African Religion – John Monyjok Maluth

Understanding African Religion Is Key to Understanding African Heritage

African Religion (AR) ranks among the world’s most ancient religions, yet it lacks formal organization. Prior to the arrival of Christianity and Islam, AR was the predominant faith across Africa. Despite its various sects and manifestations, African Religion is not as diverse as some contemporary scholars suggest. It is a singular religion, akin to Christianity and Islam. The question remains: how did it all begin?

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What Is Africa Religion?

The term “African Religion” refers to the indigenous faiths founded and practiced in Africa. Prior to the arrival of organized religions such as Islam and Christianity, African people followed their own diverse religious traditions. These varied practices led outsiders to perceive them as separate religions, hence the plural term “African Traditional Religions,” which I choose not to use due to its connotation of primitiveness. In reality, the religious landscape in Africa is unified with various sects and branches, akin to the sects and branches found in many global religions, all teaching different doctrines centered around the same core beliefs.

Western perspectives have often misinterpreted African Religion as animal worship, labeling it animistic—an insult or a misnomer born from ignorance. Africans do not worship animals; they use animals in sacrifices, similar to practices found in the Old Testament of the Bible.

African Religion is as ancient as Judaism and other Eastern or Asian religions. It represents the unique ways Africans connect with the Creator. It is the continent’s primal faith, embodying both benevolent and malevolent aspects.

Not every follower of African religions harbors malevolence; indeed, most African religious practices are intended for benevolence rather than malevolence. A lack of understanding of African Religion does not equate to it being animistic or satanic. Instead, it indicates a need for guidance from someone well-versed in its principles to provide a clearer explanation.

Regrettably, Africa has lost its distinctiveness by ceding its cultural heritage to Western and Eastern influences. Africans have forgotten the significance of their indigenous religion, turning instead to spiritual satisfaction in foreign deities and religions such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Eastern religions.

Nevertheless, it’s not too late to educate the younger African generations. It is the responsibility of Africans to articulate their beliefs, rather than having them interpreted by outsiders. Thus, African Religion should not be viewed as a collection of Traditional African Religions, or ATR, as commonly portrayed. It is, in fact, a singular religion with various sects and denominations, akin to Christianity and Islam.

Where Did The Africans Get Their Religion?

Like the Jews and the Indus, Africans have several revelations and religious experiences with God and other gods. Through these different revelations, there came many different encounters with the divine, thus, the many known ways of worship. In Africa, there is God and there are many other gods, just as the Bible teaches. God is the Creator of all things, including smaller gods and spirits for His own divine purposes.

There were/are spiritual healers in Africa, and this means they were/are not working for the Devil but against him and his works. This also means there were both true as well as false prophets in Africa.

In short, the Africa Religion originated right in Africa, just as Christianity and Islam originated in the Middle East. Just as Buddhism and other Asian and Eastern religions originated from those places many years ago, so does the Africa Religion. It was not imported, and thus, it is not foreign to Africans. This is why those born and grew up in the African villages will always have the true African worldviews regardless of their new education or foreign influences.

Only those young innocent Africans, born in modern cities, filled with foreign ideas, don’t know or grasp anything about the beliefs and practices in Africa, their own. Some may call this very statement, evil, or satanic, and there is no way to blame them since they are innocent and ignorant of their own origins and history. Indeed, Africa has its own unique history. It has its own religion, culture, science, worldviews, morals, and ethics. Africa has everything of its own.

I can boldly say that Africa Religion came from God. Unless one strongly believes that God, or the idea of God, came from the Middle East, East, or the West, one must settle that God is indeed the Creator of Africa and her everything: land, people, history, religion, and all therein. If God created Africa, as He did the rest of the world, then everything in Africa comes from God. He revealed Himself to the Africans in the unique African ways, thus, the origin of the Africa Religion.

How Did The Africans Use Their Religion?

Religion in Africa is intertwined with life. It represents the connection between God and His people, encompassing both spiritual and physical realms. In African daily life, religion elucidates the bond between the living and the deceased. Africans believe that the dead have merely transitioned to a different form of existence, retaining their presence in our physical world. This belief is why, in many African cultures, the deceased are treated as though they are still alive; otherwise, the narrative of Jesus’s resurrection would not resonate with an African perspective.

Africans have harnessed religion for both benevolent and malevolent purposes. The universe is seen as a balance of good and evil forces, which living humans can utilize according to their will.

Even before the advent of Christianity and Islam, Africans recognized the detriment of evil. They employed spirits to deal with societal malefactors and thieves. For instance, if one is hungry, it is permissible to consume any ready-to-eat produce in my garden, such as tomatoes, mangoes, guavas, or peanuts. However, removing them for commercial purposes is forbidden and considered theft. In such cases, my spirits ensure the offender returns to the field, burdened with the stolen goods affixed to their head.

If Africans have harnessed spirits to domesticate the wild, uphold moral values, and avoid evil, should this be deemed satanic? The answer might depend on one’s perspective of indoctrination. Indeed, many Africans are deeply connected to the spiritual realm, not merely through belief but through direct experience of its workings. If you doubt this, I invite you to visit a renowned African village, attempt to take something, and share your experiences afterward.

