African Traditional Religions in Contemporary Society

1991 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 417
Author(s):  
Toyin Falola ◽  
Jacob K. Olupona
Keyword(s):  
Contemporary Society ◽  
Traditional Religions ◽  
African Traditional Religions

Rethinking Public Theology in Ethiopia: Politics, Religion, and Ethnicity in a Declining National Harmony

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-171
Author(s):  
Wondimu Legesse Sonessa
Keyword(s):  
Public Theology ◽  
Military Government ◽  
Human Flourishing ◽  
Traditional Religions ◽  
Ethnic Tensions ◽  
Religion And Ethnicity ◽  
Almost All ◽  
African Traditional Religions

Abstract Ethiopia is a country of multi-ethnic and multi-religious society. Almost all of its citizens claim affiliation with either Christianity, Islam, or African traditional religions. Adherents of these religions have been coexisting in respect and peace. However, there is a growing tension between the citizens since the downfall of the dictatorial military government of Ethiopia, which was displaced by the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), in 1991. Politics, religion, and ethnicity are the major causes of the declining national harmony under the current government. My claim is that addressing the declining national harmony caused by the religious, political, and ethnic tensions in Ethiopia requires of the EECMY to rethink its public theology in a way that promotes a national harmony that values peace, equality, justice, democracy, and human flourishing.

Divine Revelation in West Africa and Central Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 419-435
Author(s):  
Josiah Ulysses Young
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
Central Africa ◽  
West African ◽  
Divine Revelation ◽  
Doctrine Of God ◽  
Traditional Religions ◽  
African Independent Churches ◽  
Independent Churches ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
African Traditional Religions

This chapter examines divine revelation in West Africa and Central Africa, with a historical focus on the relation of biblical beliefs to African traditional religions. It discusses the African independent churches, specifically the Église de Jésus-Christ sur la Terre par le Prophète Simon Kimbangu; Vincent Mulago’s essay in Des prêtres noirs s’interrogent (1956); specific essays from the book Biblical Revelation and African Beliefs (1969); and Engelbert Mveng’s book L’Art d’Afrique noire: liturgie cosmique et langage religieux (1964). The chapter also examines the recent scholarship of the Ghanaian theologian Mercy Oduyoye and the Congolese scholars Oscar Bimwenyi-Kweshi and Kä Mana. Regarding the relationship between divine revelation and African traditional religions, it discusses J. B. Danquah’s book The Akan Doctrine of God (1944), the arguments of the Congolese Egyptologist Mubabinge Bilolo, and the West African scholar Ntumba Museka.

Living Together with the Ancestors: Ancestor Veneration in Africa as a Challenge for Missiology

2002 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Triebel
Keyword(s):  
Religious Identity ◽  
Christian Faith ◽  
Social Relevance ◽  
Holy Communion ◽  
Ancestor Veneration ◽  
Traditional Religions ◽  
The Social ◽  
Living Together ◽  
African Traditional Religions

The phrase “living together with the ancestors” summarizes the religious identity of Africans and opens the discussion about how far ancestor veneration may be regarded as the center of African traditional religions. Some stress only the social relevance of these rites, others the religious implications. This article describes the rites of ancestor veneration that were understood by the missionaries as a contradiction to the first commandment. The author looks for ways to integrate ancestor veneration into the Christian faith, finally focusing on Holy Communion where the ancestors may be integrated in the worshiping community and where the gifts that have been expected from the ancestors now are granted by Christ: the fullness of life.

scholarly journals Religion and Peacebuilding in Sub-Saharan Africa

2020 ◽  
pp. 47-64
Author(s):  
Lado Tonlieu Ludovic, S. J.
Keyword(s):  
Central African Republic ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Faith Based ◽  
Traditional Religions ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Conflict In Africa ◽  
Religious Landscape ◽  
African Traditional Religions

Abstract This chapter critically examines the contribution of religion to peacebuilding in Sub-Saharan Africa. An overview of the complex and evolving religious landscape of Africa today, where Christianity and Islam coexist alongside African traditional religions, is followed by an exploration of the intersection of secular and faith-based processes of peacebuilding in what remains a profoundly religious continent. Thirdly, this chapter probes the different ways religion has been appropriated or justified in the service of terror, notably in the case of the Central African Republic. Lastly, the chapter considers how religion-based efforts to mitigate conflict in Africa can be made more effective, especially Muslim-based initiatives, given the disproportionate impact on Africa’s Muslims.

scholarly journals Portrayal of Religious Syncretism in Akiki Nyabongo’s Novel: Africa Answers Back

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Mary Naula
Keyword(s):  
Religious Beliefs ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Traditional Religion ◽  
Foreseeable Future ◽  
Way Of Life ◽  
African Religions ◽  
Traditional Religions ◽  
Religious Syncretism ◽  
Religious Thoughts ◽  
African Traditional Religions

Akiki Nyabongo’s novel, “Africa answers back”, reveals that religious syncretism in Africa is a reality that has persistently painted Christianity as an offshoot of traditional African religions. Using qualitative content analysis that looks at the text for themes, meaning and underlying values, the study critically analyses the two major religious thoughts of African Traditional Religions and Christianity in the context of the rite of passage – pregnancy, naming, baptism, marriage, death and burial. The study found out that religious syncretism as portrayed in Africa Answers Back is evident in all the major rites of passage. The conflict portrayed between the two religious beliefs shows that syncretism is a major issue today among African Christians and it is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future. I conclude that most African Christians will take long to detach themselves from traditional African religious beliefs, because their way of life and practices are rooted in African traditional religion. I recommend continuous negotiations between African traditional religions and Christianity as each has something to offer to enrich their respective faiths.

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