African society regarded education as a means to an end not as an end in itself. Persistence of Traditional African Religious Practices At the same time, many of those who indicate they are deeply committed to the practice of Christianity or Islam also incorporate elements of African traditional religions into their daily lives. Traditional religion and beliefs of the Kikuyu. Explore some oral tradition examples like legends, proverbs, folktales, and customs. ABOUT UGANDA'S CLIMATE, CULTURE AND ECONOMY: Other Pages ... Top 10 African Myths. Food taboos: their origins and purposes African theology is Christian theology from the perspective of the African cultural . peoples. Instead, myths are embedded and transmitted in ritual practice. Religion and Identity. One day, seven men, five women, a leopard, and a dog crawled out of a hole made by a massive worm. Chapter 3: Traditional African Religious Beliefs and Practices. Calendar of Brazil 107. According to Hesiod's Theogony, in the beginning, there was only Chaos. Statistically, membership . Good character is the essence of the African moral system, the linchpin of the moral wheel. The House of Worship (church, temple, mosque, etc) is the traditional place wherein congregational religious rituals and ceremonies are performed. Comparative Religions ATR (African Traditional Religion) Introduction Three religions dominates African continent: ATR, Islam and Christianity. So now, I want to throw some light on the spiritual nature of many day-to-day religious practices. Religion can be a central part of one's identity. The Six Dimensions of Religion. Myths. This is not a single organized religion, but it includes several traditional African beliefs and philosophies such as those of the Yoruba, Ewe (Vodun), and the Bakongo. African Myths carry over from instances in the past. Despite the drastic decrease in native African religions, some modern art in Africa has worked to reincorporate traditional spiritual beliefs, such as in modern . For example, Yoruba of Nigeria have a word called "itan" which is used for legends, myths, and folktales (Olupona 5). Share this article. Candidates will be required to answer four questions in all, choosing at least . Socio-Cultural Factors: Religious, Spiritual, and Traditional Beliefs and Practices . From the Traditional Music and Cultures of Kenya, a multimedia encyclopaedia dedicated to all Kenyan tribes, including music and dance, history, culture, society, religion and beliefs, rituals and daily life, fables, legends, riddles and proverbs. Chapter Seven: Shrines of Africa and Beyond 110. explain a phenomenon of nature. An african myth represent the traditions of the african culture, religion and are fables to amuse or beware people. Check also for the Best African Myths Books that cover this topic. breaking a wishbone as examples of oral tradition. This applies particularly when studying cultural factors such as religion in a particular region and country. African Myths carry over from instances in the past. The justification for a character-based ethics is not far to seek. Myths of African Traditional Religions Introduction Religion creates a significant part of African life. Myth and Reality . Create an Ancestor . common among all cultures (the strongest example of which are the ties between Greek and Roman culture). In African traditional religion, there is communal responsibility over sin as opposed to biblical teaching, where individual responsibility is emphasized. The oral tradition can take many forms, including epic poems, chants, rhymes, songs, and more. The use of proverbs, myths, storytelling is very common in these homes . Reincarnation in African Traditional Religion By Andrew Rooke. All over the world we find a firm belief in a spiritual reality behind the confusions of daily existence, though understanding of the exact nature of the relationship between the spheres of spirit and matter varies enormously. These figures represent peo-ple who primarily follow African traditional religion; however, Throughout Africa innumerable myths explain the creation of the universe, how man and woman appeared, the origin of the culture, and how people arrived in their . For example, in four African art, the visual arts of native Africa, particularly sub-Saharan Africa, including such media as sculpture, painting, pottery, rock art, textiles, masks, personal decoration, and jewelry. Many Africans regard myths as representing basic truths, though they may be clothed in fanciful narratives. Indigenous religions or Nature Religion that consist of the traditional customs and beliefs (Paganism, Animism, Totemism, Shamanism) of particular ethnic groups, refined and expanded upon for thousands of years, often lacking formal doctrine.. Indigenous religions, formerly found on every continent, but now marginalized by the major organized faiths.. African mythologies include supernatural beings who influence human life. The people who live near the mountains, for example, have many myths which are connected with life near the