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African Culture: An Overview
As with other cultures, one may find that the African culture is quite different from the culture of the Caucasians, Asians, and Europeans. However, due to urbanization, improvements, and influences that they find in the continuous development of technology, there has been gradual similarities that were created between their culture and that of the other races.
The traditional African culture is basically composed of beliefs that they inherited from their ancestors. Mostly, this includes beliefs in gods and goddesses, as well as in different forms of idols. Their ways of living from day-to-day are based on the principles of their beliefs in gods and goddesses in which their objective is to always please their gods. If one is to visit a conventional African tribe, one can find different statues, valuable goods, and exotic foods that they consider as parts of their lives and are most of the time given as offerings to gods.
Religion
Religion is an important element in the lives of the Africans. Godfrey Onah, in his article The Meaning of Peace in African Traditional Religion and Culture, indicates three essential elements in African religion. They are belief, worship, and morality. The Africans basically believe in different gods, spirits, and souls of their ancestors. They consider God...
Onah describes the following on how the Africans name their gods.
Each local community has its name for God, but the people believe that it is the one and same God who is given different names and who is the ultimate source of all the other spiritual beings, the universe and all that it contains.
Aside from gods, the Africans also believe in spirits whom they consider to have special attributes given by gods. With gods and spirits, the Africans hence have many worshipping activities. Such venerations are combined with different kinds of offerings as a sign of respect and belief.
Because of the belief in gods and spirits that the Africans have in their culture, they apply such belief in their principles of living and morality. That is, they believe that they should morally live as how gods did when they were still living on earth. The Africans also consider the human life to be a gift from God.
Family Culture, Pregnancy, and Death Rituals
The Africans give importance to the role and status of their family. One of the most important elements in an African family is having offsprings. According to Wermter (2004),
Africa family culture values offspring very highly. A person lives on his or her children. It is a shame and a disgrace for a man…
Bibliography
Onah, G. The Meaning of Peace in African Traditional Religion and Culture.
Retrieved on June 9, 2005 from Afrikaworld Online.
Web site: http://www.afrikaworld.net/afrel/goddionah.htm
Wermter, O. African Family Culture.
Retrieved on June 9, 2005 from Kubatan Online. Web site: http://www.kubatana.net/html/archive/relig/040708ow.asp?sector=ARTCUL&; range_start=31
Web site: http://www.africawithin.com/asante/contours.htm
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