AFRICAN RITES OF PASSAGE

Rites of passage were celebrations/rituals that Africans carried out following the different stage of human growth and development from conception to death.

The rites of passage included conception rites, birth rites, naming rites, initiation rites, puberty rites and death rites.

Birth rites and their importance

When a woman was discovered to have conceived, there was great happiness in the family.

When a child was born, it was seen as the greatest blessing of the life and the Africans reacted to such event with joy and satisfaction. e.g the Banyoro of western Uganda would make an alarm upon birth of a new baby

If it was the first pregnancy, it brought assurance to everyone that the woman was due to bare children and an asset to the family.

Once a woman gave birth, the marriage became secure, strong and stable than when she was discovered to be barren.

The relatives and the entire family of the man would treat the woman with greater respect than before.

Becoming pregnant and giving birth, assured the public of the god health of the woman and the man i.e. both were seen to be sexually normal.

Giving birth strengthened the love feelings between the husband and the wife which was the basis of a good family and marriage.

It helped to transmit life from the parent to the newborn babies and from one generation to another.

It enabled the parents to get children who were future sources of labour, wealth and security of the family, clan and society at large.

It helped in expanding and enlarging the clan of the man to greater heights and respect.

Delivering a child, brought respect and prestige to the family of the man and woman and they were recognized in the society.

Through birth, the living communicated with the living dead, ancestors, through the bloodshed by the mothers.

Becoming pregnant and giving birth showed the willingness and readiness of the woman to make a home and a family.

The birth of a child was seen as a reward for the man for much bride price that had been paid to the girl’s side or family.

Naming children African Traditional Society

There are many naming customs all over Africa, which however tend to vary from one society to another.

In some cultures, the name is/ was chosen before the arrival of the baby.

In other societies the name was chosen immediately upon arrival – birth of the baby and without any ritual or ceremony.

In most cases, naming involved ceremony attended by members of the family, relatives, neighbours and friends.

Naming involved giving of gifts to the newborn baby, which varied from one culture to another e.g. the Banyankole of western Uganda would give cows to the newly born baby.

Names were Linguistic such as Mwesigwa among the Bantu and Okello among the Luo.

Special meals were prepared during the ceremony. Millet food was prepared among the Banyoro of western Uganda.

Naming involved or involves celebrations and beer partying that welcomed the baby into the family and the clan.

Special herbs were smeared on the baby during naming ceremony in preparation for a successful future and cleanse away bad omen.

The choice of the name was determined by the parents, elders and relatives.

Some names were situational, given according to the circumstances surrounding the pregnancy and birth e.g. if one was born during times of famine he would be named Wanjala among the Bagishu of Eastern Uganda.

Names were given in praise of the supreme creator as the overall provider and controller such as Byamukama among the Banyoro.

Meaning/ importance of naming

In African culture, names given to babies helped to bring back the departed members of the family e.g. among the Basoga, names of the dead were given to new babies.

Some names helped to show the feelings of the parents during pregnancy and childbirth e.g. the Baganda would give names like Kwagala to express feelings of love.

Some names helped to show the religious feelings of the parents concerned, many times granting recognition to God’s role e.g. Byakatonda, Byaruhanga- all referring to God as the one in charge among the Banyankole of Western Uganda.

Names helped to show the clan in which someone belonged, e.g. ‘Kababiito’ among the Banyoro showed that the person belonged to the Biito clan and Isiko among the Basong belonged to the ‘Baiseigaga’ clan.

Naming rites were social functions which helped the child to be welcomed and integrated in the community e.g. among the Basoga, naming was accompanied by celebrations which brought many relatives together.

The naming occasions helped to create unity among the members of the community due to the many people that got involved.

Since all names were cultural, naming helped to preserve culture and ensured its continuity hence Bantu names, Luo names etc.

Through naming rituals, the child could get spiritual assistance and blessings from the ancestors, gods and God.

Some names helped to educate and explain some past experience to the young generation hence guiding them in life.

Naming rites helped the babies to receive gifts e.g. among the Banyankole of western Uganda, babies were given cows.

Names helped to show one’s belonging to a particular family because some families had specific family names.

Some names reflected the state of and time of birth of the child e.g. thunder, rain, famine, harvest etc.

Growth and initiation

There was circumcision which involved removing of the foreskin on the male reproductive organ. It was very common among the Bagishu and Kikuyu and it was important for hygiene and sexual satisfaction.

Clitoridectomy was another initiation ritual which involved cutting off of parts of the clitoris on the female reproductive organ. It was very common among the Sabiny and it helped to control sexual immorality among the Sabiny women.

Pulling/elongation of the Labias were also an initiation practice which involved elongating the Labias to a givenheight. It was so common among girls of Buganda, Tooro, Ankole, Busoga etc and it helped to stimulate sexual appetite among girls in marriage.

Another initiation ritual was detoothing which involved removing of the upper fore middle tooth from the initiates at puberty stage. It was done among the Karamajongs and it was for beauty and identification.

Piercing of the face was a common ritual to the young people at the puberty stage. It involved piecing the face following a pattern of lines as it was common among the Masai and Karamojong. It also increased the beauty of the initiates.

There was also tattooing of the body where different parts of the body were decorated with tattoos. This was common among the Alur and it was for beauty and identification purposes.

Ear piercing was an initiation ritual which involved piercing the ears and decorating them with earrings mainly for beauty.eg among the Kikuyu, Masai etc.

Importance of initiation

In African traditional society there were different initiations rituals performed on the young by different societies as explained below:

Positives:

Initiation graduated the initiate from Childhood to adulthood. E.g. the circumcision ritual among the Kikuyu of Kenya meant that one had graduated to adulthood.

It also joined the initiates with the ancestors through shedding blood on the ground e.g the circumcision among the Bagishu of Eastern Uganda.

It enabled the initiates to assume positions of responsibility e.g. leadership among the Bagishu of Eastern Uganda was for those fully initiated.

Initiation rituals were moments of celebration and enjoyment with the society members through eating and drinking e.g. the circumcision among the Bagishu was followed by feasting.

It enabled the initiates to acquire wealth through the gifts they received e.g. among the Gishu of Eastern Uganda, the boys would receive cattle, goats, sheep, chicken etc. After circumcision.

Some initiation rituals enabled the initiates to enjoy sex while in marriage e.g. the pulling of the Labias among the Baganda of Central, Banyankole of Western, Basoga of Eastern, Batoro of Western Uganda etc.

Initiation promoted unity among the African societies because these rituals were attended by many people.

It enabled the initiates to acquire sex education e.g. during the pulling of Labias, the Baganda of central Uganda, girls were taught a lot about sex.

It promoted permanent marriages due to sex education which was provided to the initiates.

Through initiation rituals, African culture was preserved from one generation to another.e.g. piercing of the face by the Kramajongos of North Eastern Uganda.

Through initiation, the initiates received spiritual blessings from the ancestors for future life and responsibilities.

It provided the initiates with identification marks/scars which made it easy for them to be recognized in the society. E.g. piecing of the face among the ALUR of West Nile.

Some rituals made the initiates to be brave and fearless in the society e.g. circumcision and detoothing among the Gishu andKaramojong’s respectively.

It promoted entertainment in society because some rituals like circumcision involved drumming, singing and dancing.

Some rituals helped to control sexual immorality in the society eg clitoridectomy among the sabiny reduced the sex Libido of the girls/women.

Some rituals made the initiates beautiful and attractive. E.g.detoothing, face piercing and tattooing among the Karamajongs,Alur and Dinkas.

Initiation enabled the initiates to get married because no one could get married before being initiated.

Through initiation rituals, new relationships/friend ship were made among people who came together to celebrate.

It enabled the people to identify future marriage partners. E.g. during the Kadodidance among the Gishu, the men would get attracted to girls who danced well.

Weaknesses

The Negative roles of initiation rituals included the following:

Some rituals caused a lot of pain to the initiates e.g. clitoridectomy, detoothing etc.

Some of them caused a lot of bleeding to the initiates making them lose a lot of blood. E.g. circumcision among the Bagishu.

Some initiation rituals caused death especially when they were not carried out properly e.g. clitoridectomy among the Sabiny of Eastern Uganda.

They violated God’s natural Law of creation of Man by cutting off some of God’s created body parts.

Some rituals deprived women of their right to enjoy sex by cutting off their clitoris which makes sex interesting.

They deprived the initiates’ right to privacy because they were circumcised when the whole public was seeing.

Some rituals distanced the initiates from their family members because they were taken to secret places after the ritual.eg Kikuyu boys were taken to the forest after circumcision.

Some rituals were done by force.i.e. they were done without the will of the initiates hence taking away their freedom and Liberty.e.g. Clitoridectomy.

AFRICAN EDUCATION SYSTEM

Education is a process of imparting knowledge, skills and attitudes by the teacher to the learners.

Education is in two i.e. formal and informal educations.

Formal education is the European type of education introduced in East Africa by the missionaries and it

involves reading and writing while informal does not involve reading and writing.

CHARACTERISTICS OF INFORMAL EDUCATION (AFRICAN EDUCATION) 

It was conducted outside classroom and learners were taught together without grouping them in

different classes.

It was conduct in open places i.e. did not have schools but it was taught from home.

It had no trained teachers, elders, parents or any knowledgeable relative conducted it.

It had no teaching syllabus to be followed. The content taught was got from the environment and cultural norms.

It lacked a formal time table to be followed, at any time the elder felt like teaching he or she would do it.

It lacked formal or regular assessment and evaluation of learners.

It lacked exams or tests to find out whether learners had understood or not.

It was not literate i.e. did not involve reading and writing.

It was cultural in nature i.e. it promoted preservation of cultural norms by the people.

It was mainly practical since it involved practical skills for example cooking, digging and planting.

It emphasized promotion of morals among the children in order to live a successful life.

It involved sexual education especially to the children at puberty.

It emphasized respect for one another i.e. girls were taught to be low so as to respect their husbands.

African education was free of charge i.e. did not involve paying of school fees like formal education.

