African s confusion about salvation in the christian religion, as it relates to salvation in african traditional religion especially when. Concept of salvation in african traditional religion. Carothers 1940, a much quoted authority on the african mind, when speaking of the religion of the. Christian people as it relates to salvation in african traditional religion.
Religion enters into every aspect of the life of the africans and it cannot be studied in isolation. The doctrine of salvation among african christians fulcrum. The role of african traditional religion, culture and world. Traditional african religions generally believe in an afterlife, one or more spirit worlds, and ancestor worship is an important basic concept in mostly all african religions. Understanding salvation in the context of african traditional 27 religion 3. Western culture now is regarded as frontline civilisation. The spirits in the shona belief system always manifest amongst. African traditional religion has grown out of the african soil. Traditional african cultural practices paved the way for foreign way of doing things as africans became fully westernised. This paper examines the african concept of god, evil, and salvation in atr, and puts. The concept of god in african traditional religion. This justifies our using the term african traditional religion in the singular to refer to the whole african. The concept of god in the traditional religion of the akan.
Pdf a theological reflection on mbitis conception of salvation in. These spirit do not carry the desires of humans to the creator god. Role of traditional african moral values in the development of nigeria ushe, m. For this reason, it is pertinent that we should examine the role of african moral values in national development. The debate on the philosophical nature of the beliefs in ori and human destiny in traditional yoruba thought has for sometimes now, been controversial. It also shows that the worship of god in african traditional religion is through sacrifices, offerings, singing, dancing and prayers. African traditional religion in a globalizing world. For centuries, african traditional religion in its myriad of forms was practiced by the majority of africans, but in the last fifty years christianity and islam have become more prominent. The impact of african traditional religious beliefs and. This article is the authors adaptation and redirection of an article a comparative study of salvation in the psalter and african indigenous.
Various terms are used to refer to the indigenous religious heritage, including african religion, african tradition. Christianity and the african traditional religion s. African religions and philosophy is a systematic study of the attitudes of mind and belief that have evolved in the many societies of africa. As a part of african traditional religion atr, itr has at its heart the promise of salvation. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. The importance of women in african society is portrayed in a ghanaian proverb which says, a woman is a flower in a garden, her husband is the fence around. African traditional religions articles about traditional religions in zimbabwe in shona and ndebele religion, god, or the supreme being, is seen as the creator and sustainer of the universe in much the same manner as within christianity. It presents the worldview, philosophical nature and foundation of african traditional religion. For example, in 14 of the 19 countries surveyed, more than three in ten people say they sometimes consult traditional healers when someone in their household is sick. Salvation is an indispensable element in all religions. It is described as the product of thinking and experience of african forefathers and mothers of former generations. A critical analysis on african traditional religion and. He opines that african traditional religion contributed to the spread of christian beliefs in.
Their views of the spiritworld is contrasted in many aspects against the new testament teachings. In this second edition, dr mbiti has updated his material to include the involvement of women in religion, and the potential unity to be found in what was once thought to be a mass of quite separate religions. These figures represent people who primarily follow african traditional religion. There is, on the other hand, an understanding that africans worship one supreme. A critical analysis on african traditional religion and the trinity article pdf available in hts teologiese studies theological studies 691. Shona and ndebele religions postcolonial literature. The doctrine of salvation among african christians by chigor chike 1 introduction this article which is taken form my book african christianity in britain will be devoted to how. Gelfand the medium in this article i would like to attempt an appraisal of the shona religion. The place of african traditional religion in interreligious encounters in sierra leone since the advent of islam and christianity is my own work and that all the sources that i have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by means of complete references. The purpose of this is to help to orient a person who would like to work in the context of africa. Principal elements isolated include sacrifice, salvation, revelation and divination, as well as african resilience in the face of invasions, colonization and various outside religious assaults. He was able to prove that africans have internalized christian beliefs to the extent that christianity is no more regarded as a foreign religion but a traditional. The continued influence of traditional african religion is also evident in some aspects of daily life. The religious beliefs, practices and the provision of social services of these immigrant religions have impacted on the religious and cultural life of the traditional communities.
In this regard, we therefore discuss below the idea of salvation in itr. In four countries, for instance, half or more of the population believes that sacrifices to ancestors or spirits can protect them from harm. The postcolonial round of engagement article pdf available in verbum et ecclesia 321 march 2011 with 5,219 reads how we measure reads. In attempting to answer this question we will examine their similarities and differences. The understanding of salvation in the context of christian religion. The concept of god in african traditional religion sophia. He is the constant participant in the affairs of human beings. Pdf african traditional education prior to colonization. How do african concepts of god relate to the god of the. A thorough discussion and depiction afterward will make us clear about the mingling of african traditional religion, islam and christianity. This paper attempts to reappraise his views on salvation from a. Mckenzie 1976 examines one of the earliest interreligious encounters.
