SOCI 223 Traditional Ghanaian Social Institutions · Social functions of traditional religion •...
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College of Education School of Continuing and Distance Education 2014/2015 – 2016/2017 SOCI 223 Traditional Ghanaian Social Institutions Session 7 – Traditional Religious Beliefs Lecturer: Dr. Rosemond Hiadzi, Sociology Contact Information: [email protected]
Transcript of SOCI 223 Traditional Ghanaian Social Institutions · Social functions of traditional religion •...
College of Education
School of Continuing and Distance Education 2014/2015 – 2016/2017
SOCI 223
Traditional Ghanaian Social
Institutions
Session 7 – Traditional Religious
Beliefs
Lecturer: Dr. Rosemond Hiadzi, Sociology Contact Information: [email protected]
Session Overview
• At the end of the session, the student will
• Know and understand the structure of Ghanaian traditional religion
• Understand the nature and function of myths and rituals
• Understand the social functions of religion
• Know the sociological function of the religious institution
Slide 2
Session Outline
The key topics to be covered in the session are as follows:
• Topic One – Defining religion
• Topic Two – The structure of traditional religion
• Topic Three - Other aspects of traditional religion
• Topic Four – Social functions of traditional religion
Slide 3
Reading List
• Abotchie, C. (2011) Structure of Traditional Ghanaian Societies. Hans Publications Ltd. Accra
• Assimeng, J. M. (1981) Social Structure of Ghana. Chapter one
• Nukunya, G. K. (2002) Tradition and Change. An Introduction to Sociology. Chapters one and two
Slide 4
DEFINING RELIGION Topic One
Slide 5
Defining Religion • Nukunya (1992) – belief and practices associated with the supernatural
• Durkheim (1915)- a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things, that is, things set apart and forbidden – beliefs and practices which unite into one single moral community called a church, all those who adhere to them.
• Traditional religion – The search for security
– The search for the causal explanation of ill and misfortune
– The warding of honhomfi (evil) in the affairs of men (Assimeng, 1981)
THE STRUCTURE OF TRADITIONAL RELIGION Topic Two
Slide 7
Structure
• Supreme god
– Names
– Attributes
• Nature gods
– Functional specificity
– Embodiment of justice
Structure
• Ancestors
– Manifestation – first morsel of food and drink put on the ground, festival time
– Qualifications
– Intermediary
– Supervise daily activities
– Social control
Structure
• Lesser spirits
– For personal acquisition
– Egs. Witchcraft, sorcery, charms and amulets
OTHER ASPECTS OF TRADITIONAL RELIGION Topic Three
Slide 11
Other aspects of traditional religion • Totems
– E.g. Krobos and snails, Anlos and mudfish, Central Ewe and silk tree
• Rituals
– Formal stereotype sequence of acts performed in a religious or magical context to achieve a pre-determinable emotional or physical consequence
– Performed during rites of passage, festivals etc
– Sociological significance
– Religious significance
Other aspects of traditional religion • Myths
– E.g. the origin of the golden stool, oware game, immovable sword, (Komfo Anokye), How the Akans became matrilineal etc
• Taboos
– General taboos
– Specific taboos
SOCIAL FUNCTIONS OF TRADITIONAL RELIGION Topic Four
Slide 14
Social functions of traditional religion
• As a means of social control (rewards and punishment)
• Provides a way of understanding the world and its events
• Integrates people in a group – rites, rituals, practices
• Helps economic activities
• Supports other social institutions (e.g. health, marriage and family, political)
• Mobilizes people for collective action
• To influence outcome of events over which they have no rational control