There were no educational credentials to the learners, but practical outcomes were got after attaining

this education e.g. circumcision of boys was a credential and qualification for adulthood among the Kikuyu of Kenya.

Content of this education system varied with the age of the learners. Sex education e.g. was exclusively for the adolescent and not the young.

STRENGTH/ ADVANTAGES OF AN INFORMAL EDUCATION 

Positively, it helped to produce morally upright people in the society. This is because morals were

highly appreciated.

It helped the young people to fit in the society in which they were born, however harsh it was.

It promoted equality because it did not grade learners and separated them into classes.

It made the youths to get to know why certain things in an area e.g. lightening, famine, earth quakes and the will get to know how to overcome them.

It taught young ones their historical background and made them aware of past experiences such as origin, migration pattern, battles fought.

It promoted unity because the content taught was the same and learners were allowed to interact with one another.

It promoted the spirit of social concern for one another because the spirit of brotherhood was imparted into them.

It equipped the young ones with practical skills for their own survival e.g. they were taught domestic work for example digging, hunting, fetching water and collecting fire wood.

It also prepared the young people for social responsibilities in the society as some of them became leaders while others became medicine men and women.

It helped youth for marriage relation, promoting stability of marriage, as every one well knew and performed required duties respectively.

It served to respect and preserves the African cultural beliefs and practices, since the content was got from the cultures of the communities.

 

WEAKNESS OF AFRICAN INFORMAL EDUCATION 

It created inequality and classes in the society based on sex. This is because women were undermined and seen as inferior to men.

Content taught was not universal but societal i.e. it varied from culture to culture which created disunity among the people.

It was not literate and therefore it produced people who never knew how to read and write.

Since it lacked academic papers or credentials, it undermined the position of leaders since their education could not qualify them.

Some forms of informal education like circumcision was unfair and painful to human life.

It involved punishment that were unfair e.g. ex-communicating the girl who become pregnant before marriage or even killing them.

Since it depended on the elders as teachers, these could become tired and sick hence making the

children miss their lesson.

Questions: 

1. Asses the African informal type of education. (give strength and weakness)

2. Compare the missionary education and the African traditional education.

SEX EDUCATION IN TRADITIONAL AFRICA

Sex education was that type of education that involved imparting of information about sex to the young people at puberty stage and were about to get married.

In African traditional society, different societies taught different things to their children concerning sex as seen below:

 

CONTENT OF SEX EDUCATION TAUGHT TO CHILDREN

 

Sex education was that education that involved imparting of information about sex to the young people at puberty stage.

It was mainly taught to the adolescent by the elders, parents, relatives and friends.

Boys were usually taught by their uncles who gave them marriage roles and responsibilities.

The girls were usually taught by their Aunties who also gave them tips on how to behave while in marriage.

Sex education involved separation of the learners from the rest of the public to teach them. e.g. among the Kikuyu, the boys were taken to the forest.

The adolescent boys and girls who were about to get married were taught the different sex techniques and styles which they were to use while in marriage.

The children were taught to be morally upright and disciplined and respect all elders in the society.

The girls were called upon to keep their virginity until marriage and heavy punishments were given to those who broke it before marriage.

The Aunties always told the girls to show respect to their husbands by kneeling while greeting and giving them anything. This was common among the Baganda of central Uganda.

In some societies, it involved mutilation of sex organs e.g. among the kikuyu of Kenya, circumcision was done in order to bring sexual satisfaction among the partners in marriage.

Life skills were also imparted into the young to prepare them for the future e.g. among the Baganda of central uganda, boys were taught how to hunt, Masai girls were taught how to build house etc.

The boys were also taught by the uncles to be hardworking in life in order to able to take care of their wives and children.

The girls in Buganda were told not to respond when their husbands were quarreling. They were told to put water in the mouth to prevent responding.

Sex education also involved taking the girls to the bush schools where they were taught how to elongate their Labia. This was common among the Baganda, Basoga, Batoro etc.

The girls were also taught not to fear sex while in marriage and to always give sex to their husbands any time they wanted e.g. among the Batoro of Western Uganda, girls were taught by their aunt ‘Ishenkazi’ never to deny a man sex “Omusaija tayangwa’

The girls were made aware of their menstrual periods and they were taught how to handle/ clean themselves during those periods.

Girls were told to Love their husbands and always be clean at home through washing the clothes, utensils and cleaning the house and the compound.

Both boys and girls were taught to produce as many children as possible while in marriage in order to expand the clan.

Both boys and girls were taught to produce as many children as possible while in marriage in order to expand the clan.

Girls and boys were taught to get married and not to fear getting married for their own good.

Both boys and girls were a lot about their culture during sex education so as to be able to pass it on to their children.

The children at puberty were taught to have sex as many times as they wanted while in marriage.

In some societies, girls were also circumcised during sex education. This was to reduce their feelings sexually in marriage e.g. among the Sabiny of Eastern Uganda.

Discuss the major elements/characteristics and contents of sex education in African Traditional

society. (15 marks)

Approach:

It wants how sex education was carried out and what was actually taught to the young people at

Puberty stage.

 

IMPORTANCE OF SEX EDUCATION IN AFRICAN TRADITIONAL SOCIETY

Sex education referred to the Imparting of information about sex into the young people at puberty stage.

It was important as shown below:

It provided information which helped the young to develop into healthy and responsible adults.

It also enabled the children to get married at the right time i.e. not too early and not too late.

It helped to prevent sexual abuses/ misuses in the society such as fornication, rape, homosexuality etc among the youth.

It also helped to prevent early and unwanted pregnancies as well as sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis.

Sex education promoted hygiene and sanitation because children especially girls had to be clean during their menstrual periods.

Sex education helped the girls to keep their virginity until marriage hence attracting big bride price for their parents.

It promoted hard work especially among the boys because they were taught by the uncles to be hardworking people.

It also promoted culture because a lot of cultural norms and values were taught to the young during sex education.

It enabled the parents to get a lot of bride price from their daughters during marriage.

It brought satisfaction of both partners in marriage and made it possible for children to be produced.

Sex education promoted permanent marriages because they young were taught to have permanent marriage during sex education.

It promoted Love among married people due to the fact that the young were taught to Love their roles in case of marriage.

It enabled the girls to know their biological changes of menstruation before it happened hence preparing for it.

It promoted respect for elders in the society and respect for one another in marriage.

Through sex education, children became morally upright and well disciplined.

Discuss the importance of sex education in the traditional African society. (13 marks)

Approach:

It wants the good things that came out of teaching the young people abo

METHODS OF IMPARTING SEX EDUCATION IN TRADITIONAL AFRICAN SOCIETY

It was imparted through punishing the sex offenders.eg killing of the fornicators among the Bakiga

and the Karamajongs

It was imparted through Age mates who taught their fellow peers about sex.

It was passed on through African poems which revealed a lot of secrets regarding sex.

Through African dances like Mbaga dances in Buganda, circumcision dance among the

Bagishu, Mpango dance among the Batoro etc.

The Aunties also taught the girls much about sex during the puberty stage e.g. the Sengas in Buganda.

Through initiation rituals like circumcision, pulling of the Labias etc sex education was also imparted into the young people.

The uncles especially in Buganda also gave the boys a lot of information about sex.

Sex education was also passed on through elder brothers and sisters to their young siblings.

It was imparted through telling stories to the young from the grandparents usually in the evening around the fire places.

It was also taught through cultural taboos. E.g. the Kiganda taboos that discouraged sleeping of mature brothers and sister together.

Through giving different kinds of work to girls and boys e.g. in Buganda, boys were to hunt while girls were to cook.

Through composing and singing of songs to the young that contained information about sex.

Through rewarding those who kept their virginity until marriage.

Sex education was passed on through bush schools e.g. in Buganda girls were taken to the bush where they were told to pull their Labias.

It was imparted through living exemplary lives sexually e.g. mothers being faithful to their husbands.

In what ways was sex education imparted among traditional Africans.(13 marks)

Approach:

The question wants the various methods used by the traditional Africans to teach the young people about sex.

 

WHY SEX EDUCATION IS COLLAPSING TODAY

The Elders and the parents are too busy with their work hence have no time to impart sex education.

The big gap between the youth and the elders has hindered free discussion about sex.

Peer group influence has made youths to only listen to their own experiences and disregard the advice of the elders.

Lack of appropriate Literature about sex education is another challenge faced in imparting sex education.

Sex education is commercialized today and this has made many poor people to miss out these wonderful Lectures.

Influence of formal education which has made many educated people to look at sex education as something out dated and primitive.

Emergence of nuclear families which have eroded extended families and their roles.

There is high rate of permissiveness where youths have a lot of freedom to do whatever they want and refuse sex education.

Some parents are too shy to impart sex education into their children.

The influence of western culture which has eroded traditional cultures hence distorting the practice of sex education.

The presence of mass media that are pornographic is another problem faced in trying to impart sex education today.

Most parents think that teachers will impart sex education to their children at school and so, both sides end up missing out.

Some parents look at sex education with suspicion i.e. they think that it will instead ignite sex urge among the youths.

Family instabilities/disintegration in form of divorce and separation has also hindered the practice of sex education today.

Political instability/unrest has made parents unsettled hence being unable to impart sex education.

There is selfishness of some family members like step mothers who out of Jealous refuse to pass on sex education to their step daughters.

Influence of boarding schools where most children stay have also limited the time parents have to teach their children about sex.

Most parents today were not taught about sex in their youthful stage and so, they lack the real information to teach their children.

Poverty has also made it hard to uncles and Aunties today to keep boys and girls in their homes teaching them about sex.

The decline in African traditional beliefs has also made sex education useless as modern people consider it to be for long ago.

The high cost of living today has made it impossible for the aunts and uncles to fear teaching their girls and boys at their home.

The influence of religions like Christianity that do not emphasize culture has made it hard for sex education to go on today.

The rapid growth of urbanization has also limited the practice of sex education. This is because there are no secret places (bush) in towns where girls can be taken to teach them secrets.

