Why Jacob Juma Was Buried With A Torch And A Knife

Jacob ‘kabetes’ Juma was buried with a lit torch and a knife, as Luhya (Batura clan, Bakhibe sub-clan) customary rites dictate for a renowned person whose life is cut short by killers. The lit torch helps the spirit of the dead to hunt down his killers in the dark spirits world and use the knife upon meeting them.

When the torch goes off, according to the beliefs, Juma’s killers could run mad, face rejection, die in an accident or get struck by a bad omen or misfortune.

Juma was also buried while sitting upright.