Women of Fire and Spirit : History, Faith, and Gender in Roho Religion in Western Kenya

The African Christian Roho religion, or Holy Spirit movement, is a charismatic and prophetic movement that arose in the Luo region of western Kenya. This movement has fascinated students of history and religion for more than sixty years, but surprisingly has not been extensively studied. This book fills that lacuna. In Women of Fire and Spirit , Cynthia Hoehler-Fatton uses the extensive oral histories and life narratives of active participants in the faith, giving them full voice in constructing the history of their Church. In doing so, she counter-balances the existing historical literature, which draws heavily on colonial records. Hoehler-Fatton's sources call into question the paradigm of "schism" that has dominated the discussion of African independent Christianity. Faith, rather than schism or politics, emerges here as the hallmark of Roho religion. Hoehler-Fatton's book is doubly unusual in foregrounding the role of women in the evolution and expansion of their Church. She traces the gradual transformation of women's involvement from the early years when--drawing on indigenous models of female spirit possession--women acted as soldiers, headed congregations, and served as pastors, to the present condition of Western-style institutionalization and exclusion for women. Despite this marginalization, women members continue to be inspired by the defiance of past heroines. The Roho Or Holy Spirit Churches Of Nyanza Province In Western Kenya Spring From A Charismatic Christian Movement That Emerged Among The Luo During The Colonial Era. In Women Of Fire And Spirit, Cynthia Hoehler-fatton Uses Oral Histories And Life Narratives Of Active Roho Participants, Giving Them Full Voice In Constructing The History Of Their Movement. In Doing So, She Counter-balances The Existing Historical Literature, Which Draws Heavily On Colonial Records. Hoehler-fatton's Sources Call Into Question The Paradigm Of Schism That Has Dominated The Discussion Of African Independent Christianity. Faith, Rather Than Schism Or Politics, Emerges Here As The Hallmark Of Roho Religion. Hoehler-fatton's Book Is Doubly Unusual In Emphasizing The Role Of Women In The Evolution And Expansion Of The Roho Church. She Traces The Gradual Transformation Of Women's Involvement From The Early Years When - Drawing On Indigenous Models Of Female Spirit Possession - Women Acted As Soldiers And Pastors, To The Present Condition Of Western-style Institutionalization And Limited Leadership Opportunities For Women. Today's Roho Women, Nevertheless, Find Fulfillment In Their Work As Healers And Continue To Draw Inspiration From The Defiance Of Past Heroines.--jacket. Note On The Roho (holy Spirit) Liturgical Language -- Key Figures In The Roho Historical Narrative -- 1. Early Phase Of The Roho Movement. Different Perspectives On Roho History. The Roho Narrative: Emergence Of The Roho Movement (1912-1933). Alfayo Odongo Mango -- Conclusion: Land, Politics And The Spirit -- 2. Rejection And Crisis. The Roho Narrative: Ten Critical Months (april 1933-january 1934) -- Conclusion: Challenging The Schism Model -- 3. Roho Expansion And Church Formation. The Roho Narrative: Visions And Missions (1934-1960) -- Conclusion: The Institutionalization Of Roho Religion And Women's Changing Roles -- 4. Sacrifice And Redemption: The Roho Worldview. Mango's Sacrifice. Musanda Our Home: Locative And Universal Meaning. History As Myth And Myth As History. A Service Of Remembrance -- Conclusion: Inspiration And Indigenization -- 5. Quiet Wives And Questing Warriors: The Public And Hidden Transcripts Of Roho Women. Conversion: Gendered Perspectives. Work And Feeling Free: Women's Perception Of Life In The Spirit. Hymns: Women's Expressive Domain. Prophet Sarah And The Spirit Mother Church -- Conclusion: The Persistance Of Awiti. Cynthia Hoehler-fatton. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 243-252) And Index. This is the first extensive study of the African Christian Roho religion, or Holy Spirit movement, in Western Kenya. Hoehler-Fatton uses extensive oral histories and life narratives to provide a counterweight to existing historical literature, and also brings to the fore the role of women in the evolution and expansion of the Church. Looking at the African Christian Roho religion, or Holy Spirit movement, in Western Kenya, this book uses oral histories and life narratives to provide a counterweight to existing historical literature, and also brings to the fore the role of women in the evolution and expansion of the Church