Abstract
The intertwining nature of African life and livelihood is a considerable challenge to the discourse of development. In as much as the view on unlocking both the spiritual and physical dimensions of life in developmental endeavours is frowned upon, contemporary exploration into indigenous knowledge systems as an alternative discourse of development does not simply transform the dialogue but posits it as a discourse of power. This article examines the interplay between indigenous beliefs and knowledge systems and the discourse of development, with a focus on the Nankani in the Upper East Region of Ghana.
Highlights
Development does not occur in a vacuum
The historical link between Christian Protestant ethics and the socio-economic development of the West illustrates this (Comaroff & Comaroff 2012:62–78). While this recognition is acceptable with reference to the major world religions, doubts are raised when this view is associated with the many indigenous religions of the world (Ter Haar 2011:3–4)
In Africa where the sociocultural, economic, environmental and political dimensions are complexly interwoven with its diverse, yet uniquely homogenous, indigenous religions, a careful consideration of the context is relevant in the search for development in its communities (Amenga-Etego 2011)
Summary
Development does not occur in a vacuum. It does so within a sociocultural setting. Even though it is quite possible to identify the core religious features of the indigenous religions of Africa, it is very difficult to disentangle Africa’s cultural heritage from its religious beliefs and practices.
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