Traditional Religions Verge of Extinction?

In recent times, most of the sociologist, anthropologist, and others who are concerned with African culture have also started to take interest in the possibility of traditional African Religions were going extinct. Some of the main factors that might cause the extinction are civilization, technology, and influences of other religions such as Islam and Christianity. Some people now a days in Africa consider it shameful to be following their traditional religion. They describe it as "ungodly", words passed on by early missionaries who had very little knowledge about their religion. The early missionaries called it the "Dark Continent" because everything that came from there was dark, including its inhabitants.

The seven beliefs in African Religion include magic and medicine. It is the inclusion of this magic and medicine that individuals find offensive. They believe in ability of man to conquer its environment using divine powers. It is hoped that positive as well as negative changes can be impacted on man's environment for his own good, however, the use of magic and medicine is often considered more harmful. So now a days, that part of belief is slowly dying as well.

Even with all the beliefs that African culture is dying due to the world changing fast, African Traditional Religion will continue to exist as it has til now. The true culture of the people that follow it will continue to remain. They will still communicate in African languages which is a symbol of continued existence of their culture. When a person is sick, childless beyond the provisions of medical solutions, African herbs are quickly sought to do magic. A new child will be given an African name and a traditional naming ceremony will be held for him. Due to all these reasons, the traditional African religion will continue to exist for many coming years.

Spitting your blessings

     This is the case for the Maasai people, who live in Kenya and northern Tanzania. The Maasai spit in their palms before shaking hands. Spitting at each other is seen as a way of giving a blessing. In order to wish good luck and a long life to new born children, parents, friends and the family spit on it. When they greet, when they get married and even when a baby is born they spit on each other. Spitting in our culture, in America and most other countries are seen as something gross, but in some tribes in Africa, it's shown as respect. 

     This also brings up another issue, spread of disease throughout the tribe and more. Diseases such as Herpesvirus are very commonly spread through saliva. The Yale University organized a database of over 350,000 pages containing cultural and social life of different people who take part in this tradition that is only known in some tribes. This also makes me think of when people spit on their hands before making a bet or a deal, mostly in the southern part of US. 

Link: https://prezi.com/uehovmis-9kx/anthropolgy-and-the-maasai-tribe/

Chewa People in Malawi

GULE WAMKULU

In Malawi, close to 80% of people are Christians, and 17% are Muslim. The rest of the 3% believe in traditional beliefs. One of the groups in 3% are called Chewa. Within this group is a secret society known as Gule wamkulu, which is also the name of the dance they perform at various ceremonies. They perform at ceremonies such as funerals, weddings, and other special occasions.

The Gule Wamkulu wear animal skins and dress in masks. They kick up dust while dancing to hide themselves. Only the chief who appointed them as protector of the village and only he knows their true identities.

They are known for their "animal state" that they reach by wearing animal skins. It is said that they are not to be approached while in this state, and if a person does, they might drag them to the ceremony for rituals.

In the Chewa belief, death is not natural and is usually caused by witchcraft. The whole village shows up if someone dies. Also they believe that witchcraft can only work on family members. So since most of the villagers are related, they show up to the funeral. Funerals are not just to mourn but to eat,  huge social parties, drink beer, and meet people.

Original: http://www.malawiproject.org/about-malawi/history/gule-wamkulu/

Bride Kidnapping

Stolen Lives

There has been a widespread tradition of violent bride abductions in many parts of Africa in the past years and, even today, regardless of numerous attempts to eliminate this horrible tradition throughout Africa by human rights groups. This tradition happens very frequently in certain areas of Africa such as Rwanda, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia. Some of the main effects of this traditions are sexually transmitted diseases, marital rape, unwanted pregnancies, and abuse. This is one of the main reasons that the lives of women are so restricted in these areas.

The most severe area of Africa this affects is Rwanda in regards to bride kidnapping. Most cases in Rwanda end with repeated rape & impregnation. The victimized women are usually taken from their house. The women are in serious danger due to the country not having any laws against kidnapping and domestic violence. Bride kidnappers in Rwanda are rarely apprehended and prosecuted in court. Local authorities unfortunately cannot take actions about the many kidnappers roaming around freely on the streets who continue to threaten women and their freedom. 

Many women's rights groups and families have been trying to take preventative steps. Alfred Karekezi, Family Promotion & Child Rights Advisor, mentioned several workshops in which they "provide all district officials & relevant support groups with relevant tools enabling them to increase awareness of gender principles in their districts."

These problems occur due to a major setback in development of gender equality. Along with gender equality, authorities have not been giving this enough attention to ban this violent tradition in all areas of Africa.

Article: http://www.restlessbeings.org/human-rights/stolen-lives-bride-kidnapping-in-africa

The Bemba People

The Bemba People are the most dominant group of people in Northern Zambia. They are mainly known as "forest people". It is very uncommon for people in Zambia to be multilingual. Since the Bembas are the most dominant group, the most common language spoken in Zambia is Bemba. The next most common language they speak in Zambia is English. People who know how to speak English are known to be prestigious and of a higher society. But, the importance of Bemba-speaking goes back to Chitmukulu who rules the state, and they are known to have supernatural power. They have their unique political system with one common chief, the Chitmukulu.

The soil where they live is not very good, so most Bemba live on farming, and migrate as the soil nutrients get thin. Usually, people have very few possessions and wealth, and struggle with diseases that has been in the area for years. 

The Bemba peoples' traditional dress is made with bark, hence the name "forest people". They also live in small villages 30-50 mud huts. One of the most interesting part of their culture is their marriage ceremonies. After almost all of the marriages, the husband goes to live in the wife's house. So generations of Bemba families are traced back to a matrilineal structure, instead of the more commonly known patrilineal structure.

Their religion had been very monotheistic. Traditionally, they worshipped the high god Lenza who lives in the sky. But recently, due to Christian missionaries, many believe in a mixture of traditional folk religion with Christian elements.