History discussion paper
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his3.rarhis3/Activities Checklist - 17.SU.HIS.2215.pdf
201761 Activities Checklist 17.SU.HIS.2215.500 SURVEY OF AFRICAN HISTORY
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To meet the learning objectives for this topic, you will complete these activities. Print this page and use it as a checklist.
Review the Introduction and Objectives page. Read Pages 85138 in your textbook. Complete all activities on the Learning Activities page. Read the lesson, One Faith, Many Deities. Read the lesson, Making Christianity a Religion to Meet Their Needs. Read the lesson, Emergence of Islam. Read the Spotlight: Egypt page. Participate in Discussion: Religion. Post and questions about the course or assignments in the Help! Discussion.
his3/Introduction and Objectives - 17.SU.HIS.2215.pdf
201761 Introduction and Objectives 17.SU.HIS.2215.500 SURVEY OF AFRICAN HISTORY
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Introduction
The misconceptions surrounding religion in Africa are vast. Many believe that Africans were heathens devoid of the concept of a monotheistic God until the idea was introduced to them, often forcibly, by Christians. This is by no means true.
A cursory look at the major Traditional African Religions clearly depicts an understanding of the concepts central to Christianity. Resurrection, salvation, morality, grace and mercy are embodied within faith traditions, some which predate Judaism and Christianity.
There is also a false perception that Christianity was not introduced into Africa until the Europeans colonized Africa in the 19th century. Again, not true. African played a key role in forcing doctrinal issues to the table to be resolved by the Roman Church. As a matter of fact, Aksum, an East African kingdom, adopted Christianity as a state religion in the same decade as the Romans. There is an argument that about which came first to the faith, Rome or Askum an argument that will not be resolved here.
Then, there is Islam. For many students, Islam is a mysterious religion that conjures up images of exotic desert lands and negative stereotypes. Islam represents a rich religious tradition that has had tremendous impact on the continent of Africa. Much of Africa is what Muslims call the DaralIslam, the abode of peace. The influence of Africa and Islam on each other is undeniable, a perfect example of two cultures coming into contact with each other and both being forever changed.
Objectives
After completing the learning activities for this topic, you will be able to:
Articulate the tenets common to Traditional African Religions. Synthesize the basic concepts of Traditional African Religions with those of Christianity and Islam to detect indications of cultural convergence. Describe the ability of African societies to adapt and contribute to the practice of Christianity and Islam in Africa.
his3/Learning Activities - 17.SU.HIS.2215.pdf
201761 Learning Activities 17.SU.HIS.2215.500 SURVEY OF AFRICAN HISTORY
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View This
An 18 minute video that gives a good overview of the religion in Africa and Africans in the Diaspora.
African Traditional Religion
his3/Making Christianity A Religion To Meet Their Needs - 17.SU.HIS.2215.pdf
201761 Making Christianity A Religion To Meet Their Needs 17.SU.HIS.2215.500 SURVEY OF AFRICAN HISTORY
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While many Africans accepted Christianity, they were skeptical of the European messengers. Distraught over the racism that ermeated the missions and their widespread rejection of African culture, Africans embraced the message of Christ and dismissed that which they deemed unacceptable. By the late 19th century in the midst of colonization, there was a widespread movement of Africans who broke away from the missionary churches to form their own churches. Despite the fact that there is great diversity between these faith traditions, they were (are), unfortunately, all lumped together under the title of African Independent Churches, denoting their autonomy from established churches of the missionaries.
With the excedption of Ethiopia, Christianity was not successful spreading on a wide scale to North African and West Africa until the 16th century. In the 15th century, European countries began to search for new trade routes. Shortly after Christopher Columbus sailed under the flag of Spain to find a route to Asia, the Portuguese sent ships down the west coast of Africa. As the Portuguese worked their way around Africa, they made contact with Western Africans. They had a dual agenda; to establish a trading partner and to convert the indigenous population to Christianity.
Using the strategy that had been successful for Moslems, the Portuguese befriended African rulers. The hope was by converting the ruler, the people would soon follow. The strategy had a mixed bag of outcomes. The greatest success was in the Kongo Kingdom (present day Gabon, Angola, and the Congo). In 1491, the Portuguese as Roman Catholics, supported the establishment of missionaries. Soon after the arrival of the missionaries, the king was baptized and sent his son to Portugal where he received a Catholic education. Upon his return, he ascended to the throne and changed his name to Alfonso I.
