Read our research on: Congress | Economy | Gender. African Christianity - African Studies - Oxford Bibliographies - obo They will certainly be overwhelming, and I feel very excited about them. And this witness deserves ones support through service and prayer. While African Traditional religion (ATR) is paramount, it is the purpose of this article to suggest that Omissions? Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Omissions? 0000005714 00000 n %PDF-1.3 African diaspora religions, also described as Afro-American religions, are a number of related beliefs that developed in the Americas in various nations of the Caribbean, Latin America and the Southern United States. The missionaries who introduced the gospel to Africa in the past 200 years did not bring God. His research has helped to introduce and popularize new concepts in religious studies, such as the term reverse missionaries, referring to African prelates sent to Europe and the United States. 0000001519 00000 n "For us in Africa, God is not dead" -- and that applies whether or not there is a written record of his relations with and concern for people. Copyright by The Christian Century Foundation; used by permission. Did he then reveal himself only in the line of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Samuel and other personalities of the Bible? 0000001586 00000 n 817-820. So, "Lord, help Thou my unbelief!" 0 My interpretation of Israels history demands a new look at the history of African peoples, among whom this same God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has indeed been at work. This bitter conflict has led to wanton destruction of lives and property, and this has become a source of great worry to the writers. This massive expansion within a short time is unprecedented in the history of Christianity. 0000008365 00000 n But whatever the shortcomings of these and my other publications, the materials that went into these two have raised extremely important issues for me that have continued to engage my reflection. No doubt there still remain much research and reflection to be done in order to work out a consistent theological understanding of the issues entailed here. Rituals are aimed at maintaining a harmonious relationship with cosmic powers, and many have associated myths that explain their significance. What the data says about gun deaths in the U.S. Oral tradition says the first Muslims appeared while the prophet Mohammed was. We can list some obvious and often publicized factors. That would be a serious loss not only for Africans, but also for academics, researchers, writers, and general seekers of wisdom the world over. stream Its fundamental principle is that everything is spirit. Indigenous Religion (AIR) in Africa. I completed my doctoral studies at the University of Cambridge in 1963, the year that Honest to God, by J.A.T. But today that is not the case due to more exclusive-minded types of Christianity and Islam that see patronizing indigenous African beliefs and practices as violating the integrity of their Christian or Muslim principles, but I believe that one can maintain ones religious integrity and also embrace an African worldview. GAZETTE: But yet you said its a mixed bag? I cannot claim that I have witnessed much progress in that quest at the organizational level, but perhaps I had expected too much. But I feel that the issue of looking at African history in light of the biblical understanding of history is clearly called for. Instances of religious syncretismas, for example, Gnosticism (a religious dualistic system that incorporated elements from the Oriental mystery religions), Judaism, Christianity, and Greek religious philosophical conceptswere particularly prevalent during the Hellenistic period (c. 300 bcec. Most people in sub-Saharan Africa now identify with either Christianity or Islam. %%EOF There are other areas of exploration in which I continue to be engaged. GAZETTE: How would you define indigenous African religions? (back to text), 3 Nigerias 2006 census did not ask about religious affiliation, and recent estimates of the numbers of Muslims and Christians in the country vary. That finished the interview. Since Christianity came in contact with the traditional religion, there has always been a sharp conflict between traditionalists and Christians. It may be, and needs to be, a qualified and critical Yes. The rural Bira of northeastern Zaire have been exposed to the Christian message for well over half a century. