Theories in Contemporary African Studies Research: The Theory of Religious Compromisation

Abstract

Theorizing in the African Academy is admittedly not a common phenomenon. The Academy in Africa has over centuries been used to adopting Western-initiated theories, philosophies and concepts. Often it becomes a subject of debate when theories propounded by African Scholars have to be admitted into the sphere of Universal Scholarship. This is where the universality of Western philosophy is drummed emphatically in the attempt to drown the existence of African Philosophy. In my opinion, African scholarship can best dwell on theories that are contextually African even if not universal. In this Paper, I introduce a theory that will drive contemporary research in relevant fields of African Studies and by extension be tested and applied elsewhere. The theory of Compromisation, although evolved as a solution to intra and inter religious clashes on the Continent has also evolved into being applicable in diverse spheres of life on the African Continent. It stretches to cover varied fields of human interaction whether social, cultural or political. Any area of human interaction where conflicts are bound to erupt due to clashes in ideology, differences in culture and traditions, differences in opinions, orientation and so on. What the author does in this Paper is to present a brief working understanding of this theory purposely for Academic Review and for further discussions. The intention is to have researchers, theorists and critics test the workability of the theory. The author wishes to point out that this is work in progress and contributions, criticisms and all forms of discussions are welcome. This Paper is nothing but a summarized ‘teaser’, meant to test the academic waters in preparation for a more meticulous and comprehensive discussion of this theory.