The Gospel Interpreting Cultural Traditions for Reconciliation: A Theological Reflection on Mbuki Blood Pact in Central African Republic

Just as the world’s peoples are in desperate need of hearing the gospel in their own languages, they are equally in need of experiencing Christ’s ministry of reconciliation in their own contexts.

In this contextualized study of conflict and reconciliation, Dr. Plaisance Rivoli M’bara examines the factors contributing to the outbreak of armed conflict in Central African Republic in 2013, as well as those impeding reconciliation in its aftermath. He explores how the indigenous ritual of the blood pact (Mbuki) could strengthen the peacebuilding process in CAR, drawing on field research and secondary sources to establish Mbuki’s power as a tool for facilitating forgiveness, justice, and peace. By bringing this traditional practice into conversation with Scripture, Dr. M’bara demonstrates its potential for helping believers formulate a contextualized theology of reconciliation that would directly impact their ability to effectively witness to the nature of Christ and his kingdom in the aftermath of violent conflict. This is a powerful resource for theological practitioners, humanitarian aid workers, politicians, church leaders, and anyone working to restore peace in a war-torn world.