Religion and African Indigenous Knowledge Systems: Healing and Communal Reconstruction in African Communities
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Published
Dec 31, 2013
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Abstract
This article is of the view that current research and scholarship in pastoral
theology in Africa is influenced by Western knowledge systems (WKS) and
culture at the expense of African Indigenous Knowledge Systems (AIKS)
imbedded in African Traditional Religions (ATRs). ATRs are contextually
relevant and can be valuable to pastoral care givers. The author argues that
Christian pastoral care givers can benefit from objective research of AIKS
embedded in ATR and culture as this will unearth African paradigms,
worldviews and the Ubuntu/ botho traditional concepts. The author looks at
current research in ATR being done by Christian theologians, the training of
pastoral caregivers based in western paradigms and the resilience of ATR
and African culture as treasure for social construction and state construction
in Africa. Western knowledge systems are different from African knowledge
systems therefore WKS cannot be pre-packaged as solutions for African
challenges. This article seeks to propose research and teaching in pastoral
theology that can be relevant and effective for African challenges. Instead of
the Christocentric form of inculturation that we currently have, this paper
proposes a dialogical approach that will treat the two religions objectively
through research and teaching.
theology in Africa is influenced by Western knowledge systems (WKS) and
culture at the expense of African Indigenous Knowledge Systems (AIKS)
imbedded in African Traditional Religions (ATRs). ATRs are contextually
relevant and can be valuable to pastoral care givers. The author argues that
Christian pastoral care givers can benefit from objective research of AIKS
embedded in ATR and culture as this will unearth African paradigms,
worldviews and the Ubuntu/ botho traditional concepts. The author looks at
current research in ATR being done by Christian theologians, the training of
pastoral caregivers based in western paradigms and the resilience of ATR
and African culture as treasure for social construction and state construction
in Africa. Western knowledge systems are different from African knowledge
systems therefore WKS cannot be pre-packaged as solutions for African
challenges. This article seeks to propose research and teaching in pastoral
theology that can be relevant and effective for African challenges. Instead of
the Christocentric form of inculturation that we currently have, this paper
proposes a dialogical approach that will treat the two religions objectively
through research and teaching.
Article Details
How to Cite
Moyo, H. (2013). Religion and African Indigenous Knowledge Systems: Healing and Communal Reconstruction in African Communities. Alternation Journal, (11), 207-236. Retrieved from https://journals.ukzn.ac.za/index.php/soa/article/view/409
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Alternation has copyright of all its publications. In the event of an author wanting to re-publish an article or book review, written permission must be requested from the Editor-in-Chief. The request will be approved, within reason.References
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Dynamic African Theology: Umphumulo Contribution. Durban:
Pinetown Printers.
Appiah, SK 2012. The Challenge of a Theologically Fruitful Method for
Studying African Christian Ethics: The Role of the Human Sciences.
Exchange: Journal of Missiological and Ecumenical Research 41,3: 253
- 278.
Basoglu, M (ed) 1992, Torture and its Consequences: Current Treatment
Approaches. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Bate, SC 2002. Human Life is Cultural: Introducing Anthropology.
Pietermaritzburg: Cluster Publications.
Berglund, AI 1976. Zulu Thought – Patterns and Symbolism. Claremont:
Philip Press.
Bloomfield, D, T Barnes & L Huyse (eds) 2003, Reconciliation after Violent
Conflict: A Handbook. Stockholm: IDEA International.
Bozongwana, W 1983. Ndebele Religion Customs. Gweru: Mambo Press.
Chavunduka, GL 2001. Dialogue among Civilizations: The African Religion
in Zimbabwe Today. Harare/ Münster: Crossover Communication.
Crossman, A 2002. Acculturation. Available at: http://www.britannica.com/
EBchecked/topic/3083/acculturation. (Accessed on 29 January 2013.)