Discuss the challenges your society is facing while trying to impart sex education. (12 marks) Approach:

It wants reasons why sex education is rarely being carried out to the young people today.

HOW IS SEX EDUCATION IMPARTED TODAY

Sex education is imparted through newspapers, Novels and magazines like straight talk, Red peppers, Bukedde, Newspaper, Kamunye etc.

It’s imparted by teachers in schools during their Lessons especially C.R.E and Biology teachers, Senior Woman and senior man etc.

Drama plays like Emboozi za’bagalana by Alina Talents,Obufumbo bwabato etc is another way of imparting sex education into the young.

It’s also imparted through television programmes like soaps, movies, films, “Akasale” on bukeddeTv etc.

Through medical professionals like doctors and Nurses who teach their patients a lot about sex and family planning.

It is taught through religious leaders like reverends, priests and pastors who teach those about to be wedded a lot about sex.

Cultural organizations like “Kisakate of the Queen of Buganda is another way of imparting sex education today.

It is taught by counselors to those who have challenges in marriage.

Some courageous parents today still teach their children about sex.

It is taught through fellow peers/friends e.g. most girls today get to know about pulling of the Labias from their Friends.

It is imparted through cultural ceremonies like circumcision among the Bagishu.

Through social media on the internet.e.g. face book, twitter, whatsapp, Skype etc.

It is imparted through government initiatives and programs like Piassy.

Some uncles and Aunties also teach their children about sex.

Sex education is imparted through songs; both local and international contain a lot of information about sex.

 

REASONS WHY PARENTS ARE AGAINST THE USE OF MASS MEDIA TO IMPART SEX

EDUCATION

Mass media involves use of radios, Televisions and Newspapers to impart sex education, so the question

wants reasons why parents today don’t want sex education through the media to their children.

Answers.

Mass media involves a lot of permissiveness. i.e. it gives the youths a lot of freedom to do whatever they want.

Mass media especially televisions show pornographic pictures which instead spoil the youths sexually.

Some radio presenters and sex educators over the media speak sexual words directly to the public which also spoil the morals of the youths.

Sex education is supposed to be private and secret affairs but mass media makes it a public affair.

Mass media cannot be accessed by all youths in the country. i.e. not all youths can get Newspapers or afford radios and televisions.

Traditionally, sex education was supposed to be imparted by the biological uncles and Aunties to the children but those of mass media are not.

Mass media is aimed at making money but not improving the morals of the youths in the society.

Traditionally, fathers were not supposed to be around when teaching their daughters about sex but mass media does not consider this.

Mass media aims at arousing and inspiring the youths into sexual abuses instead of making them to have self-control sexually.

Mass media teaches both boys and girls together yet traditionally, boys are supposed to be separated from girls during sex education.

Using mass media to teach about sex originated from Europe and that is why most African parents today are against it.

Why are most parents today against the use of mass media as a method of sex education? (10

marks)

 

AFRICAN MARRIAGE SYSTEM

AFRICAN UNDERSTANDING OF MARRIAGE

Before marriage, the couple was supposed to go through initiation ceremonies e.g. among the Bagishu and the kikuyu, the boys had to be circumcised before marriage.

Marriage was for the production of children. The children produced sealed the marriage, acted as a link between the living, the dead and the future generation.

Africans believed that from the very beginning of human life, god commanded people to get married and bear children; therefore marriage was seen as a gift from God.

Marriage was seen as a sacred (holy) duty, which every normal person was of age was supposed to perform i.e. it was compulsory.

In all societies, everything possible was done to prepare the young people for marriage and make them love the marriage institution.

Women were considered inferior to their husbands and were expected to be submissive to their husbands.

Having sex was only allowed in marriage and the married people were free to enjoy sex any time they wanted.

Marriage was compulsory for every adult and those who did not were disrespected i.e. they were seen as children and were denied leadership roles.

The unmarried were not even given descent burial e.g. in Buganda their dead bodies were passed through the back door and their names were not given to the new born babies.

Divorce was not allowed in African traditional society except when one of the partners was a witch or a night dancer.

Virginity was highly valued by most African traditional societies. A girl who was married when still a virgin would earn her parents and relatives a lot of respect, pride and special gifts were given.

Marriage was between partners of the same tribes i.e. inter- marriage was forbidden and in case it happened the couple would be isolated by the community.

Marriage was asocial affair built on a permanent basis i.e. Couples were expected to their agreement for ever until death.

Polygamy was highly practiced i.e. man married as many wives to get enough wealth, labour and sexual satisfaction.

Marriage was between people of the opposite sex i.e. between man and woman and marriage between people of the same sex was forbidden.

Marriage was sealed by the payment of bride wealth i.e. marriage took place after full payment of bride wealth.

Marriage was also across clans i.e. between people of different clans and marrying from the same clan was sinful because the two were brothers and sisters.

Marriage was a communal affairs i.e. parents and relatives were actively involved in the affairs of the children through offering sex education, choice making. etc

 

IMPORTANCE/ VALUE OF MARRIAGE IN AFRICAN TRADITIONAL SOCIETY

 

All Adults were expected to marry because marriage helped to fulfill the African cultural demands of every adult person to get married.

Marriage enabled the adults to have sex for pleasure leisure and enjoyment.

Marriage enabled the adult married people to share Love and intimate relations among themselves.

It was a must to marry because marriage extended relationship and friendship with other families and clans.

Marriage provided for the production of Children by the married couple hence expanding the family and the clan.

It earned the married people respect and prestige in the community because they were seen as responsible

All Adults were to marry because marriage enabled the Men to acquire Leadership positions in the society because of being able to lead their families.

Marriage promoted unity and cooperation among the members of the society who intermarried.

Marriage was compulsory because it enabled the married couple to receive gifts that congratulated them for that achievement.

Getting married promoted sexual morality in the society as all adults had sexual relations in marriage.

Marriage that involved producing children helped to show that the couple was in a good health status.

It was a religious ritual that united the living with the ancestors hence providing blessings to the newly married couple.

Marriage enabled leaders to get Loyalty in their Leadership because they married from several clans. This prevented leadership conflicts.

Marriage provided for material wealth and property to the family to the girl through payment of bride price and that is why all adults were expected to marry.

“In traditional Africa, all adults were expected to marry. “Comment (13

marks) Approach:

The question wants the importance of marriage in traditional Africa to the extent that all mature

people were supposed to get married.

 

COMPARISON BETWEEN AFRICAN TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE AND CHRISTIAN

MARRIAGE

Similarities

 

To a large extent, African traditional understanding of marriage is similar to that of Christianity as shown below:

In both, bride wealth/price before marriage is emphasized.

Both traditional Africa and Christianity call for permanence in marriage.

Both call upon the married couples to have sex regularly while in marriage.

In both, Virginity is emphasized before marriage. i.e. they both discourage fornication.

Both Christianity and African tradition encourage sex education before marriage.

Both believe that marriage is a scared institution.

Both call for marriage between man and Women i.e. they emphasis that marriage should be heterosexual but not homosexual.

Both encourage pro-creation in marriage i.e. the encourage producing of children in marriage.

In both forgiveness and reconciliation in marriage is emphasized.

Both Christianity and traditional Africa call for proper upbringing of Children.

Both believed that marriage is a sacred institution which every normal person must perform.

In both incest is condemned meaning that people should marry from another clan e.g. Paul condemned the man who slept with his step mother, to be ex-communicated.

In both marriage is seen as uniting factor, and that is why in Genesis God said, that a man shall leave his parents and unit with his wife and the become one.

In both marriages is seen as a fulfillment of God’s command of companionship, love and procreation.

In both, acts adultery and other unfaithful cases are punishable as a way of restoring the dignity of the marriage institution.

Differences 

However, to a small extent there are differences between African and Christian understanding of marriage as shown below;

In Christianity, man and woman are equal in marriage while in traditional Africa; man was superior to the woman in marriage.

Christianity calls for monogamous marriage while African tradition called for polygamous marriages.

In African traditional society, child bearing was compulsory while in Christianity, it is optional.

Christianity calls for church marriage while African tradition calls for customary marriage.

In African traditional society, inheritance of widow was allowed while in Christianity, it is condemned.

In African tradition, sex was offered for hospitality in marriage while in Christianity, it is regarded as sexual immorality.

In some African societies like among the ancient Bahima and Tutsi, marrying of close relatives was allowed while in Christianity, it is seen as incest and therefore a sin.

In African tradition, divorce was allowed on grounds of adultery while in Christianity, reconciliation is called for instead of Divorce

In African tradition, they believed that marriage had to be blessed by the ancestors to be stable while in Christianity, is blessed by God.

In African traditional society, a wife was regarded as a family/clan wife while in Christianity, she is a personal wife.

In traditional Africa, the marriage partners were chosen by the parents/elders for their children while in Christianity, it is a personal choice.

In Christianity, Baptism is a condition for one to attain church marriage while in traditional Africa, initiation rituals like circumcision was a condition for one to get married.

In African traditional society, marriage was within their cultural tribal settings while in Christianity mixed marriages are encouraged.

In African traditional society, marriage was compulsory while in Christianity, it is optional especially those who are to serve God whole heartedly.

To what extent is African traditional understanding of marriage similar to Christianity? (25 marks)

Approach:

It is a two sided question. The large extent part needs the similarities between the Christian

and traditional African understanding of marriage. The small extent part needs the differences.

 

THE UNMARRIED LIFE IN TRADITIONAL AFRICAN SOCIETY

 

They were considered to be social misfits in the society for failure to get married.

They were looked at as people who were cursed by the ancestors and therefore no need of respecting them.

They were seen as people who were still young and therefore couldn’t even hold any leadership position in the society.

The unmarried were seen as a source of evils in the society. I.e. when the society was faced with

problems, they were attributed to the unmarried ones.

They could not be respected since they had no inheritance rights to property. I.e. they could not inherit their dead parents.

They were looked at as people who were impotent and barren and therefore not worthy respecting.