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya and Uganda, between 10% and 15% of respondents are Muslim. That testifies to the enduring power of indigenous religion and its ability to domesticate Christianity and Islam in modern Africa. This is, obviously, a general statement, one which needs detailed elaboration. Religious pluralism serves peace | D+C - Development + Cooperation Nigeria, the most populous country in all of Africa, has the largest number of Muslims as well as the largest number of Christians in the region.3. All too often, the result is conflict and radicalisation. Religious beliefs among Black Americans | Pew Research Center trailer (I myself have consulted with several diviners for my research on specific academic topics regarding African culture and history; consequently, if we were to lose Africas diviners, we would also lose one of Africas best keepers and sources of African history and culture. startxref The Yoruba, however, do have a concept of a supreme being, called Olorun or Olodumare, and this creator god of the universe is empowered by the various orisa [deities] to create the earth and carry out all its related functions, including receiving the prayers and supplications of the Yoruba people. The award allows Olupona a year of study and research in Germany; he is on leave this year (201516). One African theologian, Gabriel Setiloane, has even argued that the concept of God which the missionaries presented to the Sotho-Tswana peoples was a devaluation of the traditional currency of Modimo (God) among the Sotho-Tswana. He went on to conduct some of the most significant research on African religions in decades. African religions, Indigenous religions of the African continent. I also celebrate and honor the kings festivals and ceremonies in my hometown and other places where I live and do research. (+1) 202-857-8562 | Fax in social anthropology from Oxford University, is studying for a master of theological studies (M.T.S.) On returning home, the learned professor wrote an article using my brief answer as his title. 0000001198 00000 n Most people in sub-Saharan Africa now identify with either Christianity or Islam. I want to see his healing hand, to hear his word that exorcises evil spirits. About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. 0000002505 00000 n religious syncretism, the fusion of diverse religious beliefs and practices. The continued influence of traditional African religion is also evident in some aspects of daily life. C'est l'poque de la colonisation belge que les premiers missionnaires catholiques et protestants sont arrivs dans cette rgion du Zare. Animism is a common feature of African religions, and misfortune is often attributed to witchcraft and sorcery. Consequently, people are discovering that the biblical faith is not harmful to their religious sensibilities. xref interaction between the Christian churches and West African religious culture. The statistical expansion of the Christian faith in Africa in this century is one of the considerations that led me back to the issue of its relation with African religion. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Ethiopia's Christian population, at 6 million in 1900, will grow to a projected 100 million in 2050. 0000014207 00000 n I am not a historian, and I have not done careful thinking in this direction. Current articles and subscription information can be found at www.christiancentury.org. GAZETTE: What allows African indigenous religions to be so accommodating? While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. As discussed elsewhere in this report, many Christians and Muslims in sub-Saharan Africa retain beliefs and rituals that are characteristic of traditional African religions. Orthodox Christianity, although influenced by other religions, generally looked negatively upon these syncretistic movements. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts. Islam has experienced a similar rapid growth. Christianity: An African traditional religion - ghanaweb.com The Pew Forums survey found 52% of the population is Muslim. At first, Christianity made few inroads into the African slave population, which had its own religious traditions. Vodou represents a syncretism of the West African Vodun religion and Roman Catholicism by the descendants of the Dahomean, Kongo, Yoruba, and other ethnic groups who had been enslaved and transported to colonial Saint-Domingue (as Haiti was known then) and partly Christianized by Roman Catholic . Nevertheless, since 1900, Christians in Africa have grown from approximately 7 million to over 450 million today. Some people tried to involve Africa in the debate. In February 1974 a group of 120 anthropologists launched the Canadian Ethnology Society/socit canadienne d'ethnologie (CESCE), because they felt there was room for an association of anthropologists separate from the Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association (CSAA) which was dominated by sociologists. % I wont pray to an orisa, but I will affirm the importance of my connection with members of my age group. In these congregations, knowledge is passed on through a ritual of initiation (kanzo) in which the body becomes the site of spiritual transformation. Traditional African religious beliefs, such as belief in the protective power of sacrifices to ancestors, Traditional African religious practices, such as owning sacred objects. In one case the thinking and experience of the people produced a written record of Gods dealings with the Jewish people in particular. This is not an empty coincidence. The more I peeped into African religious insights about God, the more I felt utterly unable to use the word "only" in this case. So I read on and on, and conducted field research to learn more and more. In the 17th century a movement led by the German Protestant theologian George Calixtus aimed at reconciling the differences between the Protestants in Germany, but his efforts were disparaged by orthodox Christian leaders as syncretistic. For six years I worked with the World Council of Churches in Geneva. hb```b``g`a`.ef@ aV68+ +$.0t9$r8A2Or}6=<4. Its aims were to encourage formal and informal dissemination of knowledge through an annual conference and publications; promote relations with other academic and professional associations, aboriginal groups, and governments; and publicize ethnological research and activities to further understanding of ethnological practices. Par consquent, Mbali-Dieu est la rponse crative des Biras une rencontre religieuse syncrtique. