ISSN 2756-3405
African Journal of Philosophy and Religious Studies ISSN 1621-4587 Vol. 2 (4), pp. 001-011, April, 2016. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
The belief and practice of divination among the Swahili Muslims in Mombasa district, Kenya
Esha Faki1*, E. M. Kasiera2 and O. M. J. Nandi3
1Department of Religion, Theology and Philosophy, Maseno University, Private Bag, Maseno, Kenya.
2Department of Social Sciences Education, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, P. O. Box 190-50100, Kakamega, Kenya.
3Department of Social Sciences Education, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, P. O. Box 190-50100, Kakamega, Kenya.
Accepted 7 September, 2015
Abstract
This article gives a critical analysis of divination as practiced among the Swahili of Kenya coast. Radical changes in lifestyles were not associated with initial Islamization, but in latter days, Swahili contextualized Islam to recognize some of their cultural practices alongside Orthodox Islam. The belief and practice of divination is among such cultural practices that continue up to now. It is a practice used by some to control their social and physical environment and determine, in some cases, knowledge about their future lives. Through manipulation, explanation and prediction, divination is employed to attain this important human goal. However, Orthodox Islam condemns the belief and practice of divination. Data for this study was gathered from Swahili Muslims of Mombasa District Kenya to investigate the persistence of this belief and practice of divination. It will also explain the reasons responsible for the belief in and practice of divination among the Swahili Muslims.
Key words: Islam, Swahili, divination, orthodox Islam, popular Islam.