African Religions: Ancient Traditional Beliefs and Practices
()
About this ebook
As the title implies, the topic of this book is the different religious practices originating from Africa. Some African religions show similarities in beliefs and practices. However, as you'll soon learn, different African territories and their cultures have been home to many different religious beliefs. Each historical African territory has its own tale to tell and traditions that accompany it. While some are unchanged, others have adapted to the changing times.
These belief systems play a crucial role in the spirituality of African nations throughout their history. They allowed them to express and maintain their spiritual heritage in good times, even the most trying ones. You'll also learn that besides the differences stemming from cultural backgrounds, African religions were also influenced by Christianity, Islam, and other belief systems introduced to African people from other parts of the world. However, the colorful African beliefs have also left their mark on other religions.
Read more from Clara Robinson
Orishas: An Introduction to African Spirituality and Yoruba Religion Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Hoodoo For Beginners: An Introduction to African American Folk Magic Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Santeria: Afro-Caribbean Religion and its Origins Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to African Religions
Related ebooks
Orishas: African Hidden gods of Worship Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Women in Yoruba Religions Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsYoruba Mythology: Orisha Gods and Goddesses of West Africa Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsYoruba. Myths and Legends In-depth Guide to the Cuban Santeria and The Rules of Becoming Iyawò. Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRITUALS Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAfrican Traditional Religion and Philosophy:: Essays on an Ancestral Religious Heritage Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsExploring the Rich and Diverse World of African Spirituality: African Spirituality Beliefs and Practices, #15 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSeven African Powers: African Spirituality Beliefs and Practices, #2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsYorùbá Culture: A Philosophical Account Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Handbook of Yoruba Religious Concepts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5African Religion Defined: A Systematic Study of Ancestor Worship Among the Akan Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Vodun: African Spirituality Beliefs and Practices, #11 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Power of the Coconut and the Yoruba Religion: (A Manual for the Yoruba Religion) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Divination with Diloggún: Divination Magic for Beginners, #2 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5African Mythology: Gods and Mythical Legends of Ancient Africa Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5African Religions: Exploring Origins, Traditions, and Contemporary Relevance Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDisciplines of African Philosophy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLucumi: The Ways of Santeria: African Spirituality Beliefs and Practices, #4 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5African Healing Shrines and Cultural Psychologies Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAfrican Cultural Personalities in a World of Change: Monolithic Cultural Purity and the Emergence of New Values Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsVoodoo of Louisiana: African Spirituality Beliefs and Practices, #5 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Philosophy of Religion: With Essays in African Philosophy of Religion Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsElements of African Traditional Religion: A Textbook for Students of Comparative Religion Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAfrican American Folk Healing Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHoodoo: African Spirituality Beliefs and Practices, #1 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5African-American Religion: A Confluent of African Traditional Religion and Christianity Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Virtues and the Greatness of the Ancestors of the Africans in the Diaspora Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEncyclopedia of the Yoruba Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Ethnic & Tribal Religions For You
Orishas, Goddesses, and Voodoo Queens: The Divine Feminine in the African Religious Traditions Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Witch Queens, Voodoo Spirits, and Hoodoo Saints: A Guide to Magical New Orleans Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Secret History of Memphis Hoodoo: Rootworkers, Conjurers, & Spirituals Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Handbook of Yoruba Religious Concepts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Kebra Nagast: The Lost Bible of Rastafarian Wisdom and Faith Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Hoodoo Justice Magic: Spells for Power, Protection and Righteous Vindication Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Llewellyn's Complete Book of North American Folk Magic: A Landscape of Magic, Mystery, and Tradition Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Encyclopedia of Superstitions Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Undeniable: Full Color Evidence of Black Israelites In The Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5God Is Red: A Native View of Religion Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Yemaya: Orisha, Goddess, and Queen of the Sea Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Myths of the North American Indians: Illustrated Edition Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Fruitful Darkness: A Journey Through Buddhist Practice and Tribal Wisdom Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Hoodoo: African Spirituality Beliefs and Practices, #1 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Africa's Ogun: Old World and New Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Connecting With Your Ancestors: African Spirituality Beliefs and Practices, #8 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Seven Paths: Changing One's Way of Walking in the World Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Voodoo of Louisiana: African Spirituality Beliefs and Practices, #5 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Blood Magic: African Spirituality Beliefs and Practices, #9 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Way of the Shaman Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Legends of Native Americans Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Shaman's Path to Freedom: A Toltec Wisdom Book Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Ladder to the Light: An Indigenous Elder's Meditations on Hope and Courage Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Orishas: African Spirituality Beliefs and Practices, #0 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Rastafarian Children of Solomon: The Legacy of the Kebra Nagast and the Path to Peace and Understanding Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Haitian Vodou: African Spirituality Beliefs and Practices, #6 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Bantu Beliefs and Magic Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHuna: Ancient Hawaiian Secrets for Modern Living Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5African American Folk Healing Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related categories
Reviews for African Religions
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
African Religions - Clara Robinson
African Religions
Ancient Traditional Beliefs and Practices
© Copyright 2023 – Creek Ridge Publishing All rights reserved.
