Authenticity of Belief in African (Igbo) Traditional Religion: A Critical Appraisal in the Light of Christian Faith

Description

The work presents Abrahamic monotheistic religions and the belief of the traditional religions in Africa, especially in Igboland. Religion exists notwithstanding many rots and bad religious behaviours through systematic and atheistic upbringing. It is true that in the history of mankind, different religions have come and gone and many are still in existence and they are religiously or socially formed. The monotheistic faiths of Judaism, Christianity and Islam have their complementary religious conviction with Igbo religion. They have the image of God as one and only. The authentic carriers of Igbo religion include religious functionaries, the family, and the elders. The religion is culturally, socially and ethically oriented and so the Gospel message of Christ should not neglect them. Cover Table of Content Acknowledgement Vorwort Foreword General Introduction The Aim of this Work Chapter 1: Religious Concept, Faith, Belief and Tradition 1. Introduction 1.1 The Concept of Religion 1.1.1 What is Religion? 1.1.2 Constitutive Elements of Religion 1.1.2.1 The Myth 1.1.2.2 The Rites and the Rituals 1.1.2.3 Mysticism 1.2 What is Faith? 1.3 What is Belief? 1.4 What is Tradition? 1.5 The Relationship between Religion, Faith and Belief 1.5.1 Belief and Knowledge 1.5.2 Belief without Evidence 1.6 Theological/Religious Belief 1.6.1 Miracle, Sacraments and Revelation Chapter 2: Abrahamic Monotheistic Religions and their Beliefs 2. Introduction 2.1 Who are the Jews? 2.1.1 Judaism and its Origin 2.1.2 The Torah in Judaism 2.1.3 The Concept of God in Jewish Religion 2.1.4 Covenant as the Initiation Rite in Judaism 2.2 Christianity 2.2.1 The Birth of Christ and the Origin of Christianity 2.2.2 Jesus as the Word Incarnate 2.2.3 The Principal Message of Jesus Christ 2.2.3.1 The Kingdom of God 2.2.3.2 The Concept of Love in the Teaching of Jesus Christ 2.2.4 Christian Concept of God 2.2.5 Trinitarian Notion of God 2.2.6 Jesus as the Saviour and Mediator between God and Humanity 2.2.7 The Bible/Scripture and the Tradition as Inspired by God 2.3 Islamic Religion 2.3.1 The Life of Mohammad 2.3.2 The Call of Mohammad 2.3.3 Sources of Authority in Islamic Religion 2.3.3.1 The Qur’an as the Islamic Holy Book 2.3.3.2 The Authority of Sunnah in Islam 2.3.4 The Idea of God in Islamic Religion 2.3.5 The Five Pillars of Islam 2.3.5.1 Shahada (Confession of faith) 2.3.5.2 Salat: Daily Prayer 2.3.5.3 Zakat al Fitr (to thrive or to be pure) – Almsgiving 2.3.5.4 Ramadan (Fasting) 2.3.5.5 Al – Hajj (Pilgrimage) Chapter 3: African Traditional Religions and Igbo Objects of Worship 3. Introduction 3.1 African Traditional Religions 3.1.1 The Origin of African Traditional Religions 3.1.2 Lack of Written Materials in African Traditional Religions 3.2 The Country Nigeria 3.2.1 Who are the Igbo? 3.2.2 Igbo Traditional Religion 3.2.3 The Igbo World-View 3.3 Chukwu: God as the Supreme Being in Igboland 3.3.1 Manifestations of God’s Attributes in Igbo Names 3.3.1.1 God as the Provider - Chinenye 3.3.1.2 God’s Omniscience - Chukwuma 3.3.1.3 The Mercy of God: Eberechukwu 3.4 Non-Human Spirits, Divinities and Oracles 3.4.1 The Deity of Ala (Earth) 3.4.2 The New Yam Festival Celebration 3.4.3 Amadioha or Igwe (Heaven) 3.4.4 Anyanwu (Sun) 3.4.5 Chi’s: Other Spirit Forces 3.5 Igbo Belief in the Ancestors 3.5.1 Who are the Ancestors? 3.5.2 The Role of the Ancestors in Igbo Traditional Religion 3.5.3 Qualities of the Ancestors in Igbo Traditional Religion Chapter 4: Religious Functionaries in African Traditional Religions 4. Introduction 4.1 What is Priesthood? 