They were looked at as people who were against the natural Law of God i.e. Go and multiply and fill the earth.

They were not respected because even upon their death no single funeral rite could be performed for such people.

The unmarried were seen as people who were greedy and selfish and therefore could prepare their own meals.

They were seen as a loss and a disgrace to the society because of not producing children who were very important.

They were not respected because they could not enjoy the gift of sex since they did not have their own spouses.

They were under looked because even when they died, they were not mourned.

The unmarried were seen as people who were greedy and selfish and therefore could prepare their own meals.

The unmarried were undermined because they were seen as people who feared responsibilities in life.

1. Why were the unmarried not respected in the traditional African society?

Approach:

It wants the reasons why people who were not married yet mature were under looked and despised.

 

REVISION QUESTION:

“Remaining unmarried was not acceptable in African Traditional society. “Comment (25

marks) It is one sided question which wants reasons why remaining unmarried was not allowed in

Africa Traditional society. The question basically needs the disadvantages of being unmarried and the

advantages of being married.

Answers:

Unmarried life in African culture was considered a curse and people ensured that they married to avoid being seen sources of curses.

The unmarried were also seen as a source of bad omen and they were avoided in society.

The unmarried life was not accepted because even initiation rituals were organized to prepare people for marriage and rising of families.

The initiates were strongly commanded to live under a solemn obligation of getting married and they had to respect it.

Africans also believed that God commanded them to marry and bear children hence a reason why being unmarried was not acceptable.

Marriage was seen as a sacred duty for all Africans and therefore religious rites which all adults had to undergo.

Remaining unmarried was seen as stopping the flow of life which was seen as evil.

The unmarried were as rebels to culture and therefore Law breakers.

The unmarried were known to be abnormal and half human and thus not complete people in Life.

Refusing to marry was seen as a rejection of one’s culture and society and the society in return also rejected such a person.

Marriage was considered a duty and an obligation for all with every one as an actor or participant.

Marriage which resulted into child bearing acted as medicine against death i.e. a person with children did not die completely.

Marriage was a religion for all and a source of blessings hence its being compulsory.

Remaining unmarried was seen as being selfish and self-centered without regard for others.

Elders took every concern to establish the causes of single life among adults to ensure that they married.

Getting married attracted gifts such as Land, animals etc. which motivated all people to marry and this encouraged the adults to marry and get married.

Sexual intercourse was strictly for the married and it was highly punishable among the unmarried and this encouraged the adults to marry.

The unmarried could not inherit property or own property because they were seen as young e.g. among the Baganda of central Uganda.

They were seen as children however old or mature they were hence being called upon to marry in order to be seen as old.

The unmarried did not hold responsible or leadership positions in the society.

They were not also given respect or descent burials when they died and they were not mourned for.

Upon death, the unmarried were not inherited meaning that they died completely.

The names of the unmarried were not given to the new born babies in order to encourage people to get married.

Getting married created unity and relationship among people and families and that is why remaining unmarried was not acceptable.

Getting Married appeases the ancestors and that is why remaining unmarried was condemned in African Traditional Society.

REASONS WHY MARRIAGES ARE BREAKING UP TODAY

Limited sex education being given to these about to get married has made married couples to make mistakes in marriage hence divorce.

Limited period of courtship where people do not get to know each other well before marriage has also led to marriage break ups.

Increased drug abuse and alcoholism especially among men have annoyed their wives leading to marriage break ups.

Poverty and the high cost of living have also made wives tired of their husbands hence divorcing them and looking for rich men.

Declining African cultures today has made people not to value marriage hence breaking up very fast.

The women Liberation movement and their demand for their rights and equality has made men tired of their wives hence divorce.

Permissiveness where people today are free to do whatever they want has made married tired of them hence divorce.

Unfaithfulness/marital infidelity where the partners cheat on themselves sexually has also led to marriage breakups.

Lack of sexual satisfaction among married partners has made marriage meaningless and unless leading to its breaking up.

Lack of respect and trust for each other in marriage has made the partners suspicious of each other leading to marriage instabilities.

Too much work where the partners ‘don’t give themselves enough time has contributed to marriage break ups.

Barrenness on the side of women and impotence on the side of men have made marriage useless leading to divorce.

Producing of single sex children and children with disabilities has made most men divorce their wives thus ending marriage.

Political instabilities in the world today have made partners to run away for safety thus ending up abandoning their marriages.

Give the reasons for the high levels of marriage break ups in the society today. (12 marks)

Approach:

The question wants reasons for the high levels of divorce cases today.

 

COURTSHIP IN TRADITIONAL AFRICAN SOCIETY

Courtship refers to close or intimate relationship between a man and woman who are mutually attracted to each other with the intention of getting married.

Or It is the period which the couple spends studying one another before the get married/ before actual marriage.

In African traditional society, courtship was spent following a number of aspects, rules and regulations as seen below:

After getting a girl of desirable qualities the man was supposed to inform the parents about the new catch he had got.

The girl could also inform her parents about her love with the boy in order to seek for their advice and blessings.

The parents of the boy would now meet the parents of the parents of the girl to allow the boy date their daughter.

The man and his family were then expected to inform the whole community about their courtship intention with that girl.

The couple intending to get married was not allowed to meet and talk directly to the each other but a middle man was got for this.

Courtship was the time that those intending to get married went through initiation e.g. in Buganda the girl had to visit the bush at this time if she had not pulled.

It was the time when those wanting to marry looked for marriage size to confirm whether the two really love themselves.

During courtship, the boy and the girl would be sent for another round of serious sex education in preparation for actual marriage.

It was during courtship that both families tried to find out the health of their children i.e. no family wished their child to marry a sick person.

It was during courtship that the boy’s family struggled to look for bride wealth demanded by the girl’s family.

It was time when the couple researched about each other in matters concerning hard work, cleanliness, obedience and general discipline.

A number of rituals were also performed during courtship and this was aimed at preparing the couple for marriage e.g. cleansing ritual among the Banyoro.

During courtship, wedding clothes for the girl were prepared e.g. a gomasi, ear rings bangles beads to wear around the neck and lower abdomen in order to look beautiful on the stage.

It was the time when the boy would be assisted by the elders to plan for the future because he was no longer a child but an adult.

1. Explain the ways in which courtship was conducted in African traditional society

 

VALUES/ IMPORTANCE OF COURTSHIP INTRADITIONAL AFRICAN SOCIETY

Courtship resulted into good choices of marriage partners which made marriage exist with less challenges.

It also made marriage stable since the couple had due appreciation for each other before getting married.

It bought joy of love and intimacy among the couples through exchange of gifts.

Courtship enabled the couple to learn the behavior of one another before marriage.

It provided for parental participation in determination of the marriage partners of their children.

Courtship was used to shape the morals of the unmarried into good people i.e. during courtship, the unmarried were counseled and guided-morally.

It helped to promote virginity among girls because it was one of the qualities looked by the boy.

The practice of courtship led to respect and promotion of African cultural values because a lot

of cultural ideas were passed on to the unmarried.

Courtship made marriage meaningful, respected and admired by many people in the society.

It helped to reduce and prevent cases of incest among partners because they got to know each other thoroughly well.

It enabled the two parties i.e. the family of the boy and that of the girl to negotiate and appreciate bride price.

The courtship that took a long time enabled the couples to plan for their marriage in advance.

It promoted permanence in marriage since the couple got married when they knew themselves.

It promoted trust and faithfulness among partners because of knowing themselves well.

Due to courtship, the married partners respected one another and they were loyal to each other.

It enabled the partners to know and appreciate each other’s interests in life and personal weakness and strengths.

Courtship was a public declaration that a person had moved from childhood to Adulthood.

It enabled the couples to receive blessings from the parents because they would be involved in courtship process.

Discuss the values that were attached to courtship in African tradition. (13 marks) Approach:

The question wants the importance of courtship as it was carried out in African traditional society.

 

FACTORS THAT HAVE UNDERMINED COURTSHIP TODAY

Influence of western cultures in Africa today which have no regard and respect for courtship.

Limited and lack of sex education to the youths today has also deprived courtship of its importance.

Declining respect for African cultures by the youths today has made many of them not to carry out courtship before marriage.

Too Much selfishness and individualism among people today limits the practice of courtship i.e. people do not want to exchange gifts during courtship.

Influence of formal education which prevents some people from practicing their traditional practices like courtship.

Influence of the women emancipation movement that gives women rights on their marriage relations.

Presence of Killer diseases such as HIV/AIDS in Africa which undermines the value attached to marriage today as well as the practice of courtship.

Negative peer influence where some people simply encourage each other to enter marriage on a rush.

Rampant urbanization which tends to distance people from their traditional village obligations and practices such as courtship.

Permissiveness where the youths have freedom to do all what to be delayed with issues of courtship.

Increasing moral decay among people in the society today has made most youths to have little respect for cultural obligations like courtship.

Poverty has also made it hard for people to sustain long periods of courtship due to the courtship gifts involved.

The generation gap has also undermined courtship .i.e. the youths do not believe in the elder’s advice at dating for a lot of time.

The high sex libido/ urge among many youths have also made it hard for them to date for a long period of time before marriage.

Staying unmarried for a long period of time has made such people to courtship for a short period and then get married.

Explain the factors that have undermined courtship in modern society. (12 marks)

Approach:

It needs the reasons why people no longer courtship or study each other for a long period of time before marriage as it was in African traditional society.

BRIDE WEALTH

Bride wealth refers to the gifts which are taken by the man’s family to the girl’s family who intends to

marry.

In African traditional society such gifts varied depending on the culture of the community, but what was

common were heads of cattle, goats and sheep and local beer, foodstuff etc.

 

ADVANTAGES OF BRIDE WEALTH 

It was paid to compensate the family of the girl for the loss of service she transferred to her new home.

It helped to indicate the wealthy ability of the man i.e. it was a sign that the girl wouldn’t suffer material

Inadequacies when married.

It helped the groom to extend/show gratitude and appreciation to the family of the bride for having taken

care of their daughter well.

