cleansing”.102 The performance represented what they remembered personally or
heard from stories of others about the purification process. The group continued
discussing their own individual experiences or stories they heard about cleansing
in the rural areas. The Emerald Initiative Association members, along with the
cleansing information collected in Machakos and Kangundo districts, confirmed
that purification was a process that, even before Mau Mau cleansing, had a long
and vibrant history.103 It was also clear that purification as healing and cleansing
is still a modern practice. The 2008 Kenya survey analysis confirms this
statement with 87.5% of respondents noting the continued use of traditional
forms of medicine, healing, and cleansing.104 This is important because it shows
purification is one of many traditional systems that have evolved and adapted in
Kenya.
It is also my view that purification is a social, economic, and legal practice.
Socially, purification is ceremony or practice that when conducted pulls together
many members of the community. Children, men, and women gather outside
doors, under trees, and near the ceremonial site to witness the cleansing
activities. The performance of the specialist continues to fascinate all those that
watch. This was evident even watching the reaction from members of the
Emerald Initiative Association. The acts, the prayers, the chants, the drumming,
the dancing, the playing of the musical bow, and the spraying of the mtaa plant at
102 Viewing and discussion, The Emerald Initiative Kenyan Association, January 2010 of Wendo Wa
Kavete. Kibwezi District. “Purification Ritual Performance”. December 2008. Video tape recording and
notes. Statements in quote, taken from interview comments from R. Nsiku.
103 Purification noted as apart of the traditional rites, but this knowledge is still used. The field work
includes: Kangundo District. “Purification and Rainmaking Ceremony”. December 2008. Video tape
recording and notes and A.N.M. Matingo. Machakos District. “Mau Mau PurificationZCleansing
Performance". December 2008. Video tape recording and notes.
'04 See Appendix, Table 2.0, Kenya 2009 Survey Percentage Analysis
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