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). <<6D546C3FADADB2110A00A09A6B9CFF7F>]/Prev 416812>> There is not space here to argue the case for the role played by African religion in the establishment of the Christian faith in Africa. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. I have been greatly enriched by working at the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, 1974-1980. When this happens, then a passage such as Hebrews 1:1-3 rolls down like mighty waters, full of exciting possibilities of theological reflection. Afro-American Religious Syncretism in Brazil and the United States: A What is African Traditional Religion? mixing of Christianity and traditional African religions What were maroon communities? As a resident fellow, Sherman will teach a study group on negotiation and diplomacy this semester. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. African Traditional Religion in the Context of Christian and Islamic The council made me aware, perhaps even frightfully so, of the problems of our world. Vodou represents a syncretism of the West African Vodun religion and Roman Catholicism by the descendants of the Dahomean, Kongo, Yoruba, and other ethnic groups who had been enslaved and transported to colonial Saint-Domingue (as Haiti was known then) and partly Christianized by Roman Catholic missionaries in the 16th and 17th centuries. The missionaries who introduced the gospel to Africa in the past 200 years did not bring God to our continent. In contrast, witchcraft beliefs persist. While Islam and Christianity tend to . 0000002884 00000 n (back to text), 2 The World Religion Database estimates that roughly four-in-ten people in Guinea Bissau are Muslim and approximately one-in-ten are Christian, with the rest of the population associated with traditional African religions. These impinge upon their daily life- and experience of the Christian faith. African religions and corresponding beliefs and practices Below is the article summary. For starters, the word religion is problematic for many Africans, because it suggests that religion is separate from the other aspects of ones culture, society, or environment. The original constitution defined the organization's mandate as providing a forum for the exchange of ideas among ethnologists. In most of the 19 countries surveyed by the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life, 90% or more of the respondents say they belong to one of these faiths. I should also state that there are signs of the revival of African indigenous practices in many parts of Africa. 1"7$X9Xyyyb GNpL!9I&mxo0++44cA@5c. He has researched and written about such diverse religious cultures as the Hare Krishnas, Zoroastrians, Shakers, and the Old Order Amish. A close geographical correlation exists between the location of African religion and the rapid expansion of the Christian faith. Abstract. Africans consequently played a crucial role in establishing the doctrines and theology of the early church. It doesnt have a fixed creed, like in some forms of Christianity or Islam. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Instead, God brought them, for the God described in the Bible is none other than the God who was already known in the framework of our traditional African religiosity. One read Honest to God and a variety of other works in an effort to understand the hot debate then raging in Europe and America. They have also fostered a greater feeling of individual self-worth by acknowledging important milestones in ones life, including becoming an adult or an elder. African diaspora religions - Wikipedia v6 -j>,>Or%I&!To !{vgrh7xxDs}d[!$8k1zX+@}~ After that date there will be more Christians in the south than in the north. In contrast, witchcraft beliefs persist. The introduced religions of Islam (in northern Africa) and Christianity (in southern Africa) are now the continents major religions, but traditional religions still play an important role, especially in the interior of sub-Saharan Africa. Indigenous African religions are by nature plural, varied, and usually informed by ones ethnic identity, where ones family came from in Africa. While some African cosmologies have a clear idea of a supreme being, other cosmologies do not. Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World, Chapter 3: Traditional African Religious Beliefs and Practices, Tolerance and Tension: Islam and Christianity in Sub-Saharan Africa, Next: Chapter 4: Interreligious Harmony and Tensions, Chapter 2: Commitment to Christianity and Islam, Chapter 4: Interreligious Harmony and Tensions, In the U.S. and Western Europe, people say they accept Muslims, but opinions are divided on Islam, In Western Europe, familiarity with Muslims is linked to positive views of Muslims and Islam, Q&A: Measuring attitudes toward Muslims and Jews in Western Europe, Europes Muslim population will continue to grow but how much depends on migration, The Growth of Germanys Muslim Population, Size & Demographic Characteristics of Religious Groups, Pew-Templeton Global Religious Futures Project, 60% of Americans Would Be Uncomfortable With Provider Relying on AI in Their Own Health Care, Gender pay gap in U.S. hasnt changed much in two decades. Revelation is given not in a vacuum but within particular historical experiences and reflections. The first and most intriguing topic that immediately engaged my attention was the thinking of African peoples about God. Prayers and sacrificial offerings are usually directed toward secondary divinities, who are intermediaries between the human and sacred realms. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Focuses on the influences of Africans and African ideas on the mission enterprise, conversion, religious innovation, and church life, but it neglects to cover the . I want to reflect and write on this topic, but somehow it makes me feel frightened. It is a way of life, and it can never be separated from the public sphere. Ritual sacrifices and witchcraft beliefs are still common. (+1) 202-419-4372 | Media Inquiries. Vodou is an oral tradition practiced by extended families that inherit familial spirits, along with the necessary devotional practices, from their elders. It is essentially a postcolonial approach to what AIR and . GAZETTE: In trying to understand African spirituality, is it helpful to refer to it as polytheistic or monotheistic? The theological horizon continues to expand. It publishes a journal Anthropologica and has reclaimed the name of its former journal, Culture for its occasional online bulletin. But it is nevertheless a working Yes and one that demands theological understanding. This chapter includes information on: Download chapter 1 in full (6-page PDF, <1MB), 1 The Horn of Africa is a peninsula in the easternmost part of North East Africa, on the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. They constitute an important channel of the churchs prophetic witness today. OLUPONA: Your question underscores an important facet about African spirituality: It is not a closed theological system. 9_r'v>#z2"syiBm?mry8%;m8v L,WNHitMJk#RZwEl+M3N1n[nt4]C$i2y]_6Iasrt Spiritual activities like prayer, thanksgiving, and the making of sacrifices were well-established facts of life for the existence and continuation of the community. Holding or maintaining to a uniform doctrine is not the essence of indigenous African religions. Author of. OLUPONA: Yes, its a mixed bag because in the African diaspora mostly due to the slave trade starting in the 15th century indigenous African religions have spread and taken root all over the world, including in the United States and Europe. colonization_terms_apush.docx - ` Units 1 and 2 Vocabulary This chapter includes information on: Traditional African religious beliefs, such as belief in the protective power of sacrifices to ancestors Traditional African religious practices, such as owning sacred objects Download chapter 3 in full (3-page PDF, <1MB) Photo credit: Sebastien Desarmaux/GODONG/Godong/Corbis African religion has equipped people to listen to the gospel, to discover meaningful passages in the Bible, and to avoid unhealthy religious conflict. In the cities, local hierarchies of priestesses or priests (manbo and oungan), children of the spirits (ounsi), and ritual drummers (ountgi) comprise more formal societies or congregations (sosyete). And if these shrines are not properly cared for by the designated descendant, then misfortune in the form of illness might befall the caretaker. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Much of Oluponas work is an attempt to provide a fuller understanding of the complexity and richness of African indigenous thought and practice by viewing it not as a foil or as a useful comparative to better understand Western religions, but as a system of thought and belief that should be valued and understood for its own ideas and contribution to global religions. Amen. They include the work of missionaries (of whom there are about 40,000 today, without counting their family members); the work of African Christians in evangelism and pastoral care (their numbers are infinitely greater than those of overseas missionaries, and include men, women and children, both lay and ordained); the role of Christian schools; the translation and distribution of the Bible (which is now available in full or in part in nearly 600 of Africas 1,000 languages); and the ending of the colonial era during the decades 1960-1980. Overall, however, Christians outnumber Muslims in sub-Saharan Africa by about two-to-one.
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