The vast majority of them are based on oral traditions. Does the traditional african religion have a religious. It is rare that a traditional religion traces itself back to a founder. Report interactive database side by side with their high levels of commitment to christianity and islam, many people in the countries surveyed. Vontress, the various religious traditions of africa are. African religions african traditional religion aimu akamba ancestor worship ancestors ancestral spirits animals beliefs and practices bible biblical perspective biblical worldview ceremonies christian christian church christian faith clan creator culture dance dead death deities demon possession demonised divinities earth elders evangelical. The holy book of african vodun this is the cover you will receive. Praying is the commonest form of worship among traditional african peoples. Africa, the place of origin of all humankind, is divided into numerous political and cultural regions, reflecting its diverse range of histories, ethnicities, languages, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. Traditional religion thinking of those common things. Njelele shrine, 35km south of bulawayo in the matobo hills, is the most famous place of pilgrimage and rain dances for the traditional mwali spirit.
Different fathers played a role in the development of this religion. Various terms are used to refer to the indigenous religious heritage, including african religion, african tradition. Bibically, sin is intrinsic whereas in traditional african belief it is extrinsic. Focusing primarily on traditional african religions and their related myths, rituals, authorities, ethics, and artwork, the book also includes substantial treatment on nationalism, african islam and christianity.
It looks at the traditional religions that provided the philosophical, religious, and ethical basis of african culture. An area of change is the decline in the number of people adhering to traditional african religion. African religions this entry presents a brief, general picture of africas traditional religious heritage, focusing on the major beliefs because these underlie the general attitudes of individuals and society and shape their worldview. It is simply impossible to list all varieties of religion 1 as we as a species have created an almost infinite variety of religious and transcendental ideas. Ancient chinese religion draws from a vast heritage of sacred books, which according to the general. The holy books of world religions sacred texts in world.
This is the complete text of what is african traditional religion. In a message for the holiday, 76yearold founder of the festival dr. African traditional religion south african history online. God, divinities and spirits in african traditional.
African religion and african government a womans role in society scriptural tradition mostly found in. Using christs method of soul winning, pauls method of sharing the good news, conventional methods, as well, in sharing the blessed hope, we will have success in this important work. African traditional religion aloysius muzzanganda lugira. It also offers a useful and uptodate list of books for more advanced reading, questions for. Interface between igbo theology and christianity provides evidence of. Traditional african religions have influenced islam in africa, and islam is considered as having more commonality with traditional african religions, but conflict has occurred, especially due to islams monotheistic stance and the rise of muslim reformers. When we speak of african traditional religion, we mean the indigenous religious beliefs and practices of the africans. Freedom of religion is a right in france so there is no national religious book. These figures represent people who primarily follow african traditional religion. Comparative religions atr african traditional religion introduction three religions dominates african continent. Worship takes place in a variety of sacred spaces and at shrines. The holy book would be of the religion of the person in question.
The purpose of this is to help to orient a person who would like to work in the context of africa. The traditionally religious both belonged and believed. Dec, 2017 the diviner in african religion december, 2017 neterian blog, discourse abundant life and benevolence, counteract the forces of evil, unveiling mysteries of human life diviners are the agents of unveiling mysteries of human life. Of all the rich, instructive, uplifting and expansive ways to. Learn the seven principles and gather in the name of unityfor the sevenday commemoration of kwanzaa. In four countries, for instance, half or more of the population believes that sacrifices to ancestors or spirits can protect them from harm. African traditional religions religion in zimbabwe. Religions in southern africa series awareness publishing. Yet, this tradition continues to suffer from lack of acceptance and inadequate understanding of its central tenets and essence. Allafrica is a voice of, by and about africa aggregating, producing and distributing 900 news and information items daily from over 140 african news organizations and our own reporters to an. What are the top ten religions and what is the holy book for each religion. Hence large elements of west african, particularly yoruba, religion blended with catholicism can be found in religions such as vodun also known as voodoo haiti, candomble brazil and santeria. African traditional religion holy book october 17, 2019 admin business on the one hand, religion in the other the moroccan kings status as a traditional muslim leader in west africa is another sign of rabat. This revision of a standard text lj 775 provides an excellent overview of native religion in africa.
What are the holidays of the traditional african religion was published on september 29th, 2010, under the uncategorized category. In african traditional religion, there is communal responsibility over sin as opposed to biblical teaching, where individual responsibility is emphasized. These books are compilations of ancient myths and traditional teachings that had previously been passed down orally. Through modern changes, the traditional religion cannot remain intact but it is by no means extinct. The declared adherents of the indigenous religion are very conservative, resisting the. Chapter five the holy spirit and the african spirit world. What are the holidays of the traditional african religion. We would like to show you a description here but the site wont allow us. Each book describes the way people in southern africa practise these religions, by focusing on particular traditions and ceremonies, such as baptism and initiation ceremonies. Islam per god revelation of the bible to jesus is called christianity. The diviner in african religion neterian african religion. Religion permeates life to such an extent that it is often difficult to distinguish between strictly religious elements and local custom.
