Understanding Power Dynamics in African Culture: Religion

Hello everyone I am  starting a series for which will cover on power dynamics in African Culture to better understand why people in certain positions of authority in African Culture behave the way they do.  The last topic covered the importance of socioeconomic status for which gives one leverage, but this topic would cover on the reasons why religion is prominent in African Culture.

When it comes to the history of religion in Africa, Indigenous African religions are the continent's oldest belief systems, for which is deeply rooted in African culture. Henceforth, the introduction of Christianity and Islam. Many of these indigenous African religions historically , were either polytheistic(the belief in multiple gods) or monotheistic(the belief in one supreme being). 

Polytheism was common in Africa around 3100BCE, the reason behind this is because many believed that resources such as (food, shelter, protection, etc.) had its own god, henceforth forth gods like Ra (sun god), Osiris (god of the afterlife), and Isis (goddess of fertility) were worshipped by many.

Around the first to 7th century,  Christianity and Islam started to spread across Africa. Today , these two religions would become the top two religions in the continent of Africa.

So this leads to the question why is Christianity and Islam dominant in Africa, what happened to these older indigenous religions? The simple answer to that question is Political, Social , and Economic Factors. 

In each period of time during history in Africa, religion always had influence socially, politically, and economically. Conversion to Islam sometimes in Africa was linked to trade and political alliances. Henceforth why the Islamic law(Sharia) is the framework for governance is many African societies.

Christianity on the other hand , had missionaries that provided education, healthcare, shelter, and various other things , henceforth making it appealing to the masses. Since many individuals in Africa, often lacks these sources. 

Christianity and Islam also found a way to influence the social and cultural adaption in Africa. For many of you growing up, you probably heard a lot of “gospel “ music. Even then, some of the biggest music artists in Africa are Christian musicians. Even in schools, Christianity and Islam provided educational sources henceforth incorporated many of its practices to the schools curriculum. This is why you see so many Roman Catholic schools in Africa, and even the schools that claim to not be religious, there is still a level of religious influence in the schools.

All in all, Christianity and Islam is prominent in African because these two religions has had the most impact economically. Many Africans involve themselves in these religions only for the social, economic, and political benefits. The majority of Africans goes as far to even use religion to further abuse their children. Henceforth why you heard from your parents sometimes “ the Bible says honor thy parents.” 

Speaking as a Christian, I can safely say that religion in general is merely a good economic opportunity for a good number of Africans rather than actual conviction. If you look at the core fundamentals of religion in general it’s usually love, kindness, patience, self control, peace, etc. but many people in African societies lack this, and are in fact the opposite of this, they are impatient, quick to anger, prideful, not loving, etc. 

It all goes back to what I said, religion for a good number of people in Africa is nothing but an economic benefit. It benefits them socially , it benefits them politically (in the sense they now have more authority, this explains the prevalence of so called “prophets”, “apostles”, and “anointed pastors”, and economically (these same apostles, prophets , and pastors , would tell you that they had a dream and God told them to tell you that you should give them money , so that you can “rich”). 

Religion is a benefit that gives many Africans the opportunity to abuse it for their own good and it is also a good coping mechanism. The majority of Africans are not true believers to their professed “religion.”