In essence, the spiritual world is intertwined with our daily lives. We recognize that life has a spiritual dimension. We understand that illicitly acquired wealth comes with repercussions, even on earth. Many elder Africans do not subscribe to the concepts of hell and heaven, as these cannot be substantiated. However, we are aware of the omnipresence of the spiritual realm. We engage with it through rituals, songs, and sacrifices, practices that are also reflected in the Bible. Divination, for instance, is acknowledged in the Bible, and we in Africa have practiced it long before the Bible reached us. These revelations from God have been known to us for generations, and we acknowledge their reality beyond mere belief.

Why Did The Africans Use Their Religion?

We adhere to our indigenous religion because it was all we possessed before the advent of the global village. We continue to practice it as it is familiar and intrinsic to us. We embrace African Religion because it resonates with us and proves effective. It transcends a mere belief system; it is the lived reality that life is fundamentally spiritual. The spiritual realm is more tangible than the physical, for it is something we can interact with.

Our African Religion is employed to influence outcomes, both positive and negative, as required. For instance, if a son is in the wilderness and fears arise regarding his safety, the spiritual realm can be consulted for insights. This is beneficial, isn’t it? Being able to discern the young man’s situation while he is in the forest from the comfort of home can be reassuring. If he is in peril, a search party can be dispatched for his aid. If he is safe, one can rest easy, knowing he will return on his own.

Consider the need for rain. If actions can be taken to induce rainfall, that would be remarkable, wouldn’t it? We, Africans, have the ability to summon rain through specific rituals and offerings to the deities of the heavens. These deities might directly bring rain or intercede with God on our behalf. Isn’t this akin to praying to God in the name of Mohammed (peace be upon him) or Jesus Christ?

If an individual commits a crime such as rape and remains unidentified, and the victim cannot recall the perpetrator, some may consider turning to spiritual practices to uncover the truth and ensure justice is served. Similarly, if someone commits murder and flees without being seen, there are those who believe that spirituality can play a role in locating the individual and bringing them to justice. These practices reflect the ways in which spirituality and religion have been traditionally integrated into African societies.

In many African cultures, the concept of “religion” as it is understood in other parts of the world may not apply, as the distinction between belief and disbelief does not exist. The spiritual realm and its entities are perceived as tangibly real, and the relationship between humans and deities is considered as concrete as the physical world. Therefore, spirituality is utilized in various ways across the continent.

What Is The Importance of The Africa Religion?

Religion in Africa plays a crucial role in shaping our identity as Africans. It provides us with a sense of purpose and meaning in life. This deep connection is what leads me to believe in the narratives of the Bible, including God’s incarnation as a man who lived among us, served, suffered, died, and was glorified through resurrection. My understanding of the spiritual realm, rooted in African spirituality, reinforces my belief in these biblical accounts.

My conviction in the reality of the spiritual world allows me to personally experience the Holy Spirit in a unique way. African spirituality, which acknowledges the potency of evil forces, also affirms my reverence for the Holy Spirit. He represents the benevolent force that existed in Africa long before the introduction of the Bible.

It is essential to remember that the Holy Spirit is omnipresent and has been active among all groups of people worldwide. His presence is evident from the Old Testament times, well before the events of Pentecost. As God, He is omnipresent. African spirituality is significant as it lays the groundwork for embracing new religious expressions. It enables us to comprehend the teachings of both the Bible and the Qur’an, as well as other major world religions, whether organized or not.

However, African spirituality’s role extends beyond facilitating our understanding of Christianity. It helps us define our identity and interpret the world around us. It encourages us to live purposefully, acknowledging that the deceased continue to exist in another form. It guides us to lead moral lives, aware that the ancestors, or the living-dead, can impart judgment or retribution in the here and now, rather than in an unknown afterlife. It also helps us acknowledge the reality of curses and blessings.

My Final Words

Here are my concluding thoughts and insights for you, dear reader. I trust you’ve dedicated a few minutes to read from the start to this juncture of the article. If that’s the case, allow me to encapsulate my arguments. I assert that Africa is endowed with everything, religion included. Our religion is not as malevolent as you may have been led to believe. In every human religion, elements of both good and evil exist.

It is not the divine perspective that all that we are or possess in Africa is inherently evil; rather, it is the manner in which we apply our African spiritual knowledge that can be malevolent. I urge you to take the time to understand African Religion before accepting what you’ve read or been told as the unequivocal truth. We humans are innately partial, leading us to scorn the beliefs and perspectives of others. Africa is an immensely wealthy continent, not just in terms of land and natural resources, but also in spirituality and intent.

I hope the article on African Religion has been enlightening for you on a personal level. Would you care to share your reflections on it? Your feedback, whether commendatory or critical, is highly valued, and I believe it will be of interest to other readers as well. Feel free to leave a comment below. May the divine bless you and ensure the safety of you and your loved ones during and beyond the global pandemic. Peace be with you!