Chapter Three African Religions

Native Religions There is no one African religion, theology, worldview, or ritual system Because many African religions began in ancient times, few written records exist of early origins or practices Most of what is known about African religion was collected by anthropologists, missionaries, or Africans who recalled © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Native Religions The High God The belief in a supreme High God who created the world and then withdrew from active participation in it was common is polytheistic religions Many African religions believe that the High God has little contact with the daily events of the world Ex. Yoruba creation myth © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Native Religions The High God The Nuer of Sudan were an exception, because they believed that God played an active role in human affairs He is believed to be the guardian of moral law, punishing the wicked and rewarding the good The Nuer also believe that they can appeal to the High God for help or blessing © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Native Religions The Lesser Spirits Most Africans were animistic, or believed that the universe is populated with spirits as well as human and animals The spirits can be beneficial or harmful Some African religions have temples to the storm gods, and others worship the Earth Ex. Ashanti culture © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Native Religions The Lesser Spirits Water is seen as a sacred element When African religions use water in ceremonies, it must be sacred, living water – it must come from a living source like a spring or river Worship of the lesser spirits varies from minor recognition to elaborate systems of worship Ex. Yoruba worship of Osun © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Native Religions Ancestors The most commonly recognized force in African religion is the ancestors Many Africans believe that ancestors continue to take an active interest in living people and can do good or evil Because of their power, the ancestors are feared and respected – perhaps more than any of the gods Ancestors can be capricious or unpredictable © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Native Religions Ancestors Because of their fear of the ancestors, Africans offered gifts and sacrifices to them The ancestors were believed to actually own the land, so the living Africans simply enjoyed their hospitality Ancestors are believed to communicate with the living in dreams and sometimes more directly – like causing them injury © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Native Religions Sacrifice African religions usually include rituals and sacrifices that seek to appease the gods Daily offerings are the most common sacrifice and help to maintain a good relationship with the spirits Animal sacrifices are used less often. A portion of the animal is given to the ancestors, which strengths the bond between the ancestors and the living. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Native Religions Rites of Passage In most societies, important moments in life (like birth, puberty, marriage, and death) are marked by ritual In many African cultures, children are not given a name until after the first week of life Because so many children die in their first days in Africa, families want to make sure that the baby is not a “ghost child” there to trick them into loving him or her © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Native Religions Rites of Passage Puberty Marriage Initiation rituals Harsh physical trials for boys Seclusion for girls Circumcision Common for boys Involves girls in some cultures Marriage Mostly considered to be a secular contract © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Native Religions Rites of Passage Death is surrounded by a great deal of ritual, which is intended to make the dead more comfortable for their journey Many steps are taken to prevent the dead from returning to haunt their villages or families Money, food, trinkets, tools, and weapons are buried with the dead body © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Native Religions Religious Leaders Because many aspects of African religion can be practiced by individuals, there is not as great of a need for priests The most common religious specialist is the spiritual curer The curer finds the spiritual cause of disease and provides a cure Curers use a combination of herbal remedies, spiritual powers, and prayer for healing © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Native Religions Religions Leaders Healers The Acholi have a healer called the ajwaka, who attempts to draw the jok (or illness) out of the sick person Diviners are almost as important as healers. The diviner’s task is to use spiritual powers and knowledge to find the causes of present misfortunes, past secrets, or things to come. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Native Religions Religious Leaders One of the most enduring leadership figures is the chief-king Not all African cultures have kings, but those that do look upon them with awe The chief king is regarded as the tribal connection to the ancestors and are revered as living symbols of the tribe Monarchs represent their people, so a sick monarch means a sick land © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Non-native African Religions North Africa was strongly influenced by Greek and Egyptian culture Christianity has played an important role, and Judaism has also flourished There is a distinct branch of Judaism in Ethiopia among the Falasha people Islam came to African when early followers fled to Ethiopia to avoid persecution © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Non-native African Religions Christianity Christianity experienced its greatest growth in Africa in the 1950s Missionary work took off when the Bible became readily available in African languages Other faiths Hinduism, Buddhism, and Baha’i also spread through Africa in the nineteenth century © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

African Religions Today Colonialism has taken a serious toll on African religions Colonialism has caused the breakup of traditional tribal units It also caused the division of many regions into new nations Modernization and urbanization has also changed African culture © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

African Religions Today Traditional African religions are closely linked to specific places Modern life has decreased the importance of place and ethnicity for many Africans In many places, the belief in lesser spirits has taken the form of Christian saints or Muslim jinn © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

African Religions Today Religion and Violence Most conflicts in Africa pit rival ethnic groups against each other In countries with large Christian and Muslim populations, there have been conflicts between those two groups A 25-year civil war raged in Sudan between the Muslim north and the Christian south, causing millions of deaths © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.