Authenticity of Belief in African (Igbo) Traditional Religion: A Critical Appraisal in the Light of Christian Faith

400 Pages·2014·3.471 MB·English

by  Aloysius Eberechukwu Ndiukwu

S
PETER LANG · Academic Research H European University Studies
E
XXIII / 946 Theology
n
o
gi
eli
R
al
T he work presents Abrahamic monotheistic religions and the belief of the on Aloysius Eberechukwu Ndiukwu
traditional religions in Africa, especially in Igboland. Religion exists not- ti
di
withstanding many rots and bad religious behaviours through systematic a
r
and atheistic upbringing. It is true that in the history of mankind, different T
)
religions have come and gone and many are still in existence and they are reli- o
b
giously or socially formed. The monotheistic faiths of Judaism, Christianity and g
Islam have their complementary religious conviction with Igbo religion. They n (I
have the image of God as one and only. The authentic carriers of Igbo religion a
c
include religious functionaries, the family, and the elders. The religion is cultur- ri
f
A
ally, socially and ethically oriented and so the Gospel message of Christ should
n
not neglect them. f i Authenticity of Belief in African (Igbo)
e
eli Traditional Religion
B
f
o
y
t
ci A Critical Appraisal in the Light of Christian Faith
ti
n
e
h
t
u
A
u ·
w
k
u
Aloysius Eberechukwu Ndiukwu hails from Urualla (Nigeria) and is a Catholic di
Priest of the diocese of Orlu (Nigeria). He studied philosophy and theology in N
Rome and Nigeria. He also researched at the University of Würzburg (Germany) E.
specializing in fundamental theology. A.
ISBN 978-3-631-65602-0 www.peterlang.com
PL PL ACADEMIC
RESEARCH
S
PETER LANG · Academic Research H European University Studies
E
XXIII / 946 Theology
n
o
gi
eli
R
al
T he work presents Abrahamic monotheistic religions and the belief of the on Aloysius Eberechukwu Ndiukwu
traditional religions in Africa, especially in Igboland. Religion exists not- ti
di
withstanding many rots and bad religious behaviours through systematic a
r
and atheistic upbringing. It is true that in the history of mankind, different T
)
religions have come and gone and many are still in existence and they are reli- o
b
giously or socially formed. The monotheistic faiths of Judaism, Christianity and g
Islam have their complementary religious conviction with Igbo religion. They n (I
have the image of God as one and only. The authentic carriers of Igbo religion a
c
include religious functionaries, the family, and the elders. The religion is cultur- ri
f
A
ally, socially and ethically oriented and so the Gospel message of Christ should
n
not neglect them. f i Authenticity of Belief in African (Igbo)
e
eli Traditional Religion
B
f
o
y
t
ci A Critical Appraisal in the Light of Christian Faith
ti
n
e
h
t
u
A
u ·
w
k
u
Aloysius Eberechukwu Ndiukwu hails from Urualla (Nigeria) and is a Catholic di
Priest of the diocese of Orlu (Nigeria). He studied philosophy and theology in N
Rome and Nigeria. He also researched at the University of Würzburg (Germany) E.
specializing in fundamental theology. A.