During King Alfonso I reign, the relationship between Portugal and Kongo solidified. Kongolese citizens converted to Christianity and missionary schools were established. Up to the point that the Portuguese demanded slaves, the relationship mutually benefited both people. In the 17th century, the Portuguese demanded (strongly encouraged) the Kongolese to raid neighboring nonChristian societies for slaves. Over time, slave raiding weakened the Kongolese leadership and strengthened the Portuguese.
In the 18th century, a young woman Beatriz Kimpa Vita broke away from the Catholic Church asserting that St. Anthony had appeared to her and encouraged her to form a movement that would lead to the restoration of the Kongo Kingdom.
She taught that Jesus had been born in Kongo, baptized in the Congo River, and born to the Virgin Mary from a neighboring society. She developed an order of priests and a new Africanized church liturgy that included African music, drumming, and dancing. Her movement, known as the Antonine movement, grew rapidly, which proved a threat to both the Catholic Church and Portuguese control. In 1705, Beatriz Kimpa Vita was captured and burned at the state as a heretic. The Antonine movement is an early example of what is called the African Independent Church movement (Source: Studying Africa Through the Humanities).
Africa Impacts Christian Doctrine
An important group within the discussion as to the meaning of Jesus life, the concept of a virgin birth, the concept of a Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and the meaning of Jesus teachings were voices centered in Egypt.
Gnosticism differed from the traditions centered in Rome over the issue of original sin. Without getting into an intense theological discussion, Gnosticism is a religion that distinguishes the evil god of this world (who is identified with the god of the Old Testament) from a higher more abstract God revealed by Jesus Christ, a religion that regards this world as the creation of a series of evil powers who keep the soul trapped in an evil physical body (Source: Kirby, 2003). The Roman faction rejected the Gnostics and their sacred writings about Jesus life and teaching as heresy. This sect along with sects like the Arians, moved the early Christian church to standardize its doctrine in 325 at what is commonly referred to as the Council of Nicaea.
201761 Making Christianity A Religion To Meet Their Needs 17.SU.HIS.2215.500 SURVEY OF AFRICAN HISTORY
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Despite the repression of the Gnostic Christians, Christianity flourished throughout Northern Africa until the arrival of Islam in the 7th century. The Coptic Orthodox Church emerged out of Gnosticism. Like the Gnostics, Coptics placed a great deal of emphasis on the acquisition of knowledge through meditation and monasticism. In structure it was similar to the Roman Church, practicing the same sacraments and church structure including a patriarch as the head of the church. Even after Egypt was taken over by Moslems, the Coptic Church continued. Today, fifteen percent of Egypt's population identify themselves as Coptic Christians.
his3/One God, Many Deities - 17.SU.HIS.2215.pdf
201761 One God, Many Deities 17.SU.HIS.2215.500 SURVEY OF AFRICAN HISTORY
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Africa was once a continent where the people lived well. Initially, it was a continent that created a tradition of wholeness, where African Traditional Religions (ATRs) embraced all aspects of life, the spiritual, the political, and the social. Where music and art communicated with the sacred (Source: Kwenda).
As we begin the discussion of religion, it is important to keep in mind that the term religion implies and is used to define the doctrine behind spiritual beliefs, not spirituality inandofitself. Having stated that, it is telling that in African languages, there is no term that describes the dogma, practices, and systems of thought associated with our concept of religion (Source: Kwenda).
Central to the African practice of reverencing and acknowledging power outside human existence is an understanding that this spirituality is central to all aspects of life, no matter how great or mundane. Encompassed within these belief systems is a view of the world as connected, not just regionally but globally, and a value structure that identifies respect for life and the manner in which all of creation is to be treated. Animism is often used to define the belief that the spirit of God resides in all living things, not just humans, therefore, all of creation should be reverenced. But, many Afrocentric historians and theologians believe that term is too limiting.
Whether one argues that there are multiple ATR or just one, depends on the perspective. However, regardless of which perspective one argues, there are overarching beliefs that permeate ATRs. The belief in one Supreme Being, that is both immanent and transcendent. Within this spiritual realm, there are various types of spirits. Good spirits who function as protectors to the community and bad. There is a covenant relationship between these spirits and human. In exchange for protection from harm, libations are offered. Needless to say when Europeans first encountered native Africans, they thought they were worshipping ancestors, which was incorrect. These spirits functioned in much the same way as saints do for many humans who practice Christianity.
ATRs also stressed the necessary balance between one's collective identify and responsibility as a member of a community and one's personal identity. Summing up this concept is the quote I am because we are, and since we are, therefore, I am. The highest moral value embodied in this concept is to live in harmony, in other word to know oneself and reach one's fullest potential through cooperation with and through the support of one's community (Source: Karemga, 2002).
