THE MEANING OF LIFE AND ITS WHOLENESS IN THE TRADITIONAL AFRICAN SOCIETY

(i) The meaning of life and its wholeness in the traditional African society

• In TAS, God is the source of life.
• Life is a rhythm which recycles itself.
• There are several dimensions of life i.e.

• Physical dimensions.
• Social dimension.
• Spiritual dimension.
• Environmental dimension.

• Physical dimension of life refers to the material state of human beings.
• Social dimensions comprises of relation of living with others in a community.
• Spiritual dimensions link human beings with spiritual power e.g. God, spirits andAncestors.
• Environmental dimension of life is the relation between the physical environment and humans.
• Life is enhanced through observance of rituals, taboos and regulations.
• Life is promoted through transitional stages e.g. birth, initiation, marriage and death.
• It is perpetuated through marriage for the continuation of the community.
• Death transforms an individual from physical life to the spiritual one.

(ii). The African concept of community and kinship system

(a) Meaning of a community

• A community is a group of people occupying one geographical location and guided by common values.
•  An African community consists of the living, living-dead and the yet to be born.
• Each community is governed by specific rules, regulations and traditions.
• Survival of the community depends on God and other spiritual powers.
• A community believes that it is God who created the first human being.
• God gave them a place to settle in and responsibilities to fulfill.
• Leadership is provided by heads of families, elders and religious specialists.
• Social structure of the community comprises family units which form a clan, and several clans make a community.
• Members are expected to show concern for one another and foster the common good.
• The community promotes a sense of belonging and identity for its members thus making individuals feel secure.

(b) African concept of Kinship

• Kinship refers to relationship between people through blood, marriage or adoption.
• Kinship ties are strong bonds that exist among community members.
• Those related by blood have common ancestors.  They feel a strong bond towards each other because they are tied by kinship relationships to one another.

Importance of kinship ties to TAS

1. They determine how members relate to one another.
2. They bond together the entire life of a community i.e. the living, the living dead, the unborn.
3. They assist the people to live together in peace and harmony.
4. They provide a sense of security to all members at all times.
5. They regulate marital customs, rules and regulations.
6. They give an individual a deep sense of belonging identity.
7. They enable people to face hardship together.
8. They safeguard the communities’ traditions and customs.
9. They enhance unity among community members.
10. They determine punishment for the offenders.

KCSE Topical Question

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QUESTIONS

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Questions to expect in examinations

