WorldReligions

AfricanAfrican

ReligionsReligions

Gods & SpiritsGods & Spirits

• Polytheistic, usually believing that one supreme Polytheistic, usually believing that one supreme deity created the world, then left it for lesser gods to deity created the world, then left it for lesser gods to squabble oversquabble over

• Ultimately came to feel that the high God was too Ultimately came to feel that the high God was too distant.distant. Spirits became importantSpirits became important

• Earth, sky, seas, and natural events, are believed to Earth, sky, seas, and natural events, are believed to contain spiritual life or force similar to that of humans contain spiritual life or force similar to that of humans and are often worshiped. and are often worshiped.

• When water is used for worship rituals, it must be When water is used for worship rituals, it must be living water from streams, lakes, etc. The water cannot living water from streams, lakes, etc. The water cannot come from a well or be boiledcome from a well or be boiled

AncestorsAncestors

• Believe ancestors exist in a spiritual world, but still Believe ancestors exist in a spiritual world, but still have interest in the affairs of living persons, often have interest in the affairs of living persons, often interfering in the lives of the livinginterfering in the lives of the living

• Veneration of ancestors is a potent part of the Veneration of ancestors is a potent part of the religions. They are feared more than the godsreligions. They are feared more than the gods

• They cause droughts, floods, famines, earthquakes, They cause droughts, floods, famines, earthquakes, and childlessnessand childlessness

• Sacrifices are frequent, including animal blood Sacrifices are frequent, including animal blood sacrificessacrifices

• Ancestors are believed to communicate with the livingAncestors are believed to communicate with the living

– Communicate mostly through dreamsCommunicate mostly through dreams– Some messages are clear, others are unclearSome messages are clear, others are unclear– When unclear, a diviner is sought outWhen unclear, a diviner is sought out

– Often the message is believed to be given Often the message is believed to be given directly through circumstances or other incidentsdirectly through circumstances or other incidents

Communication with AncestorsCommunication with Ancestors

SacrificeSacrifice• Daily libations: pouring a bit of drink or tossing a bit of Daily libations: pouring a bit of drink or tossing a bit of

food – are most commonfood – are most common• Dogs, birds, sheep, goats, and cattle are often Dogs, birds, sheep, goats, and cattle are often sacrificed, and their blood poured over an altar. This is sacrificed, and their blood poured over an altar. This is

prior to battle or when there is drought or illnessprior to battle or when there is drought or illness• Rarely is human sacrifice practiced. Rarely is human sacrifice practiced.

Rites of PassageRites of Passage

BirthBirth Births are important and celebratedBirths are important and celebrated The birth of twins is often considered an evil omenThe birth of twins is often considered an evil omen

Twins indicate that the wife has been unfaithful to the Twins indicate that the wife has been unfaithful to the husband and that the children have two fathershusband and that the children have two fathers Often one or both of the babies are killedOften one or both of the babies are killed

In some tribes children are not named until after their In some tribes children are not named until after their first week of life, due to the high infant mortality ratefirst week of life, due to the high infant mortality rate

After the child is born it is shown to the moonAfter the child is born it is shown to the moon Children are instructed in their societal rolesChildren are instructed in their societal roles At puberty this instruction becomes more rigorousAt puberty this instruction becomes more rigorous

Rites of PassageRites of Passage

Birth (cont.)Birth (cont.) Children are taught tribal myths and ritualsChildren are taught tribal myths and rituals Older boys may undergo whippings and harsh Older boys may undergo whippings and harsh

trialstrials For boys, circumcision is often practicedFor boys, circumcision is often practiced For girls, some form of genital mutilation is often For girls, some form of genital mutilation is often

undergoneundergoneDeathDeath Surrounded by much ritual to assure that the dead Surrounded by much ritual to assure that the dead

do not return to haunt – no judgmentdo not return to haunt – no judgment Women are concerned that husbands do not Women are concerned that husbands do not return to seal the wombreturn to seal the womb

Religious LeadersReligious Leaders

• Priests are not needed except at special timesPriests are not needed except at special times

• Witch doctors are relied uponWitch doctors are relied upon– This doctor to “the bewitched”This doctor to “the bewitched”

has as his primary responsibilityhas as his primary responsibility

the discovery of the causethe discovery of the cause

of evil fortuneof evil fortune