Encyclopedia of African Religion by Asante, Molefi Kete -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Editorial Board Copyright Contents List of Entries Reader’s Guide About the Editors Contributors Introduction

The 20th-Century Rediscovery of African Religion Is Egypt Part of Africa? Polytheism or Monotheism? Attributes of the Supreme Deity Connective and Related Links

Entries

ABALUYIA ABASI ABELA ABOSOM

Descriptive Overview Some Key Abosom

ABUK ADAE ADINKRA SYMBOLS ADU OGYINAE AFRICISM

Africism: A Geo-Ontological Approach Salient Features of Africism The Development of the Concept

AFTERLIFE

Resurrection Ascension Judgment Acceptance Transformation

AGE GROUPS AGRICULTURAL RITES

The Three Cycles Agricultural Mythology

AGWE AIDA WEDO AIR AIWEL AKAMBA AKAN

Cultural Characteristics Spirituality

AKHENATEN

Amen and His City The Ahmosian Family The Transformation of the King A New God and a New City His Impact and Legacy

AKHETATEN ALAFIN OF OYO

Historical Background Some Key Leaders

ALTARS AMEN

Name and Representation Power and Prominence

AMENHOTEP AMMA AMOKYE AMULET ANANSE ANCESTORS

Veneration Is Fundamental The Descent Line Reverence Displays Universal Practice The Spirits of the Dead The Ritual Protocols Funerals and Death Heroes and Wars The Fear of Death The Idea of Ancestral Reincarnation

ANCESTORS AND HARMONIOUS LIFE

Communication With Ancestors Ideas About Time and Immortality

ANIMAL IMAGES

Origins Some Examples

ANIMALS

Ritual and Sacrifice Myths and Totems Specific Symbols

ANIMATISM ANIMISM ANKH ANUBIS

The God’s Role Lineage

ANUKIS APEP APIS

The Great Festival to the Black One A New Apis

APULEIUS ASAMANDO ASANTE

Historical Background Religious Beliefs

ASANTEHENE

The Supreme Ruler Selection Process

ASASE YAA ASHE ATEN ATUM AUSAR

Origins Worship Myth Ceremonies and Festivals

AUSET AX AZAKA, THE LOA AZANDE

BA BABALAWO BAGANDA BAKONGO

Creation and Cosmology Person

BAKOTA BALANTA BALENGUE BALI

Language and Culture Religious Practice

BALUBA

Historical Background Language and Culture Religious Beliefs Genesis Stories Leadership

BAMANA

History and Social Life Religious Belief Ritual Practices

BAMILEKE BAMUN BANTU PHILOSOPHY BANYANKORE BANYARWANDA BARIBA BAROTSE BASSA

Language Religion and Moral and Ethical Behavior

BASUTO BATA DRUMS BATONGA BATS BATWA BAWON SAMDI BAYA BEADS BEJA BEMBA BES

Long History A God for All Reasons

BETE BIRDS BIRTH BLESSING BLOOD BOATS

Boat Craft Boats in Ritual

BOIS CAIMAN

Key Figures Vodou in Haiti and Africa

BOKONON BONDO SOCIETY

Social Context The Process Links to Religion

BOOK OF THE COMING FORTH BY DAY (THE BOOK OF THE DEAD)

What It Contains How It Developed

BOUKMAN BUBEMBE BUBI BULLS BULU BUMUNTU BURIAL OF THE DEAD

CALAMITIES CANDOMBLÉ

Brazilian Roots Out of Africa Beliefs and Ritual

CAVES

Geological Background Historical Context The Sacred Chambers Other Functions of Caves