David, L 1985. Guns and Rain – Guerrillas and Spirit Mediums in
Zimbabwe. Harare: Zimbabwe Publishing House
Dolamo, RTH 2008. Crucial Aspects of an Authentic and Relevant African
Christian Theology. Missionalia - Southern African Journal of
Missiology 36,2/3,August/November: 226 - 224.
Gehman, RJ 1989. African Traditional Religion. Nairobi: East African
Educational Publishers Ltd.
Gerkin, C 1997. Introduction to Pastoral Care. Nashville, TN: Abingdon
Press.
Grzelak, C 2010. The Inclusive Pluralism of Jacques Dupuis: Its
Contribution to A Christian Theology of Religions, and its Relevance to
the South African Interreligious Context. Poland: Eugeniusz and
Krzysztof Sakowicz.
Harris, JH 2000. Pastoral Theology: A Black Church Perspective.
Minneapolis: Fortress Press.
Hilde Antsen 1997. The Battle of the Mind: International New Media
Elements of the New Religious Political Right in Zimbabwe. Oslo:
University of Oslo.
Keteyi, X 1998. Inculturation as a Strategy for Liberation. Pietermaritzburg:
Cluster.
Laleye, P 1981. La personnalité africaine. Pierres d'attente pour une société
globale, in Combats pour un christianisme africain.Kinshasa: Faculté de
théologie Catholique.
Losi, N 2000. Vite Altrove: Migrazione e Disagio Psichico. Milan:
Feltrinelli.
Magesa L 1997. African Religion: The Moral Traditions of Abundant Life.
Maryknoll: Orbis Book.
Magesa, L 2002. African Religion: The Moral Traditions of Abundant Life.
Marryknoll. New York: Orbis Books.
Maluleke, TS 2000. The Rediscovery of the Agency of Africans: An
Emerging Paradigm of Post-Cold War and Post-Apartheid Black and
African Theology. Journal of Theology for Southern Africa 108,
November: 19 - 37.
Masoga, M. 2002. The Role of African Intellectuals in the Reconstruction of
the African Social Fabric (The Quest for Nation Building). Alternation
9,2: 300 - 315.
Masoga, M 2002. The Role of African Intellectuals in the Reconstruction of
the African Social Fabric (The Quest for Nation Building) (Keynote
Address Presented at the Loccum Evangelische Akademie International
Conference on: The Role of the Educated Class in Africa – between
African Renaissance and Globalization - Critiques, 21-23 March 2003.
More, MP 1999. What Difference does Difference make? Alternation 6,2:
332-349.
Marova, AK 1999. Spirit Filling Possession and Conflict in African
Independent Churches. Pretoria: UNISA.
Masamba ma Mpolo 1981. African Pastoral Studies: Pastoral Care and
Counseling in Africa Today. New York: Peter Lang.
Mbiti, JS 1969. African Religions and Philosophy. Ibadan: Heinmann.
Mbiti, JS 1970. Concepts of God in Africa. London: SPCK.
Moila, MP 1989. The Role and Function of the Pastoral Counsellor in the
Present Crisis in South Africa. Africa Theological Journal 18,3.
Motsi, RG & MJ Masango 2012. Redefining Trauma in an African Context:
A Challenge to Pastoral Care. HTS Teologiese Studies/ Theological
Studies 68,1. Art. #955, 8 pages. http:// dx.doi.org/10.4102/hts. v68i1.
955.
Moyo, A 1988. Religion and Political Thought in Independent Zimbabwe. In
Hallencreutz, C & A Moyo (ed): Church and State in Zimbabwe. Gweru:
Mambo Press.
Msomi, V 1991. Clinical Pastoral Education and the Contextualisation of
Pastoral Studies: An African Experience. Frankfurt am Main: Peter
Lang.
Mugambi, J & N Kirima 1976, The African Religious Heritage. Oxford:
Oxford University Press.
Ndeti, K 1972. Elements of Akamba Life. Nairobi: East African Publishing
House.
New International Version (NIV) of the Bible.
Nsibande, AE 1992. The Black Theologian and the Black Church. In Nelson,
H et. al. (eds): Dynamic African Theology: Umphumulo Contribution.
