Posted by Chester Morton / Sunday 11 June 2023 / No comments
In what ways are the characteristics of West African Traditional Religion (WATR) different from those of Christianity or Islam?
Introduction
Religion is
an integral part of human life, with different beliefs and practices found in
different parts of the world. West African Traditional Religion is one such
belief system that has been practiced for thousands of years. Christianity and
Islam are other major world religions that have had a major influence in the West
African region. In this article, we will be exploring the characteristics that
differentiate West African Traditional Religion from Christianity and Islam. By
doing so, we will gain insight into the unique features of each religion, and
how they have been shaped by the diverse culture and environment of West
Africa.
Christianity
is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. It
is the world's largest religion, with over 2.4 billion adherents, or followers,
throughout the world. Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God and the
savior of humanity whose coming as the Messiah was prophesied in the Old
Testament of the Bible.
Islam is a
monotheistic Abrahamic religion that is based on the teachings of the Islamic
holy book, the Qur'an. The core beliefs of Islam include the belief in Allah as the
one and only deity, the belief in Muhammad as Allah's final prophet, the belief
in the five Pillars of Islam (profession of faith, prayer, fasting, almsgiving,
and pilgrimage), and the belief in the Day of Judgment. Muslims practice their
faith through rituals such as prayer, fasting during the holy month of Ramadan,
and hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca).
West African
Traditional Religion is a set of beliefs and practices rooted in the indigenous
spiritual and cultural traditions of West African societies, particularly those
located in modern-day Nigeria, Ghana, and the Ivory Coast. These beliefs and
practices include ancestor worship, divination and healing rituals, and a
belief in an all-encompassing divine energy often referred to as
"God" or "the Supreme Being". These beliefs and practices
are still widely practiced today among many West African communities.
CHARACTERISTIC
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN WEST AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION, CHRISTIANITY, AND ISLAM
West African
Traditional Religion is a non-theistic spiritual practice
One of the
ways in which West African Traditional Religion differs from Christianity or
Islam is that the in the former, the adherents believe in a plethora of gods.
West Africans believe there is a Supreme Being, the ultimate, but aside from that,
there are other lesser gods that work in collaboration with the Supreme Being.
These lesser gods are worshipped as individual deities but they recognize the
supremacy of the Supreme Being. In Christianity and Islam on the other hand,
there is the belief in the existence of one God. In the absence of God, the
Almighty, there are no other god.
Another
characteristic that stands out when one compares West African Traditional
Religion to Christianity and Islam is that West African Traditional Religion
is based on how a man relates directly with his maker, he connects himself to
his object of worship in a spiritually direct manner. In other words, it is
based on the personal conviction of the person in question. In Christianity and
Islam, the connection is more communal in nature. The Christians congregate in
church while the Muslims congregate in the mosque. This does not mean
Christians and Muslims do not have their personal relationships with God or
Allah, just that communal worship is also emphasized in addition to the
individual relationship with God.
West African
Traditional Religion does not have a specific set of doctrines or beliefs
Again,
followers of West African Traditional Religion do not have any centralized
rules that members are expected to adhere to across the region as in the case
of Christianity and Islam where all their followers are called upon to abide by
a set of commandments. In Islam, every Muslim is required to pray five times a
day. They are required to visit Mecca, at least, once in their lifetime. Give
alms. In Christianity, going to church on Sundays is encouraged. These are not
the case in West African Traditional Religion.
West African
Traditional Religion does not have a central authority or hierarchy
Also, in West
African Traditional Religion, there is no one leadership structure for the
entire West Africa, overseeing the religion. There is no, for example, like
having the Chief Priest domiciled in Lagos, Cotonou, or Nogokpo with an
administrative structure at a secretariat. In Christianity, there is a whole
hierarchy of leadership, with an administrative structure. The administration
is centralized and doctrines developed and handed down the ladder for
implementation. The Catholic Church, for example, has the Pope based in Rome
and served as the leader of the global Catholic church. In Islam, there is also
centralization of authority. In a country, for example, the highest point of
authority is the Chief Imam and his voice counts.
Be aware
that West African Traditional Religion is a spiritual philosophy founded on the
idea that the natural world, the supernatural, and the ancestors all possess
power. It is unrelated to any specific rituals or ceremonies in acknowledgment of the fact that numerous cultures and people in the area practice religion in
a variety of ways. Instead, it focuses
on developing personal connections with the gods and ancestors as well as learning
about and keeping a healthy relationship with Mother Nature. Respect for divinity, awe for the
ancestors, and preservation of peaceful relationships with the environment are
the three guiding principles of West African traditional religion. Every
society and group has a special way of attaining this.
West African
Traditional Religion does not have any organized clergy
The last,
but not least way in which West African Traditional Religion is different in
character from Christianity and Islam is that there is no organized clergy.
There are no formal schools or seminaries and so on to attend before one can
become a priest of a deity. The clergy is not organized the way it is organized
in Christianity or Islam. s
Conclusion
Overall, it
is clear that there are significant differences between West African
Traditional religion and Christianity or Islam. West African Traditional
religion has its own unique set of beliefs and practices, while Christianity
and Islam have their own distinct rituals and customs. While the three
religions may share some similarities, they offer different ways of expressing
faith and have different approaches to life and death. Ultimately, the
differences between West African Traditional religion and Christianity or Islam
provide a fascinating insight into how different cultures approach and express
faith.
Also Read:
In what ways are the divinities related to the Supreme Being?
What are the relationships between West African Traditional Religion and tourism?