CEREMONIES CHAGGA CHAMINUKA CHEWA

The Chewa Culture Men’s and Women’s Roles

CHI

A Complex Concept Chi and the Individual

CHILDREN

Beliefs About Ancestors Children’s Role

CHIWARA

The Legend

CHOKWE

Chokwe Beliefs Religious Practice

CIRCUMCISION

Historical Background Practice in Africa Controversies

CLAY CLITORECTOMY

Traditional Roots Social Context Opposition

COLOR SYMBOLISM CONGO JACK CONJURERS CONVINCE COSMOLOGY

Symbols and Myths Spiritual Forces Women’s Role

COWRIE SHELLS

Use in Kemet West African Currency The Diaspora and Divination

CREATION

Commonalities Regional Myths and Legends Implications for Human Beings

CROSSROADS CULTURAL RELOCATION CURSE

DAGU DANBALA WEDO DANCE AND SONG DAUSI DEATH DESOUNEN

Vodu Belief Roots in Dahomey

DESTINY

Akan Perspectives African Themes

DIASPORA

Background of the Concept Historical Perspective Impact on Religion

DINKA

Social Structure and Lifestyle Marriage and Family Initiation Rites

DIOLA DIOULA DISEASE DIVINATION SYSTEMS

Social Role Typical Process Among the Yoruba Underlying Ethics

DIVINITIES

Basic Description Relationship to the Supreme Being Categories of Divinities

DOGON

The Granary Insiders and Outsiders Creation Myths

DOGON RELIGION AND SCIENCE

Agriculture Cosmology The Granary Symbol Knowledge of the Stars and the Universe Knowledge of Matter

DREAMS DRUM, THE DUALA

History Culture Religious Practice

DWAT DYOW INITIATIONS

EARTH EFIK EGUNGUN EKOI

Religious Practices Ceremonial Masks

EKPO SECRET SOCIETY

Initiation Rite Social Function

ELDERS

Yoruba Tradition Elder Roles

ELEDA ENIYAN

Who Is Chosen What Is Expected How It Is Achieved

ENNEAD EPA SOCIETY EPISTEMOLOGY

Religion as Knowledge Ways of Knowing Major Characteristics

ESU, ELEGBA

Origins Attributes Worship

ETERNAL LIFE

Egyptian Roots African Belief

EVIL EWE

Historical Narratives Major Deities Key Rituals

EYE OF HORUS EZILI DANTÒ EZILI FREDA

FA FAMILY

The Family’s Role Kinship Concepts

FAMILY RITES

Birth Naming Puberty Marriage Death

FANG FARO FATIMAN, CÉCILE FERTILITY

Social Importance The Gods and Ancestors Ritual and Art

FETISH

Fetishes in Africa Renewed Respect Fetishes or Gods?

FIRE FLAG AND FLAG PLANTING

Description and Use Historical Record

FON

Origins of the Fon Fon Cosmology

FOOD

Cultural Unity Ritual Practice

FULA (FULBE) FUNERAL

Ideas About Death Funeral Practices

GA GAMO RELIGION GÈLÈDÈ

African Heritage The Afterlife

GOD

The Outsider’s View African Assessments Can God Be Known? God’s Attributes God and Names The African Vision

GODDESSES

General Characteristics Isis and Maat in Egypt Among the Yoruba Elsewhere in Africa In the Diaspora

GOLA GOVI GROVES, SACRED

Sanctity and Sanctuary Colonialism and Defilement

GULU GURO GURUNSI GWOBONANJ

HAPI

Harvest Festivals

HATHOR

Great Mother Cosmological Hathor Worship

HAYA HEALING

Religious View of Sickness Some Examples The Healing Process

HEALTH

Kinds of Illness Positive Well-Being Health Care

HEKA HERU, HORUS

Symbolic Horus/Heru Mythological Horus/Heru Archetypal Horus/Heru Other Aspects of Horus/Heru Legacy of Horus/Heru

HOODOO

Background and Description Links to Africa Cultural Impact

HOTEP HOUNGAN HOUNSI HUNTING

Historical Background The God of the Forest

HUSIA

The Sacred Texts An Afrocentric Project

HUTU

IBIBIO IBIS, SYMBOL OF TEHUTI

The Ibis Representation A Writing System Tehuti as Writer and Subject

IDOMA

Origins and Ethnicities Death-Related Inquests

IFA

Divination System God of Destiny Sacred Text Becoming a Priest(ess) Contemporary Influence

IGBO

Religious Beliefs New World Slavery

IKIN ILÉ-IFÈ IMHOTEP

Serving His King Sage and Author Transition to Deity

INCARNATION

The Christian Debate Egyptian Origins Ancestral Connections

INCENSE

Historical Background Use in Worship

INFERTILITY INITIATION

Education and Seclusion Circumcision and Identity Marking Two Illustrations

INTERMEDIARIES INVOCATIONS IWA IWA PELE

The Concept Characteristics of Iwa Reward and Punishment

IYALORISHA

Overview The Initial Period Ongoing Restrictions Life as an Iyalorisha

JOK (ACHOLI) JOLA JUJU JUSTICE

KA KABRE OF TOGO KALÛNGA KHNUM KHONSU KIMBUNDU KINGS

Contemporary Significance Classical African Kingship The Cosmology of African Kingship Contemporary Expressions

