River. Both Christian and Islamic influences, which are present among the Pokomo today, bear a high survival rate of indigenous spirituality, which defines Mulungu as the creator and lord of the universe.

While the names differ, there is a strong similarity that transcends all of these Kenyan groups — a deep respect for a supreme creator who is seen as the origin of life, rain, health, and justice. These native names of God were later built into Christian and Islamic religion, where old and new were joined to produce a unique and vibrant Kenyan spirituality.

By studying and honoring these original names of God, we learn more about Kenya's cultural diversity and spiritual heritage. It brings to mind that long before missions and foreign religion came to Kenya, Kenyans already believed in a higher power — one who hears, guides, and provides.