Durban: Pinetown Printers.
Nxumalo, JA 1996. Critical Reflection on Inculturation: Adaptation or
Originality, in Bate, S.C. (ed). Serving Humanity. Pietermaritzburg:
Cluster, 147-161
Owomoyela, O 1996. The African Difference: Discourse on Africanity and
the Relativity of Cultures. Johannesburg & New York: Witwatersrand
University Press & Peter and Lang.
Seoka, Johannes 1997. African Culture and Christian Spirituality: An
Interpretation. In Guma, M & L Milton (eds): An African Challenge to
The Church in the Twenty-First Century. Cape Town: Revelation Desk
Top Publishing.
Sitshebo, Wilson T 2000. Towards a Theological Synthesis of Christian and
Shona Views of Death and the Dead: Implications for Pastoral Care in
the Anglican Diocese of Harare, Zimbabwe. Birmingham: The
University of Birmingham.
Teffo, LJ 2002. Moral Renewal and African Experience(s). In Makgoba,
MW 9ed): African Renaissance. Sandton: Mafube Publishers Ltd.
Ward, E 2003. Similarities and Differences in Cross-Cultural Pastoral
Supervision. Journal of Theology for Southern Africa 116,July: 51 - 64.
Dynamic African Theology: Umphumulo Contribution. Durban:
Pinetown Printers.
Appiah, SK 2012. The Challenge of a Theologically Fruitful Method for
Studying African Christian Ethics: The Role of the Human Sciences.
Exchange: Journal of Missiological and Ecumenical Research 41,3: 253
- 278.
Basoglu, M (ed) 1992, Torture and its Consequences: Current Treatment
Approaches. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Bate, SC 2002. Human Life is Cultural: Introducing Anthropology.
Pietermaritzburg: Cluster Publications.
Berglund, AI 1976. Zulu Thought – Patterns and Symbolism. Claremont:
Philip Press.
Bloomfield, D, T Barnes & L Huyse (eds) 2003, Reconciliation after Violent
Conflict: A Handbook. Stockholm: IDEA International.
Bozongwana, W 1983. Ndebele Religion Customs. Gweru: Mambo Press.
Chavunduka, GL 2001. Dialogue among Civilizations: The African Religion
in Zimbabwe Today. Harare/ Münster: Crossover Communication.
Crossman, A 2002. Acculturation. Available at: http://www.britannica.com/
EBchecked/topic/3083/acculturation. (Accessed on 29 January 2013.)
David, L 1985. Guns and Rain – Guerrillas and Spirit Mediums in
Zimbabwe. Harare: Zimbabwe Publishing House
Dolamo, RTH 2008. Crucial Aspects of an Authentic and Relevant African
Christian Theology. Missionalia - Southern African Journal of
Missiology 36,2/3,August/November: 226 - 224.
Gehman, RJ 1989. African Traditional Religion. Nairobi: East African
Educational Publishers Ltd.
Gerkin, C 1997. Introduction to Pastoral Care. Nashville, TN: Abingdon
Press.
Grzelak, C 2010. The Inclusive Pluralism of Jacques Dupuis: Its
Contribution to A Christian Theology of Religions, and its Relevance to
the South African Interreligious Context. Poland: Eugeniusz and
Krzysztof Sakowicz.
Harris, JH 2000. Pastoral Theology: A Black Church Perspective.
Minneapolis: Fortress Press.
Hilde Antsen 1997. The Battle of the Mind: International New Media
Elements of the New Religious Political Right in Zimbabwe. Oslo:
University of Oslo.
Keteyi, X 1998. Inculturation as a Strategy for Liberation. Pietermaritzburg:
Cluster.
Laleye, P 1981. La personnalité africaine. Pierres d'attente pour une société
globale, in Combats pour un christianisme africain.Kinshasa: Faculté de
théologie Catholique.
Losi, N 2000. Vite Altrove: Migrazione e Disagio Psichico. Milan:
Feltrinelli.
