Introduction

1. Introduction
It seems quite safe to assume that all human beings desire peace. What is not always very clear is what each person means by peace and how it can be attained and maintained. Religion and peace have been almost natural companions in the minds of humans in different periods of history and in different cultures of the world. This is because, although far too many adherents and leaders of the different religions in the world have

THE MEANING OF PEACE IN AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION AND CULTURE

Prayer

I would like to begin this reflection with a prayer, a litany for peace, from the Kikuyu of Kenya. It is addressed to Ngai, the Supreme Being:

Praise ye Ngai… –  Peace be with us

[Say that the elders may have wisdom and speak with one voice.

Praise ye, Ngai. Peace be with us.]

Say that the country may have tranquillity

Why Study African Traditional Religions (ATR)?

Why should missionaries whose aim is to bring the Good News be concerned with ATR?

Is it not there duty to convince the people to give up religious practices which are full of superstition, fear and witchcraft?

Indeed, in the beginning of missionary activity, due to many misconceptions and ignorance, ATR was considered as the direct opposite of Christianity, which needed to be eradicated. This was at a time when human societies from a Western perspective - which was the yardstick of normality - were divided in two types:
Western - Non-Western
Civilized - Primitive
Logical - Prelogical
Healthy - Sick, Evil, Savage.