Pages
MS01.01.03.B01.F06.019
The Gods have their own special area of competency. Priests attended the medical, etc, needs of the people - Man was a compound of material and unmaterial substance. The spiritual dominated. The fundamental unity of the human personality was an assumed function in West African sociey. Man's journey through life was expressed in the following manner: birth, puberty, marriage, death and regeneration. (Akan) Young children are born from the spirit of the dead ancestor = Life continues. A tooth for a tooth leaves everyone toothless in the community; so there is no dictum of "an eye for an eye" - May he come to respect our world Child Ritual: Kicking with left foot = be moral Kicking with right foot = become like me Kicking = I am kicking you with my left foot Kicking = I am kicking you with my right foot The child going through the cycle of life goes through certain rights which symbolize his involvement in the new world. Death = Ceremony of death Nature was imbued with emminent vitality - something of which man has a part - not separate from Behind every visable object lies an [ essence Underlined] . Vital substance and security are a part of this essence.
MS01.01.03.B01.F06.020
6. Whatever the West African was doing, he was engaged in a basic religious experience. It was a way of life and it helped to order a way of life between man and fellowman; man and his environment and man in relation to God.
The polytheistic concept of classical thought in Egypt, Greece, Rome, etc is different from West African in the sense that these Gods in the non-African world have equal powers. Not so in Africa - they specialize eg: a God of War is not competent in handling an epedemic - that does not deal with war. He does not intervene and take sides with people because of their beauty, feminity or fame. God is about the Gods and he is also about men - Myths explain how the world, creation and human beings came to be. (Africa is a metaphysical landscape)
With the Expression of a social truth or social value certain artistic symbols of art were created - Religion is related to truth. The Artist expresses the ideas of the community to spectators, no performers - participants are active in the African celebration of life with very few or no onlookers.
MS01.01.03.B01.F06.021
II - Contemporary African Religions Muslims: 639 AD - Arabs first entered Africa (Egypt) within the decade they mastered Egypt. By 670 AD - they had overrun modern Tunisia & then taken the Sarharan Regions. By the end of the century they reached Morocco and moved on across the Strait of Gibraltar on into Spain. There they established Moslem rule. Traders with cloth rugs beads came - By the 11 cent they had returned into Chad below the Sahara. By the 11 Cent a local ruler near Gowa had been converted to Islam. Later the rulers of Africa & merchants of Mali - 13th Cent - adopted as a royal [cult ? ?] - 13th Cent on Housa (from end of 14th Cent Islam remained largely a religion of the ruling class and merchant elite - Peasants remained of little influence - slow process South of Saharah - Islam appealed One did not have to make a clean break - traditional religions were kept of existed: 1. 5 daily prayers 2. Fast of Rhamadan 3. Alcoholic, Pork, etc prohibited 4. Divine Kingship had to be abandoned 5. Prophet Momahat took on presence of ancestral worship 6. Help the poor, give alms to the poor Naming and ceremonial cercimcision could go on Animal sacrifice and above done through
MS01.01.03.B01.F06.022
Islamic practices - Visitation of the Shrine of the Ancestors was frowned upon. Pilgrimage to Mecca was required - Material relating to dress Legacy: Administration and Govm't not concerned w personal belief and salvation A manifestation of total life in this world and the next God is head of state in Islamic theory. The Kalif or Iman intreprets this through the Divine Word of the Quoran. Head of State becomes the holy state In matters of Law: A single frame work of law & Justice was established - local customs practical if not in conflict w Islamic law. * It did not create a cultural vacuum - spread gradually over centuries by Africans by peaceful means and did not come by Aliens. The process was gradual and almost unnoticed. It was flexible in spite of its stern approach. Islam banned certain types of marriage (sister of deceased wife) brother's wife) concurrent wifes (number) limited to 4. Offset by weather of person taking a wife. Introduction of Arabic words into the African language became important. Bornean, Housea, States - came through Arabic lang * Islam was propagated by the trader - it did not appear as an imposition - no church heirarch to do this Molohams (Moslem teachers)
MS01.01.03.B01.F06.023
before other areas south of Sahara. Pologamy was still practiced but limited to four. Divorce readily obtained (shared property idea - of deceased - but largely ignored) Matriarchial system observed over the patriarchial as practiced by Molams are also herbolist (healers) as well as religious men * Christianity: There were 4 attempts to plant it 1st. From founding to 4th Cent AD Egypt & Roman provinces of North Africa St. Augustine - etc7th Cent AD Christianity spread across North Africa and wiped out by Moslems - Only in Ethopia has this been continued - 2nd Portuguese exploration in the 15th Century - Catholic Missions were established in 15th Century in [Bevin ?], Sierre Leon, etc. Collapse followed by 17th & 18th centuries. Slave trade helped in the collapse. 3rd 18th century in Sierra Leon as an attempt to colonize Free towns. It then takes a foot hold (permanent fold). 19th century Liberia founded and Christianity established - 19th century, great religions awakening in Europe and America which sent many Missionaries to Africa 4th period (present) World War I, Africans assumed the responsibility of interpreting Christianity for * The Moslems as compared to the Christians are in the lower echelon of life - they studied the Quoran and not schooling principles.