mountains, whereas those who live in grassland plains have myths . Welcome to the summary lecture of African Traditional Religions. Rainmakers, kings, priests, and officiating elders . A Supreme being: Throughout most of Africa there is belief of a supreme being, described by one or more names, either in terms of activities or place of abode. I hope to inspire you to start doing them more seriously, knowing why they matter. Looking around them, the astonished people became terrified, but Adu Ogyinae—the first man on the surface—seemed to understand the world and its wonders. African myths are credited for most happenings in their part of the world and revered as deities to be worshiped. African Traditional Religion is a thriving scholarly business, but a serious disconnect exists between contributions that celebrate a generalized African Traditional Religion and those that describe particular religions and aspects of religion on the basis of ethnographic and archival research. It exists (and existed) to entertain, to inform, and to promulgate cultural traditions and values. Tortoises, Men, and Stones God created the tortoise (turtle), men and stones. Traditional African religion is based on oral traditions, which means that the basic values and way of life are passed from elders to younger generation. The Master of Waters Poseidon. The most important issue in conducting successful international research is to have cross-cultural awareness and respect . Of each he created male and female. Here is an abridgment of 30 of the most famous tales from Greek Mythology. explain one of the many mysteries of life. The following are explanations of four of the more common . Obeah is a folk religion of African origin that was passed down from the days of slavery. centre (Introduction to African Religions, 41, 42). Many traditional African religions are based on guiding principles that are unfathomable to foreigners, more specifically those with interests such as historians and scholars. Fourteen forms of taboos and beliefs that inadvertently protect fish stocks and consequently protect fishing . Deities. The tortoise, however, wished to have children, and went to God. Myth and Urban Myth In four countries, for instance, half or more of the population believes that . Check also for the Best African Myths Books that cover this topic. Although no single set of myths and legends unites this diverse population, different cultural groups and regions share some common mythological elements. African religions - African religions - Mythology: In African oral cultures, myths embody philosophical reflections, express values, and identify moral standards. This is exactly what the Oranmiyan myth among the Yoruba and the Bini has done for these people. Modern dictionaries define religion as "an organized system of beliefs and rituals centering on a supernatural being or beings.". In Tanzania, customary marine tenure takes the form of restrictions of fishers on the fishing grounds and guarding. The earth is a very important element in the many myths. (Diaspora: A dispersion of a people from their original homeland.) Religion enters into every aspect of the life of the Africans and it cannot be studied in isolation. When we speak of African Traditional Religion, we mean the indigenous religious beliefs African myths are credited for most happenings in their part of the world and revered as deities to be worshiped. The word religion comes from a Latin word that means "to tie or bind together.". hours 10 minutes. What about traditional African religion causes its believers to be more religious than practitioners of Christianity or Islam are? Side by side with their high levels of commitment to Christianity and Islam, many people in the countries surveyed retain beliefs and rituals that are characteristic of traditional African religions. "Myth" is merely the most common term used to describe the traditional stories that have survived from past cultures. . Today, Africans profess a wide variety of religious beliefs, the most common of which are Christianity and Islam; perhaps less than 15% still follow traditional African religions. describe the customs, institutions, or religious rites of a people. Nwoye, son of great villager Okonkwo, converts his beliefs to Christianity. African tribal societies are rich in the awareness of a Supreme Being to the extent that no native-born African is unaware of God's existence (O'Donovan 1996:41). 