African traditional religion

An early 20th century Igbo 'medicine man' in Nigeria, West Africa.

A script from Nigeria, which was originally used by a secret society to communicate

Traditional African religions are the traditions of the religious groups in Africa. After Christianity and Islam, they are the third-biggest religious group in Africa. These religions still stick to their traditions. They are folk religions, and combine different beliefs. In general, people in the cities confess to either Christianity or Islam. The people outside the cities believe in the traditional religions. These religions are omnipresent in everyday life. All that happens has a supernatural cause, rooted in religion. People are born with a certain religion. Normally conversions from one belief system to another do not take place. There is a central belief in a life force which links everyday life with the metaphysical. Generally, such religions are full of life, and have a low esteem for an ascetic lifestyle. There is also the fear of spirits, the dead, and of magic, which influence everyday life.

African Traditional Religion Media

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  Local ceremony in Benin featuring a zangbeto

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  Traditional Vodun dancer enchanting gods and spirits, in Ganvie, Benin

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  Voodoo, an ancient and significant part of the culture of southern Benin is celebrated every year across the southern coast. In Grand-Popo, Benin, a beachfront town on the border of Togo, a young child dances covered in a mustard ceremonial mixture.

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  Religious couvent in south Ghana.

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  Bakongo masks from the Kongo Central

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  Early-20th-century Yoruba divination board

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  Traditional healer of South Africa performing a divination by reading the bones