It acted as a certificate of marriage declaring the boy and the girl as husband and wife.

Paying bride price acted as a guard against sexual abuse.ie it helped the girls to keep their virginity until

marriage because this attracted a lot of bride price.

Bride price acted as shield against divorce.ie it made Men to take good care of their wives fearing

to make losses if the girl divorced.

Paying and accepting bride price helped to remind both families that there should be no hostility

against each other but peace.

Bride price brought great respect and prestige to both the bride and the groom as the two were seen as

mature and responsible people.

Paying bride price helped to uplift the economic status of the bride’s family. Therefore, the more the

girls the more the wealth.

It helped to continue the process of marriage in that the Brothers of the girl could also use the bride

price paid to their home to also marry their wives.

It warned the village boys and stopped them from tempering with the girl since she was some one’s

wife.

It encourages hard work as the boys had to work hard to get wealth demanded by the girls’ family.

It acted as a license for the couple to begin the process of reproduction since they had been fully

initiated into adulthood.

Bride price helped to express the man’s intimate Love and feelings for the woman.

Comment on the significance of bride price in traditional African Society (13 marks)

The question wants the importance of paying bride price in African tradition or why bride price was

always paid in traditional Africa

 

DISADVANTAGES OF BRIDE WEALTH

It at times involved cheating of the boy’ family by asking for too many animals.eg among the Masai and

Turkana of Kenya.

It at times frustrated the efforts of the boy to marry the girl of his choice due to many items that he could

afford.

It left some times girls unmarried and they turned out to be idlers because the boys couldn’t afford

what was demanded.

It at times led to forced marriages where parents forced their daughters to get married so as to get wealth.

Paying bride price also led to early marriages as parents gave their young daughters in order to get wealth.

After paying bride price, men looked at their wives as personal property and mistreated them.



It led to elopement.ie boys and girls ran away and got married secretly after failing to pay bride price.

Some men also looked at their wives as sexual machines after paying bride price. I.e. they over

worked them sexually against their will.

Where too much bride price was demanded, some men ended up stealing, raiding and cattle rusting

in order to get demanded items.

Its payments at times left the boy and his family in a poor financial state after paying a lot to the

girl’s family.

Those who contributed towards the payment of bride price usually interfered with the family of the

newly married couple.

Demanding for too much bride price often led to open disagreements and hatred between the family of

the boy and that of the girl

 

DECLINE OF BRIDE WEALTH TODAY 

It at times involves cheating the family of the boy especially where a lot of animals are demanded e.g.

Among the Banyankole of western Uganda.

It frustrates the efforts of some boys to marry the girls of their choice especially where parents

demand for impossibilities.

It has left some girls unmarried and has turned into idlers because of demanding for a lot of bride price.

The practice of paying bride price has declined because at times parents force their daughters into

marriage in order to get wealth.

In addition, the practice has led to early marriages where parents force their daughters into unwanted

marriages in order to get wealth.

After paying bride price, men tend to consider their wives as personal property hence mistreat

and exploit them as they want.

Demanding for high bride has led to elopement in society where the boy and the girl run away

and secretly get married.

After paying bride price, men tend to look at their wives as mere sexual objects or machines to satisfy

their sexual Libido.

It has corrupted some men into dubious means of acquiring the demanded items such as stealing, killing

among others.

Paying bride price has at times left the family of the boy in a poor financial state to the extent that the

boy cannot sustain the family after the function.

Negotiating for bride price has at times led to open disagreements and hatred between the two families

hence leading to its decline.

Rampant divorce cases today even after paying bride price have discouraged many people today to pay

bride price fearing to incur losses.

Too much poverty today has also led to the decline of the practice because people lack the money

to purchase all the required items

1. Account for the decline of the practice of bride price today. (12 marks

 

POSITION OF WOMEN IN TRADITIONAL AFRICA

Women were considered beasts of burdens who were supposed to do all the domestic work as the

men were enjoying beer with the friends.eg among the Karamojong.

Women were denied chance to take up leadership positions in the society but only Men could be leaders.

Women were prohibited to eat certain foods in some societies e.g. among the Baganda, they forbidden to

eat eggs, pork, chicken etc. as they were for only Men.

Women were denied chance to own property neither could they inherit property hence being inferior.

There was more celebration when a baby boy was born than when a baby girl was born.

When a woman died, mourning took a few days than when a man died.

In some societies, women were seen as a source of curses.eg in Buganda, when a man met a woman first

on the ways, he could just go back home.

Women were blamed for any misfortune or catastrophe that occurred in the society .e.g. earth

quakes, drought etc.

They were also blamed for producing single sex children yet Men were responsible for this.

A woman were denied chance to initiate divorce yet Men could send away their wives if they wanted.

Women were seen as sex machines who were supposed to satisfy men sexually without them enjoying

sex.

Women were prohibited to take part in society meetings and they could not make any decision either at

home or in the society.

A woman had no right to choose for herself a marriage partner .Once a man admired her, she had to go

with him.

They were seen as factories for manufacturing children who did not belong to them but belonged to their

husbands

They were denied chance to decide the number of children to produce. It’s only men who determined the

number of children to produce.

They were always beaten, slapped and kicked by their husbands and they had no right to fight back.

Women were expected to keep their virginity until marriage and those who did not were

severely punished but the issue of men being virgin was not highly emphasized.

Women had no identity of their own but they could be known by either their fathers or husbands.

They were supposed to respect Men and be submissive to them even when a man was younger to the

Woman.eg in Buganda; Women were to kneel when greeting men.

Women were blamed for any misfortune or catastrophe that occurred in the society e.g.

earthquakes, drought famine etc

There was no restriction on how many women a man could marry, but a woman was allowed only one

man at time.

However, to a smaller extent, men paid some respect to women giving the special places in society. 

Women were the doctors and nurses of society, making syrups and medicine to cure diseases and illness.

They would be saluted for helping to prepare the adolescent girls for marriage and other

adulthood responsibilities, a unique and highly respected role.

Women inculcated the correct morals values into the children, helping pass on a legacy to the

future generation.

Women were also applauded because, by producing children, they contributed to the expansion of the

clan, making it strong and prosperous.

They were considered important for, they and their children did bring respect to the men and his family

in the society.

Women were considered mothers of the society for it’s them who fed the family even when the going

had got tough.

“In African Traditional society, Women were considered inferior to Men.

 

“Comment Approach:

The question wants the various ways in which Women were undermined or under looked in African

Traditional society. The candidate should show examples of societies where Women were treated

like that.

 

THE CHURCH’S EFFORT TO UPLIFT THE STATUS OF WOMEN TODAY

To a large extent, Christianity has contributed to the rise of woman independence movement as shown

below;

Christianity advocates for monogamy which gives equal status of women to men.

It discourages payment of bride price which traditionally made women subjects to men.

Christianity has opened up schools allowing girls to study and uplift them socially, politically and

economically.

It has organized counseling and guidance sessions for women telling them how much they matter in

society.

The church has called upon government to consider women positions in government as a way of

uplifting them.

The church has formed women associations and other groups such as mothers unions, young women

Christian associations etc. to uplift them.

Christianity teaches that Man and Woman are equal because they were created in God’s image

hence contributing to their independence movements.

The church has given employment opportunities to women with some serving as reverends.

The church has organized weddings which have helped women to have a say and share on

family estates/ property of their husbands.

Christianity calls upon husbands to respect, Love and take care of their wives thus giving them a special

status.

The church has also supported women projects that help them emancipate economically. Such

projects include piggery, poultry etc.

Leadership roles in church are also given to women e.g. reverends, pastors, nuns etc.

The church has put up health centres in order to give special health attention to Women.eg

Nsambya hospital, Mengo Hospital, Rubaga Hospital etc.

It has established financial institutions like banks where women are employed

as Managers, tellers, receptionists’ etc.eg Centenary bank.

OTHER FACTORS 

However to a small extent, there are other factors that have contributed to the rise of women

independence movement as shown below;

The influence of eastern culture where women are seen playing an equal role to development just like

Men.

The influence of formal education that has equipped great skills and talents to Women.

Influence of mass media that continue to expose women as potential contributors to development.

The presence of women role models such as Winnie Byanyima, Rebecca Kadaga in Uganda has

inspired young girls to exploit their abilities.

Women groups and associations such as FIDA have helped many women realize their position in

today’s challenging world.

Political will to uplift women to play equal role in society just like men. In Uganda, Women have been

given political offices.

Presence of women rights have also contributed greatly to the rise of women independence

movement today.

1. To what extent has Christianity contributed to the rise of Women independence movement today

(25 marks?)

Approach:



Two sided question. The large extent part needs ways in which Christianity has uplifted the status

of Women.

The small extent side needs other factors that have led to Women independence.





ACHIEVEMENT OF WOMEN EMANCIPATION

MOVEMENT Positive achievements:



Women have acquired public employment and have a chance to earn a wage or salary. This has

made them to become economically independent.

Women today enjoy all types of food including fish, eggs and chicken. These were denied before the

emancipation.

Both men and women have a right over their children. The constitution emphasizes that a child must not

leave the mother before its above 7 years.

Women have the freedom to own property. This property is sometimes worked for or inherited

e.g. buildings, land, cars etc.

Religiously, women have enrolled in the church activities e.g. in the Anglican Church women

are ordained as Reverends and the Catholic Church women are ordained as sisters.

In political arena women have scored highly as they have the right to vote, voted for and make important

decision in the society.

Women today have the right to their marriage partners without the interference of the parents.

Girls like boys have equal access to education. It’s no wonder that girls’ schools have been established

and these are both private and government.

In the cultural settings, women have been appointed as cultural leaders like princess, queens among

others.

Women now days have some sex rights for they can determine whether to engage in sex or not. In

this way they are no longer regarded as sex objects.

Today women have a say on bride wealth. Sometimes they even contribute bride wealth or

they determine what should be brought by the husband to be.

Women have successfully formed a recognized organizations to co-ordinate all women activities, e.g.

