Readings In African Religion

This is a book of reading on religion and culture in Africa comprising ten papers by experts in religion and cultural matters and an introductory note by the editor himself. Covered in the volume are papers covering: the impact of secularisation and urbanisation on a most cherished socio-cultural practice of the extended family system of the Isoko people in Nigeria; the traditional medical practices in Urhobo with particular focus on the use of local herbs to treat ailments; the socioreligious as well as the political significance of Obiri (family hall) in Ikwerreland; the rationale behind the use of the concept Dunamis in the Gospel According to Staint Mark. Although his paper does not focus on African (traditional) religion, its inclusion here is based purely on the theological significance of the concept of Dunamis; the extent to which evil spirits and mysterious forces have influenced the religion and culture of the Urhobo people of Nigeria; the significance of festivals in the traditional African society; John Wesleys innovations in Christendom and their implications for Africa; the recent unprecedented upsurge in the assumed use of religious powers to cast out evil spirits as well as for prayer healing among Muslims in Nigeria; the culture of alienation, anxiety and violence, drawing inspiration from the Fall Story of Genesis 3; and the widowhood practices of some areas in Nigeria.

It is quite instructive to see how the concerned --- explaining religious debates on principal methodological concepts from there. Basically, this is a approaches and theoretical axioms correct approach and a methodological developed - approaches and basic prerequisite if you want to work concepts that seem to serve as a point objectively, neither being an of departure in the study of Traditional ethnocentrist or be prejudged by any African Religion. To me, it seems to confessional faith that you privately be the old Western type of “academic may hold. Both such subconscious disease” of putting everything into a factors conflict with the academic and well defined but strict set of categories scientific aim of being neutral and according to certain preconceived objective. Furthermore, it may have criteria and them make it work. In the first been the Early Marxists such as end, scholars and researches will find Marx himself and his close collaborator Engels who in the midst of the 19 th themselves caught up in their own trap century made the first attempts to they built. depart from the then prevalent dominating pattern of idealistic The instance of assessing the study of approach in science and advocating a Traditional African Religion from at more objective, neutral pattern of least two superficially conflicting points approach. It is what they called of view must give such an impression “materialist approach” opposing any to anyone following the recent prejudgment and preconception. To academic debates in the relevant them, prejudgment and preconception literature. Thus, it could only be a was to be found in the “transcendence” European, David Westerlund who in of Christian Religious Faith prevalent in his “INSIDERS AND OUTSIDERS IN the societies of those days. They were THE STUDY OF AFRICAN simply seeking for another alternative RELIGIONS. Notes on some Problems approach bringing about more of Theory and Method” (in: OLUPONA, objective and neutral standpoints not J.K. (ed.), “African Traditional Religions only in the study of society and the in Contemporary Society”, St. Paul, socio-economic factors underlying it 1991:15-24) raised the point. In but in any other sphere of academic addition to presenting a brief overview debate as well.

Religions in Contemporary Africa is an accessible and comprehensive introduction to the three main religious traditions on the African continent, African indigenous religions, Christianity and Islam. The book provides a historical overview of these important traditions and focuses on the roles they play in African societies today. It includes social, cultural and political case studies from across the continent on the following topical issues: Witchcraft and modernity Power and politics Conflict and peace Media and popular culture Development Human rights Illness and health Gender and sexuality With suggestions for further reading, discussion questions, illustrations and a list of glossary terms this is the ideal textbook for students in religion, African studies and adjacent fields approaching this subject area for the first time.

This book consists of classic articles on African Traditional Religion by eminent scholars in the field. It has six sections. The first one deals with definitions and how the African perceives his world; the second looks at ATR in terms of its academic, historical, western and methodological perspectives. The third examines some vital elements of the theology, spirituality, ethics and salvific value of ATR. Section four reviews the impact of ATR in its environment as it bears on family life, nation building, education and health. Section five examines the encounter of ATR with world missionary religions like Christianity and Islam. The final section, which ends with a selected bibliography on the subject considers the future and the way forward for ATR. The book is designed as a resource and reference material for anyone interested in the field of Religion. It will also appeal to both scholars and students in the field of Religious studies, Sociology of Religion, Comparative study of Religions and «Mission» studies.

Before his conversion to Christianity, A E Orobator was raised in the practice of traditional African religion - animism. This repository of African religion, he maintains - at its heart a deep belief in the livingness of creation - is the soil in which Christianity and Islam have taken root. Drawn from his "Duffy Lectures" delivered at Boston College, Orobator examines the living interplay between African religion, Christianity, and Islam in Africa, and argues that the religious experience and spiritual imagination of Africa offers a genius capable of renewing the global community of believers. Among these gifts: a deep conscience of transcendence in day-to-day living; reverence towards human and natural ecologies; and a holistic understanding of creation and shared responsibility of stewardship for the universe.

"African Religions and Philosophy" is a systematic study of the attitudes of mind and belief that have evolved in the many societies of Africa. 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. Mbiti adds a new dimension to the understanding of the history, thinking, and life throughout the African continent. Religion is approached from an African point of view but is as accessible to readers who belong to non-African societies as it is to those who have grown up in African nations. Since its first publication, this book has become acknowledged as the standard work in the field of study, and it is essential reading for anyone concerned with African religion, history, philosophy, anthropology or general African studies.

Explains the history and development of African American religion and theology from the time of slavery until the 21st century.