Mumo, Peter MutukuPeter MutukuMumo2025-01-272025-01-272024978-3-98989-030-5https://fis.uni-bamberg.de/handle/uniba/106011Despite the condemnation of African Traditional Religion by western missionaries and writers, the religion has demonstrated its resilience by thriving up to the 21st Century. The first generation of African scholars of Afri-can Traditional Religion did thorough research on it in various parts of sub-Saharan Africa, documented its contents and disputed the prejudices and biases presented by Western writers. Through the use of case studies of African Instituted Churches (AICs) in Kenya, the chapter analyses from written literature how aspects of African Traditional Religion are continued in contemporary society. It argues that the distortions of African Religion by Western writers and their condescending attitude acted as the fodder for the emergence of AICs on the continent. It is further argued that after the translation of the Bible into African languages, Africans realised that Africans' beliefs and practices were in sync with the Jewish way of life. The founders of AICs felt that the best option for the survival of African Traditional Religion and the African way of life was to break away from the missionary-led churches in Africa and found churches where Africans would feel at home in expressing their religious and cultural practices. The chapter highlights major aspects of African Traditional Religion which have been continued by AICs, such as the concept of God, mystical powers and spiritualism, worship, initiation rites, marriage, empowerment of women in religion, communalism, wholeness of life and music, among others. The chapter also highlights the shortcomings of African independent churches such as their regionalism versus universalism, limited exposure to advanced theological training and unnecessary rivalry and competition for power leading to schisms. It is concluded that AICs continue aspects of African Religion in contemporary society.eng-200bookpart