National Association of women Organization (NAWOU) which was founded on 29th January 1992.

Culturally there has been abolition of oppressive cultural practices e.g. the Sabiny cultural female genital

mutilation has been stopped.

Women have started income generating projects due to government financial support. Women

have started up poultry, piggery in order to earn a living.



Negative 

It has increased cases of domestic violence as the educated women and those in working class

have failed to respect their husbands and in the end their husbands have beaten them up.

It has increased the rate of immorality in society as women have resorted to prostitution and others have

resorted to cohabiting with young boys.

It has resulted into child neglect since women have to go and work very early in the morning and come

back late in the evening when the children are sleep.

It has led to loss of cultures as women fight for equality with men in al aspects like women putting on

trouser which culture does not accept.

It has increased cases of divorce in families as women no longer respect their husbands because of

the assumed freedom women have today.

It has led husbands marry house girls as these girls do most of the work and wives are busy working

to earn a living.

Women have resorted to taking their husband’s property using women emancipation e.g. many seek

for divorce in order to share the property with their husbands.

Revision question: 

What does Christianity teach about the status of Women? (10 marks) 

Christianity teaches the following about the status of Women.

It teaches that male and female were created in the image of God.

It also teaches that Man and Woman were created to be companions and to complement each other.

Christianity strongly emphasizes the idea of equality between Man and Woman.

Jesus himself says that the kingdom of God belongs to all people including Women

It teaches that God’s relationship is for all mankind hence including women.

Christianity further shows that Jesus called both men and Women to witness his religious works.

It teaches that women equally can bring about the good news to men.eg the Samaritan Woman.

St Paul in his letter to the Corinthians says that husbands must Love their wives. Therefore, Christianity

calls upon husbands to Love their wives.

Christianity calls upon wives to fulfill their responsibility of submitting to their husbands. This is not a

demotion but a responsibility.

As seen in peter’s first letter, Christianity calls upon husbands to have respect for their wives.

Christianity teaches that women are a weaker sex and so men should take good care of them.





CHILDREN IN TRADITIONAL AFRICA 

They were the means by which success and failure of the family was gauged.

Any family that never bore children was cursed, the redeem of which was in many cases polygamy.

Many men married women so that by then, they would get as many as they could.

IMPORTANCE OF CHILDREN IN AFRICAN TRADITIONAL SOCIETY

Children ensured the basic Survival of the community.ie through producing children; Life was preserved

from one generation to another.

Children made marriage complete. Marriage was incomplete until children were produced.

In case of divorce or death of one of the partners, children became the source of company to the

surviving parents.

Many children attracted a lot of prestige and respect to the man. The person was seen more responsible

because he had children.

Children were the major source of cheap labour to the family e.g. children went to the garden,

They hunted, cooked food etc.

They took care of their parents at old age. They served as insurance covers for their parents at old age.

Children especially boys provided security to the families and the society at large during inter-tribal

wars.

Children inspired parents to work hard in order to be able to take care of the children in all aspects.

Children ensured that their parents got descent burial and they performed the necessary rituals.

They helped to avoid divorce.ie Husband and wife would stay together because of the desire to raise

their children well.

Through producing children, the family name was preserved from one generation to another.

They took care of the grave yard of their parents by cleaning the bushes.

Producing helped to expand the clan and make it recognized in the community.

Children especially boys inherited their fathers and helped to take care of the property of their dead

parents.

Bearing children was a sign to prove that the partners were normal and in good health. Childlessness

was considered an abnormality.

Children were a source of company to wives who were always left at home as the fathers were always

away on duties e.g. hunting.

Children were a source of happiness to the family especially to the women since failure to produce was

regarded as a curse and would lead to family instability.

Children were a source of wealth to the family. The boys could bring wealth through cultivation of crops

and the girls though bride wealth such as cattle and goats etc. For example among the Bahima when a

girl was getting married, men expected pay dowry inform of cattle.

Children acted as a source of blessings for the marriage. This meant that the partners were in good terms

with their ancestral spirits and with their God.

Examine the importance of children in the traditional African society. (13 marks)

Approach:

It wants the roles children played in the African traditional society.

 

REASONS WHY PARTNERS PREFER FEWER CHILDREN TODAY

Parents prefer fewer children because it is easy for the family head to meet the basic needs of the

family members e.g. food, shelter, medical care etc

It is easy to discipline the children since they are of the same parents and few to have discipline instilled.

Parents prefer few children because dealing with few members, pressure on the family head is

reduced due to less demand from the few children.

Parents prefer fewer children because parents can save income since members are few and so call for a

low expenditure.

Parents are producing few children due to the nature of their jobs e.g. soldiers, who keep from home,

always, produce few and models who want to maintain their shape and size.

The availability of family planning methods which enable parents to have few children has helped so

the parent to produce e.g. pills, condom, injectors etc.

Disagreement between couples has also made parents to produce few children for fear of raising them

as single parent.

The increasing level of sex abuse e.g. homosexuality and lesbianism which has changed the attitude of

people towards the opposite sex has contributed to the production of few children.

Irresponsible parenthood has also made some parents to produce few children for fear of catering

for them in terms of basic needs e.g. food, medical care, education etc.

Health complications among the parents also tend to make them to produce few children e.g.

fibroids, cancer etc for fear of them suffering in their absence.

Today parents produce few children because of the freedom or permissive society i.e. they have right

to the number of children they can manage.

Poverty among the families which make it difficult to provide the basic needs to many children in

the family has contributed to the preference of few children in the family.

The education system which make people to take long time of studying and by the time they complete

they are old makes them to produce few children.

 

POLYGAMY AS AN AFRICAN FORM OF MARRIAGE 

Polygamy refers to the practice of marrying two or more women by the man. It can be successive or

co-current where a man marries more than one woman and stays with all in one or different locations.

In successive, the man picks on an extra wife after a simple disagreement with the first and

separating without any legal notification of the woman.



STRENGTH/ ADVANTAGES OF POLYGAMY 

Polygamy refers to the practice of marrying two or more women by the man. It can be successive or

co-current. It had the following merits.

It brought prestige and increased respect of the man in the society because of having many wives.

It increased the chances of many women to get married hence reducing on the number of idle girls in

the society.

It enabled the man to produce children from another woman in case the first wife was barren.

It helped to cool down the first wife in case she was too stubborn and very hard to stay with.

Polygamy also increased the chances of producing children of different sexes and abilities from different

women.

Polygamy helped the widows to get help from the brothers of the deceased who took over their brothers’

wives.

In case of serious sickness or incapacitation of the first wife, polygamy enabled the men to continue

enjoying Life.

It helped the local leaders like chiefs and kings to gain loyalty and protection from different clans and

families.

It enabled a man to get society leadership because he was seen as more responsible than amonogamous

man.

A polygamous man could not suffer from sexual starvation because the different wives could compete to

satisfy him sexually.

Marrying many women helped to preserve African culture from one generation to another because

monogamy came from western culture.

It reduced on unfaithfulness, prostitution, adultery in society as men were sexually satisfied and all

the women would at least be married.

It was a sign of wealth and economic booster. Women were considered as part of the man’s wealth and

even daughters increased wealth through bride wealth e.g.in western Uganda, every daughter born meant

a number of cows secured in the family.

The members were able to defend themselves in case of any outside aggression because of many boys

who were born out of the polygamous marriage.

 

DISADVANTAGES OF POLYGAMY 

The demerits of polygamy included the following;

It led to unnecessary competition among women that created hatred and disorganized the man so much.

It was too expensive and disturbing to manage more than one home by the man and this hindered family

investment and savings.

It was characterized by abandoning of the children by one of the parents and this led to untold

suffering of the children.

Some women became unfaith full to their husbands because of the prolonged sexual starvation they

experienced.

It increased chances of contracting sexually transmitted disease especially syphilis and Gonorrhea which

sometimes cause death to those involved.

Polygamy influenced many women to involve themselves in witchcraft as a way of trying to win the

Man’s Love.

It increased cases of child battering especially when the man divorced and married other Women.

It was characterized with a lot of Chaos in form of quarrels, fights and blames among women

thus leading to insecurity.

Women were considered less human and men tried to mistreat the women by beating them since they

had many of them.

When a polygamous man died, he left behind a large number of dependents that bothered the

relatives and the society at large.

It was against god’s original plan for marriage since and created one man and one woman thus

monogamy was the ideal type of marriage by God.

Polygamy made the man over worked sexually and reduced him to a mere robot and a sexual machine to

satisfy the wives sexually.

Decision making became difficult on the side of the family head. This was because of too many wives

who might fail to agree on particular issues.

Women lived in fear of expecting the husband to bring in a new wife thus leading to division of love

between the wives.

Discuss the merits and demerits of Polygamous marriage in Traditional Africa. (25 marks)

Approach:

The question wants the advantages and disadvantages of Polygamy in African Traditional society.

Why is the practice of polygamy dying out in the modern society?

Approach:

The question calls for the disadvantages of polygamy.

 

SEXUAL INTERCOURSE IN TRADITIONAL AFRICA

Sex refers to the state of being either male or female. Or

Sex refers to the union between male and the female reproductive organs to form a zygote.



AFRICAN UNDERSTANDING OF SEX 

Sex was supposed to be between people of the opposite sex i.e. between man and woman.



Sex was supposed to take place between adults and in most African societies, adults were people who

had gone through initiations.

Sexual intercourse was meant to take place in marriage relations i.e. sex before marriage especially by

girls was punishable.

In addition traditional African cultures valued virginity among the girls. They expected them break their

virginity only in marriage.

Sex was important for hospitality e.g. among the Bahima of western Uganda where a visitor would be

allowed to sleep with some one’s or daughter or sister as an expression of hospitality.

Women were expected to satisfy their husband sexually and for this they to give for any time the

man demanded.

Sex intercourse was secret and that is why all people were expected to respect sex and conduct it deep in

the night to ensure that children noticed nothing.

It was a private game supposed to be played when other people were not aware or seeing.

