Intercultural dynamics in Christian and African Burial rites: Challenges and strategies for harmonisation

Mboni C. Makamu ORCID iD, Lufuluvhi M. Mudimeli ORCID iD & Hundzukani P. Khosa ORCID iD 

Issue: Vol. 7 No.3  2026 Article 9 pp.757 – 769
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2026739| Published online 15th April 2026

© 2026 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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Burial rites are deeply rooted in religious and cultural traditions, shaping how communities understand death, the afterlife, and social belonging. In many rural communities in South Africa, particularly in Shikundu Village, Christian and African burial practices coexist, sometimes leading to tensions due to differing theological, ritualistic, and cultural perspectives. This study explored the procedural aspects of Christian and African burial rites, identifying challenges in their integration and proposing strategies to harmonise these practices through liturgical inculturation. Using a qualitative approach, the research relied on interviews to understand how Shikundu village navigates these religious and cultural intersections. The findings reveal that while some Christian denominations attempt to integrate local customs, conflicts persist, particularly regarding ancestral veneration, ritual sacrifices, and theological interpretations of death. The study recommends fostering intercultural dialogue, reinterpreting theological concepts in a local context, and developing inclusive liturgical frameworks to promote mutual respect and coexistence. This article contributes to the academic discourse on contextual theology and intercultural liturgical practices by critically investigating the challenges between Christian and African burial customs, presenting a detailed analysis of the theological, cultural, and practical issues posed by these differing worldviews. Furthermore, it outlines practical and theological strategies for harmonising them in a way that honours African cultural identity while upholding core Christian principles, thereby deepening the understanding of how cultural integration can foster a more meaningful and context-sensitive expression of the Christian faith, particularly in matters related to death and burial customs.

Keywords: Burial rites, liturgical inculturation, intercultural dialogue, religious syncretism, ancestral veneration, theological adaptation

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Mboni Collins Makamu holds a Master’s degree in Theology, with specialisation in Practical Theology field. He is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Venda. His research focuses on the influence of doctrinal and liturgical practices on youth engagement within the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in South Africa. His broader academic interests include Ecclesiology, Reformed theology, and African Christian praxis.

Lufuluvhi M. Mudimeli holds a Doctor of Theology degree, with specialisation in Systematic Theology from the University of South Africa. She is currently a senior lecturer and Head of Department (HOD) in the Department of Human Sciences at the University of Venda, South Africa.

Hundzukani Portia Khosa holds a Doctorate in Theology from the University of Pretoria. She is an associate Professor at North-West University at the school of Christian Ministry and leadership.  Prior to joining North-West University, she was a senior lecturer in the Department of Human Sciences.

Makamu, Mboni C., Lufuluvhi M. Mudimeli & Hundzukani P. Khosa. “Intercultural Dynamics in Christian and African Burial Rites: Challenges and Strategies for Harmonisation,” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 7, no.3 (2026): 677 – 689. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2026739

© 2026 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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