African Religions

Diversity Diversity Vast Ethnic/Racial/Religious Complexity Vast Ethnic/Racial/Religious Complexity 900 million people 900 million people 53 Countries 53 Countries 3,000 Ethnic and Linguistic Groups 3,000 Ethnic and Linguistic Groups Small tribes to vast empires determine social organization Small tribes to vast empires determine social organization Impact of European colonialism (16 th – 19 th centuries) on traditional African religions Impact of European colonialism (16 th – 19 th centuries) on traditional African religions Need to avoid Western stereotypes Need to avoid Western stereotypes –“Dark Continent” of savagery and superstition –No single religion, worldview, theology, or rituals to unite all Africans –Lack of written records limit range and depth of knowledge –Western interpretations / bias

The High God Most traditional African religions believe in a “Supreme Being” – not involved in human affairs Most traditional African religions believe in a “Supreme Being” – not involved in human affairs –Distant and retired –Yoruba story of Olorun the Creator breathed life into human beings that were created by lesser deities “orisha” –Dogon in the southern Sahara worshipping the star Sirius B –Creator God of the Baoule tribe of the Ivory Coast created the universe from His mouth –Exception: Sudanese Creator God Kwoth Nhail remains involved in His creation and rewards/punishes behavior Various myths, though most have God living in the sky Various myths, though most have God living in the sky –Thunder as a voice or expression of anger

The Lesser Spirits and Ancestors Lesser Spirits Beneath the Creator comes an array of lesser gods, nature spirits, or ancestors to communicate with (Animism) Beneath the Creator comes an array of lesser gods, nature spirits, or ancestors to communicate with (Animism) Over 1,700 orisha in Yoruba tradition Over 1,700 orisha in Yoruba tradition Ashanti of Ghana have a pantheon of spirits or powers representing war, smallpox, harvest, weather, cattle Ashanti of Ghana have a pantheon of spirits or powers representing war, smallpox, harvest, weather, cattle Forms of worship vary – common to offer food and drink Forms of worship vary – common to offer food and drink Lesser spirits can be helpful or harmful to humans – subject to flattery, prayer, and animal sacrifices Lesser spirits can be helpful or harmful to humans – subject to flattery, prayer, and animal sacrifices –Illness, misfortune, or death caused by witchcraft or foul playAncestors Most commonly recognized forces Most commonly recognized forces The Dead as a “Cloud of Witnesses” The Dead as a “Cloud of Witnesses” –Can harm or hurt (drought, famine, sickness, infertility in couples) –Take an active interest in well-being of living –Can communicate through dreams and organs of sacrificed animals

Images of Shani Masks (Swahili for “marvelous”) Courtesy of Traditional Masks Began in prehistoric times (cave paintings) Began in prehistoric times (cave paintings) Used in rituals and ceremonies (healings, exorcisms, rites of passage, hunts, mythical reenactments, funerals) Used in rituals and ceremonies (healings, exorcisms, rites of passage, hunts, mythical reenactments, funerals) Often made in secrecy to the sound of sacred chants Often made in secrecy to the sound of sacred chants Before wearing, individual quietly contemplates its power Before wearing, individual quietly contemplates its power When the mask is worn, it is believed to adopt the persona of a spirit who will unleash its power on the assembly - “come alive” When the mask is worn, it is believed to adopt the persona of a spirit who will unleash its power on the assembly - “come alive” Masks and animal skins used to mimic the powers of a beast to be hunted ie: horse = speed After use, masks are carefully stored or burned After use, masks are carefully stored or burned

Sacrifice Done to appease and link to the spirits/gods Done to appease and link to the spirits/gods Most common form of sacrificial offerings are food and drink (pour out some of their drink or throw away a bit of food in recognition of spirits) Most common form of sacrificial offerings are food and drink (pour out some of their drink or throw away a bit of food in recognition of spirits) Animal sacrifice may occur on serious occasions with chickens, cattle, sheep, goats, birds, or dogs Animal sacrifice may occur on serious occasions with chickens, cattle, sheep, goats, birds, or dogs Human sacrifice rarely present at all in African religion (exaggerated in movies) Human sacrifice rarely present at all in African religion (exaggerated in movies) –Exception is kings needing servants and wives in next life Blood sacrifices offered when communities prepare for battle, a hunt, or as a sign of mercy against long periods of drought or illness Blood sacrifices offered when communities prepare for battle, a hunt, or as a sign of mercy against long periods of drought or illness Meat of animal is roasted and then half is left as an offering while the other half is eaten by the one who brought the sacrifice (communion between living and spirited worlds) Meat of animal is roasted and then half is left as an offering while the other half is eaten by the one who brought the sacrifice (communion between living and spirited worlds) Help us!

