THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGIOUS RITES: A CASE OF THE KEIYO OF KENYA - Tapa blanda

This book addresses gender issues in African Traditional Religion with specific reference to the Keiyo of Kenya. It discusses the significance and implication of feminine attributes of the Supreme Being among the Keiyo ? who are a patriarchal community. Contemporary theologians stress the importance of studying theological language in an indigenous context of a community. Theological language affects the self-image of people, their relationship with the Supreme Being and inter- personal relationships. Every religion lays down definitive ritual duties to be performed according to gender. The allocation of roles has been challenged because it favors the male gender. Gender-sensitivity in social, political, economic and religious spheres is a major worldwide concern. This study argues that the role of women in African Traditional Religion is useful in guiding foreign religions in the process of contextualization and indigenization in Africa. This book is a major contribution to the role of women in the gender and religion debate. It is a must read for theologians,philosophers, gender scholars, anthropologists, sociologists and students of religion.

Dr. Dinah Changwony holds a PhD in Education from Moi University, Kenya. She is an educator, enterprise and public policy practitioner with experience across higher education, administrative levels of government and youth development sector. Her research interests are in curriculum and instruction, education administration and gender studies.