KINTU MYTH CYCLE KIRDI

History and Behaviors The Role of Cattle Expressions of Culture

KISALIAN GRAVES

A Rich Culture Religious Implications

KUMINA

Ritual Ceremonies Historical Context

KURUMBA KWA BA

LAKES LAVEAU, MARIE

Life in New Orleans VoduVodu in New Orleans The Vodu Queen Rivals Survival of Vodu

LELE LIGHTNING

A Natural Force A Religious Explanation

LOBI

Religious Beliefs Worship Practices

LOMWE LOVEDU

The Rain Queen The Ancestors Moral Values

LUGBARA

Religious Beliefs Invoking the Ancestors Shrines

LUO

Historical Background Religious Beliefs

LWA

Describing the Lwa Worshipping the Lwa Marrying the Lwa

MAASAI MAAT MAGIC MAKANDAL

The Slave Years A Fugitive Leader His Death and Legacy

MAMBO

Initiation Rites A Servant’s Role Community Leader

MAMI WATA

Descriptive Background Impact of Worship

MAROON COMMUNITIES

African Origins A Continuing Struggle The Jamaican Rebellion The Haitian Insurrections Contemporary Communities

MARRIAGE

Link to Childbearing The Family’s Role Preparation and Negotiation Ceremony and Separation

MAWU-LISA

One Force Offspring Gods A Complex Idea

MEDICINE

Disease and African Worldview Healing and Healing Practices Traditional Medicine Specialists Contemporary Appropriation

MEDICINE MEN AND WOMEN

Preparation and Practice Some Examples

MEDIUMS MENDE

Ancestral Spirits Other Spirits

MONTU MOON MOSSI

Ancestral Spirits Mossi Deities

MOUNTAINS AND HILLS MOUNT CAMEROON MOUNT KENYA

Symbolic Mountains The Gikuyu Myth

MUMMIFICATION MUNTU MUSIC MUTWA, CREDO VUSAMAZULU

Early Years His Calling His Impact

NAMING NANA BULUKU NANNY N’DOMO NEB ANKH NEHANDA

Mbuya Nehanda Chargwe Nyakasikana

NGAI NGANGA NGEWO NKULUNKULU NKWA NOMMO NORTH AMERICA, AFRICAN RELIGION IN

Yoruba Orisha and Ifa Traditions Akan-Guan Traditions Asuarian (Osirian) Traditions The VoduVoduTradition Bantu Religious Traditions

NUER NUMBER SYMBOLISM

Meanings of the Number 2 Meanings of the Number 3 Meanings of the Number 4 Meanings of the Numbers 5, 6, 7, and 8

NYAME NZAMBI

OATHS OBATALA OBEAH OCEAN

Physical Ocean Primordial Ocean

ODUDUWA

Ethics of the Odu Ifa Teachings

ODU IFA OFFERING OGBONI SOCIETY OGDOAD OGUN OHUM FESTIVAL

Background Okyeame, Okomfo Asare, and Ohum Rites Post-Okomfo Asare Rites The Launching of Ohum The Week of Ohum Ohum and the Oracle of Kofi Gyemperem

OKANDE OKOMFO ANOKYE OLODUMARE

Etymology Creation Myths Attributes Sayings

OLOKUN OLORUN

Etymology The Status of Olorun Attributes The Myth

ONTOLOGY OPENING OF THE MOUTH CEREMONY ORACLES

God/Gods as Oracle The Diviner as Oracle The Sacred Site as Oracle Prophecy as Oracle

ORAL TEXT ORAL TRADITION ORI ORIGIN OF RELIGION

The Psychological Theory

ORISHA

A Complex Unity Kinds of Orisha Witnessing Objects and the Priesthood

ORISHA NLA ORUNMILA

Patron of the Ifa Divination Corpus

OSHUN OUMFÒ OVAHERERO

The Pastoral Lifestyle and Social Order The Concept of God The Sacred Fire ( ) Visiting the Graves

OVAMBO OYA

Veneration of Oya Divination Legends and Paths to Oya Representations of Oya

PALO

Worldview Palo: The Cuban Practice Practice of Palo in the United States Practice of Palo in Other Parts of the Americas

