Traditional African religions and their influences on the worldviews of Bangwa people of Cameroon
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v30i1.405Keywords:
Religion, Cameroon, Study abroad, Beliefs, Worldviews, Religious practicesAbstract
This essay explores the traditional African religious beliefs and practices of the people of Bangwa in the Southwestern region of Cameroon in order to uncover how those beliefs influence their thought processes and worldviews. In the course of rethinking and re-examining their belief systems and their traditional religious practices, the following themes emerged: religious sacrifices, observance of the Sabbath, belief system, incontrovertible belief in God, sorcery and divine retribution, the dead and the living, inequality and class divide, dreams and interpretation, names and religious identity. The implication of the essay is that study abroad should encompass religious studies that help study abroad students learn ways of thinking and knowing of their host countries.
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References
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Betoto, J. E. (2012). Missionary activity in Bakunduland, Cameroon, 1873-1960: An historical appraisal. Global Advanced Research Journal of history, political science and International Relations, 1(2), 48-55.
Ethnologue (2016). Cameroon languages. Retrieved from https://www.ethnologue.com/language/nwe/map
Href, M. & Libraw, O. (2012). Exorcism thriving in U.S., say Experts. ABC News, Retrieved from: http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=92541
Kamara, M. G. (2000). Regaining our African aesthetics and essence through our African traditional religion. Journal of Black Studies, 30(4), 502-514.
Mbiti, J. S. (1970). African religions and philosophy. Garden City, NY: Anchor.
Njoh, A. J. & Akiwumi, F. A. (2012). The impact of religion on women empowerment as a millennium development goal in Africa. Social Indicators Research, 107(1), 1-18.
Olupona, J. (2007). Beyond primitivism. New York: Routledge.
Omolewa, M. (2007). Traditional African modes of education: their relevance in the modern world. International Review of Education, 53(5/6), 593-612.
Pew Research Center (2010). Tolerance and tension: Islam and Christianity in Sub-Saharan Retrieved from Africa. http://www.pewforum.org/2010/04/15/executive-summary-islam-and-christianity-in-sub-saharan-africa/
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Stachowski, L. L. (1999). Student teachers' efforts to promote self-esteem in Navajo pupils. Reprinted in F. Schultz (Ed.), Annual editions multicultural education 99/00 (pp. 42-47). Guilford, CT: Dushkin/McGraw-Hill.
Stinton, D. (2004). Africa, east and west. In J. Parrat (Ed.). An introduction to third world theologies (pp. 105-136). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Tattersall, I. (1997). Out of Africa again… and again? Scientific American, 276(4), 60-67.
Ukpong, S. J. (1983). The problem of God and sacrifice in African traditional religion. Journal of Religion in Africa, 14(3), 187-203.
Wayman, E. (2011). How Africa became the cradle of humankind. Smithsonian. Retrieved from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/how-africa-became-the-cradle-of-humankind-108875040/
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Published
2018-01-31
How to Cite
Ndemanu, M. T. (2018). Traditional African religions and their influences on the worldviews of Bangwa people of Cameroon. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 30(1), 70–84. https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v30i1.405
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Research Articles
