The religious connotation of edukone among the Iteso of eastern Uganda. A case study of Usuk Sub County Katakwi district.

Abstract

This study titled ―The Religious Connotation of Edukone among the Iteso of Eastern Uganda. A Case study of Usuk sub County Katakwi Distrct‖ was focused in Usuk sub-county, Katakwi district, Teso Sub region, Eastern Uganda. The background to this study justifies that specifically studying the intersection between cultural identity and religious connotation of Edukone contributes to a more holistic understanding of traditional marriage rituals among Iteso. The problem statement of the study was: Iteso participate in the rites of passage like traditional marriage (Edukone). However, those experiences have been richly subjected to academic study on a profane stance. The religious connotation is limitedly researched which is a threat to erosion of the religious implications of Edukone rituals. The objectives of the study were; to describe the traditional rituals embedded in Edukone, to establish the relevance of Edukone among the Iteso and to explore the religious implications of Edukone among the Iteso. The study is significant in that it seeks to bridge the gap in existing literature and promote a deeper understanding of how traditional beliefs inform spiritual life, social identity and community cohesion in a complex contemporary world. The study used Durkheim's theory of religion and Mbiti‘s Ubuntu philosophy. Literature reviewed showed a gap that scholarship in existence focuses more on the secular dimension of marriage rituals, leaving religious aspect scanty and wanting. This study employed the interpretivist research paradigm which provided a frame work for exploring the rich subjective experiences of Iteso. The design was qualitative and it allowed use of open ended interviews, focus group discussion and observation to collect data. Data was analysed thematically, presented using descriptive narratives and direct quotations. Key findings included Edukone rituals of Agolokin apese, Aiwom Apese, Etube, and Eitane among others. On the relevance of Edukone rituals; social cohesion, preservation of religious values, and preservation of cultural identity were established and on the religious implications of Edukone the findings were; fertility blessings which bestow productivity and safety on the family and descendants, protective blessings which repel bad omens from couples and children, and rituals to cleanse marital infidelity and incest to appease the ancestors and restore sanctity in marriage and the clan. From the findings, it was deducible that modernity has conflicted with the traditional practice of Edukone. The study recommends Documentation and Preservation, Cultural Awareness Programs, Integration of Edukone in Education, Interfaith Dialogues, Community Workshops, Ritual Adaptation and Modernization; offering counseling services is key and deeper ethnographic and historical studies to be conducted so as to uncover the correlation between modernity and tradition in relation to trends of rites of passage among Iteso.