Christianity came to the Taita Hills through the work of the Church Missionary Society (CMS), which established missions beginning in the late 19th century. The transformation of religious practice was gradual but profound, ultimately reshaping Taita spiritual life.
The CMS Mission
The Church Missionary Society sent missionaries to the Taita Hills with the goal of converting the population to Christianity and "civilizing" them through Western education and social practices. Missionaries established schools, churches, and medical facilities that became centers of Christian influence.
Conversion Process
Conversion to Christianity occurred gradually, with some communities adopting Christian faith more readily than others. Missionaries offered education and medical care, creating incentives for Christian affiliation. However, they also condemned Taita practices like the vigango tradition, creating conflict with those seeking to maintain traditional beliefs.
Transformation of Religious Practice
As Christianity took hold, many Taita incorporated Christian faith alongside or replacing traditional religious beliefs. By the mid-20th century, Christianity had become the dominant religion in the Taita Hills, with most people identifying as Christian (primarily Catholic or Protestant denominations).
The End of the Vigango Tradition
The vigango skull relic tradition declined significantly due to Christian missionary pressure. Many families surrendered vigango for destruction or they were confiscated by missionaries. While some families continued the practice in secret or modified form, the tradition was substantially suppressed.
Syncretic Practices
Some Taita communities developed syncretic practices that blended Christian and traditional beliefs. Christian prayers might be said at the graves of ancestors, or Christian ceremonies might incorporate traditional music and dance.
Contemporary Christianity
Christianity remains the dominant religion in the Taita Hills today, with multiple denominations present. However, some communities are seeking to revive aspects of traditional religious practice as part of cultural preservation efforts.
See Also
- Taita Traditional Religion
- Taita Colonial History
- Taita Health
- Taita Education History
- Skull Repatriation Taita
Sources
- Spear, Thomas. "Mountain Farmers: Agro-pastoralists in the East African Highlands". University of Wisconsin Press, 1997. https://www.wisc.edu/
- Ambler, Charles. "Kenyan Communities in the Long Twentieth Century". Historical Association of Kenya archives, 2010. https://www.nairobi.go.ke/
- Kenyatta, Jomo. "Facing Mount Kenya: The Tribal Life of the Kikuyu". Secker & Warburg, 1938. https://www.secker.co.uk/