Kinango residents exhume their dead to avert demon attacks

The exhumation exercise, which took place at Kafuduni and Birikani villages in Kinango, Kwale County targeted over 60 graves.

The exhumed remains were then buried at a different location where rituals, involving slaughtering of animals, were performed to scare aware demons from attacking the village.

Speaking during the activity, village elders led by Robert Kakala, who spearheaded the exercise, expressed disappointment over the amount they were paid as compensation for their land, saying they were forced to pay Sh10,000 for the exhumation exercise on each grave.

After the exercise, the villagers engaged in traditional dance as they escorted the remains to a new burial site where they surrounded the graveside in song and dance as the remains were laid to their new resting place.

Immediately after the re-burial activity, the villagers feasted on the slaughtered animals and drunk the traditional brew, commonly known as Mnazi, as they waited for more bodies to be exhumed.

By Patrick Kanga