Religious Beliefs of Africa Advanced
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School
California State University, Los Angeles *
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Course
4113
Subject
Religion
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
3
Uploaded by HighnessDanger101545
Name: ___________________________________________
Date: _________________________
Class Period: ______________________________________
Standards: SS7G4
The student will describe the diverse cultures of the people who live in Africa.
a. Explain the differences between an ethnic group and a religious group.
b. Explain the diversity of religions within the Africa.
Directions:
After reading the information below answer the questions that follow in complete sentences. Religious Beliefs in Africa- Advanced
There are more than 3000 ethnic groups withing Africa; each shares their own language, culture, customs, and traditions. Africa is made up of 54 countries and each country contains many different ethnic groups. A group’s customs and traditions may come from their religion, where the groups may live, or demands from daily life. Many ethnic groups practice Islam or Christianity; however, there are still many that continue to practice traditional ethnic religions. Religion has always been central to people's lives in Africa. If we look at a map of religions in Africa, we can see that Christianity and Islam are the major religions, while smaller ones like traditional African religions and Hinduism are scattered throughout. Although other religions like Buddhism and Hinduism exist
in Africa, the three main groups are traditional African religions, Christianity, and Islam.
In Africa, there isn't just one set of religious beliefs and practices that everyone follows. However, there are some similar ideas and rituals that can be found across different places and cultures. Generally, many African religions share the belief in one main God who created the dynamic universe. According to stories from various African groups, this Supreme Being made the world and then stepped back, staying far away from human life.
For example, the Dinka people in South Sudan tell a story that explains how God moved away from the world after the first woman accidentally hit the sky with her pestle while pounding millet. This story is similar to many myths in other African traditions. Even though God's withdrawal brought challenges like hard work, sickness, and death, it also gave humans more freedom because they were no longer under God's constant control.
Traditional African religions, originating before colonization, hold significant cultural and historical value. Despite not being as widespread as before, they are still practiced today and passed down through generations by oral stories. Three main traditional African religions are the Yoruba religion, mainly in southwestern Nigeria; the traditional Ashanti religion, the Zulu religion, found in southern Africa; and the Igbo religion, primarily in southeastern Nigeria.
The Yoruba religion centers around the concept of Ashe, the energy in all natural beings, and the belief that everyone follows their destiny (Ayanmo) to eventually meet the divine creator. The Zulu religion, one of Africa's earliest, emphasizes ancestor worship and the king's role in national magic and rainmaking. Over time, many Zulu people have integrated Christian influences into their practices. Similarly, the Igbo religion, with an emphasis on a creator named Chukwu, has also been influenced by Christianity, especially among the Igbo people in southeastern Nigeria.
The Ashanti people are found in the modern country of Ghana. Many Ashanti still hold onto their traditional beliefs. The Ashanti believe that their kingdom was founded in 1701 with the help of a holy man who produced a Golden Stool from the heavens and gave it to the first Ashanti King. The Stool came to symbolize Ashanti power and the belief is that the kingdom will last as long as the Golden Stool remains in the hands of the Ashanti King. The traditional Ashanti religion is centered around the belief in a supreme god, or Nayme. His many children, the Abosom, represent all the natural powers and forces in the world. The
traditional Ashanti believe that all living things have souls. They also believe that witches, demon spirits, and
fairies have power in the lives of all men. Ancestors are given great respect, and there are several family rituals associated with birth, puberty, marriage, and death.
Christianity arrived in Africa around the 2nd century AD, spreading from Northern Africa. It brought positive impacts such as literacy and education through mission trips, but it also had adverse effects by erasing native beliefs and traditions. Despite this, Africa has a thriving Christian population today, with over 600 million Christians.
The arrival of Christian missionaries significantly impacted Africa. As many people reached the shores of North Africa from Europe, they encountered various societies and traditions, each with its own unique flavor. In the early centuries, North Africa became a hub for Christian communities. Cities like Alexandria in
Egypt and Carthage in modern-day Tunisia became centers of Christian learning and scholarship. The message of love, compassion, and faith started to resonate with the people, leading to the establishment of Christian communities in different parts of North Africa. Fast forward a bit, and we find that Christianity continued to make its mark as it journeyed southward into sub-Saharan Africa. The process was gradual, with interactions between local African cultures and the Christian message giving rise to a rich tapestry of beliefs and practices. Many African societies embraced Christianity in various ways. Some incorporated Christian teachings into their existing traditions, creating a blend of old and new. Others adopted Christianity as their primary faith, forming vibrant Christian communities with their own distinct expressions of worship. The spread of Christianity in Africa became a story of cultural exchange and adaptation. It wasn't about replacing one way of life with another but rather about finding common ground and celebrating diversity.
Islam, the third-largest religion in Africa, was introduced in the 7th century by Muslim Arabs. It spread peacefully through trade connections, and today approximately 446 million people in Africa practice Islam.
Arab people began to spread into North Africa in the late 600’s AD, when the first Muslim armies arrived in Egypt. From there, Arab armies, traders, and scholars spread across the Northern Africa all the way to Morocco. Wherever the Arabs went they took Islam and the Arabic language with them. Arabic was necessary if one was able to read and write the Quran, Islam’s holy book. From North Africa, Arab traders began to lead caravans south across the Sahara Desert in the gold and salt trade. This brought Islam and the Arabic culture to the Sahel region and beyond. Along the east coast of Africa, Arab traders traveled by land and by sea down to present day Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zanzibar. They married local women, and the process of blending cultures and religions began there as well. The Arabic language, the religion of Islam, and many other aspects of Muslim culture became part of Africa. In conclusion, Africa's religious landscape is incredibly diverse, with traditional religions, Christianity, and Islam playing significant roles. The continent's religious makeup reflects its rich cultural heritage and the coexistence of various belief systems.
1-
What do many of the religions or traditional faiths of Africa have in common? Many of the religions or traditional faiths of Africa are mainly monotheistic.
2-
Why is Africa considered a continent with diverse religious beliefs? Provide two examples. Africa is diverse because it has 3000 ethnic groups, which have their own language and traditions.
3-
What similarities do you find between the traditional beliefs of African people and other religions such as Christianity and Islam?
African beliefs are similar to Christianity and Islam, because they believe in a higher power and having special rituals for important events.
4-
How have people blended traditional religions with other religious beliefs such as Christianity and Islam?
People blend traditional religions with Christianity and Islam by practicing both.
5-
Why do you think Christianity might have placed an emphasis on spreading education and literacy? How might this help missionaries achieve their goals? Explain. Christianity wanted people to learn and read so they could understand its teachings and spread the message.
6-
Why might the spread of Christianity and Islam into Africa, possibly be considered to have had a negative impact the continent? Explain. The arrival of Christianity and Islam changed African cultures and sometimes led to the loss of traditional beliefs.
7-
How might the proximity (location in relation) to the Middle East impacted the development of religion in Africa? Explain
Since the Middle East is dominant in Islam, they came and spread their influence.
8-
How does the passage suggest that traditional African religions are still present and passed down today? Provide evidence from the text.
Traditional African religions are still alive today and are passed down by telling stories. In the text, it states “They are still practiced today and passed down through generations by oral stories.”
9-
Why do you think some cultures might have been resistant to adopt other religious such as Christianity and Islam? Some cultures are resistant to adopt new religions, because their traditional beliefs are important to them, and they might feel that they are betraying themselves.
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