1. Systems of Belief Indigenous African Religions

2. African Indigenous Religions
Shaped by ethnic and social groupings and power structures.
Variations are present: can vary from place to place, maybe no single holy book, or institutional consistency, depends.
Foundational logic to belief

3. Some Common factors Supreme God
Origins of life, human welfare, societal harmony, certain moral principles, etc.
Multiple spiritual beings – intermediary spirits
Help to resolve difficulties, destroy evil or negative forces.
Spirits of ancestors are very important (venerated)

4. Key features in traditional worldview
A Belief that: Humans can’t control nature, but they do interact with it in an act of reverence
forces in nature are addressed – Shrines are holy places outside to place offerings, that help them communicate with spirits
People with a traditional belief mindset strive instead to control human forces (good or bad) because….
A Belief that: Events can happen depending on the actions of people, and not just left to chance

5. Factors of traditional religion
Specialists:
Priests, diviners, shamans
Spiritual Beings:
invested with power
Have attributes (qualities and personalities)
Can solve problems
“…humans must negotiate with them to have a meaningful life” (Falola 2001:31)
Source: Falola, Toyin “Religion and Worldview” from Culture and Customs of Nigeria, Ch. 2 pp , Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.

6. Other religious roles Secret societies
Usually men, from specific districts or occupations, enforce law and order
Witches or sorcerers
(These people (men or women) specialize in sorcery, i.e. doing or undoing curses, witchcraft etc.)

7. Other characteristics
Processes of divination/individual consults
Rituals or ceremonies—life crisis, seasonal events, important civic matters.
festivals (Igbo yam festival; Yoruba annual masquerades)
celebrations
rites of passage (initiation ceremonies moving into adulthood)

8. Religion permeates public life
Many events in the community/ village/town or city
“…all have religious undertones”
Many events are marked by group ceremonies such as “…the transition from one season or moment to another.”
(Falola 2010:34-35)
Source: Falola, Toyin “Religion and Worldview” from Culture and Customs of Nigeria, Ch. 2 pp , Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.

9. General worldview in terms of an overall religious worldview
African indigenous religions at their foundation tend to be more…
pluralistic: can accept more than one truth, allowance for multiplicity
Adaptive: respond to change, not rigid including practices and ideas
Accommodating: desire to respond to requests and assist others to feel welcome

10. Approach of Christian Missionaries during the pre-colonial and colonial era
Missionaries believed that Africans had no concept of religion or a supreme being.
Lacked knowledge of unique social logic and cultural values, practices were baffling.
They gravely misunderstood the role of intermediary spirits and gods.