The Essence of African Culture and Religion: Beliefs, Practices, Meaning and Implications

Today African culture and religion permeates all spheres of life. Life is secular and religious. Both aspects of life impinge upon the individual and the community in away that makes reality integrated. However when missionaries came to Africa traditional dances were said to be evil and immoral, traditional clothing was called pagan, and the African belief system was denounced as outright evil. African therefore was not expected to change only his beliefs, he was being asked to change his personality. This new life was in away enslaving, since the African was not allowed to bring his culture, belief and practices and commitment with him. He was asked to die to the old life so as to be born to the new life. This impacted adversely on the African who developed dualistic tendencies of being a Christian and in the evening he is a traditionalist. If you take away mans belief, practices and custom you better replace it with something of value. African culture and religion can help in inculturation to create a new meaningful and powerful spirituality. This book is an asset to all who are involved in cultural, anthropological, sociological, and religious studies and evangelisation.