ABSTRACT TRANSFORMATION OF THE TRADITIONAL CIRCUMCISION RITE OF PASSAGE FOR MERU BOYS IN KENYA: A CRITICAL RESPONSE TO HIV/AIDS AND GANG FORMATION by Jacob M. Kanake This dissertation explores the understandings, attitudes, and values of Meru people as expressed in regard to traditional Meru education and ritual for adult transition compared to hospital Christian boy circumcision rites. The research sample of 130 “witnesses on the ground” established Meru judgments and aspects of Meru history. The outcome (69.2 percent) confirmed Meru people’s misunderstandings arise from different beliefs concerning the current existing boy’s circumcision rites; 82.3 percent of Meru people value boys’ circumcision (not mere physical operation without counseling) as a means to transition boys into adulthood. Witnesses observed initiates given courage to face life’s crises with maturity by full preparation and responsibilities attached to the circumcision rite. A male traditional circumcision initiation rite is a religious act; it provides courage, and transitions boy from childhood to adulthood. Whereas hospital circumcision encourages Christian faith, general hygiene, and formal education, I saw a link between Meru and Jewish understanding of circumcision—a relational covenant. Without the benefit of reforming the boys’ rite of passage, Meru risk loss of field circumcision and promoting the hospital rite, which has serious implications, including gang formation due to lack of counseling. Field circumcision also faces challenges from formal education and HIV/AIDS. DISSERTATION APPROVAL This is to certify that the dissertation entitled TRANSFORMATION OF THE TRADITIONAL CIRCUMCSION RITE OF PASSAGE FOR MERU BOYS IN KENYA: A CRITICAL RESPONSE TO HIV/AIDS AND GANG FORMATION presented by Jacob M. Kanake has been accepted toward fulfillment of the requirements for the DOCTOR OF MINISTRY degree at Asbury Theological Seminary ____________________________________ ________________________ Mentor Date ____________________________________ ________________________ Internal Reader Date ____________________________________ _______________________ Representative, Doctor of Ministry Program Date ____________________________________ _______________________ Dean, Doctor of Ministry Program Date TRANSFORMATION OF THE TRADITIONAL CIRCUMCISION RITE OF PASSAGE FOR MERU BOYS IN KENYA: A CRITICAL RESPONSE TO HIV/AIDS AND GANG FORMATION A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of Asbury Theological Seminary In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Ministry by Jacob M. Kanake December, 2007 © 2007 Jacob M. Kanake ALL RIGHTS RESERVED TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES............................................................................................................ xii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................... xiii CHAPTER 1 PROBLEM.............................................................................................1 One Meru Boy’s Dilemma...................................................................................................1 The Purpose .........................................................................................................................5 Research Questions........................………………………………………………………..5 Introduction..........................................................................................................................6 Traditional Meru Rite of Passage ....................……………………………………………8 Early Childhood................................……………………………………………...8 Grandparent’s Roles.....................………………………………………………..10 Boyhood Rites…....................……………………………………………………10 Preparation for Circumcision....................…………………………………….....13 Final Preparation—Kuriria…..................………………………………………..17 Circumcision Day………… ....................………………………………………..18 Seclusion…………………....................…………………………………………23 Naming................................................................………………………………………...25 Hair Shaving—Mbejo ............................................................................................25 Name Giving—Ritwaa...........................................................................................26 Summary on Traditional Circumcision..............................................................................28 Christian Circumcision in the Hospital..............................................................................29 Parental Teaching...................................................................................................30 iii Preparation .............................................................................................................31 Circumcision..........................................................................................................32 Seclusion................................................................................................................33 Graduation..............................................................................................................33 Contextual Background .....................................................................................................35 Church Context ......................................................................................................35 Meru Context .........................................................................................................36 Assumptions.......................................................................................................................41 Definition of Key Terms....................................................................................................43 Meru.......................................................................................................................43 Circumcision..........................................................................................................45 Traditions ...............................................................................................................46 Signs and Symbols.................................................................................................46 Evangelism.............................................................................................................47 Covenant ................................................................................................................47 Muthaka .................................................................................................................48 Kirwoe/Irwoe .........................................................................................................48 Faith .......................................................................................................................49 Family ....................................................................................................................50 Methodology......................................................................................................................50 Theological Reflection.......................................................................................................53 Baptism ..................................................................................................................53 History ...................................................................................................................55 iv Covenant ................................................................................................................55 Baptism in the New Testament..............................................................................57 Church Tradition....................................................................................................61 Meaning of Baptism...............................................................................................62 Basement Theology ...........................................................................................................64 Conclusion .........................................................................................................................66 Overview of the Dissertation Project.................................................................................66 CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE.....................................................................................69 Introduction........................................................................................................................69 Rites of Passage .................................................................................................................69 North American Rites of Passage ......................................................................................71 Native Americans...................................................................................................72 Gangs in American Streets.....................................................................................75 Islamic Rites of Passage.........................................................................................78 Biblical Circumcision ........................................................................................................82 Old Testament........................................................................................................82 New Testament ......................................................................................................83