African traditional religions:the Kamba tribe.

 

Just as any other community, the Akamba people had their own religion and belief they practiced before civilization and introduction of Christianity and other religions.

The kamba traditional people worshiped god, whom they referred to in various names like: Ngai, Asa (father), Mumbi (designer/creator). Mwatuangi (distributor or the clever one) and Mulungu (creator).

The akamba believed that god does not do anything wrong to them. They believed that god only does what is good to them and if anything bad befell a member of the society, it was  punishment for their own mistakes or sins.

They worshiped god in designated and sacred grounds known as Ithembo (read plural as Mathembo). At this place sacrifices and prayers were made to God through community elders. The places were considered so sacred that only assigned elders were allowed to go near them.  As such, women and children kept as far from the shrines as possible. It was believed that God would punish the community if someone intrudes the shrine.  Sacrifices made to god were left in the shrine untouched and it was believed that God would come later on and take the sacrifices with him. Trees and anything growing in the shrines were considered sacred too and nobody could dare take anything from the shrine. It was believed that if one cuts a tree from the shrine they would die of mysterious predicaments like being struck by lightning to death.

During the turn of seasons, the akamba people made sacrifices and special offerings to god. For instance, during planting they took a percentage of their seeds to the shrine to be offered to god and prayed for by the elders of the shrine. The akamba believed that heaven and earth are two equal bowls of God. ( Masee ma Asa meanene)

Concerning death. Kambas believed that when one dies, they go to the spirit world (nthi ya aimu). They believed that these spirits of the dead had the ability to watch over and take care of the living. They believed that these spirits were responsible of intercession to god on behalf of the living. These spirits were respected and regarded as supreme as they were closer to god than the living.

 

Author:Emmanuel.