1. The continent of Africa, because of its size, presents an enormous variety of food taboos. Religion enters into every aspect of the life of the Africans and it cannot be studied in isolation. African traditional and diasporic: 100 million. How to use myth in a sentence. To belong to a religion often means more than . These traditions have been passed from one generation to the next. Africa's a very large and diverse continent; it's even larger than North America or . The traditional beliefs and practices of African people are highly diverse beliefs that include various ethnic religions. Many other African traditional myths help the people of a kingdom to establish their relationship with neighboring kingdoms. In old African society, the purpose of education was clear: functionalism was the main guiding principle. The 7 June 2006 electronic edition of the Find- For example, an African amulet might have inside of it a written verse from either the Koran or Christian Bible. Traditional medicine is the source of primary care for many Zimbabweans. Others are lesser spirits, such as the spirits of ancestors. In Sierra Leone, Botswana, and Burkina Faso more than 33 percent follow African religion, although it is not the religion of the majority. Myths tell about the creation of the world, ancestral origins, historical events, and heroes. Religious, social, cultural taboo is practiced in every part of the world.For example, The practice of Sati was a taboo. Avoseh concluded by drawing attention to how Nyerere adapted the holistic traditional African perspective of education and Section A: General Introduction to West African Traditional Religion Section B: The Individual and the Community Section C: Contemporary Society . Sin is wholesomely punishable in African traditional religion, but is redemptive biblically. census of Ghana gives Christianity 71.2%, Islam (17.6%), traditional. Despite this, they often persist as . These traditions are not religious principles, but a cultural identity that is passed on through stories, myths and tales. constantly liable to misunderstand the African worldview and beliefs. Spiritism 103. This is a 3-hour summary lecture on the basic components of African Traditional Religions. "A traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or explaining some natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or events." In the Hebrew Scriptures (a.k.a. Upon hearing the word ritual, most people therefore envision a formal ceremony. African MythologyAfrican Mythology in ContextA vast continent, Africa is home to many cultures and a thousand or more languages. However, the origin of God is generally a mystery; different myths exist in different African cultures trying to explain God's origin. In African traditional religions guidance is provided through myths, which are handed down orally. In many parts fresh milk is avoided by adults, although for the Masai, Fulbe, Nuba and other East African groups this commodity is thought to represent a particularly wholesome food for young men and warriors []. Myths of african traditional religions 1. Chapter Six: African Traditional Religion in Brazil 98. According to many African myths, the creation of heaven precedes the creation of earth and man was created before the animals. There have been many attempts at describing African Traditional Religion according to its main characteristics. religion 5.2% and those not affiliated to any religion 5.3%. This includes historical and cultural traditions, literature and law. Myths, Legends, Folktales and Fables of Guyana . Some of these customs include: the cleansing of the town of pollution and desecration, the institution of slavery, human sacrifice, killing of twins, taking of oath and trial by ordeal, first and second burial for the dead, long mourning period for widows, and of course the practice of polygamy. African traditional myths are important because they help to show the African traditional views on the hopes and fears that people have about the world in which they live. It occurs in every culture and from every age. This shows how the Europeans were starting to change the African culture and cast aside their traditional beliefs. N'angas (traditional healers)are consulted for their political and religious powers along with their healing powers.The Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association () is officially recognized by the government and has a constitution along with departments of education and research. Religion enters into every aspect of the life of the Africans and it cannot be studied in isolation. come to uganda and view different weather types and different animal types accommodation is available Tourism in Uganda is built on the concept of ecotourism and the main focus is placed on sustainable use of the natural and cultural attractions which are the foundation of Uganda's tourism, as well as empowering the local communities to benefit from tourism. Its study has to go hand-in-hand with the study of the people who practise the religion. Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, and the Ivory Coast—African religion is the majority religion. From the freaky show-stoppers that give more chills than the finest horror movies, to lighter and funny legends passed from time immemorial, Africa has the most diverse stories to tell. Bibically, sin is intrinsic whereas in traditional African belief it is extrinsic. one question from each section, for a total of 60 marks. . By nature, principle and practice, African Traditional Religion has . Characteristics of African religion. Unlike Western mythology, African myths are not recounted as a single narrative story, nor is there any established corpus of myth. One stereotype strongly held in Indian Country2 by non-Indians is that In-dians receive special privileges that other American citi-zens do not. The paper will take 2 . In fact, African pioneers in the f i eld of traditional Afr ca nr ligio , including Pr ofessor J hn Mbiti, have noted that this African knowledge of God is expressed in proverbs, short statements, prayers, names, stories, myths and religious ceremonies." Mbiti believes th at careful exami ntio of these sources of African religious Old Testament) there are many stories that meet this definition: Stories about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, the worldwide . April 2010 Pew Research study on religion and witchcraft in Tanzania. Attributes of God (Supreme Being) in Africa: Attributes of God refers to words or phrases ascribing traits, properties, qualities or characteristics to the The spirit ancestors are usually only two or three generations back from the living generation and are the people who passed on the custom of honoring their . The traditional African religions (or traditional beliefs and practices of African people) are a set of highly diverse beliefs that include various ethnic religions.. Generally, these traditions are oral rather than scriptural, include belief in a supreme creator, belief in spirits, veneration of the dead, use of magic and traditional African medicine. In a traditional Hindu family like mine, we light a diya. Most African traditional religions have multiple gods, often grouped together in family relationships. Sub-Saharan Africa now is home to about one-in-five of all the Christians in the world (21%) and more than one-in-seven of the world's Muslims (15%). conversions of the indigenous people, mainly, from African Traditional Religion (ATR) to the two mission religions. July 31st, 2015. Candomblé 98. An example of the changes in religion is in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart. Every social grouping in the world has specific traditional cultural practices and beliefs, some of which are beneficial to all members, while others are harmful to a specific group, such as women. Generally speaking, African religions hold that there is one creator God, the maker of a dynamic universe.Myths of various African peoples relate that, after setting the world in motion, the Supreme Being withdrew, and he remains remote from the concerns of human life.. What is African traditional theology? constantly liable to misunderstand the African worldview and beliefs. According to Akan mythology, all humans lived deep within the earth. The Four Main Comprehensive Attributes of God : a) God is Real Professor ldowu in his book African Traditional Religion says that God is ″real″ to Africans and that is why Africans call Him by names which are descriptive both of His nature and of His attributes and all over Africa, each people has a local name for God. Oral tradition is information passed down through the generations by word of mouth that is not written down. In terms of numbers, 2010 population. When we speak of African Traditional Religion, we mean the indigenous religious beliefs and practices of the Africans. By Tatenda Gwaambuka. . Myths, folklores proverbs therefore become the major sources of African philosophy (Jaja, 1995:28). God gave life to the tortoises and men, but not to the stones. African religion centres on belief and practices. List four examples of religious specialists in traditional African religions. Theogony: Clash of the Titans. Afro-Brazilian Music and Dance 106. When we speak of African Traditional Religion, we mean the indigenous religious beliefs Like myths from other parts of the world, those of Africa reflect its people's beliefs and values. In some communities however, myths tend to overlap. The four foundational religious beliefs discussed in the previous sections with the above four categories in the philosophical foundations, do have a combined effect in producing "a powerful and pervasive" religious and cultural worldview which dominates and influences the traditional African thought. Oral storytelling is telling a story through voice and gestures. The sun and the moon are given high status, even seen as gods in some cultures and because all African societies depend on rain, it is also held in high regard. African Religion embraces all these four ideas in its belief. #1 - The tradition of burning incense sticks, camphor or lighting a candle at the altar. Myths of various African peoples relate that, after setting the world in motion, the Supreme Being withdrew, and he remains remote from the concerns of human life. This is because the two religions are the focus of attention in Nigeria whenever the issue of religious disharmony is raised. Myth Story Examples From Around the World. The Infant Zeus Nurtured by the Goat Amalthea, by Nicolas Poussin [Public Domain] 1. Its study has to go hand-in-hand with the study of the people who practise the religion. Example 3: Food taboos in Mid-West Nigeria. Generally, these