Introduction / History
The Giriama (Agiryama) people are Bantus living along the coastal areas of Kenya. They have migrated from Singwaya in the north eastern sides of Kenyan coast bordering the Oromo.
Where Are they Located?
They largely live along the Kenya coast, mostly found in the Kilifi and Malind district. They are found also sparsely in Mombasa and Kwale Districts of the coast province.
What Are Their Lives Like?
The Giriamas were largely famers, hunters and gatheres. They currently farm, though in really small scale. The crops they plannt include perennials like coconuts and cashewnuts which act as main cashcrops. They also plant Maise, Millet and peas. The Giriamas are largely social, leaving in extended families though recently the trend seems to be dropped. They live in Makuti thatched houses mostly which are mud walled, but recently iron sheets and brick structures have started to be common. Some take advanted of the close proximity to the Indian ocoean by fishing though is small scale. those that do this practise it purely for subsistance.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The Giriamas were originally traditionalist, believing in idols, called the Koma. They used to sacrifise at the Koma,nearly on weekely basis. Sacrifices included Alcohol (the tradiational Manazi) which is palm wine. They believe that the koma were actually the representatives of the living dead, they would therefor name the komas with names og all the elders that have gone befopre them. The koma was a curves piece of wood, and the eledest of them that have already gone before them was represented with a bigger peice of wood called the Kigango. When trouble befalls a family, they would sometime go to scarifice by the koma side, sometimes porridge and blood would be used. Th Giriama however are now largely migrating from these believes and majorly have become Christians, with some few becomeing muslims. There are afew however that stiil practise the tradition religion. They also believed in witchcraft.
What Are Their Needs?
The Giriamas need largely education and Evangelism. The preaching previously of the gospel was not of accepting the Lord Jesus the Christ but was rather on going to church which resulted inmany going to church whilst still practising their religion and traditional beliefs.
* Breaking the yoke of traditional religion
* Removal of the bonage of curses
* Move of the Holy Ghost to teach on acceptance of Christ
|Profile Source: Renson Duka|