African Religions

Native Religions Most African religions

have a belief in a high god.

This high god is distant, retired, and uninvolved.

The Lesser Spirits Most African religions

are animistic, believing that the world is full of lesser spirits.

Lesser spirits rule creation and can be helpful or harmful.

Lesser spirits are subject to prayer, flattery, and sacrifice.

More on the lesser spirits Plants, animals,

weather, water, the Earth – all things are spirits or life forces

Lesser spirits are often personified in Gods or Goddesses

The most common worship is offering food and drink.

Ancestors The living consult, pray to the dead to

receive benefits and avoid harm The fear of gods is unimportant compared

to the fear of and respect for ancestors Ancestors enforce the moral code Ancestor spirits know and can control the

future

Sacrifice Most common is a

daily offering of food and drink

Animal sacrifice is practiced on serious occasions

Human sacrifice is rarely present in African religions

Marriage Chastity in marriage is

highly valued Polygamy is practiced

by elites of many societies

Death Making the dead comfortable in their new

existence to prevent hauntings Rapid burial Dead can point out who caused their

demise

Religious Leaders Generally a minimal need for priests

because rituals are performed by individuals

Some Western African religions have priests & priestesses for maintaining temples and altars

Prophets Speak the words of gods in times of crisis

Non-native African Religions Ancient Greeks religion influenced North

Africa and Egypt Christianity and Judaism have been

present in Africa since the 1st century Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism brought to

Africa by immigrants

African Religions Today Colonialism, artificial nation states,

urbanization, HIV/AIDS, political instability,and rapid population growth upset the traditional social orders of traditional religion

Traditional African religious practices have diminished, but have not been eliminated

Rise of Christianity & Islam challenges traditional African religions Lesser spirits and ancestors become

Christian Saints or Muslim Jinn Movements combining African Christian, and/or Islamic beliefs and rituals are increasingly present