African Traditional Religion: A Definition (1973), Omosade Awolalu in Yoruba Belief and Sacrificial Rites and John Mbiti in The Concept of God in Africa (1970) are a few examples of postcolonial scholars of religion who have resisted and denounced colonial idea that Africans do not know God. Department of Religion and African Culture . For many Africans and Ghanaians, in particular, it is religion more than anything else that shapes their worldview and participation in social life6. In African philosophy and within the African culture, this paper tries to mirror the place of symbols within African philosophy. The African traditional In practice, most of the rituals and day to day religious Ritual, a phenomenon that covers a wide range of African spirituality, is a religious expression that has been in existence from time immemorialin Africa, and in the Diaspora. African culture has experienced rapid change since the colonial invasion. A cri cal analysis on African T r adi onal Religion and the T rinity To what extent do the resources of African Traditional Religion (ATR) contribute towards Access-restricted-item true Addeddate 2012-12-26 21:22:43 Bookplateleaf 0008 Contemporary African culture is a mixture of traditional elements and alien features. To Mbiti (1969), African Religions and Philosophy is a systematic study of the attitudes of mind and belief that have evolved in the many societies of Africa and affects the way of life of most African … They counteracted various derogatory names given to AIR. The dots in each half of the yin-yang symbol unify the two halves: one dot is “yin,” the other “yang.” Together they demonstrate the interdependence of opposing forces. liefs and actions. Drawing upon my fieldwork, my own life situation as a twin in the Yoruba community of Nigeria, and several ethnographic sources, the article examines the religious and symbolic significance of animals in African society and culture. Benedict (PhD) Sociology Department Delta State University Abraka Abstract Nigeria has produced a great variety of art traditions and her size, diverse geography and people have contributed to sculptural richness. CIRCLE The next logical magical symbol is the circle. Art, Religion and Symbolic Beliefs in Traditional African Context: A Case for Sculpture Akpomuvie. The study also shows that the application of indigenous African symbols and symbolism, with which people can readily relate, to product advertisement will help … Sculptures, songs, dance, myths, incantations, etc are oftentimes expressions of African beliefs and practices. It is a matter of perspective, whether one lays emphasis on the Supreme Being or on the many . important African symbols used in advertisement with cowries and kola-nuts ranking as the most important. Abstract . 136 mediators needed to reach him3. The relationship between the sacred and nature has lately received considerable attention in the study of indigenous traditions. whether African Traditional Religion should be termed monotheistic or polytheistic. Most African cultures believe that African traditional religion (ATR) refers to the indigenous religious beliefs and practices of the African people. Inter-religious relations, especially, among African Traditional Religion (ATR) worshippers, Muslims and Christians are becoming sources of social tension and violence. Adekunle Ajasin University . Local African culture was oppressed for many years by white South Africans, who find their cultural roots in … Orhioghene. A Doubleday Anchor book. 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