PEDI PERSONHOOD

Ontology Nature of Community Person in Community

PETWO PEUL PHOENIX PLACENTA PLANTS POCOMANIA PORO SOCIETY POTOMITAN PREDESTINATION PREGNANCY PRIESTS

Duties of the Priests Purification Priestly Work and Family Priests in Other African Societies

PROCREATION PROVERBS AND TEACHING PTAH PUBERTY PUNISHMENT PURIFICATION PYTHONS

QUEENS

RA RADA RAIN RAIN DANCE RAIN QUEEN RED REINCARNATION RESISTANCE TO ENSLAVEMENT RITES OF PASSAGE

Birth: Naming Ceremony Puberty: Initiation Marriage Death

RITES OF RECLAMATION RITUALS

Rituals Connect Communities to God and Ancestors Rituals Take Many Forms Rituals Associated With Royalty

RIVERS AND STREAMS RIVER TANO ROCKS AND STONES RUHANGA

SACRIFICE

Purpose and Significance of Sacrifice Types of Sacrifice Sacrificial Objects Sacrificial Victims

SANGOMA

Initiation Skills

SANKOFA, CONCEPT SANKOFA, FILM SANTERIA

Origins Beliefs Worship Diffusion of Santeria

SARA SARAMACCA SARCOPHAGUS SEBA SECLUSION

Significance Body, Ritual, and Transformation Life Cycle Rituals Power and Renewal of Hegemony Contemporary Contexts

SEERS SEKHMET SENUFO SERAPIS SERER SERPENT SESHAT SET SEVEN SHAME SHANGO SHAWABTI SHILLUK SHONA SHRINES SHU SKY SOCIETIES OF SECRETS

Rites of Passage Caste Sacred Society Conclusion

SONGO

The Homeland Narrative Myth Ritual and Spiritual Manifestations

SOPDU

Origins Beliefs

SOTHO SOUL SPACE AND TIME SPEAR MASTERS SPHINX

Origins Beliefs

SPIRIT MEDIUM

Communication Practices of Spirit Mediums

SPIT SUICIDE SUMAN SUN SUNSUM SUSU SWAHILI SWAZI

TABOO

Meaning Taboos and Morals

TALLENSI TANO RIVER TAUETONA TEFNUT TEKE TELL EL AMARNA TELLEM TEMNE TEMPLES, CONCEPT IN ANCIENT TIMES

The Nature of the Sacred Place The Great Temple of Karnak Types of Temples Temple Organization The Idea of the Temple of God

THOTH THREE THUNDER

Thunder Cult in Africa The Cult of Sango

TIBONANJ TIME TIV TOTEM TRANSCENDENCE AND COMMUNION TRANSFORMATION TREES TSONGA TSWANA TUTANKHAMEN

Art and Spirituality The Afterlife Christianity and Tutankhamen Healing and Tutankhamen Tutankhamen’s Death Tutankhamen and Rituals

TUTSI TWA TWINS

UMBANDA UMBILICAL CORD

Kikuyu, Yansi Sierra Leone Africans Born in the United States Fang Shona Xhosa Mossi

UNDERWORLD

VAI VÈVÈ VILOKAN VODOU AND THE HAITIAN REVOLUTION VODOU IN BENIN

Selected Vodun in Benin and Their Attributes The Vodun Adepts or the Vodunsi Vodun in Benin Today

VODOU IN HAITI

History Theology Communal Rituals Private Rituals Vodou in the Diaspora

VODUNSI

WAMALA WASET WATER WATERFALLS WEST AFRICAN RELIGION

Problems of Naming Definition and Naming

WHITE WIND WINTI

Introduction to African Suriname Religion Essential Principles and Concepts of Winti The Spiritual Human Soul Triad Three Categories of Ancestor Spirits The Winti Pantheon Winti Rites Conclusion

WOLOF WOMEN WORDS WOYENGI

XHOSA

YAM YANVALOU YAO YE. MO. NJA YORKA YORUBA

ZARMA ZIN ZOSER ZULU

Appendix - Names of God in Africa

Names of God Among Some Nigerian Ethnicities Names of God Among Some Ghanaian Ethnicities Names of God Among Some Kenyan Ethnicities Names of God Among Some Ugandan Ethnicities Names of God Among Some Cameroonian Ethnicities Names of God Among Some Ethiopian Ethnicities Names of God Among Some Sudanese Ethnicities Names of God Among Some Congo Ethnicities Names of God Among Some South African Ethnicities Names of God Among Some Tanzanian Ethnicities

Bibliography Index

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