The Practices and Roles of the Nandi Traditional Religious Practitioners

• Author(s): Anna Chemotinge Maua ; Rispah Wepukhulu ; Margaret Nanjala Matisi
• Paper ID: 1704238
• Page: 250-266
• Published Date: 18-04-2023
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 6 Issue 10 April-2023

Abstract

The practice of traditional medicine has been affected by challenges such as arrival of Europeans which marked a significant turning point in the history of this age, long tradition culture which threatened its survival. However, the practice of traditional medicine among the Nandi could have been affected by challenges such as modernization, stigmatization, and urbanization.The paper examined the practices and roles that the traditional Nandi specialists play in their community. The study identified the different practices observed by the Nandi people such as: worship of God, observance of rituals, observance of morality and moral values, observance of rites of passage, environmental preservation, and the administration of herbal medicines. The religious specialist who performed the above practices are non-other than elders, diviners, herbalists who had special responsibilities that they played for the wellbeing of the community. The herbalists for instance were mandated to conduct healing to individuals who had different health complications. They were to examine a patient to find out the cause of illness and prescribe appropriate medication to them. The elders on the other hand were to lead community to perform different kind of rituals like appeasing of ancestors, worship of God among others. They were also mandated to give guidance to the initiates before they could transition to adulthood. Diviners also were not left behind as they had a vital role especially in conducting exorcism to members who were possessed by the evil spirits, examining patients with chronic illness to find out whether they were suffering from a curse or witchcraft before appropriate step was taken. All members of the community were expected to abide by the rules that govern each practice that was led by the different specialists mentioned earlier.

Citations

IRE Journals:
Anna Chemotinge Maua , Rispah Wepukhulu , Margaret Nanjala Matisi "The Practices and Roles of the Nandi Traditional Religious Practitioners" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 6 Issue 10 2023 Page 250-266

IEEE:
Anna Chemotinge Maua , Rispah Wepukhulu , Margaret Nanjala Matisi "The Practices and Roles of the Nandi Traditional Religious Practitioners" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 6(10)