The mwali hilltop cult and shrines is discussed in the 2008 book mambo hills. For the kikuyu, according to their primary supreme creator, ngai, acting through the lesser deities, is believed to speak to and be capable of guiding the virtuous person as ones conscience. Traditional african medicine is also directly linked to traditional african religions. Throughout the holy piby, author robert athlyi rogers preached selfdetermination for africans, which was a key selling point for african communities in the early 20th century. Traditional african religion entails a chain of communication between god and the living with the living communicating with god indirectly through the mediation of the ancestors. But to say that the african traditional religion is. Afrocaribbean religion santeriawhat the holy bible says about. In some traditional african religions, morality is associated with obedience or disobedience to god regarding the way a person or a community lives. Hence, it is the religion of all gods creatures including mankind. In other words, animism is a part definition of every religion. The traditional african religions are a set of highly diverse beliefs that includes various ethnic. We shall study similarities and differences of evil from the two religions. The book contains an edited version of the papers presented at that international conference. It adequately fills the void that confronts people not just students meeting african traditional religion for the first time, and addresses the true nature of the.
The rapid spread of pentecostal christianity and fundamentalist islam has had a great impact on the role of indigenous religion in africa. Faso more than 33 percent follow african religion, although it is not the religion of the majority. The course takes on this challenge by exploring these two traditions using traditional modes of scholarship, indigenous scholarship, analysis of religious practices, media, texts, guest speakers who practice these religions, and our discussions and assignments. The drum unlocks communication with the spirit world. In african traditional religion the spirits are always present, and requests and offerings are made to them for health, prosperity, and protection.
This paper seeks to examine how africans conceive of the supreme being, divinities and spirits. This is the message all the adherents of african traditional religion need to hear. Judaism, in turn, is recognized as the religious ancestor of christianity. For anyone who wants to gain an understanding of the relationship between african religion and culture. Traditional african religions by bree eckstein on prezi. Mbiti, a wellknown scholar and researcher of african religions, as the main reference. As confusing as spirituality can be, there are 4 easy ways to develop your spirituality, with or without religion. As for doctrine, there seems to be an element of totemicism, so i would recommend checking out emile durkheims the elementary forms of religious life. List of books and articles about african religions online. Jun 11, 2015 54 african traditional religion music usually accompanies african religious ritual and is used in prayer to request favors or help from the spirit world. African traditional religions 100 million holy books. Last week, in a veiled comparison between african traditional religions and christianity, which is the major religion in jamaica, some of the key elements of african traditional religions were discussed using kenyaborn professor john s.
While traditional african religion has declined in popularity, christianity and islam have gained. Azumah, in his book the legacy of arabislam in africa, calls for a. Hindus value many sacred writings as opposed to one holy book. African traditional religions articles about traditional religions in zimbabwe in shona and ndebele religion, god, or the supreme being, is seen as the creator and sustainer of the universe in much the same manner as within christianity. Welcome to the summary lecture of african traditional religions. They differ from literary texts by being a compilation or discussion of beliefs, mythologies, ritual practices, commandments or laws, ethical conduct, spiritual aspirations, and for creating or fostering a religious community. It is a religion that is practised by living men and women. But to say that the african traditional religion is animistic would not be correct. The lausanne movement connects influencers and ideas for global mission, with a vision of the gospel for every person, an evangelical church for every people, christlike leaders for every church, and kingdom impact in every sphere of society. Vontress, the various religious traditions of africa are united by a basic animism. What are the top ten religions and what is the holy book. The text names the ethiopians as gods chosen people. However, african traditional religion is very essential in that it is universal, unifies and disunites and diverse in nature.
Religious texts are texts related to a religious tradition. Its important in discussing the cosmology of african traditional religion to not simply look at it in a generalized framework, but to see how this actually works out in the real situation of a particular expression of african traditional religion. The books explore the beliefs and customs of christianity, african independent churches, african traditional religions, islam, judaism and hinduism. In african traditional religions the sense of time is often described in cyclical rather than linear imagery. Do any of the native american religions have a holy book or. Igbolands traditional religion is based on the belief that there is one creator, god, also called chineke or chukwu.
African traditional religions part 2 the nature of god. May 16, 2012 a spirit ceremony is held by the fon people of benin, nigeria, to contact the spirit world. Leaders in african traditional religions are the people who impart religious wisdom and guidance to believers. It is by far the dominate religion in the western world, but christianity is growing rapidly in africa, and christians can be found in nearly every country in the world. It evolved through many centuries, before the westerner come to africa. The ancestors are without question the most prominent aspect of african religion, in fact, they are the heart of the african spirit world. African traditional religion has grown out of the african soil.
Yet these many traditions have much in common, including an almost universal belief in a supreme being, a close interconnection between the sacred and nonsacred, and a reliance on oral tradition to transmit teachings and beliefs down through the generations. Today it is the thirdlargest religion behind christianity and islam. Because of the african religions dependence on oral stories, doctrine tends to be more flexible, changing in accordance to the immediate needs of religious followers. Why is african traditional religion seen as demonic. Some have seen africans as not having the capacity to reason on the. The moral traditions of abundant life magesa, laurenti on. It is the religion which resulted from the sustaining faith held by the forebears of the present africans, and which is being practised today in various forms and. In many traditional societies there is a strong sense of the sacred.
