brings together a team of international scholars to create a single-volume resource on the religious beliefs and practices of the peoples in Africa.
- Offers broad coverage of issues relating to African religions, considering experiences in indigenous, Christian, and Islamic traditions across the continent
- Contributors are from a variety of fields, ensuring the volume offers multidisciplinary perspectives
- Explores methodological approaches to religion from anthropological, philosophical, and historical perspectives
- Provides insights into the historical developments in African religions, as well as contemporary issues such as the development of African-initiated churches, neo traditional religions, and Pentecostalism
- Discusses important topics at the intersection of culture and religion in Africa, including the arts, health, politics, globalization, gender relations, and the economy
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“Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-level undergraduates through researchers/faculty.” (Choice, 1 June 2013)
Table of Contents
Notes on Contributors xi
Foreword xix
Jacob K. Olupona
Acknowledgments xxii
Introduction 1
Elias K. Bongmba
Part I Methodological Perspectives on African Religions 23
1 Methodological Views on African Religions 25
James L. Cox
2 Philosophy of Religion on African Ways of Believing 41
V.Y. Mudimbe and Susan Mbula Kilonzo
3 Neo-Protestant Ethics and the Spirit of Capitalism: Perspectives from the Social Sciences 62
Jean Comaroff and John L. Comaroff
4 Divination in Africa 79
René Devisch
5 Orality, Literature, and African Religions 97
Jonathan A. Draper and Kenneth Mtata
6 African Rituals 112
Laura S. Grillo
7 Postcolonial Feminist Perspectives on African Religions 127
Musa W. Dube
8 Religion and the Environment 140
Edward P. Antonio
9 Christianity in Africa: From African Independent to Pentecostal-Charismatic Churches 153
Birgit Meyer
Part II Interpreting Religious Pluralism 171
10 Neo-traditional Religions 173
Marleen de Witte
11 Spirit Possession in Africa 184
Susan J. Rasmussen
12 Christian Missions in Africa 198
Norman Etherington
13 Christianity in Africa 208
David T. Ngong
14 Coptic Christianity 220
Jason R. Zaborowski
15 The Ethiopian Orthodox Church 234
Christine Chaillot
16 African Theology 241
Elias K. Bongmba
17 The Church and Women in Africa 255
Isabel Apawo Phiri
18 Feminist Theologies in Africa 269
Sarojini Nadar
19 Church and Reconciliation 279
Tinyiko Maluleke
20 Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements in Modern Africa 295
Matthews A. Ojo
21 African Initiated Churches in the Diaspora 310
Afe Adogame
22 Islam in Africa 323
Yushau Sodiq
23 Women in Islam: Between Sufi sm and Reform in Senegal 338
Penda Mbow
24 Islam and Modernity 355
Carmen McCain
25 Jihad 365
John H. Hanson
26 Shari’a in Muslim Africa 377
David Cook
27 Hinduism in South Africa 389
P. Pratap Kumar
Part III Religion, Culture, and Society 399
28 Religion and Art in Ile-Ife 401
Suzanne Preston Blier
29 Sufi Arts: Engaging Islam through Works of Contemporary Art in Senegal 417
Allen F. Roberts and Mary Nooter Roberts
30 Religion, Health, and the Economy 430
James R. Cochrane
31 Religion, Illness, and Healing 443
David Westerlund
32 Religion and Politics in Africa 457
Stephen Ellis and Gerrie ter Haar
33 Religion and Development 466
Steve de Gruchy
34 Religion, Media, and Confl ict in Africa 483
Rosalind I.J. Hackett
35 Gospel Music in Africa 489
Damaris Seleina Parsitau
36 Religion and Globalization 503
Asonzeh Ukah
37 Religion and Same Sex Relations in Africa 515
Marc Epprecht
Bibliography 529
Index 590
