Grillo, Laura S et al. 2019. African Idigenous Religions - Copy

African Indigenous Religions

Problems of Terminology and Approach

• Assumptions in Study: Scholars bring certain assumptions to the study of indigenous religions, often influenced by terminology used.

• African Traditional Religion (ATR): Refers to diverse traditions consolidated under a singular term, leading to bias.

  • Pioneers like E.B. Idowu and John S. Mbiti emphasized monotheism and aligned features with Christianity, potentially distorting the religious landscape.

• Indigenous Religions: The plural term is preferred to recognize the rich diversity of traditions in Africa, highlighting their unique philosophies.

• Dynamic Nature of Religion: The term "traditional" implies fixity and timelessness, whereas indigenous religions are vital and reflective of contemporary experiences.

  • Indigenous Defined: Refers to original, local practices, contrasting with imported or foreign beliefs.

  • Not Primitive: Indigenous does not imply a lack of sophistication or development.

Contemporary Understanding of African Religions

• Native vs. Indigenous: "Native" has connotations of simplicity; indigenous properly recognizes complex systems.

• Indigenous Religions Resilient: Contrary to predictions, indigenous practices have shown adaptability and innovation in modern contexts, maintaining cultural identities.

• Religion Definition Challenges: Western definitions of religion often fail to encompass African systems, which may not conform to institutionalized doctrines.

  • Absence of Historical Founders: Recognizes anonymous founders rather than individual prophets or figures.

  • Lack of Religious Authority: There are no centralized authorities like the Pope; instead, emphasis is on communal practices and participation.

  • No Permanent Structures: Unlike major world religions, African religions feature non-permanent sites such as shrines.

  • Absence of Sacred Texts: Reliance on oral traditions, myths, and proverbs rather than written scriptures.

Concentration on Function of Religion

• What Religions Do: Instead of fitting them into Western models, focus on functions of African religions:

  • Orientation to the Sacred: Help adherents recognize what is significant.

  • Engagement with Spiritual Power: Connect to sources of spiritual influence.

  • Identity Establishment: Shape unique identities in relation to divinity.

  • Empowerment of Practitioners: Allow individuals to navigate and shape their lives according to religious values.

Worldly and Embodied Nature of African Religions

• Pragmatic Focus: African religions prioritize this-worldly blessings, such as health and prosperity.

• Complex Understanding of Mythologies: Myths serve to reflect on human existence and the world's dynamics, offering explanations and insights.

  • Emphasis on Community: Systems of ethics, guidance, and healing are designed to support community welfare and social cohesion.

Ritual and Visual Arts

• Importance of Ritual: Rituals serve as vital expressions of religious thought, featuring rituals with sounds, costumes, and offerings.

• Material Culture in Religion: Objects such as altars and carvings are not mere representations but are imbued with spiritual power.

  • Power Objects: Artifacts like nkisi have active roles in spiritual communication and practice.

Models of Creation and Cosmology

• African Cosmologies: Often view creation as intertwined with the divine rather than ex nihil, suggesting a close relationship between God, the cosmos, and humanity.

  • Yoruba Beliefs: Olodumare is the Supreme Being without a formal cult, while numerous divinities serve specific community functions.

  • Female-Male Duality: Many traditions view God in dual-gender terms, emphasizing balance and unity in creation narratives.

Role of Tricksters in Religion

• Trickster Figures: Such characters in myth serve to challenge divine order, embodying both creation and disorder, thus enabling transformation within the universe.

  • Examples: Figures like Eshu (Yoruba) and Legba (Fon) facilitate communication between humans and spirits, emphasizing their role in divination.

Key Practices in African Indigenous Religions

• Divination: A systemic practice where signs are interpreted to gain insight into personal situations and direct actions toward solutions.

  • Methods: Use of objects like cowrie shells and individualized techniques across cultures (e.g., Yoruba Ifa).

• Libation and Sacrifice: Acts of honor towards ancestors generate moral engagement and activate spiritual powers.

• Possession Trance: A state where individual identities are temporarily displaced, serving as mediums for divine communication.

Empowering Practices

• Initiation Rites: Serve to transition youths into adulthood, marking their entry into spiritual knowledge and community roles.

• Empowerment through Rituals: The participatory nature allows practitioners to connect with their cultural identity and community values.