Death within ATRs is seen first and foremost as an extension of life just another stage in human development. Humans are born, live, die, and become the ancestors. Death is viewed as a transition in life to personal and collective immorality. As long as the works and/or memory of one lives, the person lives and participates in the life of the community (Source: Karenga, 2002).
The Wisdom In Her Feather
Part of the legacy of Egypt is welldocumented in disciplines ranging from mathematics to architecture to history. Yet, the legacy of Maatism on ethical and spiritual development of civilizations is often left to a cursory discussion of the Book of the Dead.
The oldest complete Sebait or Book of Wise Instruction from the 5th Dynasty introduced the concept of Maat. Maat in essence means rightness. Philosophically, the ideas represent many moral concepts to Nile Valley civilizations, among them, truth, justice, propriety, harmony, balance, reciprocity, and order The Seven Cardinal Virtues.
It is this region, Kemet/Egypt, which gives humankind the concepts of humans as an image of God, resurrection and judgment after death, responsibility for the poor and vulnerable, responsibility for the environment, and striving to live a moral and ethical life so as to live on through eternity (Source: Karenga, 2002).
In the Husia, the sacred text of Maatism, 8 basic tenets are exposed:
1. Humans as the divine image of God 2. The worthiness of the human being 3. The obligation to stand worthy before God and the community
201761 One God, Many Deities 17.SU.HIS.2215.500 SURVEY OF AFRICAN HISTORY
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4. The obligation to stand worthy before nature the principle and practice that sees the connectedness of all creation
5. Practice of the seven cardinal virtues 6. Service to the Vulnerable 7. Practice of the Declaration of Innocence (Negative Confessions) 8. Judgment, justification, and immortality (Source: Karenga, 2002).
Maat is often personified as a female goddess. She is shown as a woman wearing a crown surmounted by a huge ostrich feather. Her totem symbol is a stone platform or foundation, representing the stable base on which order is built. At events where truth and righteousness was to be judged, Maat was said to be present.
Long before the Ten Commandments in Christianity, the people engaged in the Practice of the Declaration of Innocence also known as the Negative Confessions. In total there are 42 of them. Make sure and take a look at what some of the statements are.
In the underworld, on one s path to reach eternity, the heart of the deceased was weighed by Anubis against Maat's feather. If the heart was heavy with wicked deeds, it would outweigh the feather, and the soul would be fed to Ammit. But if the scales were balanced, indicating that the deceased was a just and honorable person in life, he would be welcomed by Osiris into the Blessed Land. Maat was deemed universal, her judgment was upheld by other gods and her name was invoked by pharaoh who wanted to represent themselves as purveyors of truth and justice (Source: Seawright, 2004).
Ifa
Ifa holds a unique history among African religions and among the descendants of the African Diaspora. First, it is one of two ancient African religions that has an organized body of sacred text in which the traditions are rooted (Maat is the other). Second, it is the only African religion that survived and thrived the Diaspora, in other words outside the continent Santeria in Cuba, Puerto Rico and the U.S.; Voudum in Haiti; Shango in Cuba and Candomblé in Brazil. Though known by different names, each of these faith systems is rooted in the teaching found in the Odu Ifa.
Like other sacred text, the Torah (Jewish), Qu'ran (Muslim), Baghavad(Buddhist), Popol Vuh (Mayan), and the Bible (Christian), it includes a wide range of literary forms and subjects. It is composed of 256 chapters, each which provides sacred wisdom to make the world good.
The basic tenets of Ifa are:
1. The goodness of the world: The Ifa tradition asserted that at the time of creation, Olodumare, God, sent into the world those to make the world good and He gave them the ase (pronounced ahshay) or power to complete their worship and do it well.
2. The chosen status of humans: That humans are chosen by the Creator to carry out a charge to bring joy to the world
3. The right to a good life: This tenet establishes a divinely ordained good life for every human being. Combined within this tenet is a responsibility to the community to make the world good for all.
4. The right to live in a good world: Achievement of the good world ordained by the Creator is though: a. Full knowledge of everything; b. Happiness; c. Freedom from anxiety; d. End of antagonism from other beings on earth; and, e. Freedom from poverty and misery.
his3/Requirement.docx
Please answer the following question. Your answer should be thorough and demonstrate your understanding of the material.
Discuss some of the basic tenets of African Traditional Religions. How do those relate to Christianity and Islam? How did African people make Christianity and Islam more reflective of their traditions?