The content contained within this book may not be reproduced, duplicated, or transmitted without direct written permission from the author or the publisher.
Under no circumstances will any blame or legal responsibility be held against the publisher, or author, for any damages, reparation, or monetary loss due to the information contained within this book, either directly or indirectly.
Legal Notice:
This book is copyright protected. It is only for personal use. You cannot amend, distribute, sell, use, quote or paraphrase any part, or the content within this book, without the consent of the author or publisher.
Disclaimer Notice:
Please note the information contained within this document is for educational and entertainment purposes only. All effort has been executed to present accurate, up to date, reliable, complete information. No warranties of any kind are declared or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical, or professional advice. The content within this book has been derived from various sources. Please consult a licensed professional before attempting any techniques outlined in this book.
By reading this document, the reader agrees that under no circumstances is the author responsible for any losses, direct or indirect, that are incurred as a result of the use of information contained within this document, including, but not limited to, errors, omissions, or inaccuracies.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1: Introduction to African Religions
Popular African Religions
The History and Role of Religion in African Societies
The Importance of African Religions
Chapter 2: African Cosmologies and Creation Myths
The Myth of Creation
Interpretation of the Creation Myths
The Significance of the Creation Myths
Chapter 3: Ancestral Worship and Veneration
The Role and Significance of the Ancestors
Rituals and Practices
Shrines
Present Offerings
The Relationship between the Living and the Dead
Chapter 4: Traditional Religious Practices and Rituals
Traditional African Religious Practices
Role of Divination in African Religions
Role of Oracle in African Religions
Role of Music, Dance, and Storytelling in African Religions
Importance of Communal Worship
Chapter 5: Traditional Religious Ethics and Morality
Ethical and Moral Values
Concept of Justice in African Traditional Religions
Role of Ethics in African Religion and Its Evolution
Conclusion
References
Introduction
As the title implies, the topic of this book is the different religious practices originating from Africa. Some African religions show similarities in beliefs and practices. However, as you’ll soon learn, different African territories and their cultures have been home to many different religious beliefs. Each historical African territory has its own tale to tell and traditions that accompany it. While some are unchanged, others have adapted to the changing times.
These belief systems play a crucial role in the spirituality of African nations throughout their history. They allowed them to express and maintain their spiritual heritage in good times, even the most trying ones. You’ll also learn that besides the differences stemming from cultural backgrounds, African religions were also influenced by Christianity, Islam, and other belief systems introduced to African people from other parts of the world. However, the colorful African beliefs have also left their mark on other religions.
The following chapter will give you a sneak peek into African cosmologies and creation myths. It sets out a thorough explanation of the role of the Supreme Being and the myth of creation in different African religions. Moving on, you’ll be introduced to some practices and rituals associated with ancestral worship and reverence. The dedicated chapter will provide beginner-friendly instructions on how to do these practices. Likewise, you’ll also receive tips on how to practice divination, use oracles, music, dance, and storytelling, or perform communal worship and celebrate festivals as are traditional in African religions.
The last chapter discusses the ethics and morality of African religions. It showcases the different ethical and moral values incorporated into African belief systems and how these concepts shape individual and communal behavior among devotees. It will also introduce you to the concept of justice and its role in African religions. Last but not least, you’ll learn about the importance of ethical codes and how they have evolved.
As you can see, this book promises to