African Religions

Religion plays a central role in Africa, and its importance has recently increased rather than diminished. Although most Africans today are Christian or Muslim, they are deeply influenced by their indigenous religious heritage. There is a tremendous diversity of indigenous African religions.

This book offers an introduction to the African interior, examining five carefully selected African religions from peoples with different traditional cultures. We learn about shamanism among the San people of southern Africa.

We also learn about Maasai monotheism, ancestor worship among the Sukoma people of East Africa, idol worship among the Congolese in Central Africa, and the polytheistic worship of the Yoruba people of West Africa. A comparative chapter discusses the growing problems related to witchcraft and sorcery.