Some african religions adopted different views through the influence of islam or even hinduism. Illness and death result from some outside agent, a person, thing, or circumstance that weakens people because the agent contains a greater life force. The practicality of teaching african traditional religion in schools would not have been proved if it were not the efforts and willingness of mr robert stonier, mrs z johnson, mr d adonis and mr z ndamandama. Mugabe ot all african theologians share the same views or belong to the same school of thought concerning salvation, notwithstanding the fact that is a key theme in the christian message. The african concept of death death, although a dreaded event, is perceived as the beginning of a persons deeper relationship with all of creation, the complementing of life and the beginning of the communication between the visible and the invisible worlds. This paper examines the concept and philosophy of african traditional religion from the viewpoint of africans. Pdf a critical analysis on african traditional religion. The concepts of ori and human destiny in traditional yoruba. Salvation in the context of christian religion 31 3. It is an accepted position that the african initiated churches aics were formed as a result of the search for a unique african identity and culture. This paper investigated the theology of inculturation and the african church. The african continent experienced its own form of training and learning before it was colonized and even before the arrival of the missionaries. African beliefs african religions african theologians african traditional religion alexandria ac ancestors apostle asserts bantu philosophy believe bible biblical revelation biblical worship blood bolaji byang h christian church claim concept conclusion condemned creation creator cultural dallas theological seminary dead death described dickson. Box 43844 00100 nairobi kenya michael katola department of philosophy and religious studies kenyatta university.
With africa subjugated and dominated, the western culture and european mode of civilisation began to thrive and outgrow african cultural heritage. A reflection on the african traditional values of marriage and sexuality dr. African beliefs african religions african theologians african traditional religion alexandria ac ancestors apostle asserts bantu philosophy believe bible biblical revelation biblical worship blood bolaji byang h christian church claim concept conclusion condemned creation creator cultural. Thus, instead of wondering at the traditional african concept of god, western thinkers have emphasised fetishes, magic arts, the power of the spirits, and especially the ancestors oosthuizen. The doctrine of salvation among african christians by chigor chike 1 introduction this article which is taken form my book african christianity in britain will. The first is that the context of this article is subsahara africa. It is described as the product of thinking and experience of african forefathers and mothers of. Tanyi introductioni t can be inferred from the bahai writings that african traditional religion henceforth, atr is divine in. Given this consideration, ori is nothing short of what the yoruba call ipin or okeipori. Findings from the research have shown that the concept of supreme being is not strange to the africans but in traditional africa, there is no atheist. In reality the converted mix their traditional religion with the newly embraced religion. Atr african traditional religion introduction three religions dominates african continent.
A theological reflection on mbitis conception of salvation in. This is the complete text of what is african traditional religion. Pdf a critical analysis on african traditional religion and the trinity. Salvation in african tradition download ebook pdf, epub. This thesis is an attempt to examine the impact of the traditional religious beliefs and cultural practices with their underlying values on the religious pluralistic context of this mfantse traditional area in ghana, particularly, on christianmuslim relations.
Box 4384400100, nairobi, kenya abstract it is the opinion consensuses of a few scholars that the institution of marriage has continued to. Pdf christianity and the african traditional religions. Traditional african approaches in the light of natural values, and of modern secular attitude if we are going to speak of traditional african concepts and customs regarding marriage and the family, a few clarifications are called for. The traditional values of the african includes among others. The theology of inculturation and the african church. To many, the history of the world is, at the same time, the history of salvation.
God, divinities and spirits in african traditional. It shapes the character, and culture of the people. This belief, just as in the case of the previous one, has a theological basis the plurality of divinities polytheism. Specifically, the study set to examined the demand and relevance of inculturation for cultural development, assess inculturation message to africa, determine the role of small christian communities and examine the impact of inculturation in african church.
Oral literature encompasses fables, folktales, legends myths and proverbs. Several metaphysical interpretations have been given by various african philosophers on the nature and the meaning of and human destiny in traditional yoruba thought. Classification of concepts and practices by enoch n. Before we examine the role of women in african traditional religion, certain methodological issues have to be resolved. A reflection on mbitis concept of salvation in african christianity mbitis conception of salvation in african christianity is that salvation is wholeness. Worship in african traditional religion entails traditional beliefs, rituals. Adeyemi and adeyinka 2002 have argued that before the introduction of western civilization into africa, the philosophical foundations of african traditional indigenous education were aimed at the five principles of preparationism, functionalism. The role of african traditional morality in peace education for national development in nigeriaanthony zaayem apenda, ph. Pdf to what extent do the resources of african traditional religion atr contribute towards. The concept of god, divinities and spirits in african traditional religious ontology has been so misunderstood by many scholars to the point of seeing africans as people who did not know the supreme being nor worship him. Traditional religion atr worshippers, muslims and christians are.
The traditional african understanding and the interpretation of christianity have deep roots in these fundamental beliefs of the african traditional religions. The doctrine of the trinity is uniquely christian and includes the belief in jesus christ as the son of. Christian missionaries and other indigenous christians should reexamine their theology of. Although salvation is a wellknown term in the old testament, its old. Faso more than 33 percent follow african religion, although it is not the religion of the majority.
