Exam #3: Animism & ATR

What are the main themes of basic animism?

Interconnectedness of all life, Balance and harmony with nature, Sacredness of ancestors and spirits, Power is spiritual and can be channeled or appeased.

What are the main themes of gods/deities?

Creation and Order, Power and Authority, Moral and Ethical Guidance, Human Experience, Ritual and Worship

Why are the ancestors revered in animism?

Spirutal Guidance, Cultural Continuity, Protection, Moral Standards

What are some of the commonalities among African Traditional Religions?

Community Orientation, Spirutal Agency, Ancestor Worship, Ritual and Cermonies, Belief in a Superem Being, Interpretation of Evil

What is the birth rite of ATR & Animism?

Welcoming the child, invoking blessings.

What is the initiation rite of ATR & Animism?

Transition into adulthood (involves instruction, rituals, often circumcision).

What is the marriage rite of ATR & Animism?

Family and spiritual union, with ceremonies invoking ancestors.

What is the Death/Burial rite of ATR & Animism?

Honoring the deceased, guiding them to the ancestral realm.

What is significant about rites?

Maintain spiritual balance and community order

What is UNkulunkulu in Zulu Relgion?

Supreme creator god, distant.

What is Ancestors in Zulu Religion?

Active in daily life; need offerings, respect.

What are Diviners in Zulu Religion?

Communicate with spirits, diagnose spiritual issues.

What are herbalist in Zulu Religion?

Use medicine to heal.

What is a Witch in Zulu Religion?

Use power for harm—seen negatively.

Who is Olodumare?

Supreme, creator god

Who is Orishas?

Powerful intermediaries.

Who is Esu?

Trickster, messenger, controls fate.

Who is Ogun?

God of iron, war, and labor.

Who is Shango?

God of thunder, justice, and fire.

Who is Yemoja?

Mother of waters, fertility.

Who is Oshun?

Goddess of love, rivers, beauty.

What is a Babalawo?

Priest/diviner of Ifa; interprets Orunmila's wisdom.

Why is animism the most widely practiced religion in the world?

Cultural Integration, Universal Appeal, Diversity of Practices, Connection to Nature

What was our definition of “power” in animistic practices?

Power (or “life force”) is spiritual energy present in people, objects, and nature.

Why is power important in Animism?

Connection to Nature, Ritual Practices, & Cultural Identify

Which is the predominant method of communication from the ancestors in ATR?

Dreams and visions

Why are some reasons ATR’s are under pressure today?

Colonial and missionary influence, Globalization and urbanization, Religious conversion (especially to Christianity and Islam), Loss of oral tradition as elders die without passing knowledge, Western education and media diminishing traditional practices.Colonial and missionary influence, Globalization and urbanization, Religious conversion (especially to Christianity and Islam), Loss of oral tradition as elders die without passing on knowledge, and Western education and media diminishing traditional practices.

Why bother to single out Africa in the study of traditional religion/animism?

Diversity of Belief, Historical Significance, Cultural Preservation

Study and know Van Rheenen’s Tripartite Model for analyzing religious practice in cultures.

Cognitive Dimension, Behavioral Dimension, Affective Dimension

Study so you can draw AND explain/name the arrangement of the Zulu Kraal.

What’s the difference between the Zulu sorcerer and the Zulu witch?

A sorcer can only be man, has powers for “good”, respected figure. Witch can be anyone, uses magic for harm.

List and describe the four contexts of ritual action for mediation (along with the persons involved when needed) in Yoruba religion.

Personal (Indiviaul), Family (eldest of the family), Community (cheif), Specialized (medium or priest)

What is ancestor worship/veneration and why is it important to African tribal religions?

Cultural Identity, Guidance and Protection, Social Cohesion, Moral and Ethical Framework

List 5 things that you learned from our time with Derek Barnes.