African Religio-Cultural Heritage of ‘Charms and Amulets’

What is it about?

This article looks at the elements of continuity between Christianity and African Traditional Religion. Specifically, it focuses on the extent to which neo-Pentecostal Churches (Pastors and Prophets) are borrowing from the cultural worldview of Africans to tackle some of the issues that confront African Christians on a daily basis. Conscious of the spiritual realities of the African universe and their consequences on the living, neo-Pentecostals are employing the use of ritual objects like wrist bands, and other paraphernalia as objects of healing, protection and power to provide solution to the spiritual and physical challenges of their followers. This article argues that these ritual objects are used in ways similar to the methods used by African medicine men/women. This shows a sense of continuity with the African religio-cultural heritage as a way of filling the gap created by missionary Christianity.

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Photo by Andrew Itaga on Unsplash

Photo by Andrew Itaga on Unsplash

Why is it important?

It is important in that it articulates an overt and conscious relationship between the African worldview and contemporary practice of Christianity. It reminds us of our spiritual connectedness with the past.

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