Influence of Christianity on Female Circumcision Rite among the Atharaka Community of Tharaka North Sub-County, Kenya, 1920 – 2010

This study examines the influence of Christianity on the Female Circumcision rite among the Atharaka community in Tharaka North Sub-County, Kenya, from 1920 to 2010. Female circumcision had for centuries been observed as a cultural rite of passage, deeply embedded in the Atharaka people’s identity. The arrival and spread of Christianity introduced teachings that challenged the practice, presenting it as harmful and inconsistent with Christian values. The research was guided by Merriam’s (1964) theory of culture change to interpret the transformation of cultural practices under religious influence. A descriptive research design was adopted. Data were collected through interviews, focus group discussions, archival sources, and government reports, complemented by secondary literature from books, journals, and thesis. Stratified, snowball, and purposive sampling techniques identified 50 respondents from the Tharaka North Sub-County population. Findings revealed that Christianity significantly reshaped community attitudes toward Female Circumcision. Missionary education, church teachings, and Christian-led campaigns introduced Alternative Rites of Passage (ARPs) that emphasized dignity, morality, and education over physical circumcision. By 2010, Christianity had eroded the cultural dominance of Female Circumcision and redefined concepts of morality within the Atharaka community, shifting emphasis from ritual practice to character and spiritual values. This study contributes to understanding the intersection of religion and culture in Africa and offers insights into how faith-based interventions can promote social transformation.