traditions are oral rather than scriptural and passed down from one generation to another through folk tales, songs, and festivals, include belief in an amount of higher and lower gods, sometimes including a supreme creator or force, belief in spirits . Elders, priests, and priestesses have served as guardians of the sacred traditions. African ethics is, thus, a character-based ethics that maintains that the quality of the individual's character is most fundamental in our moral life. These stories are at the center of every religion and moral system, and even many modern fantasy novel or action movies. The meaning of MYTH is a usually traditional story of ostensibly historical events that serves to unfold part of the world view of a people or explain a practice, belief, or natural phenomenon. African Americans, and so on that can be productive in trying to understand this creature called "American." Myth 2. Creation myths are the most common form of myth, usually developing first in oral traditions, and are found throughout human culture.A creation myth is usually regarded by those who subscribe to it as conveying profound truths, though not necessarily in . Examples of Oral Tradition. This knowledge of God through belief; became the cardinal point of the religion of Africans. The idea is that the traditional African practitioner who constructed that amulet believes in the efficacy of other faiths and religions; there is no conflict in his mind between his traditional African spirituality and another faith . All African religions feature myths, which are stories that are used to explain the nature of society and of the universe. Traditional literature can fall into a number of categories: proverbs, fairytales, folklore, fables, animal tales, myths and legends, etc. This myth, of course, has also helped to establish the fact that an earlier dynasty, purely Bini, existed in Benin before . (a) Explain four features of traditional religious homes. An african myth represent the traditions of the african culture, religion and are fables to amuse or beware people. Umbanda and Quimbanda 105. This is where members or persons would consult with the elders for help . Universality must surely be one key we have to the verity of any doctrine. A Religion Comes to Life 108. Botanicals of Brazil 108. African, Amerindian, and Indian traditional cultures have sustained folk practices that have penetrated Christianity, A myth is a traditional story without an author that is usually intended to: teach a lesson. The religious beliefs, practices and the provision of social services of these immigrant religions have impacted on the religious and cultural life of the traditional communities. ( Onyeidu, 2001, p. 6) Ancestor worship Noen could have children, and when they became old they did not die but became young again! A creation myth (or creation story) is a cultural, religious or traditional myth which describes the earliest beginnings of the present world. The religion of Ifa originally comes from the city of Ile Ife. In lfa scripture, Ile Ifa is described as the original home of humans.29 The words: "Ile Ife" translate to mean; "Spreading Earth." So Ile Ife is a city and it is any place where land formed on Earth that allowed for human evolution to take place. traditional African takes the character of critical reflection of the African understanding of reality and world view. What are the characteristics of African traditional religion? Traditional cultural practices reflect values and beliefs held by members of a community for periods often spanning generations. More so, myths encode the traditional settings of the African and their belief system. General Overviews. This example shows that the myths and legends are viewed as one in the same in many communities in Africa. Altars and Shrines 110. A Myth of Brazil 107. Ritual is the way in which religion expresses itself: worship services, prayers, etc. African Religions. Learn more about the history and characteristics of African art in this article. While sub-Saharan Africa has almost twice as many Christians as Muslims, on the African continent as a whole the two faiths are roughly balanced, with 400 million to 500 million followers each. The purpose of this is to help to orient a person who would like to work in the context of Africa. [12 marks] (Write an essay in at least four (4) paragraphs explaining, with examples, any four features) SUGGESTED POINTS FOR YOUR ESSAY First define a traditional religious home The presence of smaller gods / idols. When Okonkwo returns from exile, he is infuriated at his son and disowns him. According to him; "traditional African education is synonymous with life and living in a community" and that "the values are couched in songs, festivals, celebrations, myths, taboos, proverbs, and stories" (p. 15). Add to my list. Some of these beings are powerful deities. myth, legend, biographies • It is found in beliefs and customs: religious ideas, and that which people approve and do. 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