AFRICAN RELIGION

LESSER SPIRITS

Africans believe that the universe is populated with spirits as well as human and animals .

These spirits can be in the earth , sky , water , mountains ,forest ,pools , streams storms and lightning .

They have great influence on Africans that they try to understand the spirits and seek for favors.

Water and snakes are sacred element

ASHANTI PEOPLE They believe that

Plants , water, animals and trees have souls .

Golden stool is a sacred element.

WESTERN PEOPLE Pour wine ,water,

beer or milk on the floor in other to please their gods .

Elaborated meeting, they offer meals accompanied with dancing and singing.

YORUBA PEOPLE Guardian of life

force responsible for fertility of the land and the birth of children.

Worshipped by men and women .

Bestow health and fertility on her devotees .

RELIGIOUS LEADERS

African religions have priesthood to maintain and control their temples and altar.

Spiritual curer sometimes play an important role in African religion even today.

ALCHOLI OF UGANDA

Evil spirit that causes illness are called jok and healer called AJWAKA.

Spiritual curer are part religious specialist part herbalist and psychologist.

NDEMBU OF ZAMBIA Individuals are

chosen as diviners by being inhabited by a spirit.

Casting dice and gazing into the water.

YORUBA Individual are

chosen by shaking16 palms nuts out into 256 possible patterns and four poems for each pattern.

GUILTY OR INNOCENCE

Drinking of poisonous substance Swearing upon oracles Confession by enchanted words

CHIEF KINGS & LEADERS

These rulers are regarded as the tribal connection to the ancestors as living symbol of the tribe

They are often chosen by the spirits of the land

ANCESTORS

ANCESTORS

The most commonly recognized spiritual force in Africa.

The ancestors are thought of as being part of a "cloud of witnesses”.

They are consulted before any decision is to be made by the society,

DUTIES OF ANCESTORS

Bring about peace and unity Provision of food and shelter Guiding them in the right path Blessings

OFFENDING AN ANCESTOR

Sickness and death Drought /famine Childlessness Natural disasters

OFFERINGS

Gifts sacrifices Portions of lands Children most especially twins Money

COMMUNICATING

Dreams Possession Babalawo Signs

SACRIFICE

Africans religions usually include rituals and sacrifices that seek to appease gods/goddesses , and the ancestors .

To provide safe and proper transition through the various stages of life

Sacrifices provide a point of communication between human and spirit world

TYPES OF SACRIFICES WHEN GODS ARE ANGRY/HELP

The blood of animals such as dogs, birds ,sheep ,goats and cattle .

Virgin girls Newly born babies Chosen one’s by the gods .

USES OF BLOOD SACRIFICES

Preparation for battles . Election/campaigne Long droughts Illness Hunting

YORUBA GOD (OGUN)

God of iron and has become known as god of automobile and trucks

Offers dogs to him and decorate cars and trucks in his symbols

AKIKUYU PEOPLE The legend tells of a

great drought in the land whereby the gods asked for a particular girl to be sacrificed

TRADITIONAL AFRICAN RELIGIONS

RITES OF PASSAGE

IMPORTANCE PATHWAY OF LIFE

The passage points are most often Birth Puberty Marriage Death

BIRTH

The taboo of twins The gift of twins Naming of the child Ashanti people of Ghana Gu people of Benin Basuto people of South Africa

CIRCUMCISION

Immediately after birth At Puberty Puberty Rites After Puberty Rites and Initiation

MARRIAGE

Importance of virginity

The rights of Polygamy

Illness was seen as misfortune The believe in ghosts Burial Eschatology- (Greek,

eschatos, the last) The formation of ideas about the end of life, or the end of the world, and in Christian theology, the last judgment and resurrection.

Most African traditional Religions did not believe in Eschatology.

DEATH

NON AFRICAN RELIGION

 There are lots of religion today that are

non-African religion, such religions are.. Ancient Greek Religion(North Africa,

Egypt) 2. Christian and Judaism.. 3. Hinduism, Buddhism and Baha..

RELIGION BELIEFS • Most Africans, believe that most of the

above mentioned religions are part of African religion.

• Christianity believe in God as their source of prosperity.

• Muslims see Mohammed as the prophet of God etc.

• Among the Bantu peoples of South Africa, the chief is not merely a head of the tribe but is the symbol of tribal unity

In Nigeria, "all Ibo believe that their lives are profoundly influenced by their ancestors, and this belief has far-reaching sociological consequences . . . Sacrifice has to be offered to them at regular intervals, or when a diviner indicates".

In the Gold Coast, "in the everyday life of the Gã the dead are very present . . . Most people, as a regular habit, never drink, and many never eat, without throwing a small portion on the ground for their forefathers".

In Sierra Leone, "prayer is normally offered through a succession of ancestors . . . Two distinct groups of ancestors are 'worshipped' . . . those ancestors whose names and feats are known . . . and those who died in the far distant past".

Animatisms' would represent the belief in impersonal spiritual power or a life-force pervading all things.

Animists is often applied to Africans, perhaps for lack of a better name and as superior to fetishes, pagans, or juju-wor shippers.

AFRICAN RELGION TODAY

FESTIVES AND BELIEFS OF THE IGBO MAN.

                                 . a. New Yam Festival b. Child Dedications. c. Rituals d. Magic e. Forbbidable

In most Nigeria igbo communities it is believed that animals and even inanimate objects have souls. The sun and stars, winds, rivers, rocks, trees, all may have life and personality ascribed to them. So they may be talked to and invoked as intelligent beings. Most of this things have been named after market days, some of the names given to this market days are NKWO, ORIE, AFOR, EKE etc. All this has got their significance and believes.

 

All Igbo believe that their lives are profoundly influenced by their ancestors, and this belief has far-reaching sociological consequences . . . Sacrifice has to be offered to themat regular intervals, or when a diviner indicates".

  In the Gold Coast, "in the everyday life of the Gã

the dead are very present. . . Most people, as a regular habit, never drink, and many never eat, without throwing a small portion on the ground for their forefathers". It is believed that this is a sign of appreciation to the gods.

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