Make sure you support your answer with evidence from the readings.
his3/Spotlight_ Egypt - 17.SU.HIS.2215.pdf
201761 Spotlight: Egypt 17.SU.HIS.2215.500 SURVEY OF AFRICAN HISTORY
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own purposes, appealing for their help through prayer or compelling them to act through magic. These popular religious practices were distinct from, but closely linked with, the formal rituals and institutions. The popular religious tradition grew more prominent in the course of Egyptian history as the status of the pharaoh declined. Another important aspect of the religion was the belief in the afterlife and funerary practices. The Egyptians made great efforts to ensure the survival of their souls after death, providing tombs, grave goods, and offerings to preserve the bodies and spirits of the deceased.
The religion had its roots in Egypt's prehistory and lasted for more than 3,000 years. The details of religious belief changed over time as the importance of particular gods rose and declined, and their intricate relationships shifted. At various times certain gods became preeminent over the others, including the sun god Ra, the creator god Amun, and the mother goddess Isis. For a brief period, in the aberrant theology promulgated by the pharaoh Akhenaten, a single god, the Aten, replaced the traditional pantheon. Yet the overall system endured, even through several periods of foreign rule, until the coming of Christianity in the early centuries AD. It left behind numerous religious writings and monuments, along with significant influences on cultures both ancient and modern.
Nation's Historical Significance to the World
Wow! What didn't Egypt contribute to the world? Thinking back to Jared Diamond's video, Egypt was fortunate. The regular flooding of the Nile, leaving behind a rich soil, and it geographic isolation gave the ancient civilization the time and resources it needed to develop into one of the greatest civilizations known to history. Unlike many other ancient civilizations Egyptian history is preserved in their writings and artwork. We know the people asked, and answered, the same questions of all societies. What happens after death? How was the world created? What about the sun and moon, what happens to them when they are not shining?
The Egyptians gave us an understanding of medicine, mathematics, geometry and astrology. Again, the question must be asked what didn't we learn from Egypt. The answer would be very little cannot be connected in some way to these ingenious people.
Nation's Modern Day Significance to the World
Human trafficking is a major issue. Egypt is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor; Egyptian children, including the large population of street children are vulnerable to forced labor in domestic service, begging and agriculture or may be victims of sex trafficking or child sex tourism. Some women are sold into “temporary” or “summer” marriages with Gulf men, through the complicity of their parents or marriage brokers, and are exploited for prostitution or forced labor. Egyptian men are subject to forced labor in neighboring countries, while adults from South and Southeast Asia and East Africa – and increasingly Syrian refugees – are forced to work in domestic service, construction, cleaning, and begging in Egypt.
his3/The Emergence of Islam - 17.SU.HIS.2215.pdf
201761 The Emergence of Islam 17.SU.HIS.2215.500 SURVEY OF AFRICAN HISTORY
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There are a lot of misperceptions about Islam. Islam is one of the most influential religions in the world. More than one billion people identify themselves as Moslems. The majority of these people live in Western and South East Asia. Next to Asia, Africa is home to the next largest group of Moslems. Some experts estimate that almost half of Africa s population identify themselves as Moslems.
In 610, Islam was founded in what is today Saudi Arabia. According to Islamic tradition, Gabriel, an angel sent by Allah (God) appeared to the Prophet Muhammad. Through a series of revelations. Gabriel revealed to Muhammad what Islam teaches is the last of Allah's (God's) revelations to human beings. The collection of these revelations is written in the Qu'ran (Koran), the Holy Book of Islam. The Hadith are the words and actions of Muhammad. As point of clarification, Muhammad is not perceived by Moslems as Divine. Moslems do not worship Muhammad, the reference held by those who practice Islam, is because he is believed to be the last prophet of Allah (God).
Islam shares a heritage with Judaism and Christianity. To paraphrase the stories found in both the Bible and the Qu'ran, Abram (later called Abraham) at an old age was told that he and his wife, Sarai (later called Sarah), also elderly, would have a child by God and his descendants would number more than the stars in the sky and make great nations. Sarah who had no children laughed at the thought. So, she decided to take matters into her own hands. She gave her slave Hagai to Abram in order to fulfill God's promise. Hagai became pregnant, and bore a son which was named Ishmael. After 13 years, Sarah became pregnant, and has a son named Isaac. Put this scenario into a modern perspective, and if shouldn't be too hard to image that there were some inherent problems in this situation. A friend once called it baby momma drama.
Not to belabor the point, but Sarah demanded her husband banish Hagai and Ishmael. With little substance, Hagai left with her son. Unable to bear the sight of her son perishing from thirst, Hagai abandoned her son. The angel of God (unidentified except as the angel of God) spoke to Hagai and promised her son would survive and be would be a great nation. Hagai then saw water and was able to quench her son s thirst. The story continued that the boy grew up, with God watching over him, and takes a wife from Egypt.