4.1.1 Who is a Priest? 4.1.2 Priesthood in the Old Testament 4.1.3 The New Testament Priesthood: The Priesthood of Christ 4.2 Priesthood in Igbo Traditional Religion 4.2.1 The Call to the Priestly Function 4.2.2 Four Categories of Priesthood in Igboland 4.2.2.1 The Okpara or Paterfamilias Priest 4.2.2.2 The Onye Isi Ala (The Priest of Ala) 4.2.2.3 Onye Eze Mmuo or Eze Arusi (The King of the Spirit) 4.2.2.4 The Aro or Nri Priests 4.2.3 The Training of Priests in Igbo Traditional Religion 4.2.4 Installation of Priests in Igbo Traditional Religion 4.3 Functions of Priests in Igbo Traditional Religion 4.3.1 Worship in Igbo Traditional Religion 4.3.2 Sacrifice and Offering in African Traditional Religion 4.3.3 Sacrifice: (Aja) and Offering (Nhunye) in Igbo Traditional Religion 4.3.4 Human Sacrifice in Igbo Traditional Religion 4.4 Prayers in African Traditional Religion 4.4.1 Prayers in Igbo Traditional Religion 4.4.2 Kinds of Prayer: Private and Communal or Family Prayers 4.4.3 Types of Prayer 4.4.3.1 Prayer of Invocation 4.4.3.2 Prayer of Petition 4.4.3.3 Prayer over Kola Nut in Igbo Traditional Religion 4.5 Medicine Men/Women or Healers in Igbo Traditional Religion 4.5.1 The Medicine Man/Woman (Herbalist) Dibia Ogwu 4.5.2 Training for Medicine Man: Dibia 4.5.3 Diviner (Dibia Afa) in Igbo Traditional Religion Chapter 5: The Ethical, Social and Cultural Values in Africa 5. Introduction 5.1 Community in African Traditional Religion 5.1.1 Community in Igbo Cultural Tradition 5.1.2 The Spirit of Solidarity in Igbo Cultural Tradition (Igwe bu Ike) 5.1.3 Sanctions in the Igbo Community 5.2 Traditional Family System in Africa 5.2.1 Family System in Igbo Cultural Tradition (Ezi na Ulo) 5.2.2 The Extended Family System 5.2.3 Village Setting in Igbo Cultural Tradition 5.3 Moral and Social Values in Igbo Cultural Tradition 5.3.1 Respect for Elders in Igbo Cultural Tradition 5.3.2 Title Taking in Igbo Tradition 5.4 Proverbs as a Social Means of Transmission of Knowledge in Africa 5.4.1 Proverbs in Africa and other Cultures 5.4.2 Proverbs in Igbo Cultural Tradition 5.5 The Spirit of Hospitality among the Africans (Igbo) 5.5.1 Kola Nut (Oji) in Igbo Cultural Tradition 5.5.2 Songs, Drums and Dancing as the Instruments of Social Interaction 5.5.3 Songs and Music in Igbo Traditional and Cultural Setting 5.6 The Notion of Life in African Cultural Traditions 5.6.1 The Notion of Life in Igbo Tradition 5.7 Death in African (Igbo) Tradition 5.7.1 Mythology of Death in Igboland 5.7.2 Death and Burial in Igboland 5.7.3 The Death of a Youth 5.7.4 The Death of an Old Person 5.7.5 Igbo Ways of Lying in State 5.7.6 The Carrying of the Corpse to the Grave and its Burying 5.7.7 Funeral Activities after the Burial 5.7.8 Those that were not given Burial Rites Chapter 6: Evaluation: A Critical Appraisal in the Light of Christian Faith 6. Introduction 6.1 The Impacts of Christianity in Africa Especially Igboland 6.2 Christianity in Africa According to the Mind of Christ 6.3 The Christian Identity 6.4 Religious Crises in Igboland 6.5 Syncretism in Igbo Neo-Christian Religion 6.6 Inculturation of the Gospel into the Lives of the People 6.6.1 Inculturation of Christianity among the Igbo 6.7 The Belief in the Supreme Being, Deities and Ancestors 6.7.1 Other Spiritual Deities 6.7.2 The Ancestors as Intermediaries 6.7.3 Theological Interpretation of Ancestral Veneration 6.8 Inculturation in the Areas of Liturgy 6.8.1 Inculturation towards Cultural, Social and Moral Values of the People 6.8.2 Theological Interpretation of Kola Nut 6.9 Conclusion Bibliography