African traditional religions and other religions

Christianity

Both African religion and Christianity regard God as the ground of being and the source of life. Anthropology serves as a basic starting place for both, with human beings seen as temporal mirrors and mediators of God.

Traditional African religions are considered monotheistic by some scholars, centering on a single supreme creator God. The Christian concept of church parallels African traditional life, where brotherhood and extended family are central. The Church, as a Christian family, unites the living and the dead, similar to the African view of family encompassing both the living and the departed.

Islam

African traditional religion and African Islam have influenced each other, with Islam becoming so acculturated that some scholars consider it a traditional African religion. Conversions to Islam were generally gradual and pacific, incorporating pre-Islamic rituals and beliefs. Beliefs in local myths, spirits, and magic often remained intact if they did not compromise Allah's preeminence.

Many African peoples equated their remote high god with Allah. Muslims continue to participate in traditional masking events and maintain local shrines. In Muslim-dominated areas, followers of traditional African religions often adopt Muslim dress but retain their own beliefs regarding life, birth, marriage, and death.

Did You Know?

• Traditional Igbo doctrine of reincarnation and the creative power of the spoken word are identical to themes in Hindu mantra.
• Akan tradition shares belief in reincarnation with Buddhism.
• Relations between African religion and Buddhism date back to the 17th century, with Thai monks aboard a Portuguese ship visiting Cape Agulhas.