Cultures of Africa Exam 2

(1) Social anthropologists, scholars and missionaries have often struggled to understand “African traditional religious thoughts.” 

● The two main reasons that make them struggle to understand African religious thoughts.

1. Many of them have been unfamiliar with theoretical thinking of their own culture; and this has deprived them of a vital key to understanding. 

2. Even those familiar with theoretical thinking  in their own culture, have failed to recognize it’s African equivalents, simply because they have been blinded by their own differences. 

(2) Some modern writers deny that “traditional religious thinking” is in any serious sense theoretical thinking. 

● The reason why many of these scholars continue to deny that

The simplicity the regularity, and elegance of the theoretical schemas of the sciences’  with the unruly complexity and caprice of the world of gods and spirts.

(3) There is a great difference between the traditional Rain-doctor and Western medical doctor. 

● The factor that underlies the difference between them.

The difference between the rain-doctor's system of thought and the medical doctor's system of thought

(4) In Africa, if the diviner diagnoses the action of witchcraft influence or lethal medicine spirits, it is usual for him to add some things in addition that have brought such agencies into play.

● Examples of these things.

Human hatred, jealousies and misdeeds, that have brought such agencies into play.

(6) Briefly explain the systems that worldview embodies in human life.

●Systems that the worldview represents

Worldviews equip people emotionally, intellectually, and culturally to face the hazards and challenges of life by giving them a way of interpreting and understanding their own existence.

(5) What is the term “worldview;” in other words, what does the notion of the term “worldview” refer to.

● Definition of the term Worldview

The way a  particular people or society understands or perceives the would in which it finds itself.

(7) Worldviews are significant because of two major factors. 

● The factors.

1. They help explain inexplicable phenomena and occurrences in human society

2. They give people a way of explaining the world.

(8) Worldviews, which conclude philosophical ideas and beliefs, are systematically embodied in several forms. 

● Examples of these forms.

They are systemically embodied in forms of myths, stories, proverbs, symbols , gestures, art, etiquette, music, dance, drum, languages etc.

(9) African worldviews generally reflect two distinct worlds that are interdependent and constantly interacting. 

● The two distinct worlds.

1. A material, visible or natural world.

2. A spiritual, invisible or supernatural world.

(10) Briefly explain the nature and the habitation of the “divinities’ in African traditions.

● The Nature and Habitation of the Divinities

The divinities are spirit beings localized in some forms of natural phenomena, such as trees, rocks, stones, hills, rivers, the sea and some animals.

(11) There are two factors that place the divinities in a special relationship with the Creator, the Supreme Being, although they are never put on a par with the Creator.  

● The two factors

1. Their very origin 

2. The functions for which they were created 

(12) Briefly outline the position and functions of the divinities.

● The position and functions

They have ‘checks and balances’ on human conduct, are means of exercising their function as custodians of morality.

(13) In African worldview, human life is generally perceived as a cycle. 

● The cycle.

A person is born, grows into adulthood, marries, produces offspring, and dies.

(14) “Death, to Africans, is not finality.” 

● The meaning of death to them.

It is not the final end but a means to a new life.

(15) Psi abilities (psychic) include ESP of which there are four types.

 ● Examples of these types

1. Telepathy

2. Clairvoyance

3. Precognition

4. Psychokinesis

(16) The diviner is believed to stand at the crossroads between the spirit and human world. 

● The functional roles that the diviner plays.

The intercessor, mediator, and bridge of communication between the human world and the spiritual world.

(17) In African cosmological view, the diviner uses a specialized body of knowledge to do something specific in order to achieve some benefit. 

● What the diviner uses his body of knowledge to achieve

Manipulating and controlling the spirit world for the benefit of both the human and spiritual communities.

(18) In Africa, affliction symbolizes a negative of natural and spiritual principles that interrupt relationship between human and spirit. 

● Outlining what affliction symbolizes.

A breakdown, an interruption, or a termination of the normal relationship and patterns of interaction that should exist between human and spirit beings.

(19) Ritual is a prescribed formal behavior, a sequential stereotype of activity, that involves some visual ‘elements,’ performed in sequestered places, and is designed to influence supernatural entities or forces on behalf of the actors’ goals and interests. 

● Examples of these visual elements.

Symbols, gestures, words, and objects

(20) Ritual performance constitutes a form of mechanical “human behavior” that ranges from the simple behaviors to complex ones. 

● Outlining the range of such behaviors.

From the simple custom of hand shaking and the daily etiquette or greeting, to such complex and solemn acts of ritual as sacrifices.

(21) The basic theme of mukanda is the transition from male childhood to male adolescent age at the end of latency period, and there are three set of methods in the process. 

● The first set of methods used in such process.

The first set of methods in mukanda initiation is to bring about the introjection of SUPEREGO to the adolescents.

(22) The basic theme of mukanda is the transition from male childhood to male adolescent age at the end of latency period, and there are three set of methods in the process. 

● The three aims that the Second Set of Methods is used to achieve.

1. Strengthening the cognitive abilities of the initiates.

2. Strengthening their skills in reasoning.

3. Applying knowledge to the solution of problems.

(23) Shambaa healers possess a keen knowledge not only of medicinal plants, but also of other important areas of life. 

● Outline the other important areas of life.

Human nature, the spirit world, religion, and the importance of ritual in everyday life, as all these influence health or sicknesses.

(24) During the Shambaa healing, dance helps the host. 

● What the dance contributes.

The dancing helps the host gradually regain composure and control, and allows the spirit to prescribe medicines and treatment or negotiate conflicts and problems.