Sex abuse was highly punishable, people were expected to enjoy sexual intercourse in the right and

acceptable ways e.g. among the Bakiga of western Uganda a pregnant girl before marriage would

be thrown in a water fall by a brother.

In traditional Africa, men shared women sexually e.g. among the Banyankole, a woman belonged to the

clan and brother shared women at own leisure.

Sex was played for companionship and company when men were disappointed; women were expected

to provide them with sexual pleasure for recovery.

Sex was important for ritual e.g. during last funeral rites and dancing of twins among the Baganda,

cleansing a new house among the Banyankole and Batoro of western Uganda.

Sex was a gate to life as it was important for pro-creation and expansion of the clan.





IMPORTANCE OF SEXUAL INTERCOURSE 

Sex provided satisfaction to the two parties that is to say the man and the woman.

Sex provided enjoyment and pleasure to Africans without shame or guilt.

Sex provided comfort and companionship to Africans i.e. sex was used to comfort the partners who had

problems in marriages.

Sex helped to contain sexual immorality in society for example adultery, prostitution etc.

Sex was used for hospitality purposes e.g. among the Bahima of western Uganda a visitor was offered a

wife or sister or daughter or the host to give company to the visitor.

Sex helped in stabilizing marriages i.e. it was used to settle conflicts among married partners as the sex

intercourse would restore love for one another. Besides reducing stress and tension among the partners.

Sex helped in the production of children for the expansion of the clan and sources of labour to the family.

Sex was used for reconciliation purposes i.e. when a woman was divorced the process of reunion

involved having sexual intercourse.

Sexual intercourse was used to gauge the ability and manhood of the man.

Sex was used to establish the healthy and fertility of the partners involved.

Sexual intercourse boasted intimacy and love between husband and wife.

Sexual intercourse was a bond of unity between man and woman and families in society.





THE PRESENT POSITION OF SEXUAL INTERCOURSE 

Today sexual intercourse is disrespected and no longer secretly treated.

There is casual sex relations done by anyone, anywhere at any time without any meaning attached.

Sex before marriage is rampant and an aspect of courtship among couples. Curiosity is also a driver

to these sex affairs.

Unfaithfulness among married couples is rampant for wives and husbands alike, done out of varying

reasons with negative consequences.

Sex is a commodity sod in hotel and streets; one can have sexual intercourse with any woman as long as

you can pay.

Sex education that prepared the youth for marriage is declining and parents have left the job to

schools and other forces.

Several sexual deviations are on the rise, e.g. rape, lesbianism, homosexuality, defilement, anal sex,

oral sex, quite funny and very negative.

There exist protection and defense for some sexual deviations such as lesbianism and homosexuality by

some human rights activists.

Small and sometimes no punishments are effected on some sexual offenders of lesbianism

and homosexuality.

Sexual intercourse is becoming a public game well exposed on the internet and videos.

There is rise of group sex where one man can share sexual relations with two or more women at a time.

Some parents are impatient to let the children first sleep, go ahead and have sex when children are

hearing.

Sexual satisfaction for women is suffering gaps with women theft, starving and demanding by

their husband.

Married partners have become so busy with business and work, that sexual intercourse is give limited

time.

Women have gadgets they use to have sex, the artificial sex, due to the lack of satisfaction from

their husbands.

a\Shared sex relations for hospitality and women sharing are dying out due to diseases like HIV/AIDS

and women emancipation.



 

 

 

THE AFRICAN FAMILY INSTITUTION 

Most families in African tradition were extended in nature.ie they were made up of

the father, mother, biological children, close and distant relatives.

The discipline of the children in the family was for everyone but not only the biological parents.

Children grew up caring about other people feelings, i.e. they considered the likes and dislikes of

other people in the society and family.

The father was the head of the family and he had a lot of authority and he was the decision maker.

Culture was highly emphasized in the family i.e. children grew up knowing and practicing their cultural

norms and practices.

Traditional families loved and so much valued children and that is why families had a lot of children.

In traditional families, the male children were more loved and valued than the female children because

they were the heirs.

The property of the family was in the hands of the husband/ father and the male children.

Family work was done according to sex, for example, girls cooked food, cleaned the utensils etc while

boys hunted, reared animals etc.

Morals were highly emphasized among the children and the children highly respected their parents.

The family was a religious institution that emphasized and imparted religious values into the children.

The family also acted as an educational institution that imparted informal education into the young

children including sex education.

The wealthier and bigger the family was in traditional Africa, the more respect the father received.

In traditional African families, the father was superior while the mother was inferior.

In traditional families, parents usually chose marriage partners for their children and this partly led to

stable families.

Explain the African set up of the family institution. (13 marks)

Approach:

The question wants the major features/characteristics of the African traditional family set up.

 

IMPORTANCE OF EXTENDED FAMILY PATTERN

It was the traditional African family lifestyle highly valued for:

The family helped in creating unity in the society especially where different families were related to

one another.

It promoted harmonious living especially among the children, who grew up together and thus

well knowing each other.

It promoted cooperation among family members as opposed to the individualism of the nuclear family.

It broke aspects of superiority complex in the family as all members could freely accept their social economic

situation.

Children in the family grew up with the desire and willingness to know and be with their relatives.

Extended families broke the challenge of children knowing their mother tongue as emphasized in

the family.

They had labour force for production and any other purpose and as a result, labour was not a problem

in extended families.

Such families promoted strict discipline of children because of the upbringing of the children in

a collective responsibility.

It helped in the transmission of culture to the children in society. This was done by grandparents

who were always present at home.

The elderly, sick could easily be taken care of by the family members. They could be given food,

medical care and other needs.

There was the aspect of love promoted among members of a family, the desire and acceptance of one

another.

Extended families had free will and ability to assist each other without any one depressed about it.

 

CHANGES IN FAMILY PATTERNS AND ROLES TODAY

Today nuclear families are replacing extended families i.e. most families today consist of parents and

their biological children only.

The discipline of the children is in the hands of the real parents only.ie relatives have little said over the

children today.

Children grow up considering their own feelings and wants without minding about other people’s wants.

There are many families today being headed by mothers/women.

There are also single headed families’ today.ie families with only one parent-either the father or the

mother.

There are many families today headed by the children especially after the death of their parents.

African culture is eroded in today’s families and European culture is emphasized.

Most families today produce few children because many children are seen as a burden.

In most families today, both sexes of children i.e. boys and girls are valued unlike in the past where boys

were more valued than girls.

In many families today, women and girls own property unlike in the past where property was only

owned by the man.

Men/boys in families today are doing the work of women/girls and women are doing the work of men

for example cooking driving building etc.

Formal/academic education is highly emphasized in today’s families other than informal education of

the past.

Children today choose for themselves future marriage partners unlike in the past where parents chose for

them.

Women are no longer inferior and some of them are superior to their husbands.

In most families today, there is equality of sexes.ie husbands and wives are equal and to have power

to plan for the family.

Child abuse is very common in today’s families e.g. children are seriously beaten, burnt etc. on small

issues.

Children are too immoral together with their parents in families today. This is seen in their

indecent dressing and sexual relationships.

Monogamous marriages are becoming common in the modern families with many women left

unmarried.

Marriage breakages and instability is common in families today, caused by women emancipation and

declining African culture.

Sex education in families is collapsing due to the growing urbanization, formal education and threats

of diseases like HIV/AIDS.

Intermarriages are common in African families today. The members have the freedom to marry

from any tribe or race

What are the changes that have taken place in the present family set up? (12 marks)

Approach:

It wants the ways in which family today has changed from that of African traditional society.

 

REASONS WHY FAMILY PATTERNS ARE CHANGING TODAY (REASONS WHY

EXTENDED FAMILIES ARE DYING)

Modern education has had an impact on the size of the family. Children grow up in schools especially in

boarding schools and so young people do not know their relatives and so are not close to them.

It has become too much economically demanding to care for such families in terms of education

and other basic needs of life.

Increased migrations mainly rural- urban migration, this necessitates one to have a smaller

portable family. People leave their relative in villages and go to urban areas for employment.

Increased urbanization with the associated expenses to cater for distant relative has resulted into people

neglecting their next of kins.

Moral and cultural disintegrations, people no longer respect their cultural values due to inter-marriages.

People have learnt to be self-sufficient/ support, meaning that there is no need to look for relatives for

support.

There is limited space for accommodation especially in towns and cities and not easy to house many

people.

Due to increase in population, there is limited space for housing and farming and so difficult to surround

oneself with relatives.

The existence of many contagious diseases tends to discourage free association of family members.

The development of modern technology e.g. mobile phones, internet tend to keep people apart,

they communicate instead of visiting each other.

Globalization and search for jobs has led to great movement and leaving far from each other, hence

loosening families.

Some people have decided to leave single lives and so do not want to be bothered by family

obligations and relatives.

The increased indiscipline among many children makes many parents to try to isolate their children.

The changing role of women such as formal employment which makes women stay away from home.

The increased rate of inter-marriages. Some feels uncomfortable to attend to relatives.

The existence of wars has led to the disappearance of extended families e.g. in northern Uganda, many

were disorganized due to war between UPDF and the Lord’s Resistance Army.

The influence of the women liberation movement and the so called women’s right.



DEATH IN TRADITIONAL AFRICA 

Death is the transformation of one’s body into spirit. The loss of physical life to spiritual life.

In traditional Africa, death for the very old was counted very normal and went with great

Celebrations because the person was joining another world, the ancestry world.

It was treated abnormal for the young to die in society and thus such happenings were most

often blamed on many other causes but not the normal death.

 

CAUSES OF DEATH IN TRADITIONAL AFRICA 

Most people in traditional Africa died of old age. At certain time people could wear out and God could

choose to call them hence having natural death.

Spiritual disrespect like insulting God and the gods was also a common cause of death in

Traditional Africa.

Violation of Oaths like swearing to speak the truth and then tell lies could also cause death to people.

Violation of Taboos/norms like having sex with close relative caused death to such people as punishment

for the whole community to learn from.

