Christianity and african culture

Those with a christianity of culture perspective tend to build churches that are mirrors of the culture. Jan 21, 2011 the question of whether christianity is a whitemans religion has been a lingering debate for generations. It does not exist in a vacuum or up there in the blues but among humans. The westernized minority, influenced by european culture and christianity, first rejected african traditional culture, but with the rise of african nationalism, a cultural revival occurred. In the 11th century kumbi, the capital of the kingdom of ghana in presentday mali, was described as having a dozen mosques. In the southern colonies, where most american slaves lived, anglican missionaries led the way. Christianity and african culture by oduyoye, mercy amba. Christianity and african american culture 1710 words. This religion has been a key role in the lives of the african american since being bought over to america from the motherland of africa. Some christians might reject a certain practice while others gladly accept it. The effects of christianity on traditional african religions. A recent concern of a tribal chief in ghana that the president of the republic. While earlier studies of christianity in africa focused on the roles of european missions and missionaries in establishing christianity in africa, historians now tend to stress the roles of african converts, catechists, translators, and evangelists in interpreting christianity, spreading it to their neighbors, and establishing new christian movements and churches that. Second, there is no culture which is superior to another, meaning that teaching the christian faith to african people through the medium of western culture, as many missionaries did on the grounds that traditional african culture was primitive, was a wrong approach, even if the intentions were good.

The religion is also present in some nations in the. Traditional african religion and culture pm express on joy. It was in essence doifig only what perhaps most westerners were doing with respect to african people and society. The ungodly expressions of our human nature may change from culture to culture, but the result is usually the same. Conservative german protestant missionaries in tanzania, 19001940 studies of religion in africa fiedler on. Therefore, leaving christianity for a traditional african religion exhibits a lack of understanding of the richness of christian theology and our enslaved ancestors connection to. Eliot, writing in the 1930s from britain, offers a vision of christian society that is distinct from the society in which he then livedin other words, he acknowledges that what once may have been a christian society had then moved past such a designation. The westernized few, persuaded by european culture and christianity, first denied african traditional culture, but with the increase of african nationalism, a cultural recovery occurred. African to detect, isolate and question as examples of western cultural imperialism, but this seems a bit difficult because the early missionaries destroyed some elements of the african culture in the name of christianity, for instance title taking and native names.

African architecture influences of islam and christianity. This religion has been a key role in the lives of the africanamerican since being bought over to america from the motherland of africa. African christianity african studies oxford bibliographies. It is necessary to have the perception of the basic concept of the word conflict before exploring the extensive area of conflicts between african traditional religion and christianity. This is as a result of the fact that christian catechetical teachings which hails from. Jan 18, 2018 therefore, leaving christianity for a traditional african religion exhibits a lack of understanding of the richness of christian theology and our enslaved ancestors connection to the faith. We realise it will not be easy but we cannot stand by and do nothing. The growth of christianity in nigeria has had significant impact on culture, education, politics and many other facets of social life. Traditional african religion and culture pm express on. The common charge laid against missionaries that they are destroyers of african culture is shown to be untrue of the missionaries treated in this book, who worked with considerable success to integrate christianity and african culture.

The impact of african traditional religious beliefs and. Oct 17, 2015 the church fights culture by continually pointing to the one who heals the brokenness. The governments of most african nations encourage national dance and music groups, museums, and to a lower degree, artists and writers. While everyone is entitled to their religion, it is the same religion which has shaped africas history especially with the advent of imperialism and colonialism upon which it was built. The latter confirms that african culture is predominently patriarchal. Christianity and public culture in africa ohio university. Indigenous african practices tend to be strongest in the central states of africa, but some form of their practices and beliefs can.

This first perspective sees christianity and culture as two opposing forces of influence. Christianity enjoys widespread popularity in africa particularly in the nations situated in the southeast, southern, and central regions of the continent. Those who hold that christianity is the whitemans religion also asserts that the bearers of this religion have not only imposed their religion on africans but have also succeeded in destroying african culture. According to all the major surveys, christianity and islam each represent approximately 40 percent of the african population. Christianity and african culture conservative german. The study of world christianity begins with the basic premise that christianity is, and from its very inception has been, a cross cultural and diverse religion with no single dominant expression. Christianity is more dominant in the south, while islam is more dominant in the north. Apr 17, 2016 christianity now was the glue that held the black communities together and pushed them forward towards and through to the civil rights movement. Methodism and baptism, the two most prominent black christian faiths, both emphasize a personal connection with god. I am not saying that converts to christianity from african traditional beliefs practice polygamy, i am presuming your original purpose is to clarify what is acceptable and workable within christianity for the purpose of dialogue and what is not. However, some aspects of african culture have been civilized by wholesome interaction with christian values, for example it is due to christianity today that twin babies are no longer destroyed, slave trade, and human sacrifices have dropped drastically in africa. One of the most important developments in african american culture in this era was the spread of christianity within both the slave and free black communities. Scholars of religion and culture in africa should consider this work essential reading.

Christianity and the world of cultures center for global. The harsh circumstances under which most slaves livedhigh death rates, the separation of families and tribal groups, and the concerted effort of white owners to eradicate heathen or nonchristian customsrendered the preservation of religious traditions difficult and often unsuccessful. The author examines the endeavours of the missionaries from the perspective of the local christians, who were not themselves interested. Preserving african religions in north america proved to be very difficult. Christianity is the worlds largest religion, practiced by. The second view ashford presents embraces culture and brings it into the church. Spiritual conflicts exist between african traditional religion and christianity. Katoke introduction the missionaries who brought christianity, rid africa of all its traditional values and religious concepts in order to have a clean plate on which to put the new faith1 this was not an event unique to africa. They may have been incorporated into black loyalist culture and religion.

