1. Traditional African Religious Beliefs

2. Role of Religion in Africa

3. African Religions
SYNCRETISM----KNOW FOR TEST---Blending of Animism with Christianity
“African Traditional Religions” = indigenous religions---Animism
Islam = introduced to sub-Saharan Africa in 11th c.
Christianity = introduced to West Africa in 15th c.

4. Animism

5. Animism
Before the introduction of Islam and Christianity, Africa had a very developed system of religion.
It was called Animism, which cannot be minimized to a specific set of beliefs, but most ethnic groups believed in:
One supreme god
Several other gods
Belief in spirits of ancestors
Sacrifice (child or animal) to secure protection
Need to undergo a Rite of Passage which is a “coming of age” ceremony or ritual

6. Characteristics of Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africans are often polytheistic and worship many gods

7. Characteristics of Sub-Saharan Africa
They practice Animism: a religion in which spirits exist in nature and play a role in daily life

8. Traditional African Religion
ANIMISM
1. Belief in one remote Supreme Being.
2. A world of spirits (good & bad) in all things.
3. Ancestor worship.
4. Belief in magic, charms, and fetishes.
5. Diviner  mediator between the tribe and God.

10. Diviners

11. Religious Leaders Diviners: Served as interpreters
Job was to explain misfortune

12. Diviners: Communication with Ancestors
They can speak to you in dreams
They can send signs to you in nature that can be interpreted with the help of diviners, spiritual specialists
Signs are sometimes interpreted by looking at the organs of sacrificed animals
Diviners can also contact ancestors for help with knowing the future.

13. Griots

14. Musician, Storyteller, Tribal Historian
African Griots
Musician, Storyteller, Tribal Historian

15. Griots, pronounced "greeohs", are storytellers of West Africa who use poetry and rhythm to teach villagers about their history. Their home is the territory of the Mandinke people in the country of Mali where their tradition is alive to this day.
"Griot" is the French term for this class of musicians; the local term is jeli.

16. Modern Role of the Griot
Historian
Genealogist
Orator, artist, musician
Counsellor
Spiritual Leader

17. Islam and Christianity in Africa

18. Religion The Introduction and Spread of Christianity
Indigenous religions tend to be animistic
The Introduction and Spread of Christianity
Entered northeast Africa around 300 A.D.
Coptic Christians - Ethiopia & Eritrea; other Christians in Sudan
Dutch brought Calvinism to South Africa in 1600s
The Introduction and Spread of Islam
Introduced about 1,000 years ago
Today, orthodox Islam prevails in most of the Sahel
Interaction Between Religious Traditions
Religious conflict most acute in northeastern Africa
Sudan: conflict between Muslims in north and Non-Muslims in the south