This story is recounted in the Jewish Torah, Christian Bible, and Muslim Qu'ran. According to Jewish tradition, Isaac is the father of Judaisn. According the Islamic tradition, Ishmael is the father of Islam. So based on the Holy book of each faith tradition, we are talking about halfbrothers.
The tenets of Islam are found in The Five Pillars of Faith, which are:
Shahada (Affirmation) There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the last prophet of Allah Slat (Prayer) There are two types of prayer: a) Prayer of devotion and special request; b) Ritual prayer done as a communal activity with specific words and kneeling in the direction of the holy city of Mecca which is done 5 times a day sunrise, midday, midafternoon, sunset, before bed Syam (Fasting) Believers are to keep the fast of Ramadan Zakat (Almsgiving) The duty of believers to give to help the needy Hajj (Pilgrimage) Believers are to travel to Mecca at least once in their lifetime, if there are able
As with many other religions, Islam is divided into sects. The two largest are Sunni and Shi'ah. The majority of Africans are Sunni.
Islam Spreads
Islam spread to Africa very soon after the religion was founded in the 7th century. Islam spread throughout Africa through two dominant gateways, from the east and the north. Arabs had lived, traveled and traded with Africans for centuries, so it largely through those relationship that their faith is shared and spread. The Sahara or the waters of the Indian Ocean provided an excellent transmitter for religious and cultural exchange between the Africans and Arabs.
Egypt was the first African country to come under the influence of Islam. When Moslem traders first came to Egypt, Christianity had already become the dominant religion of Egypt. From Egypt, largely using the Nile, Arab traders introduced Islam southward and eastward.
201761 The Emergence of Islam 17.SU.HIS.2215.500 SURVEY OF AFRICAN HISTORY
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Christian populations in Nubia resisted conversion of Islam for many centuries, however by the 15th century, most of the regions representing modern Sudan and Ethopia had converted to Islam. Along the east coast, conversion was also slow. AfricanMoslem communities emerged starting in the 8th century, but it was not until the 15th century that the majority of the costal population in what is today Somalia, Kenya and Tanzania converted to Islam.
In North Africa, the process of conversion was very slow. Initially, the Berber speaking populations of North Africa rejected Islam as their personal faith system, while they accepted the people as traders and proficient businessmen. Arab traders over centuries gained influence within the household of rulers, first as advisors. Then in the 12th century, Arabs gained political control of regions of North Africa. Consequently, North Africa became Arabic as well as Islamic.
For nearly a thousand years, Berber speaking people had been involved in trade across the Sahara. It was well documented by Roman historians that West Africa was a major supplier of gold to the Empire.
Islam was first introduced south of the Sahara across the salt and gold trade routes. By the 12th century, many Berber traders had converted to Islam. Though Moslems did not actively attempt to convert, they did practice their religion during the time they spent in West Africa. Gradually, Moslem clerics and scholars accompanied the traders. These men interacted with local rulers, providing advice on matters of state. By the 17th century, a series of kingdoms emerged in West Africa with Moslem rulers.
The demand for cheap labor was responsible for the introduction of Islam into Southern Africa. Most of the slaves were Moslem, who maintained their religion and passed it onto the descendants. With the abolition of slavery, a second large group of Moslems came to Africa from India, a British colony that were largely Moslems, as a cheap labor force.
Melding of Traditions
Over the past 1000 years, Islam grew to one of the most influential forces in Africa. Nearly half of all Africans claim affiliation with Islam. The success of Islam is partially the result of the way Islam spread in Africa gradually and with respect. There is a clear indication that Moslems did not attempt to force conversion but to provide advice and support when needed. Islam did not force itself on Africans and Africans permitted Moslems to practice their faith, initially segregated, but freely within African communities.
Islam in Africa was influenced by African beliefs and practices. Islam in Africa is more mystical than in other parts of the world, meaning a belief in a spiritual world that humans can access. The Islamic Brotherhood was important in West Africa and seemed to be rooted in the communal nature of African society.
On the other hand, Islam brought to Africa its commitment to formal education. Moslem scholars built libraries and schools. Cairo and Timbuktu with a number of Islamic universities was a dominant centers of scholarship. Islam was also dedicated to education for young men. Though the focus was on reading and understanding the Qu'ran, these schools existed long before Christian missionaries introduced schools in Africa (Source: Studying Africa Through the Humanities).
