1. Chapter Three
African Religions

2. 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
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3. 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
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4. 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
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5. 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
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6. 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
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7. 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
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8. 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
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9. 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.
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10. 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
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11. 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
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12. 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
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13. 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
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14. 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.
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15. 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
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16. 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
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17. 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
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18. 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
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19. 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
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20. 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
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