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African Religions

African Religions. Native Religions. Most African religions have a belief in a high god. This high god is distant, retired, and uninvolved. The Lesser Spirits. Most African religions are animistic, believing that the world is full of lesser spirits.

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African Religions

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  1. African Religions

  2. Native Religions • Most African religions have a belief in a high god. • This high god is distant, retired, and uninvolved.

  3. The Lesser Spirits • Most African religions are animistic, believing that the world is full of lesser spirits. • Lesser spirits rule creation and can be helpful or harmful. • Lesser spirits are subject to prayer, flattery, and sacrifice.

  4. More on the lesser spirits • Plants, animals, weather, water, the Earth – all things are spirits or life forces • Lesser spirits are often personified in Gods or Goddesses • The most common worship is offering food and drink.

  5. Ancestors • The living consult, pray to the dead to receive benefits and avoid harm • The fear of gods is unimportant compared to the fear of and respect for ancestors • Ancestors enforce the moral code • Ancestor spirits know and can control the future

  6. Sacrifice • Most common is a daily offering of food and drink • Animal sacrifice is practiced on serious occasions • Human sacrifice is rarely present in African religions

  7. Marriage • Chastity in marriage is highly valued • Polygamy is practiced by elites of many societies

  8. Death • Making the dead comfortable in their new existence to prevent hauntings • Rapid burial • Dead can point out who caused their demise

  9. Religious Leaders • Generally a minimal need for priests because rituals are performed by individuals • Some Western African religions have priests & priestesses for maintaining temples and altars

  10. Prophets • Speak the words of gods in times of crisis

  11. Non-native African Religions • Ancient Greeks religion influenced North Africa and Egypt • Christianity and Judaism have been present in Africa since the 1st century • Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism brought to Africa by immigrants

  12. African Religions Today • Colonialism, artificial nation states, urbanization, HIV/AIDS, political instability,and rapid population growth upset the traditional social orders of traditional religion • Traditional African religious practices have diminished, but have not been eliminated

  13. Rise of Christianity & Islam challenges traditional African religions • Lesser spirits and ancestors become Christian Saints or Muslim Jinn • Movements combining African Christian, and/or Islamic beliefs and rituals are increasingly present

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