Readings In African Traditional 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 Wesley’s 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.

In Biblical Interpretation and African Traditional Religion, Helen C. John juxtaposes grassroots biblical interpretations from Owamboland, Namibia, with professional interpretations of selected New Testament texts, effectively demonstrating the capacity of grassroots interpretations to destabilise, challenge and nuance dominant professional interpretations.

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.

In his widely acclaimed survey, John Mbiti sheds light on the survival and prosperity of African Religion in different historical, geographical, sociological, cultural, and physical environments. He presents a constellation of African worldviews, beliefs in God, use of symbols, valued traditions, and practices that have taken root with African peoples throughout the vast continent. Mbiti’s accessible writing style sympathetically portrays how African Religion manifests itself in ritual, festival, healing, the human life cycle, and interplay with the mystical and invisible world. The account embraces foundational traditions, while touching on elements that spawn transitions, including migration, the spread of Christianity and Islam, political-economic development, and modern communication. This popular introduction leaves readers with informed knowledge of the riches of African heritage.