TRADITIONAL AFRICAN WAYS OF WORSHIPING GOD

2/10/2016

8 Comments

TRADITIONAL AFRICAN WAYS OF WORSHIPING GOD

Worship is the means through which human beings communicate with God.
Worship may be public or private, formal or informal, communal or individual and direct or indirect.

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Places where worship is conducted in African traditional society

Under sacred trees e.g. Mugumo tree.
On hilltops and rocks.
In caves.
At riverbanks and on the shores.
In the sacred forests.
In graveyards
At crossroads.
In the homes of some religious specialists.

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God is worshipped through the following ways;

Through sacrifices
Through offerings
Through singing and dancing
Through prayers.

1. Sacrifices

An animal is slaughtered in honour of God.
It involves the shedding of blood of human beings, animals or birds.
Sacrifices are carefully selected, since they are offered to the creator of the universe.
Animals offered have to be of one color e.g.
- Black.
- White.
- Brown.
They are given back to God as a sign of appreciation of what God has provided for them.

Why sacrifices are made to God, spirits and ancestors

To appreciate God as the source of life.
To thank God for the blessings to the people.
To appease God for the wrongs done.
To petition God for help during difficult times.
To invite God to participate in family and community functions.
To maintain a good relationship
To avert evil e.g. drought, famine, floods or epidemics.

Occasions when sacrifices where offered

During rites of passage i.e.
Birth and naming.
Initiation.
Marriage.
Death.
During disasters.
After a good harvest.
During installation of leaders.
During cleansing ceremonies.
During reconciliation ceremonies.
Before going to war.

Note

Sacrifices are offered by heads of families, priests, medicine persons.
Prayers accompany sacrifices.
They are acts of humility before their creator.

2. Offerings

It is another way of worshipping God.
It involves the taking of foodstuffs e.g. milk, water or honey and giving them to God.
Offerings are carefully selected.

3. Singing and dancing in worship

Songs and dances are performed during communal worship.
They are used in praising and thanking God.
Songs and dances make the worshipers emotionally connected with God.
Songs and dances are accompanied by clapping of hands, drumming and playing musical instruments.
They also promote solidarity among the worshippers.

4. Prayers.

They are verbal communications with God.

Prayers are mostly short and to the point.
Prayers are offered during important religious occasions. They pray in different ways e.g.
- Kneeling.
- Standing.
- Prostrating.
- Bowing.
- Facing certain directions.
- Raising hands.

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5. Invocations

Short formal prayers e.g. “Help me, O God!” or “O Great God”.

6. Blessings

Blessings by an elder constitute acts of prayer. It is believed that the person blessing is doing so on behalf of God.

7. Salutations

e.g. “Dear God”.

8 Comments

Amanda W link

20/4/2020 13:01:56

please answer my questions

MAURICE ATIKA NYAMOTI link

20/4/2020 14:37:50

Hi Amanda;
Please ask your questions here so that I can answer them here. Thanks for your concern.

Barasa James

24/2/2021 06:44:16

Identify and explain various rituals performed in African traditional Religions as you highlight the significant of each of them

MAURICE ATIKA link

8/11/2023 19:40:52

Rituals play a significant role in African traditional religions, serving as a means to establish and maintain a harmonious relationship with the divine powers and the community. These rituals are diverse and vary across different ethnic groups and regions. Here are some examples of rituals performed in African traditional religions and their significance:

Libations and prayers: In many African religions, elders pour libations and offer prayers to the Creator or secondary divinities as a way of giving thanks and seeking blessings [1]. This ritual is a form of communication and reverence towards the divine beings.

Ancestor veneration: Ancestors are considered important mediators between the human and sacred realms. Rituals involving prayers, offerings, and sacrifices are performed to maintain a connection with the ancestors and seek their guidance and protection [1]. Ancestors are believed to have the power to reprimand or bless their descendants based on their adherence to the moral order.

Rites of passage: Rituals mark important transitions in life, such as puberty or death, and the change in social status. These rites of passage serve as a process of socialization and education, enabling individuals to assume new roles within the community. They also involve the cultivation of knowledge about sacred power and the nature of the divine [1]. Examples of such rituals include initiation ceremonies.

Possession trance: Possession trance is a ritual practice where individuals seek to be possessed by spirits or divinities. This altered state of consciousness is induced through various techniques such as chanting, drumming, and dancing. Possession trance allows devotees to establish a direct dialogue with the divinities and seek answers to their questions [1].

Use of masks: Masks are an integral part of ritual practices in many African religions. They often represent ancestors, culture heroes, gods, and cosmic dynamics. Masks are believed to embody the spiritual essence of the beings they represent and are used in ceremonies to connect with the divine and invoke their power [1].

Divination: Divination is a ritual practice performed by specialized individuals known as diviners. Diviners possess the gift of clairvoyance and are believed to have insight into the will of the divinities. Divination rituals serve as a means of communication with the gods and provide guidance, protection, and blessings to individuals [1].

These rituals are performed with the aim of maintaining a harmonious relationship with the divine powers, ancestors, and the community. They serve as a way to harness cosmic powers, seek guidance, and ensure the well-being of individuals and the community as a whole.

Learn more:

African religions | Traditional Beliefs & Practices | Britannica
Traditional African religions - Wikipedia
Chapter 3: Traditional African Religious Beliefs and Practices | Pew Research Center

Abigael Nekesa

7/11/2022 18:30:34

How God was worshipped in Luyha community

xxxxx

6/12/2022 14:47:18

Idk

8/11/2023 19:44:27

In the Luhya community, the worship of God has evolved over time. Traditionally, the Luhya people believed in a supreme God called Were or Nyasaye [2]. They worshiped Were through intermediaries, which were usually the spirits of their deceased relatives [2]. These spirits were believed to have both benevolent and malevolent powers and had to be appeased through animal sacrifices, such as goats, chickens, and cattle [2].

However, with the introduction of Christianity to the Luhya community, many have converted to Christianity, and the worship practices have changed. Today, the majority of Luhya people consider themselves Christians, practicing either Catholicism or Protestantism [2]. The influence of Christianity has led to a shift in worship practices, with a focus on prayer, attending church services, and following Christian teachings.

Despite the conversion to Christianity, belief in spirits and witchcraft is still common among the Luhya people [2]. It is not uncommon to find individuals who offer prayers in church while also consulting witch doctors or medicine men for assistance with problems [2].

Learn more:

Kenyan Tribes & Religions - Shadows Of Africa
Luhya - Introduction, Location, Language, Folklore, Religion, Major holidays, Rites of passage
(DOC) The Luhya- Kenya Religion | SAMUEL M MULUPI - Academia.edu

Lilian kosgei

13/1/2023 13:45:25

Good job.u are highly appreciated.👏👏

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