The purification object (2.0) on the model displays characteristic data and
relationships associated with purification ceremonies; however, they are not all
required since the specific ceremony may or may not involve the attribute or
relationship. The purification process is triggered by the presence of an unclean
individual or community (1.0). The unclean may have a variety of reasons for
being in this polluting state. The object offense (1.1) is designed to capture the
offenses associated with the unclean that caused the need for purification.5 The
various offenses in Kenya were discussed earlier, but it is captured in the model
for its relationship to an unclean person or group. There are specific data points
associated with the purification object as shown on the model. This includes the
name of the afflicted, the problem, purification reason, type of purification which
could consist Oftraditional and/or church ceremonies, a specialist, a location, and
date information.6 In the purification process there are combinations of different
practices used in moving the afflicted to a clean state (3.0) and the eventual
removal of the offenses (3.1).
The purification process has various relationships. Most purification
ceremonies involve a relationship with the supernatural and require this
intervention; they may take the form of different spirits∕deities. The supernatural
may consist of ancestor spirits, supreme deities, and water spirits to assist in the
spiritual and physical cleansing (2.0.4). The ceremony also uses varied
environmental forces like rain and water (2.0.3) which the purification specialist
5 On the Offense object there is an attribute called offense type. The offense type of “Mau Mau oath” would
represent the connection of the oath to the purification process.
6 The purification reasons and types of purification ceremonies will be described in more detail in this
chapter.
192