Religion is human experience found in all societies in various forms. African traditional religion by parrinder, geoffrey and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. African traditional religion and the religion of the san people come africa, but other religions such as judaism, christianity, islam, hinduism and buddhism. Maulana karenga stressed the universal themes of care for each other and our planet. Asolodumaresdeputy,he created the earth and its arrangement as well as the physical. Yah id like to comment that our african people as a whole not only the xhosa but as a whole african community are lost, after all we know how our religion, language, culture and everything that had been taken from us we accept western religion as our own when there are people who relatively own the religion and are practising their worship to. They do this because they have certain religious beliefs and because their religions guide their lives. This paper exemplifies traditional african healing by discussing how it is linked to traditional african religion spirituality in order to promote optimal wellbeing. African spirituality is one of the most misunderstood concepts in the black conscious community. Mbitis introduction to african religion gives richness, boldness, and pride to africas religious heritage in the face of proselytizing religions like islam and christianity.
A priest can be a diviner, a king can be a seer, and a prophet can be a priest and a diviner. The african continent is home to more than 6,000 different ethnic and cultural groups, each with its own religious traditions. The west african area is important because this is where the majority of slaves departed for the new world. Historical and religious significance by marieke clarke. This is a 3hour summary lecture on the basic components of african traditional religions. Issues in globalization main characters where you would find traditional african religions background information how these scriptures developed. African traditional religion holy book 20 gram soul. Both islam and christianity are religions of the book. African traditional religions produced no written works, but derived their. Side by side with their high levels of commitment to christianity and islam, many people in the countries surveyed retain beliefs and rituals that are characteristic of traditional african religions. The relative authority of religious texts develops over time and is derived from the ratification. Fetishism, the veneration of objects believed to have magical or supernatural potency, springs from the association of spirits with particular places or things and leads to idolatry, in which the image. Persecution of traditional african religion wikipedia.
Until other sacred works emerged from the religion, the holy piby was the main sacred book. In his book, the living dead and the living god, klaus nurnberger 2007. The place of african traditional religion in interreligious encounters in sierra leone since the advent of islam and christianity is my own work and that all the sources that i have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by means of complete references. African traditional religions in contemporary society, 1991. All of the features we talked about are things that find reallife expression.
African societies do not clearly delineate an individuals religious title. Even christianity sees god as spirit, and they that worship are to worship in spirit and truth. The african traditional religious view on religion is not an influence from christianity, but rather enrichment to it. This paper examines the concept and philosophy of african traditional religion from the viewpoint of africans. List of books and articles about african religions. J ruth gendler, the book of qualities posts about yoruba written by daughter ravynstar erzulie, or ezili, is the vodou lwa spirit or goddess of love and women. Every religion has some belief in the existence of the spirit. There is an oral tradition that is made up of practical. Traditional african religious beliefs and practices pew.
All pf gods prophets since adam through noah, abraham, moses, jesus, and muhammad called to islam. The creator can be approached through numerous other deities and spirits in the form of natural objects, most commonly through the god of thunder amadioha. Then there are those who belong but dont believe parents. Learn about our beginnings, ongoing connections, and mission today. Ask 3 people to define it and you will get three different answers. Islam per god revelation of the holy book torah to moses is called judaism. Kemetism may be of interest regarding the use of written sources, because it is a modern reconstruction of ancient egyptian religion. Items in lower case italics are classes of religion and not actual religions. They differ from literary texts by being a compilation or discussion of beliefs, mythologies, ritual practices. The prayers are usually short, extemporaneous, and succinct, and may be accompanied by sacrifices and offerings. Chapter five the holy spirit and the african spirit world 1 the spirit world in traditional thought 1. What is the african traditional religion holy book called. Ancestor worship, prevalent in preliterate societies, is obeisance to the spirits of the dead.
It presents the worldview, philosophical nature and foundation of african traditional religion. It is quite evident that african traditional religion plays an important role in shaping the character of african society and culture today. This belief, just as in the case of the previous one, has a theological basis the plurality of divinities polytheism. The authority of the most proximate ancestors is present. The many branches of the african traditional religions. First of all, for one to understand the truth of the above statement and accept it as a fact, that black africans of ancient egypt wrote the holy bible, thus, one must dispel the erroneous notion and fabricated lies that christian europe, particularly the catholic church, have done in painting the ancient egyptians as pagans, heathens and devils. There are currently 2 comments on this article so far.
For example, theism is any religion that contains gods, and polytheism is a form of theism. In this lesson, we shall discuss the concept of evil as told by the traditional african religion and the biblical writings. Sin is wholesomely punishable in african traditional religion, but is redemptive biblically. Traditional nigercongo religion also included polytheistic and animistic elements. The traditional african understanding and the interpretation of christianity have deep roots in these fundamental beliefs of the african traditional religions. After the establishment of islam, its rapid expansion and conquests displaced traditional african religions either by conversion or conquest.