Name ______Core______Date______
How Religion Changed Africa
Religion has shaped the lives of the people around the world. In the United States and many other countries, there are protections for the freedom of religion. In some countries, wars have been waged over differences in religion. Africa has long had a mix of religions. How has religion changed life for the people of Africa? Is it possible for people with different religious perspectives to coexist?
Polytheism
Polytheism is one type of belief system found in Africa. There are many different polytheistic religions, but they all share a similar trait. People who follow polytheistic religions believe in, and worship, more than one god. The first part of the word, poly, means “many,” and the second part, theism, means “a belief in god.” In addition to worshipping many gods, polytheistic religions also have many traditional beliefs and practices. Traditional African polytheistic practices include the honoring of family ghosts, animism, sorcery, witchcraft, healers, seers, and king-like figures. Many of the practices of traditional polytheistic religions help keep people connected to their past, as they are practicing the same beliefs as their ancestors.
Although the idea of ghosts may sound somewhat scary, it is common in African life. Family ghosts traditionally have been viewed as communicators between living family members and the gods. Animism is the belief that the souls of plants and animals are everywhere and that they interact with spiritual powers. People who practice animism believe in a deep connection between the spirits and nature. Healers are involved in performing rituals and creating healing agents, such as tonics and salves from various herbs. Seers usually interact with spirits. The spirits are believed to be everywhere and involved in all parts of life, including family disputes, fertility of people and land, protection against bad weather and natural disasters, choices in marriage, and farming. For this reason, many people in Africa developed strong connections to the spirits. To express this connection with the spirits, polytheistic cultures often developed songs, dances, and rituals to please the gods.
Monotheism
Many places in Africa saw a shift to monotheism when foreign trade and missionaries came to the continent. Monotheism is the belief in just one god, as opposed to many different gods. Many people were converted to Christianity and Islam, which are monotheistic religions. Yet even in modern times, many Africans of Christian and Muslim faith continue to openly practice the beliefs of their ancestors, which include polytheistic elements.
Have you heard of Mansa Musa? He was one of the most well-known rulers in Africa and the first Muslim king of Mali. He ruled in the 1300s. Musa traveled almost 4,000 miles to make his pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. He gave very freely and plentifully to others. Historians have recorded that Musa’s gift-giving actually lowered the value of gold in Egypt. Musa is credited with advancing architecture, education, the arts, and politics by bringing architects, scholars, and government officials back with him from Mecca, Cairo, and other Muslim cities. His show of power and demonstration of Muslim learning helped monotheism spread in Africa.
Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther of Nigeria is another important religious figure in African history. British missionaries rescued Crowther (then Ajayi) from slavery. They made his education their personal mission. After completing his education, Crowther started working with others to eliminate the slave trade. Crowther was eventually named Bishop of Niger. Crowther also had goals for Christianity, and taught this religion to Africans. He hoped that once Africans learned about Christianity, they would teach their children and pass on the belief system.
The Impacts of Belief
Polytheistic perspectives in Africa have an impact on how people live their lives. in many cultures, these practices honor local traditions and connect people to their families and neighbors. Because many animist traditions focus on honoring ancestors, followers of these traditions have a strong connection to the past. Many of the polytheistic belief systems also guides followers to respect others and the land, highlighting the importance of harmony between the nature spirits, such as the spirits of the forest, the wind, the rain, animals, and the earth.
Monotheistic religions also have an impact on the ways people live. When millions of people across the world worship the same god, using similar sacred texts and rituals, they can form a global community. Travelers from around Africa and Asia shared their interpretations of the Quran with each other. Many prayed in the same Arabic language. This created a network of people who shared religious, cultural, and scientific ideas across regions. Some people who practice monotheistic religions believe it is important to spread their faith to others. This is called proselytizing, and it can lead to people changing their beliefs and adopting a new religion, such as Christianity or Islam.
Africa has an interesting religious history. Perhaps this history can guide Africa in the present. Respect for past traditions might help Africans deal with issues that arise in the future. Africa today is a diverse continent, with many different groups of people and a mix of beliefs. Do you think there is still room for polytheistic belief systems in Africa today, or do you think Africa will become more monotheistic?
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Questions
After reading the passage, answer the following questions:
Multiple Choice: (2 points each)
1. Which monotheistic religion spread throughout Africa?
A. witchcraft
B. animism
C. Islam
D. Hinduism
2. Which of the following is an example of animism?
A. speaking to the souls of trees and other plants
B. creating medicine from herbs and plant roots
C. believing in only one god
D. converting people to a different belief
3. Which statement best illustrates the legacy of polytheism in Africa, according to the passage?
A. In most countries, polytheism is replaced with monotheism to avoid conflict.
B. In many regions, polytheism is practiced with monotheism in an open way.
C. In some areas, polytheism is practiced in secrecy to avoid discovery.
D. In some countries, polytheism is practiced to avoid government punishment.
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Short Answer: (8 points)
There are advantages to each type of belief system discussed in this passage. Describe some ways that each system can help people. Use details from the passage to support your answer.