|
|
African Spirituality
| 
Zaire ceremonial mask |
African Spirituality
Africa is the site of the earliest known evidence of the existence of man (, found in Chad in 2002, a hominid 6 to 7 million years old). It is also thought to be the cradle of civilization. Religion in Africa is extremely varied, as are the people. From Christianity and Islam to Traditional African Religions, the people of Africa are a spiritual people and an extremely diverse people. The Tuareq of West Africa are Muslim for the most part but are Matrilineal (not matriarchal, however). The women in these nomadic tribes do not wear the veil, but the men do (see: ). As an example of extreme diversity of religion, we see among the religions in the country of Sudan: Sunni Islam, Catholicism, many differing African Traditional Religions, and pyramids dotting the landscape from the ancient Egyptian-like culture of Nubia (see Meroe/Nubian religion:
Black Kingdoms of the Nile: ).
Matrilineal/Matrilocal Bemba of Zambia:
Bemba and Patrilineal Baganda of Uganda:
Nubian Pryramids of Sudan
|
Tuareg Warrior from Mali
|
E.E. Evans-Pritchard was the first anthropologist to do field work among the Africans. His chief work was about religion and witchcraft among the Azande and Nuer tribes of Sudan.
Azande Statues, Sudan
Nuer, Ethiopia |
Azande witchdoctor, Sudan
Nuer Women, Sudan |
|
|
