Rituals and Ceremonies: Protecting the Young

Each of the 44 communities in Kenya has its traditions and ceremonies, which have, in some cases, become intertwined over time due to similarities in language and a sharing of the same environment.

In all these, rituals and ceremonies have been performed up to the present day to enable a transition from one stage of life to another, to worship, or to ward off evil spirits. Several ceremonies go hand in hand with rituals. These have traditionally helped in the promotion of peace, health, and the general wellbeing of the community.

Preparing for the birth of a child

Traditionally the ritual of birth began long before the child is born – for the health of the mother and baby, and, ultimately, to ensure a safe delivery. This could be as early as the first signs of pregnancy were observed. Herbs, magical powers and a variety of protective measures were used to protect the children.

Cowrie to protect the bride's fertility

This wall decoration was placed on the wall of newly married couples' homes. The cowrie shells on the mat were believed to serve as protection for the bride's fertility.

In many Kenyan communities, certain regulations and taboos existed, all intended for the safety and dignity of the mother and baby, and the family as a whole. These taboos touched on issues that may compromise a natural delivery, such as evil spirits, diet, conduct and ritual cleanliness.

Turkana Fertility Doll

This is a fertility doll worn over one shoulder or around the waist. It was traditionally used by a woman who wants to bear children. Children were considered a source of joy and pride in all communities, and the value of a woman was pegged on her ability to have children.

Safeguarding a pregnancy

This root (Tukowkoio) was traditionally kept beside the bed by members of the Pokot community, to prevent a miscarriage during pregnancy. It was re-used in subsequent pregnancies. After birth, the baby would play with the root until it turned five years old. A woman past child bearing age would pass it on to her daughter.

Fertility bracelets

These fertility bracelets were worn by Logoli women who had trouble conceiving or carrying a pregnancy to term.

Herbal solutions

During pregnancy, herbs were used by the expectant woman to cleanse and protect the unborn baby to term. In the case of the Kamba, a medicine man administered a herbal solution using this gourd when pregnant women were experiencing abdominal discomfort.

Childbirth

Childbirth generally took place in the house of the expectant mother, in the presence of a midwife who was usually a local specialist.

Delivery day

On the day of delivery, people in various states of ritual uncleanliness were generally not allowed into the delivery room for the reason that the child would be unwilling to be born, leading to a difficult delivery.

Magical water for childbirth

In most cultures, a difficult childbirth or a stillbirth was attributed to some form of uncleanliness on the part of the mother, or to witchcraft or sorcery.

This is a bush-buck horn stopped up with a black substance. It was used by a Kamba medicine man to treat a woman having difficulties with childbirth. If the child did not come and the woman was near death, the medicine man would wave the horn over her once, then he would put water in a small calabash and stir the horn around five times. As soon as the woman drank the water, she should give birth.

Extraordinary deliveries

In most cultures, deliveries of two or more children were treated with fear as they were considered extraordinary.

Protecting the placenta

Immediately after childbirth, the placenta was safely discarded by a trusted relative. It was done so that people with evil intentions couldn't use the placenta to harm the baby or the mother.

For instance, the Boran buried the placenta under one of the hearthstones in the fireplace. Fried coffee berries were poured under one of the three stones as a libation to their ancestors and no one was allowed to step onto them.

Naming rites

In Kenyan communities, names have a meaning. Therefore, choosing a baby's name is a very important occasion. This is because it is believed that the actual choice of name can influence the life of both the child and the family. It could be the season of birth, the occasion during which the birth occurred, the circumstances surrounding the birth, or the reincarnation of a dead relative.

The child-naming ceremony

The naming of a child was a very important ceremony involving many stakeholders. It was believed that if a child was given a proper name they would prosper. Otherwise, the ancestral spirits would torment him/her.

Child-naming among the Marakwet

This is a ritual gourd made from a gourd plant. It was cut and had water poured into it, before being left for one week, after which the contents were discarded. It would be placed on top of a Kolomei (a type of big awl) before prospective names were called out. If the gourd stood balanced on the awl when a name was called out, the child was thus named. If not, more names would be called out until the gourd stood balanced.

Naming among the Luo

Among the Luo people, a child's name was sought while it was crying. At that time, different names were called out. If the child stopped crying when a particular name was called out, family members and attendants assumed that the spirits calling for that name had been appeased, and the baby received that name.

Welcoming the child to the community

During this time, sacrifices were traditionally made to God, spirits and the ancestors for thanksgiving. It was an occasion where the ancestors were appeased and the child was identified within the community.

A childhood secured

As the child grew, their parents would make them wear special charms for protection from bad omens and the 'evil eye'. This would be sustained until the child was ready for initiation into adulthood.

Penzi la mama haliishi / The love of a mother never ends

A kanga served various purposes, among them carrying children. The text on this kanga, 'Penzi la mama haliishi', means 'The love of a mother never ends'.