1. State four similarities between prophets in the old testament and traditional African communities
   1. ​​Both foretold the future
   2. Both received revelations
   3. Both mediated between God and people
   4. Both spoke with authority
   5. In both their prophecies were fulfilled
   6. Both played religious and political roles
   7. In both they were expected to be of high moral standing
   8. In both they were consulted on various issues in the society
2. State similarities between the Biblical and Traditional African stories of creation.
   1. ​In both, God is the sole creator/master of the universe.
   2. In both human beings were provided with the necessities of life for survival/God is the provider .
   3. In both human beings were created to live forever in harmony with God/were to be very close to God.
   4. In both human beings were given laws of nature/regulations/restrictions to live by.
   5. In both human beings play a central role in the created world/are the highest of God’s creation.
   6. In both man was given a wife to keep him/ company/be a helper.
3. How does kinship system promotes harmony and mutual responsibility in Traditional African Communities?
   1. ​It defines how members relate to one another/controls behavior
   2. It provides security to members in times of need/assistance is given to those in need
   3. It regulates relationships in marriage to avoid conflicts
   4. It creates a deep sense of belonging whereby an individual actively participates in community activities for fear of being regarded an outcast
   5. It assures members of proper inheritance and settlements
   6. It defines the rights and duties of every member of the community
   7. It helps to establish new relationships especially through marriage hence promoting peace and harmony.
   8. It helps in settling of disputes hence promoting peace.
   9. It shares out and defines duties /responsibilities hence enhancing harmony.
4. Outline the importance of naming in Traditional African Communities.
   1. It gives the child a unique identity
   2. It enables the child to be incorporated into the family/clan
   3. It helps to retain a link between the living and the dead
   4. It helps to preserve and promote the history of family/community
   5. To reflect the religious feelings of the parents/family
   6. It is a way of giving thanks to God
   7. To identify the child with a departed relative/ancestor.
   8. To describe the child’s character/circumstances surrounding the birth of a child.
5. Describe changes that have taken place in Traditional African practice of leisure.
   1. Leisure activities are no longer organized according to age and gender
   2. Leisure activities that are shared are promoting negative peer pressure/improper behavior instead of enhancing proper conduct and moral values.
   3. There are limited leisure activities especially amongst the poor/in rural areas.
   4. Leisure activities that were meant for mental and physical relaxation have been turned into sources of income hence no relaxation/aim at earning a lot of money.
   5. Involvement of youths in leisure activities is rarely monitored/ supervised by adults today.
   6. Leisure today is expensive/people must make payments in order to participate in activities.
   7. People have turned away from communal leisure activities by engaging in own individual ones.
6. How did the Traditional African Community use the environment to demonstrate their belief  in God. (7 marks)
   1. Using the land and its resources responsibly.
   2. Setting aside sacred places for worship (forests)
   3. Setting aside totem recorded as sacred (animals, birds, reptiles)
   4. Praying while facing the sun, moon or mountains which are believed to be symbols of God’s presence.
   5. Using oil during oathing/cursing ceremonies and while blessing or making covenants.
   6. Protecting the land because it was given to them by God.
   7. Sharing the resources from God.
   8. Offering to God the resources from the land e.g. animals as a way of thanking God.
   9. Making libation and pouring to the ground of blood during initiation and during making of covenants.
   10. Burning of sacrifices to God so that the smoke ascends in heaven.
7. Give five ways through which murder cases were handed in Traditional African  Community. (5 marks)
   1. Culprits were stoned to death
   2. Offenders were ex-communicated from the community.
   3. Offenders had to pay a fine.
   4. In some communities houses were burnt.
   5. Families could decide to remain enemies permanently.
   6. Sacrifices could be done to cleanse the offender in the process of reconciliation with the offended if the murder was accidental
   7. Other communities opted for revenge mission
   8. Corporal punishments were also possibilities
8. State six reasons why sacrifices were offered in African Tradition Societies. (6 marks)
   1. To thank God for various reasons e.g a good harvest and success in war.
   2. To avert evil or misfortune e.g drought.
   3. To atone for an offence committed either by an individual or the community so as to restore the broken relationship with the living ancestors and God.
   4. In recognition of God’s absolute ownership of life and prophesy.
   5. It was a way of worshipping God i.e. to express fellowship and communion.
   6. To venerate or show respect to the ancestors who acted as intermediaries between the living God.
9. Outline aspects of Traditional African Religion that have been incorporate in Christians worship.  (6 marks)
   1. Prayers at individual family and community levels.
   2. Communal worship by Christians.
   3. Construction of places of worship, churches, sanctuaries.
   4. Giving of offering.
   5. Singing and dancing.
   6. Invocations.
   7. African instruments – kayambas, drums.
   8. Church decorations /designs.
10. Explain seven traditional African attitudes towards work.  (7 mks)
    1. Members of the traditional African work for the livelihood of the individual and the entire society.
    2. The type of work done depends on the geographical environment and the resources available.
    3. Work is a duty everybody must work.
    4. Work is organized according to gender, age and status.
    5. Manual work is highly valued, encouraged.
    6. Idleness and laziness is condemned.
    7. Work is done to fulfill social, economic, religious and political needs.
    8. It’s a communal activity and this creates a strong social bond between the members.
    9. Work and leisure are integrated / intertwined.
    10. Work is ordained by God.       
11. Give seven negative effects of the introduction of money economy on traditional African communities. (7mks)
    1. Break of family as people migrate from rural areas to urban areas in search for employment.
    2. Production of subsistence food crops declined and replaced by cash crops.
    3. Introduction of wage labour.
    4. Creation of the gap between the rich and the poor.
    5. Emergency of vices e.g. bribery and corruption.
    6. Individual ownership of land.
    7. Destruction of natural resources to create room to set up projects.
    8. Cost of living increased because everything has to be brought by money.
    9. Deterioration of African moral values.
    10. Loss of African dignity.           

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