AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION

Religion as
the opium
of the
people & a
source of
social
control??
(Karl Marx
1843)

Dr. Abokyi
 Religion & the World Order!
• Religion has shaped human history since
creation and more than half the world’s
population practice a major religion or
indigenous spiritual tradition. (ATR,
Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism,
Judaism, Daoism, Confucianism, etc.)

• Increasing ethnic and cultural diversity has led

to a variety of religions being practiced.

• If God did not exist, it would be necessary to

invent him (Voltaire 1694-1778)
 What is religion?
• The belief in, and worship of a superhuman
controlling power, especially a personal God
or gods.

• It involves cultural beliefs, and morals that

have spiritual meaning to members of a
particular faith.

• Encompasses a range of practices including

sermons, rituals, prayer, meditation, holy
places, symbols, trances, and feasts etc.
 Major Religions of Africa
• Africa is a massive continent with diverse
religious traditions, to the extent that within
the same tradition there have been variations.

• The three main religious traditions; African

traditional religion, Christianity, and Islam—
constitute the triple religious heritage of the
African continent.
 Importance of Religion
1. Religion provides mental peace:
consoles us in times of crisis, & gives
emotional support.

2. Religion inculcates social virtues: truth,

honesty, non-violence, service, love,
discipline, patience, kindness, and faith.

3. Religion promotes social solidarity:

promotes brotherhood.

4. Religion gives us a sense of purpose:

helps us to define our lives, and gives
meaning to our lives.
What is African Traditional Religion?
• African Traditional Religion (ATR) is
the indigenous belief and religious practices of
the African.

• African traditional religion can be traced to the very

beginning of the emergence of African peoples.

• The African is notoriously religious” (Mbiti 1969)

• The central place of religion has become so evident

in any meaningful understanding of the life of the
African in all its ramifications—social, economic, and
political.
 The Supreme Being
• In African religion, monotheism (believing in
one God) & polytheism (believing in many
gods) exist side by side.

• In the Adinkra patterns of Akan art, there is,

Gye Nyame, meaning “Except God.”, also No
one points out Nyame to a child.

• Among the Fon people of Benin, ‘God is a

duality’, or two, male and female.
 ATR Attributes of the Supreme Being
i. God is the creator of all things:
ii. God is the absolute controller & sustainer of the
universe: “Supreme Being, upon whom men
lean and do not fall.” (Akan), “If God should die,
the world would also collapse,”-Zulu…(times
and seasons)
iii. God the provider: “God gives his gifts to
whosoever he favors.” Baganda (Uganda). “the
One who gave everything on this earth and can
also take it away.”
iv. God possesses all that he created: God is not
only the giver of life, & possessor of his creation,
but “the owner of everything” (Nuer-Sudan)
 The Spirit World
• In ATR, the Supreme Being reigns as the
Chief God in heaven.
He is not involved in the day-to-day
affairs of human beings. He delegates to
the less important gods who occupy the
spirit world.

• The spirit world is made up of

superhuman beings that occupy the
spiritual universe between God and
humanity, i.e. the space between
heaven and earth.
 Spirits of the Departed
• Some are ancestors and others are the
spirits of the ordinary dead—that is, the
dead of community members who are
neither ancestors nor identified as
outstanding members of the community.

• Africans do not worship their dead

ancestors, but they do venerate and
respect them.

• Becoming a spirit is a social elevation.

Ancestors are guardians of the living.
 Some ATR Functionaries /Practices
a. Diviners: They are ritual leaders whose special
position is to unveil the mysteries of the past and
future.
b. Healers: healers are easily distinguished by the
bag they carry and by their attire. Wear amulets,
shells etc. that ordinary people do not wear .

c. Rain Makers: They are specialists in religious

matters pertaining to rain. Rain is viewed as divine
influence that descends to earth.
Some ATR Functionaries /Practices…cont
d. Totems: represent spirits that offer protection to an
individual, family, or community. In form of animals,
plants, or natural phenomena like lightning or flowing
water, & their strength and power flows into those
protected by it.
e. Magic witchcraft and Sorcery: African magic is no
illusion or trickery, a true religious element. Africans
believe that magic is neutral. Can be used for good or
evil…some displayed during damba festivities.
f. Witchcraft: Africans believe that witchcraft is one of
the causes of misfortunes. A state of being possessed
by extra human forces that can do evil or harm.
A traditional healer who uses skin of
a snake as magic charm to bring
health and success. Healers have
knowledge of medicinal herbs which
are combined with knowledge of
spiritual and mystical
forces.
A traditional diviner using
charms to interpret or forecast
in KwaZulu–
events
Natal, South
Africa.
 Rites of Passage in ATR-Pregnancy
• Rituals of birth begins with pregnancy because it is
the first indication that a new child is on the way.

• Sacrifice of thanks is made to the supreme God, or

the family gods or ancestors.

• The pregnant woman must observe taboos and

regulations; wearing protective amulets for
protection against evil spirits and also for safe
delivery.

• Among the Ibo-Nigeria, native doctors are consulted

to ascertain the obstacles of the expectant mother.
 Rites of Passage in ATR-Birth Rites I
• Birth generally takes place in the house of the
expectant mother or in the house of her parents.
• In parts of South Africa, birth may take place on the
grinding stone, a symbol of a woman’s work.
•
• Among the Udhuk-Ethiopia, when a woman is about
to deliver, she does so alone in the bush & returns
home with the child.

• When a kikuyu-Kenya woman has given birth, she

screams five times if the child is boy, and four times
if it is a girl.
 Rites of Passage in ATR-Birth Rites II
• Twins or triplets & their mother are treated
with fear.
• Difficulty or prolonged labour may be due to;
sin, adultery or theft.