www.peterlang.com
PL PL ACADEMIC
RESEARCH
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Table of Content
Acknowledgement ........................................................................................... 11
Vorwort............................................................................................................. 13
Foreword .......................................................................................................... 15
General Introduction ........................................................................................ 17
The Aim of this Work ............................................................................... 21
Chapter 1: Religious Concept, Faith, Belief and Tradition .............................. 29
1. Introduction ............................................................................................... 29
1.1 The Concept of Religion .................................................................. 29
1.1.1 What is Religion? ................................................................. 32
1.1.2 Constitutive Elements of Religion ....................................... 41
1.1.2.1 The Myth ................................................................ 41
1.1.2.2 The Rites and the Rituals ....................................... 48
1.1.2.3 Mysticism ............................................................... 51
1.2 What is Faith? ................................................................................... 52
1.3 What is Belief? ................................................................................. 57
1.4 What is Tradition? ......................................................................... 60
1.5 The Relationship between Religion, Faith and Belief ...................... 64
1.5.1 Belief and Knowledge .......................................................... 66
1.5.2 Belief without Evidence ....................................................... 68
1.6 Theological/Religious Belief ............................................................ 69
1.6.1 Miracle, Sacraments and Revelation .................................... 70
Chapter 2: Abrahamic Monotheistic Religions and their Beliefs .................... 77
2. Introduction ............................................................................................... 77
2.1 Who are the Jews? ............................................................................ 84
2.1.1 Judaism and its Origin ......................................................... 85
2.1.2 The Torah in Judaism ........................................................... 88
2.1.3 The Concept of God in Jewish Religion .............................. 91
2.1.4 Covenant as the Initiation Rite in Judaism .......................... 93
2.2 Christianity ....................................................................................... 97
2.2.1 The Birth of Christ and the Origin of
Christianity ........................................................................... 99
2.2.2 Jesus as the Word Incarnate ................................................. 102
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2.2.3 The Principal Message of Jesus Christ ................................ 103
2.2.3.1 The Kingdom of God ............................................. 103
2.2.3.2 The Concept of Love in the Teaching of
Jesus Christ ............................................................ 105
2.2.4 Christian Concept of God .................................................... 107
2.2.5 Trinitarian Notion of God .................................................... 109
2.2.6 Jesus as the Saviour and Mediator between
God and Humanity ............................................................... 113
2.2.7 The Bible/Scripture and the Tradition as
Inspired by God .................................................................... 115
2.3 Islamic Religion ............................................................................... 119
2.3.1 The Life of Mohammad ....................................................... 123
2.3.2 The Call of Mohammad ....................................................... 124
2.3.3 Sources of Authority in Islamic Religion ............................. 125
2.3.3.1 The Qur’an as the Islamic
Holy Book .............................................................. 125
2.3.3.2 The Authority of Sunnah in Islam .......................... 127
2.3.4 The Idea of God in Islamic Religion .................................... 128
2.3.5 The Five Pillars of Islam ...................................................... 130
2.3.5.1 Shahada (Confession of faith) ................................ 130
2.3.5.2 Salat: Daily Prayer ................................................. 131
2.3.5.3 Zakat al Fitr (to thrive or to be pure) –
Almsgiving ............................................................. 135
2.3.5.4 Ramadan (Fasting) ................................................. 137
2.3.5.5 Al – Hajj (Pilgrimage) ........................................... 138
Chapter 3: African Traditional Religions and Igbo
Objects of Worship ......................................................................... 141
3. Introduction ............................................................................................... 141
3.1 African Traditional Religions ........................................................... 142
3.1.1 The Origin of African Traditional Religions ........................ 149
3.1.2 Lack of Written Materials in African Traditional
Religions .............................................................................. 150
3.2 The Country Nigeria ......................................................................... 153
3.2.1 Who are the Igbo? ................................................................ 156
3.2.2 Igbo Traditional Religion ..................................................... 160
3.2.3 The Igbo World-View .......................................................... 162
3.3 Chukwu: God as the Supreme Being in Igboland ............................ 165
3.3.1 Manifestations of God’s Attributes in Igbo Names .............. 170
