African traditional religions (& African diasporic religions)
General
7 Despite the influx of Christianity and Islam into Africa, there still remain between 70 and 100 million adherents of traditional African (and diasporic) religions across the globe. 2The largest tradition, Yoruba, will be discussed below.
3The majority are based within the continent, with a scattering of believers in parts of the United States, South America and the Caribbean. 4It was colonisation that resulted in the dissemination of this belief system across the globe; many slaves held on to their traditions which they modernised when they moved to the new world.
5Despite the diversity of the different forms of religion, there are certain values they all share.
6Perhaps surprising to some may be the fact that many of these qualities are shared with Chinese traditional religions:
1. Ancestral veneration
2. Polytheism
3. Oral traditions
4. Mythology
5. Divination
6. Alchemy
Most are of the belief that there exists a higher power – a creator god (known variously as Chukwu, Nyame, Olodumare, Ngai, Roog etc) – that is remote and does not generally interact with man. 8He is believed to have created several smaller gods who generally deal with humans on a day-to-day basis. 9Upon death, people are believed to move on to the spirit world or reincarnated.
During rituals, singing, dancing, beating on drums and possession is common place. 11On occasion, blood sacrifices are made to the gods and ancestors, depending upon the nature of the particular occasion. 12Various talismans are given to ward off any spells that may have been cast against the individual.
More often than not there are no holy books or texts that people make reference to. 14As such, priests who are trained in these practices are very important when any religious ceremonies are to be conducted. 15In any case, ceremonies tend to be communal, with children taking part from a very young age.
Oral tradition ensures that beliefs pass down from one generation to the next through art, song, festivals, proverbs, custom and belief.
Yoruba
It is the most influential amongst all the African traditional religions, because of the great Yoruba people and nation which existed prior to colonisation by the Europeans. 18Despite the dominance of Christianity and Islam within the country, the majority of its 15 million adherents are based in Nigeria, with practitioners also in Benin and Togo.
General Beliefs
There are no unified customs or set of practices that exist in the Yoruba religion. 20Practitioners are concerned with the mythology and ritual techniques that will help them in everyday life, and these vary from location to location. 21It is a practical religion, with ritual techniques that deal largely with the problems of the individual in this world.
Yoruba magical techniques and rites are prescribed by the priest (Babalawo) or priestess (Iyalawo), known for their medicinal skills and divination. 23The word ogun refers to either magic or medicine in Yoruba, and the Babalawo engages in magical practices, to both protect, as well as benefit the follower.
Unfortunately, the concept of witchcraft still plays a major part in the culture of the people. 25An age- old belief, it is still portrayed often in popular local media. 26Witches ( aje) are almost always women, and the onus seems to be placed on the individual to prove otherwise. 27Nevertheless, open accusations are infrequent, with people more likely to visit their local Babalawo in order to take preventive action against spells through rituals and talisman.
Main Deities
It is polytheistic in its belief, with Olodumare (controller of the universe) being the Supreme Being and creator of all things. 29They believe He is a remote god that generally doesn t interfere in the day- to-day lives of human beings. 30Olodumare is said to have created the Orishas (or divine beings) that were charged to take care of the world and interact with it. 31Whilst each is considered a manifestation of the Supreme Being s power, they are not him.
The major Orisa in a town will have shrines and a set of Babalawo with unique dress and insignia. 33Each has its favourite sacrificial offerings, and its followers observe a distinctive set of food taboos. 34Some of the more popular ones include:
i. Obatala (or Orisha-Nla) is said to be the Creator s second son, though some have suggested he is merely Olodumare s favourite Orisha. It is believed that he was granted the authority to create land over the water beneath the sky, and founded the first Yoruba city, Ife.
ii. Ogun is the divinity of iron, politics and hunting. As the patron of blacksmiths, they traditionally sacrificed animals in his name for appeasement.
iii. Oshun is associated with healing, fertility and the feminine essence.
iv. Shango is the god of thunder, war, fire and lightning. He comes from royalty, having been the third king of the Oyo Kingdom prior to his posthumous deification. Veneration of this orisha enables the adherent to exercise a great deal of power over others, as well as themself.
v. Oya is the Tempest or Guardian of the Cemetery.
vi. Esu (or Elegbara) is often translated by Yoruba people to describe The Devil; however, some believe this is incorrect. They say he is simply the Trickster of the Orisha pantheon, who deals a bad hand to those that do not pay homage or are deemed to be spiritual novices. As such, one would be required to make a sacrifice to the gods and/ or ancestors in order to restore balance in their life. Also regarded as the divine messenger, he is said to take prayers to Olodumare.
Along the way, the Yoruba have also incorporated gods from other traditions into the Orisha pantheon, such as Nana Buku, Oshumare, Babaluaiye from Dahomean Vodou.
Holy Texts
This is an oral tradition with no religious text to speak of, as such the role of the priests is very important for divination.
Divination is believed to give the Babalawo unreserved access to the teachings of Orunmila, the Grand Priest, and Orisha of wisdom. 38Many of the divinations that these priests perform have made it into print in very recent times.
Proselytising
Though a Yoruba adherent may tell you about the tradition, you d be hard-pressed to find any that will actively seek to convert you.
Concept of Sin
There is no concept of sin in the conventional sense of the meaning, as the focus is more on practitioners day-to-day lives. 41Not observing the respective food taboos may be considered a sin, but there certainly wouldn t be any punishment from the gods. 42The practice of witchcraft would certainly be considered a despicable act within the community. 43But more often than not, they seek to cast out the evil spirit that causes the person to commit such acts.
Afterlife
The Yoruba believe in reincarnation, but where they differ from other faiths is their belief that this occurs within the family. 45For example, when a person dies, it is believed that their spirit will be reborn back into the extended family. 46A good example of this is the name: Babatunde, which means father has returned. 47For instance, if the patriarch of a family has recently passed away, it is likely that the next child born will be given this name to signify his rebirth. 48The same applies to the matriarch, the child will be named Yetunde, meaning mother has returned.
African Diasporic Religions
Due to migration, a number of religions across the globe can trace their lineage back to Yoruba.
50These include the following:
i. Santeria (or ab'orisha) (Cuba) – 3 million followers (discussed in Book 5)
ii. Candomble (Brazil) – 2 million followers
iii. Umbanda (Brazil) – 400,000 followers iv. Trinidad Orisha (Trinidad and Tobago) v. Oyotunji (U.S.)