Janet Barasa — новинки

The Interaction of two or more cultures often results in change and continuity of one or the two cultures. The coming of Islam to Bukusuland led to some of the Islamic beliefs and practices being adopted while others rejected due to the similarities and differences between the two cultures. The influence of Islam on the Bukusu culture resulted in some of the beliefs and practices in relation to death and inheritance being changed, modified or retained. Despite the resistance from the Bukusu culture and competition from christianity, Islam has stood the test of time to date. Hence change and continuity is paramount to culture.

This book examines the penetration of Islam among the Babukusu from 1904-1998. The persistence of Islam among a predominantly rural people coupled with stiff competition from Christianity and resistance by the indigenous religion provoked this research. It is observed in this book that when Islam reached Babukusuland around 1904, its adoption depended on the similarity between some of its beliefs and practices and those of the indigenous religion. However, certain aspects of Islam were resisted by the people. Inheritance rules are an immediate example. After Islam, Christianity coupled with Western education was introduced by missionaries and later by British colonial administrators. Western education as a means of economic prosperity attracted many Babukusu to Christianity than Islam. Consequently, only few people adopted Islam. Despite the interplay of the above factors in the area, Islam has persisted among Babukusu up-to-date. This therefore reveals that the contact - situation between Islam and Babukusu indigenous religion was one of penetration and not conquest.