6
3.3.1.1 God as the Provider - Chinenye ............................. 170
3.3.1.2 God’s Omniscience - Chukwuma .......................... 171
3.3.1.3 The Mercy of God: Eberechukwu .......................... 173
3.4 Non-Human Spirits, Divinities and Oracles ..................................... 174
3.4.1 The Deity of Ala (Earth) ...................................................... 176
3.4.2 The New Yam Festival Celebration ..................................... 179
3.4.3 Amadioha or Igwe (Heaven) ................................................ 183
3.4.4 Anyanwu (Sun) .................................................................... 183
3.4.5 Chi’s: Other Spirit Forces .................................................... 185
3.5 Igbo Belief in the Ancestors ............................................................. 188
3.5.1 Who are the Ancestors? ....................................................... 190
3.5.2 The Role of the Ancestors in Igbo Traditional
Religion ................................................................................ 192
3.5.3 Qualities of the Ancestors in Igbo Traditional
Religion ................................................................................ 194
Chapter 4: Religious Functionaries in African Traditional Religions .............. 197
4. Introduction ............................................................................................... 197
4.1 What is Priesthood? .......................................................................... 198
4.1.1 Who is a Priest? ................................................................... 201
4.1.2 Priesthood in the Old Testament .......................................... 203
4.1.3 The New Testament Priesthood: The Priesthood
of Christ ............................................................................... 204
4.2 Priesthood in Igbo Traditional Religion ........................................... 207
4.2.1 The Call to the Priestly Function ......................................... 208
4.2.2 Four Categories of Priesthood in Igboland .......................... 211
4.2.2.1 The Okpara or Paterfamilias Priest ........................ 211
4.2.2.2 The Onye Isi Ala (The Priest of Ala)...................... 213
4.2.2.3 Onye Eze Mmuo or Eze Arusi
(The King of the Spirit) .......................................... 215
4.2.2.4 The Aro or Nri Priests ............................................ 215
4.2.3 The Training of Priests in Igbo Traditional Religion ........... 217
4.2.4 Installation of Priests in Igbo Traditional Religion .............. 221
4.3 Functions of Priests in Igbo Traditional Religion ............................ 222
4.3.1 Worship in Igbo Traditional Religion .................................. 222
4.3.2 Sacrifice and Offering in African Traditional Religion ........ 225
4.3.3 Sacrifice: (Aja) and Offering (Nhunye) in
Igbo Traditional Religion ..................................................... 227
4.3.4 Human Sacrifice in Igbo Traditional Religion ..................... 232
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4.4 Prayers in African Traditional Religion............................................ 237
4.4.1 Prayers in Igbo Traditional Religion .................................... 239
4.4.2 Kinds of Prayer: Private and Communal or
Family Prayers ..................................................................... 243
4.4.3 Types of Prayer .................................................................... 244
4.4.3.1 Prayer of Invocation ............................................... 244
4.4.3.2 Prayer of Petition ................................................... 246
4.4.3.3 Prayer over Kola Nut in Igbo Traditional
Religion .................................................................. 247
4.5 Medicine Men/Women or Healers in Igbo Traditional
Religion ............................................................................................ 249
4.5.1 The Medicine Man/Woman (Herbalist) Dibia Ogwu .......... 250
4.5.2 Training for Medicine Man: Dibia ....................................... 254
4.5.3 Diviner (Dibia Afa) in Igbo Traditional Religion ................ 257
Chapter 5: The Ethical, Social and Cultural Values in Africa .......................... 261
5. Introduction ............................................................................................... 261
5.1 Community in African Traditional Religion .................................... 262
5.1.1 Community in Igbo Cultural Tradition ................................ 268
5.1.2 The Spirit of Solidarity in Igbo Cultural
Tradition (Igwe bu Ike) ........................................................ 273
5.1.3 Sanctions in Igbo Community ............................................. 279
5.2 Traditional Family System in Africa ................................................ 282
5.2.1 Family System in Igbo Cultural Tradition (Ezi na Ulo) ...... 283
5.2.2 The Extended Family System .............................................. 286
5.2.3 Village Setting in Igbo Cultural Tradition ........................... 287
5.3 Moral and Social Values in Igbo Cultural Tradition ......................... 289
5.3.1 Respect for the Elders in Igbo Cultural Tradition ................ 289
5.3.2 Title Taking in Igbo Tradition .............................................. 292
5.4 Proverbs as a Social Means of Transmission of
Knowledge in Africa ........................................................................ 297
5.4.1 Proverbs in Africa and other Cultures .................................. 299
5.4.2 Proverbs in Igbo Cultural Tradition ..................................... 301
5.5 The Spirit of Hospitality among the Africans (Igbo) ....................... 303
5.5.1 The Kola Nut (Oji) in Igbo Cultural Tradition ..................... 307
5.5.2 Songs, Drums and Dancing as the Instruments
of Social Interaction ............................................................. 313
5.5.3 Songs and Music in Igbo Traditional and
Cultural Setting .................................................................... 315
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