Breaking of blood pacts by those involved annoyed the ancestors killing such people.

Disrespect of elders also caused death.ie the elders cursed those who undermined them which brought

death.

Immoral acts such as rape, fornication and others caused death.eg among the Karamajong’s, girls could

be killed if they had sex before marriage.

Witch craft/sorcery/magic was a common cause of death. The wizards could bewitch others

killing them.

Natural calamities such as famine, floods and draught that hit people made many of them to die.

Accidents like falling from trees, drowning in rivers also sometimes caused death.

Diseases like malaria, sleeping sickness, syphilis and others caused a lot of death to people in traditional

Africa.

Wars/attacks by enemies could bring death.eg the tribal wars between Buganda and Bunyoro

killed many people.

Attacks from wild animals like hyenas, Lions, Leopards and Snake bites also poisoned the people leading

to the death of some people.

Failure to fulfill the customary rituals like getting married, sacrificing to spirits caused death among

the traditional Africans.

Curses especially by elders were believed to cause death. The elders were believed to be

representatives of God and what they said could come to pass.

Insulting of God and dishonoring the mighty places of God through words or deeds could cause death.

In such places like shrines, God’s holy messengers resided there and they were meant to be respected.

1. Discuss the causes of death in the African traditional society. (13 marks)

 

CAUSES OF DEATH TODAY

Old age/ natural death.

Disease and sickness e.g. AIDS, Cancer etc.

Wars/ political instabilities.

Domestic violence e.g. major Kazini.

Poisoning of food.

Suicide.

Capital punishments.

Natural calamities like floods, landslides earthquakes etc.

Drug abuse e.g. Serena Nebanda.

Abortion.

Child birth.

Mob justice.

Armed robbery.

Human sacrifice e.g. Kato Kajubi sacrificed Kasirye Joseph.





BURIAL RITUALS IN AFRICAN TRADITIONAL SOCIETY

(Treatment of the departed or dead)

There were a number of ceremonies that were performed before and during burial and these included:

Washing or bathing of the dead before burial with water or traditional medicine e.g. among the Baganda

they used “Binyirikisi” so as the dead to go to next world while clean.

They also shaved the bodily hair so as to begin a new life in the new world.

They cut off the bodily nails so as to begin a new life in the new world.

Putting oil or barter in the mouth, nostril or any other bodily opening.

The demands of the dead were always honoured to avoid natural calamities e.g. the dead were

buried with material things like hoes, saucepan, needles etc.

In some cultures, they could sing and dance. The songs were intended to the people over come

the sorrow and pain.

There was lighting of fire in front of the house in the court yard especially elders and candles e.g. among

the Banyoro and Batoro, they would light the candle for three days for a woman and four days for the

man.

In some cultures, when the partner died, one could sleep with the dead partner to show much respect

for him or her.

The dead were granted decent burial at home in the compound or the ancestral burial grounds and

burial ceremonies were carried out especially for elders.

The dead were wrapped in the traditional wears e.g. among the Baganda the dead were wrapped in bark

cloth locally known as “lubugo.”

During burial the dead were treated with religious rituals of prayers from the priests.

Those who committed suicide were caned or punished and they were buried indecently e.g. among the

Baganda their dead body was not allowed to be touched.

Immediately death occurred the dead was closed the eyes and the Jews were tied.

The dead were kept in doors for some time before burial and once removed they could not take it back.

Death of the young was treated with grief and sorrowfulness because it was unexpected.

Death of an old person was treated to be normal because they were useless and went with

great celebrations because the person was joining another world.

Young ones were buried earlier to reach quickly in the next world.

The death of the twins was treated with twin rituals of first announcing their death to fellow twins.

They used to bury the dead facing specific direction e.g. the Baise  Ngobi clan among the

Basoga buried the dead facing the East because the dead had to return where he come from.

They used to tie their waist firmly so as to become firm as they mourn e.g. in Buganda, the

orphans were/are tied with banana fibers around the waist to be firm.

There was celebrations of the last funeral rites to make the climax of the mourning and make the

mourners forget their sorrows.`

 

TRADITIONAL AFRICAN UNDERSTANDING OF DEATH 

The dead were buried with material things to use them in the next world like food, saucepans etc.eg the

Egyptians kings were buried with wives and slaves.

The dead were buried near their homes like in the compounds to keep the communication with the living

hence the proof that they were not dead. E.g. among the Samia of Eastern Uganda.

Names of the dead were given to the new born babies so that the dead would still be seen through the

living.

The grave yards of the dead were kept clean with flowers in order to keep them in a good

environment as if they were alive.

Special houses called shrines were built for the dead. This was very common in Buganda hence a proof

that the dead were not dead.

Funeral rites were organized for the dead and they were given heirs to keep their names going on.

The dead were granted descent or respected burials as they had requested to stop them from punishing

the living.

Food was always given to the dead in the shrines for consumption and this also proved that the dead

were not dead.

The living always visited the burial grounds of the dead to check on them and hence the dead were

not dead.

Sacrifices of animals, chicken etc. were offered to the departed members of the society.

In some societies, massages were whispered into the ears of the dead meaning that they were

not completely dead.eg among the Bemba of Zambia.

The dead were also consulted on sensitive family and clan matters before making any decision.



In some societies, people sang and danced for the departed members in order to appease them.

During ceremonies like weddings, the dead were always invited to attend and enjoy with the living.

Children were prohibited from playing and shouting near the grave yards so as not to disturb the resting

ancestors.

“To the Africans, the dead were not dead but they were living dead. “Justify the statement.

(13 marks)

Approach:

The question wants the various ways in which the Africans in the past treated the dead people as if they

were still alive.

 

HOW CHRISTIANS VENERATE/ REMEMBER THE DEAD

Christians pray through the departed Christians e.g. they pray through the Uganda martyrs.

They name and baptize young ones names of the dead Christians e.g. John Paul, Simon peter, Joseph

Mukasa, Balikuddembe etc.

They also pray for the dead Christians especially on all saints day.

They have built schools and institutions and named them after the dead Christians .e.g. Uganda

Martyrs s.s Namugongo St. Joseph s.s Nsambya etc.

The Church has influenced government to name streets after the dead Christians .e.g. Luwum Street in

Kampala.

Departed Christians are sometimes buried near churches e.g.msg Ngobya was buried near Kitovu

cathedral.

They make portraits or statues that resemble the dead Christians. E.g. the portraits of John the Baptists

at Christ the King church in Kampala

They have written many books about the dead Christians e.g. the book about the Uganda martyrs,

Saint. Paul’s missionary journeys.

They have built churches and named them after the dead Christians .e.g. St. Paul’s

Cathedral Namirembe, Uganda martyrs church Namugongo etc.

They carry out ceremonies of canonasation for the departed Christians where they are declared as saints.eg the late pope John Paul II

Christians preserve the bodies of the dead Christians to prevent them from decaying for

public viewing.eg the body of the late Arch Bishop Kiwanuka was kept in Rubaga Cathedral.

During preaching in the church, the dead Christians are sometimes given as reference to Christians.

Christians compose songs which praise the departed Christians. e.g. the Catholic Church song about

the white fathers Amaasi and Mapeera.

In what ways do Christians remember the departed today?

OR Show how the departed Christians are venerated today. (12 marks)

Approach:

Both questions are similar and they are calling for the different ways in which Christians/the church

remembers those who died in Christianity.

 

HOW CHRISTIANS PREPARE FOR UNENDING LFE

The church prepares people for unending life through praying for them all the time.

It also calls upon people to fast for Jesus’ sake as a way of making them ready for Life after death.

By baptizing them in Jesus’ name, the church also prepares people for life after here.

The church preaches the good news to the people hence making them ready for unending Life.

The church encourages people to repent off their sins and receive God’s forgiveness.



It prepares them, by encouraging them to believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus or believe in Life

after death.

The church also holds worship services with the people as a way of preparing them for life after her.

By calling for monogamous marriages as well as permanent marriages among couples.

By holding Bible study lessons among Christians where they are taught the meaning of scriptures.

By holding counseling and guidance sessions among all Christians with social challenges.

By encouraging Christians to help one another especially the needy people.

The church also encourages Love and kindness among Christians as a way of preparing them for

unending life.

The church encourages Christians to have strong faith in Jesus Christ so as to have life after death.

Through holding crusades, seminars and conferences, the church is preparing people for unending Life.

Show how the church prepares people for unending Life today. (12

marks) Approach:

It wants the ways the church is helping people to go to heaven after death.

 

Revision question

How are the dead venerated/ remembered in the contemporary world today? (15 marks)

Approach:

It wants the various ways in which the dead people are remembered in the secular world today.

Answers:

Through giving their names to the new born babies

By building for the dead special houses called shrines where they are believed to continue staying.

Through organizing for them funeral rites after some time and giving them heirs.

They are venerated through praising their name and the works they did when they were still alive.

Through visiting and cleaning the burial grounds of the departed members to keep them clean.

By sacrificing for the dead members in form of slaughtering animals, chicken etc. For them.

They are remembered through singing and dancing for the dead members in order to appease them.

By naming streets or roads names of the dead e.g. Luwum street in Kampala, Kafumbe Mukasa road etc.

Through building schools, commercial buildings and markets and name them names of the

Dead e.g. Mutaasa Kafeero plaza in Kampala, Kakungulu memorial schools etc.

By redoing their good works like re-singing their songs.eg the songs of the Late Elly Wamala have

been re-sung by various artists today.

They are venerated through organizing memorial services for the dead every after a year.

They are remembered through shooting films or videos showing Lives of the dead.eg the film about

the Late President of Uganda Iddi Amin Dada.

Through producing and wearing clothes/T-shirts containing the pictures and names of the dead.eg

T-shirts of the Late Bob Marley, Lucky Dube etc.

They are remembered by framing the photos of the dead and hanging them in houses and

offices.eg Photos of the Late Kabaka of Buganda and First President of Uganda Muteesa II.

In some societies, the dead are remembered through offering them food and drinks in the shrines.eg

some Baganda.