African Traditional Religions in Transition: Modernism, Globalization and African Indigenous Faiths in Context

Abstract

Contrary to the writings of early Western Scholars, prior to the invasion of the slave traders and colonialism, the African was religious within a descriptive context of relative awareness of his existence, not in comparison with any other. The African has never been irreligious and ignorant of the existence of a Supreme being or the spirit realm. In the era of increasing advancement in technology, modernization and globalization, the African, in the practice of his indigenous faith, appears to be succumbing to several influences. The invasion of Islam and Christianity have also had their respective toll on African Traditional Religious beliefs and practices. Indeed, African Traditional religious beliefs and practices across diverse societies on the continent have been transformed in many ways. The question is whether the African in many years to come will still have a religion in the form bequeathed by the ancestors? To what extent has globalization and modernization and so on, influenced the way the African believes and worships? This Paper discusses this very important subject and opens the debate for further research and discussions.