In Vihiga County, the time-honored tradition of disco matanga has come under sharp scrutiny. This practice, a nighttime dance event that typically accompanies funeral vigils, has been the subject of concern raised by the county’s acting commissioner, Florence Sitawa, who recently expressed her determination to curb its continued existence. Her concerns center on the financial burden and social vices often associated with the event, particularly its negative impact on young people.
What is Disco Matanga?
Disco matanga, a staple in many Kenyan communities, particularly in rural areas, is held during the funeral vigils for deceased community members. In essence, it is a night-long dance event at the deceased person’s homestead, where family members, friends, neighbors, and particularly the youth, gather to dance and socialize during the funeral period. It typically takes place in the two weeks leading up to the burial, with the peak of these celebrations occurring on the eve of the burial.
Traditionally, the funeral period is an important time for the community, allowing people to come together, mourn the loss, and offer support to the bereaved. Over the years, however, these gatherings have evolved, with disco matanga becoming a focal point of the night vigils. While initially meant to bring comfort to the grieving, it has morphed into a celebratory event that, critics argue, overshadows the solemnity of the occasion.
Commissioner’s Stand: A Need for Change
In a bold move to rein in these events, Vihiga’s acting county commissioner, Florence Sitawa, has put residents on notice, warning against organizing or participating in disco matanga. Speaking at an open-air meeting with residents of Vihiga Subcounty at Inyanza Primary School, Commissioner Sitawa emphasized the need to discontinue the practice, pointing to both its financial and social costs.
“We have gone back to the culture of bringing our loved ones home and holding two to three-day vigils,” said Sitawa. “In those two days, we have to eat, and that adds to our sorrow in terms of budget.” Her comments highlight the growing trend in recent years of lavish funeral ceremonies in Kenya, where families face financial strain due to rising costs.
Sitawa also lamented that beyond the financial burden, disco matanga had become a breeding ground for various social ills. The night-long festivities, she said, provided an environment for drug use, underage drinking, and immorality, particularly among young people who are often the most active participants. “During such events, young people engage in drug abuse and immorality,” she noted. “Children are the most vulnerable because they are curious to experience what happens in the ceremonies.”
The Financial Toll on Bereaved Families
Commissioner Sitawa’s warnings about the financial toll of disco matanga reflect a broader concern in Kenyan society about the rising costs of funerals. As communities increasingly turn to outside catering services and spend heavily on funeral events, costs can spiral out of control. According to Sitawa, families in Vihiga typically spend upwards of KSh 20,000 per day on catering alone during disco matanga. Over a three-day vigil, that can add up to KSh 60,000 — a significant sum for families who are already grappling with the emotional toll of losing a loved one.
In many cases, these expenses are incurred not out of necessity but because of societal expectations and pressure to provide an elaborate send-off for the deceased. Funerals in Kenya are often community affairs, with large numbers of mourners expected to attend, and as a result, families feel compelled to provide food and entertainment for those in attendance. This, Sitawa argued, places an unnecessary burden on families already struggling with the emotional and financial strain of bereavement.
Furthermore, the commissioner pointed out that families often spend money on other non-essential items, such as sound systems for the disco matanga event. “Nowadays we hire outside catering services at KSh 20,000 per day and hold disco matanga, and that’s KSh 60,000 in three days,” she said. “During such events, maovu yote inaingilia (all kinds of evil infiltrate), and drug abuse and immorality are rife.”
Social Vices: Drug Use and Immorality
Beyond the financial aspect, Commissioner Sitawa’s most pressing concern appears to be the social consequences of disco matanga, particularly its impact on the youth. In her address, she drew attention to how these events create an environment where young people are exposed to harmful influences. “Disco matanga provides conducive environments for drug use and immorality among young people to thrive,” she said.
During these nighttime events, which often extend into the early hours of the morning, there is minimal supervision of young attendees. Alcohol and drugs are sometimes consumed openly, and the celebratory atmosphere of the event often leads to behaviors that are inappropriate in the context of mourning. For many parents and community elders, this shift from mourning to revelry is deeply concerning, as it undermines the cultural values traditionally associated with funeral rites.
The commissioner’s warning also highlights how disco matanga disrupts the lives of children, who are naturally curious and eager to participate in the late-night festivities. Young children often attend these events, and their exposure to adult behaviors and substance abuse can have long-term negative effects. Sitawa’s intervention is, in part, an effort to protect children from such harmful experiences.
Balancing Tradition and Modern Challenges
While Sitawa’s call for an end to disco matanga may resonate with many concerned about its negative impacts, it also raises the question of how to balance cultural traditions with modern realities. Funerals have long been important communal events in Kenya, and for many, disco matanga represents a way to bring people together to honor the deceased. However, as the commissioner pointed out, the evolution of these events into all-night parties filled with vice is not what the tradition was meant to achieve.
Cultural practices often need to evolve to reflect the changing needs and challenges of society. While disco matanga may have once been a harmless way for communities to mourn and celebrate together, it is clear that the practice has taken on a new, more problematic form in recent years. Commissioner Sitawa’s call to end the practice is not just about limiting spending or curbing social vices — it is about preserving the dignity and respect that should accompany the mourning process.
The Way Forward
As the acting county commissioner continues her efforts to discourage disco matanga, the challenge lies in finding ways to ensure that the funeral traditions in Vihiga and other Kenyan communities can adapt to modern challenges without losing their cultural significance. One possible solution is for community leaders to promote more modest, respectful funeral ceremonies that still allow for communal mourning but avoid the excesses of disco matanga. Additionally, educating young people about the dangers of substance abuse and the importance of respecting cultural practices could help mitigate the negative effects that have become associated with these events.
Ultimately, the success of efforts to curtail disco matanga will depend on the willingness of community members to embrace change. While traditions are important, they must also evolve in ways that promote the well-being of all members of society, particularly the most vulnerable. Commissioner Sitawa’s stance is a call for the people of Vihiga to reflect on how they can honor their loved ones while protecting the future of their youth.