In contemporary discussions of ways to attain sustainable and authentic human development, there is a reluctance to consider the influence of african traditional religion. Mysticism in african traditional religion and in the bahai faith. The core premise of atr is the maintenance of african culture and its main feature is loyalty to the ancestors and the accompanying rituals that express this loyalty. He needs to be saved both physically and spiritually. Welcome to the summary lecture of african traditional religions. A reflection on the african traditional values of marriage. Side by side with their high levels of commitment to christianity and islam, many people in the countries surveyed retain beliefs and rituals that are characteristic of traditional african religions. As a part of african traditional religion atr, itr has at its heart the promise of salvation for its. Toward an integral african theology mokgelhi b g motlhabi itumeleng mosala concludes his essay od therelevance of traditional african religions and their challenge to black theology in thewords. Shona and ndebele religions hilde arntsen, lecturer, department of media and communication, university of oslo. It is rather unfortunate that the concept of traditional moral values and development have been misconstrued and grossly undermined in nigerian context as well as africa. This is a difficult task because in the literature the subject of the african s religion is clouded by many diverse opinions.
Functions of sacrifices and offerings 43 chapter 5. The doctrine of salvation among african christians. In african traditional religion ancestral spirits, and lesser gods, are usually the spirits that communicate with humans on earth. The role of african traditional religion, culture and worldview in the context of postwar healing among the dinka community of southern sudan alex kamwaria department of philosophy and religious studies kenyatta university p. In shona and ndebele religions, god, or the supreme being, is seen as the creator and sustainer of the universe in much the same manner as within christianity. The african religions scholar placide tempels describes every misfortune that africans encounter as a diminution of vital force. Ancestors in the african context one of the main reasons why ancestor practices play such a prominent role in african religions is because africa languishes under the yoke of the fear of spirits. Its study has to go handin hand with the study of the people who practise the religion. To what extent do the resources of african traditional religion atr contribute towards. It is the religion which resulted from the sustaining faith held by the forebears of the present africans, and which is being practised today in various forms and.
Differences between african traditional religion and christianity. Rosemary goring, defines salvation as the deliverance of humankind by religious means from sin or evil, the restoration of human beings to their true state, and the attainment of eternal blessedness. A theological reflection on mbitis conception of salvation. African traditional religion and the traditional moral values in the context of. This leaves an open door for religious accommodation, tolerance, assimilation and adaptation within the traditional religious thought.
Mysticism in african traditional religion and in the bahai. God, divinities and spirits in african traditional religious. Bible states that salvation and deliverance belong to christ. The concept of salvation in african traditional religion and culture 4. African identity and culture are preserved in african traditional religion. When we speak of african traditional religion, we mean the indigenous religious beliefs and practices of the africans.
Traditional religion, especially in africa, like all other religions of the world, have stories, myths, magic, beliefs, many performatives, lessons to learn, objects of worship, rewards for actions, be such actions good or bad and many other distinguishing properties. The main objective of this paper is to examine african culture and values. The concept of salvation in african traditional religion. This is a 3hour summary lecture on the basic components of african traditional religions. In discussing african culture and values, we are not presupposing that all african societies have the same. Abstract the concept of god in the traditional religion of akan and ewe ethnic groups compare to the bible by godwin kwame ofosuhene i am going to focus this writing, on how the akan and ewe ethnic groups of ghana, understood god in their traditional. I believe this assertion to be correct and so the question, how do african concepts of god relate to the god of the bible. African traditional religion influences every area of an african life.
Nov 26, 20 the doctrine of salvation among african christians by chigor chike 1 introduction this article which is taken form my book african christianity in britain will. How salvation is experienced in african traditional religion 29 3. African religions this entry presents a brief, general picture of africas traditional religious heritage, focusing on the major beliefs because these underlie the general attitudes of individuals and society and shape their worldview. The concept of ex nihilo and many other ideas are to be found in traditional practice of africa, where they seem very much compatible with the christians and muslims. D department of religion, university of ilorin, nigeria. Africa, the place of origin of all humankind, is divided into numerous political and cultural regions, reflecting its diverse range of histories, ethnicities, languages, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. He notes that the presentation of salvation in the hands of overseas missionaries. A critical analysis on african traditional religion and the trinity. This study analyzes concepts in african traditional religion by isolating key elements in the yoruba, dagara, and ibo cultures. Like christianity, the igbo traditional religion itr has the notion of salvation. This is the popular assumption amongst many african theologians of which maluleke 1994 is one example. The concepts of ori and human destiny it is the ancestral guardian soul, having its physical symbolization as the physical head. This is not surprising, for in christian tradition the. These teachers sacrificed their time in teaching african traditional religion in their classes.
Soteriology on the interface of traditional african religion. In discussing african culture and values, we are not presupposing that all african. Christianity and the african traditional religions. The concepts of ori and human destiny in traditional. Click download or read online button to get salvation in african tradition book now.