Dec 04, 2014 traditional african religion and culture. Christianity and african culture in nigeria metala, ajana clinton department of soil science university of nigeria, nsukka, nigeria corresponding author. Sep 21, 2017 christianity is one of the dominant religions in the african continent, the other being islam. Christianity now was the glue that held the black communities together and pushed them forward towards and through to the civil rights movement. African origin of western religious racism matthews ph. The basis of christianity in africa is the same as christianity in other parts of the world, no matter how much african tradition there is. Mugambi introduction the term culture in its widest usage is the totality of a peoples way of life. Bruce riley ashford surveys a variety of perspectives on the relationship between christianity and culture. A collection of guidelines, allegories, myths, and stories useful for good living.

Christianity and african culture conservative german protestant missionaries in tanzania, 19001940 series. Modern african christians are often faced with a dilemma as regards how to respond to the issue of conflict between christianity and traditional african cultures. Christianity in africa began in egypt in the middle of the 1st century. The university of ibadan was once in the late 70s the venue for an epochmaking conference on women and development. Christianity and african american culture 1710 words bartleby. Christianity and african culture south african youtubers. Debates over ethics and practice are intrinsic to the multicultural nature of the christian religion. May 08, 2020 every video on our channel is made to bring the gospel of jesus christ to a world that is stained with the evil effects of sin. Jul 22, 2012 the latter confirms that african culture is predominently patriarchal.

The outlook for christian culture christopher dawson in spite of the increasing secularization of culture both in the west and in the world at large, i feel that the outlook for christian culture is brighter than it has been for a considerable time. The effects of christianity on traditional african. The african americans were forced to leave behind their traditions, religions, and culture. Important africans who influenced the early development of christianity include tertullian, perpetua, felicity, clement of alexandria, origen of alexandria, cyprian, athanasius and augustine of hippo. Christianity in african american culture there are so many views on how the african american community joined a massive movement called, christianity. Christianity and the world of cultures used with permission from laura james. Oct 06, 2015 according to all the major surveys, christianity and islam each represent approximately 40 percent of the african population.

African religion and its influence on christianity and. Africa is one of the largest and most populous continents in the world, as well as the birthplace of humanity. The question of whether christianity is a whitemans religion has been a lingering debate for generations. However, there are some hints that certain west african cultural practices and religious beliefs may have survived these trials. Conservative german protestant missionaries in tanzania, 19001940 studies of religion in africa. Meanwhile, it seems to me that for some africans both christianity and african culture are irrelevant to the contemporary challenges that africans face. Papers were solicited on every aspect of life except religion. According to ashford, the conversation boils down to these three main views. Chapter twenty christianity and the african cultural heritage. The second myth it debunks is that these churches are under the control of the americans. For example, in the film man, god and africa, the wedding ceremony at the end of the film is very similar to christian wedding ceremonies in the us culture. The origin and growth of christianity in africa worldatlas. By the end of the 2nd century it had reached the region around carthage. In this region, islam also faced more competition from christianity than in north and west africa.

This is certainly an important entry into the discussion about the relationship between christianity and culture. Arabs on the east coast were more interested in trade than politics. They created a vibrant culture that blended arab and indigenous cultures. The common charge laid against missionaries that they are destroyers of african culture is shown to be untrue of the missionaries treated in this book, who worked with. Christianity helped control the slaves, but eventually aided in the end of slavery.

While earlier studies of christianity in africa focused on the roles of european missions and missionaries in establishing christianity in africa, historians now tend to stress the roles of african converts, catechists, translators, and evangelists in interpreting christianity, spreading it to their neighbors, and establishing new christian movements and churches that are as. Early civilizations in the western sudan region had strong trading links across the sahara, and an islamic presence was established south of the desert 1,000 years ago. As the predominant religion before the advent of christianity, african traditional religion faced stiff opposition and criticism from. It is difficult to separate african culture from african traditional religion because religion is embedded in. Chapter twenty christianity and the african cultural heritage798 j. African culture 16 most interesting traditions africa facts. Hnet hsafrica the first myth that christianity and public culture scotches is that these churches african pentecostal are all alike. Christian faith and african tradition the southern cross. African architecture african architecture influences of islam and christianity. A recent concern of a tribal chief in ghana that the. Arab traders maintained successful businesses in mombasa, daressalaam and the island of zanzibar. The inception, evangelization and missionary activities of christianity and islam in nkusukumekumfienyan traditional area in the central region of ghana resulted in the conversions of the indigenous people, mainly, from african traditional religion atr to the two mission religions. The governments of most african nations foster national dance and music groups, museums, and to a lesser degree, artists and writers. As we african christian intellectuals continue to meet to discuss christianity and african culture, other african christians are in the process daily of shaping a christianity that will be at home in africa and in which africans will be at home.

Christianitys african roots christianity reportedly arrived in north africa in the latter part of 1 st century adearly part of the 2 nd, while the adoption of christianity in ethiopia dates to the fourthcentury, according to findings by the metropolitan museum of art. Conflicts between african traditional religion and. Every video on our channel is made to bring the gospel of jesus christ to a world that is stained with the evil effects of sin. African traditional religions have been washed away, and especially with christianity, they are viewed as pagan and heathen in nature. Metala, ajana clinton department of soil science university of nigeria, nsukka, nigeria, email.