Rites of Passage Birth of Child is a blessing bestowed by the spirit world Birth of Child is a blessing bestowed by the spirit world Twins seen as sign of infidelity (superstition) Childless couples seen as cursed “Ghost Child” due to infant mortality rates (trickery) Puberty Puberty Initiation rituals for boys and girls – long and severe (whipping, fasting, eating, seclusion) Ritual circumcision for boys is a test of courage (no anesthesia and show no pain) - outward sign of religious and cultural identity Circumcision for girls has no clear rationale and is controversial “female genital mutilation” (FGM) – call by W.H.O., U.N., and others to end practice Marriage Marriage Social-familial arrangement many times (dowry) Chastity in marriage highly valued Polygamy practiced by elites (kings) in many societies Death Death Comfort in death to prevent hauntings Rapid burials (climate) but much ritual Caused by someone-witchcraft or “foul play” Lack of eschatology-simply enter spirit world LoDagaa in Ghana - type of Purgatory?

Religious Leaders, Prophets, and Chief-Kings Generally a minimum need for priests – rituals performed by individuals Generally a minimum need for priests – rituals performed by individuals Special Curer Special Curer Illness has religious and natural causes Illness has religious and natural causes Curers use divination to discern cause of illness Curers use divination to discern cause of illness Use of herbs, offerings, spiritual power Use of herbs, offerings, spiritual power Cleanse house of spells, witches, and curses Cleanse house of spells, witches, and curses Diviners, exorcists, and healers are closely related Diviners, exorcists, and healers are closely related Prophets Prophets Charismatic individuals who have spoke for the Gods Charismatic individuals who have spoke for the Gods Particularly seen during time of 19 th century as leading resistance movements to slave trade Particularly seen during time of 19 th century as leading resistance movements to slave trade Ngundeng of the Nuer in southern Sudan spoke in the name of the sky god, Dengkur Ngundeng of the Nuer in southern Sudan spoke in the name of the sky god, Dengkur Chief-Kings Chief-Kings Most African societies lack monarchies Most African societies lack monarchies Act as tribal connection to ancestors / gods Act as tribal connection to ancestors / gods Objects of taboos Objects of taboos Avoid eye contact, food of monarch Avoid eye contact, food of monarch Sickness, death, succession customs for monarchs (poor health = poor community or land) Sickness, death, succession customs for monarchs (poor health = poor community or land)

Non-Native African Religions Ancient Ethiopia population revered pantheon of gods from Persia, Greece, and southern Arabia Missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul in the 1 st century spread Christianity King Ezana of Axum (Ethiopia) ruled over southern Arabia and conquered Meroe (Sudan) in the 4 th century CE and then converted to Christianity Widespread Christianity after independence in the 1950s (Bible in African languages) Judaism began to flourish in NE Africa as early as the 1 st century Unique branch of Judaism in Ethiopia with the Falasha people (Queen of Sheba ancestry – Old Testament 10 th century BCE) Islam initially spread to Ethiopia during 7 th century CE at the time of the Prophet Muhammad Later conquests of Islamic empires and Muslim traders saw widespread expansion of Islam throughout North and East Africa Introduction of other faiths such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Baha’i by immigrants

African Religions Today 46.5% Christian 40.5% Muslim 11.8% Indigenous beliefs Remainder are Hindu, Baha’i, or Jewish Colonialism and Christianity, Spread of Islam, Population explosion, HIV/AIDS, genocide, and political instability upset traditional beliefs today Traditions still practiced but diminished – lesser deities and ancestors assimilated into new faiths - Muslim jinn Many Global African/African American leaders served as voices for African issues / Christianity / Islam

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