African Religions: Symbol, Ritual, and Community

by Benjamin C. Ray

This book is a wide-ranging, well-organized introduction toAfrican religious history that focuses primarily upon traditional Africanreligions, but also includes substantial treatment of religion, nationalism,African Islam, and Independent Christianity. Includes the useof terminology drawn from the history of religions and anthropology, alsoincludes lists of media resources and films on African religions, and providesan extensive bibliography.TOC: 1. Myth and History.
Creation Myths: Dogon Cosmogony. Myths of "paradise Lost". Mythic Archtypes in Lugbara Cosmology. Dinka Myth Ritual. Concepts of Time. Myth-History: Yoruba. Mythic-Historical Drama. Myth- History of the Shilluk Kingship.
2. Divinity and Man.
Monotheism, Polytheism, Pantheism. The Morphology of Transcendence-Olorun and Nhialic. Morphology and History. The Gods as Symbols of Experience: Dinka Sky-Gods. Yoruba Orisha. Ashanti Obosum.
3. Ritual Expression and Control.
Animal Sacrifice: Ritual Structure — Ogun Sacrifice. Lugbara Ritual and Social Process. Myahand Word in Dinka Sacrifice. The Vital Word of the Dogon. Rites of Passage: Bambara Kore. Installation of the King of Bugunda. Ashanti New Year. Gogo "Reversal" of Time.
4. Religious Authorities.
Diviners: Moral Analysts. "Father of Secrets." Prophetic Leaders: "Professors of Spirit." "A Man of God." Priests: "Masters of the fishing-Spear." The Hogon. Sacred Kings. Shilluk Regicide. Swazi Ncwala. Kabaka and Modernity.
5. Man, Ancestors, and Ethics.
The Concept of the Person: Man, Ancestors, and Ethics. The Concept of the Person: Man asMicrocosm-the Dogon. Destiny and Personality- the Yoruba. Destiny and the Unconscious - the Tallensi. Death and Eschatology: The Dogon. The Yoruba. The Lo-Dagaa. Ancestors and Ethics: The Lo-Dagaa. The Tallensi. The Lugbara. Man and Evil.
6. Religion and Rebellion.
The Maji Maji Revolt. John Chilembwe and the Nyasaland. Rising of 1915. The Mau Mau Uprising: The Importance of the Land. Oath-Taking Rites.
7. African Islam.
Reformation and Messianism is the Sudan: The Shehu Usuman dan Fodio. The Mahdi Muhammad Admad. Teaching and Practice. The Brotherhoods: The Mourides of Senegal. The Hausu Tijaniyya.
8. Independent Christianity.
The Church of Jesus Christ on Earth through the Prophet Simon Kinbangu. Nazareth Church. Church of the Lord (Aladura).
Bibliography.
Index.

Genres: Africa, Religion

76 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[John]

So-so textbook surveying the range of African religions largely in terms of significant common themes (art, religious authorities, divinities, etc.). The thematic structure shifts in the final two chapters to a consideration of African Islam and African Christianity. Note that these chapter titles specify the contents correctly, as Ray focuses on indigenized, and in some cases syncretistic or "heterodox," Muslim and Christian traditions, not on Islam in Africa or Christianity in Africa as such. Indeed, it would have enriched the book to have included some coverage of more "orthodox" expressions of Islam and Christianity in Africa. The book is occasionally illuminating, but shabbily written and/or edited, especially in the later chapters ("He trys [sic] to make the people understand," p. 160, as an example).