Magesa L 1997. African Religion: The Moral Traditions of Abundant Life.
Maryknoll: Orbis Book.
Magesa, L 2002. African Religion: The Moral Traditions of Abundant Life.
Marryknoll. New York: Orbis Books.
Maluleke, TS 2000. The Rediscovery of the Agency of Africans: An
Emerging Paradigm of Post-Cold War and Post-Apartheid Black and
African Theology. Journal of Theology for Southern Africa 108,
November: 19 - 37.
Masoga, M. 2002. The Role of African Intellectuals in the Reconstruction of
the African Social Fabric (The Quest for Nation Building). Alternation
9,2: 300 - 315.
Masoga, M 2002. The Role of African Intellectuals in the Reconstruction of
the African Social Fabric (The Quest for Nation Building) (Keynote
Address Presented at the Loccum Evangelische Akademie International
Conference on: The Role of the Educated Class in Africa – between
African Renaissance and Globalization - Critiques, 21-23 March 2003.
More, MP 1999. What Difference does Difference make? Alternation 6,2:
332-349.
Marova, AK 1999. Spirit Filling Possession and Conflict in African
Independent Churches. Pretoria: UNISA.
Masamba ma Mpolo 1981. African Pastoral Studies: Pastoral Care and
Counseling in Africa Today. New York: Peter Lang.
Mbiti, JS 1969. African Religions and Philosophy. Ibadan: Heinmann.
Mbiti, JS 1970. Concepts of God in Africa. London: SPCK.
Moila, MP 1989. The Role and Function of the Pastoral Counsellor in the
Present Crisis in South Africa. Africa Theological Journal 18,3.
Motsi, RG & MJ Masango 2012. Redefining Trauma in an African Context:
A Challenge to Pastoral Care. HTS Teologiese Studies/ Theological
Studies 68,1. Art. #955, 8 pages. http:// dx.doi.org/10.4102/hts. v68i1.
955.
Moyo, A 1988. Religion and Political Thought in Independent Zimbabwe. In
Hallencreutz, C & A Moyo (ed): Church and State in Zimbabwe. Gweru:
Mambo Press.
Msomi, V 1991. Clinical Pastoral Education and the Contextualisation of
Pastoral Studies: An African Experience. Frankfurt am Main: Peter
Lang.
Mugambi, J & N Kirima 1976, The African Religious Heritage. Oxford:
Oxford University Press.
Ndeti, K 1972. Elements of Akamba Life. Nairobi: East African Publishing
House.
New International Version (NIV) of the Bible.
Nsibande, AE 1992. The Black Theologian and the Black Church. In Nelson,
H et. al. (eds): Dynamic African Theology: Umphumulo Contribution.
Durban: Pinetown Printers.
Nxumalo, JA 1996. Critical Reflection on Inculturation: Adaptation or
Originality, in Bate, S.C. (ed). Serving Humanity. Pietermaritzburg:
Cluster, 147-161
Owomoyela, O 1996. The African Difference: Discourse on Africanity and
the Relativity of Cultures. Johannesburg & New York: Witwatersrand
University Press & Peter and Lang.
Seoka, Johannes 1997. African Culture and Christian Spirituality: An
Interpretation. In Guma, M & L Milton (eds): An African Challenge to
The Church in the Twenty-First Century. Cape Town: Revelation Desk
Top Publishing.
Sitshebo, Wilson T 2000. Towards a Theological Synthesis of Christian and
Shona Views of Death and the Dead: Implications for Pastoral Care in
the Anglican Diocese of Harare, Zimbabwe. Birmingham: The
University of Birmingham.
Teffo, LJ 2002. Moral Renewal and African Experience(s). In Makgoba,
MW 9ed): African Renaissance. Sandton: Mafube Publishers Ltd.
Ward, E 2003. Similarities and Differences in Cross-Cultural Pastoral
Supervision. Journal of Theology for Southern Africa 116,July: 51 - 64.