• Also, witchcraft or sorcery may be looked

upon as the causes of prolonged or still birth.

• Some forbid seeing new baby until after

three months.
 Rites of Passage in ATR-Naming
• Nearly all African names have meanings. Naming a
child is important occasion marked by ceremonies.

• Shaving of baby is compulsory put cola paste on

head.

• Akans drop water and alcohol on the tongue of the

child to signify truthfulness.

• Names could be from gods and deities (bought in

Anufor), of ghost names (Donkor or Ogbanje).
 Rites of Passage in ATR-Puberty Rites
• The significance of the rites is to introduce the youth
to adult life and state of responsibility.

• Initiation rites also prepare young people in matters

of sexual life, marriage, procreation and family
responsibilities..

• Ibo ladies go for 3 months seclusion in age groups.

They wear beads round their necks & waists. (Dipo,
bragoro etc in Ghana).

• For some, It’s also a period for circumcision.

 Rites of Passage in ATR-Marriage
• Marriage is a requirement from the society. Failure
to marry means the person has rejected society and
society rejects him in return.
• The ancestors are informed with sacrifices and
sharing of kola nuts. (dowry taken into a special
room)

• Marriage and procreation in Africa go together;

without procreation, marriage is incomplete.

• Marriage involves the families & choice is made by

parents & not allowed between close relatives.
 Rites of Passage in ATR-Death/Funerals
• Death is the ultimate end of all human beings.
• Traditionally when someone dies it is the
responsibility of the deceased family to make
formal announcement.
• Different societies have different beliefs about
where people go after death.
• The Akan believe that when people die they
go to Asaman. But those who were bad and
are not accepted in Asaman or the ancestral
world become wandering spirits.
 Beliefs About Death
• For one to be accepted and become an Ancestor, the person must have lived a proper life according to tradition, properly
married, blessed with children, responsible member of the extended family and must have died at a good old age.

• There are some people who die through accident and other calamities, there are special rituals that are performed for them to
be accepted in the ancestral world.

• One week celebration – the family sits to

accept condolences from sympathisers
and to set the day for the burial…..40 days
for the spirit to depart.
 Common Themes in African Religion I
• No sharp distinction between the sacred and the
nonsacred.

• Variety of lesser and intermediary gods and

guardian spirits serve with the creator.

• Lesser gods are constantly involved in human affairs

& people communicate with these gods through
rituals, sacrifices, and prayers.

• Human condition is imperfect; sickness, suffering,

and death are part of life & caused by sins that
offend the gods and ancestors.
 Common Themes in African Religion II
• Ritual actions may relieve the problems and
sufferings of human life, either by satisfying
the offended gods or by resolving social
conflicts.

• Rituals help to restore people to the traditional

values and renew their commitment to a
spiritual life. (fines e.g. goats, sheep etc.)

• Human society is communal. Ancestors, the

living, and the unborn are part of the
community & humans need to interact with
the spirit world, which is all around them.
 Christianity
• Christianity began as a movement within Judaism
during the first century C.E. At this time, the Jewish
rabbi now known as Jesus of Nazareth undertook a
public teaching ministry in which he preached about
the imminent coming of the Kingdom of God.

• Christians’ beliefs about Jesus are based in

scripture and other historical artifacts and
documents.

• Over several generations, Christians compiled their

collective memories of Jesus’ teachings and sayings
in various documents.
 Christianity and Concept of God
• Christians believe in a God who is omnipresent,
present in the world, & an existence far beyond the
world & beyond human imagination.
• Just as the humans cannot look directly at the sun,
so humans cannot comprehend his magnificence.
• They believe God loves humanity like a shepherd
tending a flock or a parent caring for children.
• To Christians, God is one being who is revealed to
human beings in three ways: Father, Son (Jesus),
and Spirit.
• They believe in respect for the dignity of every
human being by trying never to exploit persons or
groups.
 Islam
• Islam means submission to one God and it also
means ‘peace.’ Monotheism.

• If one’s life is not peaceful, he/she should be

concerned about his/her level of submission to God.
The more you submit yourself to God, the more you
enjoy peace, tranquility, and contentment in life.
•
• Muhammad was the son of Abdullah and Amina and
was born in Makkah, Saudi Arabia in 570 CE.
 Islam-Basics of the Belief
• Belief in one unique, eternal, single God
(Allah).
• Belief in the Angels.
• Belief in the revealed books.
• Belief in the Prophets of God.
• Belief in hereafter, resurrection, the day of
judgment, after life, Heaven and Hell.
Avoid sinful behavior (lies, stealing, idolatry,
etc.) love and care for one another
The 5 pillars
Power of African Religion for good
& evil
• African Religion can prescribe or influence ff:
• What work you do, or don’t do;
• When to work, or relax;
• What to do with your income and earnings;
• What food/drinks you eat or don’t eat - taboos;
• How you relate to your neighbour;
• How you vote at elections and for whom;
If all this is true, then religion must be a
powerful force for progress or
retrogression.
 Potential Tool for Development?
Religion goes with morality that prescribes
honesty, love, charity, hope and diligence,
respect for self and others, and for nature etc.
Out of fear of divine sanction or in expectation of
immediate or eternal reward, people abide by
laws, norms & basic morality. This should
promote development.
But people also violate human rights for religious
reasons – killings and wars in God’s name.
• Some religious taboos, eg taboo against farming,
fishing on certain days can be productive.
End of Lecture

THANKS !