Elements of African Traditional Religion

Elements of African Traditional Religion
Author: Elia Shabani Mligo
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
Total Pages: 133
Release: 2013-08-02
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1625640706

African Traditional religion (ATR) is one of the world religions with a great people and a great past. It is embraced by Africans within and outside the continent despite the various ethnic religious practices and beliefs. This book highlights and discusses the common elements which introduce African Traditional Religion as one unified religion and not a collection of religions. The major focus of the book is discussing the need for studying ATR in twenty-first-century Africa whereby globalization and multi-culture are prominent phenomena. Why should we study the religion of the African natives in this age? In response to this question, the book argues that since ATR is part of the African people's culture, there is a need to understand this cultural background in order to contextualize Christian theology. Using some illustrations from Nyumbanitu worship shrine located at Njombe in Tanzania, the book purports that there is a need to understand African people's worldview, their understanding of God, their religious values, symbols and rituals in order to enhance meaningful dialogue between Christianity and African people's current worldview. In this case, the book is important for students of comparative religion in universities and colleges who strive to understand the various religions and their practices.

Comparative Historical and Interpretative Study of Religions

Comparative Historical and Interpretative Study of Religions
Author: P. Adogbo
Publisher: African Books Collective
Total Pages: 132
Release: 2010-04-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9788422942

Comparative Historical and Interpretative Study of Religions, is a historical and interpretative study of religions. The work provides a thorough methodological discussion on specific themes, historical figures and movements in Religious Studies. It delves into other themes such as the concepts of God, spirits, mysterious forces, pollution and ritual symbolism. The reference to the Urhobo is a clear demonstration of current efforts by scholars in this area of study to de-emphasise the old forms of generalisation to greater differentiation. This approach provides new impetus for meaningful interpretation and comprehensive examination of the various themes in the light of current scholarhip. Also fundamental an analysis of the methodological problems in the study of African traditional religions. Some remedies which are intended to open new avenues for researchers are highlighted.

The Prospect of African Indigenous Religion amidst Christianity and Islam

The Prospect of African Indigenous Religion amidst Christianity and Islam
Author: Ajiboye Oladehinde
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
Total Pages: 77
Release: 2023-04-14
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 3346854973

Bachelor Thesis from the year 2023 in the subject Theology - Comparative Religion Studies, grade: 65, , course: Religious Studies, language: English, abstract: The thrust and concern of this paper is to examine the potential and the hope African indigenous religion have amidst Christianity and Islam mostly on the Nigerians. Prior to the advent and spread of external forces of change engendered by colonialism, commerce and foreign religions, Africans have their religion; in other words, the indigenous African way of worship and life. The study employed phenomenological method. The word phenomenological is an adjective derived from the noun ‘phenomenology’. The primary objectives of the phenomenological method of research is the direct investigation and explanation of phenomena as consciously experienced without theories about their causal explanation and as free as possible from preconceptions and presuppositions. The study found out among other things the continuous influence of African indigenous religion on the people despite the growth of Christianity and Islam in African nations on a daily basis. This study therefore investigates the hindrance of foreign religious on the religio-cultural life of African (Nigerian) people specifically; on the African religion. The study examines how Christians ideas have influenced the religion, culture, conception of life and worldview of African peoples hence affecting its continuity.

African Religions

African Religions
Author: Jacob K. Olupona
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 177
Release: 2014
Genre: History
ISBN: 0199790582

This book connects traditional religions to the thriving religious activity in Africa today.

Perspectives in Religious Studies: Volume I

Perspectives in Religious Studies: Volume I
Author: Adelowo, E. Dada
Publisher: HEBN Publishers
Total Pages: 222
Release: 2014-08-23
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9780814450

Perspectives in Religious Studies is in three Volumes. It is a product of expertise of specialists from universities in Nigeria and abroad. The book is a response to the lack, in Nigerian universities, of relevant books in the various branches of Religious Studies. Topics covered by the volumes include: Church History, Philosophy of Religion, Islamic Studies generally, Biblical Studies, History of Religions, Comparative Religion, African Traditional Religion, Sociology of Religion, Ethics and Phenomenology of Religion.

African Traditions in the Study of Religion in Africa

African Traditions in the Study of Religion in Africa
Author: Ezra Chitando
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 302
Release: 2016-04-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1317184203

The historiography of African religions and religions in Africa presents a remarkable shift from the study of 'Africa as Object' to 'Africa as Subject', thus translating the subject from obscurity into the global community of the academic study of religion. This book presents a unique multidisciplinary exploration of African traditions in the study of religion in Africa and the new African diaspora. The book is structured under three main sections - Emerging trends in the teaching of African Religions; Indigenous Thought and Spirituality; and Christianity, Hinduism and Islam. Contributors drawn from diverse African and global contexts situate current scholarly traditions of the study of African religions within the purview of academic encounter and exchanges with non-African scholars and non-African contexts. African scholars enrich the study of religions from their respective academic and methodological orientations. Jacob Kehinde Olupona stands out as a pioneer in the socio-scientific interpretation of African indigenous religion and religions in Africa. This book is to his honour and marks his immense contribution to an emerging field of study and research.

African Traditional Religion in the Modern World, 2d ed.

African Traditional Religion in the Modern World, 2d ed.
Author: Douglas E. Thomas
Publisher: McFarland
Total Pages: 291
Release: 2015-05-11
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1476620199

African traditional religion encompasses a variety of non-dogmatic, spiritual practices followed by millions around the world. Some scholars argue it is related to the Nubian religion of Egypt's Dynastic Period. In an expanded second edition, this book examines the nature of African traditional religion and describes common attributes of various cultural belief systems, with an emphasis on West Africa. Principal elements studied include sacrifice, salvation and culture, modes of revelation, divination, and African resilience in the face of invasion and colonization. The religious experiences of black people throughout the Americas are also covered. The author finds the cosmology, symbolism and rituals of the Yoruba culture to be the fundamental bases of African traditional religion, and draws similarities between the oral and written literature of West Africans and that of New World practitioners. The influence of Islam and Christianity is also discussed. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

Readings in African Traditional Religion

Readings in African Traditional Religion
Author: Emele Mba Uka
Publisher: Peter Lang Group Ag, International Academic Publishers
Total Pages: 408
Release: 1991
Genre: Foreign Language Study
ISBN:

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.