DOCSLIB.ORG

Représentations Des Religions Traditionnelles Africaines : Analyse Comparative De Réseaux Régionaux Et Disciplinaires Africains Et Occidentaux

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Représentations Des Religions Traditionnelles Africaines : Analyse Comparative De Réseaux Régionaux Et Disciplinaires Africains Et Occidentaux Université de Montréal Représentations des religions traditionnelles africaines : Analyse comparative de réseaux régionaux et disciplinaires africains et occidentaux par Émilie Tremblay Faculté de théologie et de sciences des religions Mémoire présenté à la Faculté des études supérieures en vue de l’obtention du grade de maîtrise (M.A.) en sciences des religions Juin, 2010 © Émilie Tremblay, 2010 Université de Montréal Faculté des études supérieures et postdoctorales Ce mémoire intitulé : Représentations des religions traditionnelles africaines : Analyse comparative de réseaux régionaux et disciplinaires africains et occidentaux Présenté par : Émilie Tremblay a été évalué par un jury composé des personnes suivantes : Denise Couture, présidente-rapporteuse Solange Lefebvre, directrice de recherche Paul Sabourin, codirecteur Olivier Bauer, membre du jury i Résumé Ce mémoire présente une réflexion critique sur différentes représentations des religions traditionnelles africaines (RTA) au sein de réseaux régionaux et disciplinaires africains et occidentaux. Dans un premier temps, plusieurs formes de représentations (cartographiques et graphiques) issues de milieux universitaires occidentaux sont explorées pour comparer le traitement des RTA. Cette exploration soulève le problème des catégorisations employées qui ne rendent pas compte de la diversité, du dynamisme, de la complexité et de l’importance des RTA; et de manière plus générale, cette analyse révèle un problème sur le plan de l’équité dans les représentations des religions du monde. À l’aide d’une analyse conceptuelle, un certain nombre de catégories utilisées pour définir les RTA, notamment celle de « religion ethnique », sont remises en question, tout comme la notion de religion du monde (world religion). Dans un deuxième temps, les stratégies de recherche utilisées pour retracer des réseaux de chercheurs africains sont présentées. Différents outils et ressources documentaires occidentaux sont analysés et évalués selon qu’ils donnent accès ou non à la production de chercheurs africains sur les RTA. L’analyse de ces documents, laquelle est inspirée d’une démarche d’analyse de discours, révèle à quel point la contribution des chercheurs africains est peu prise en compte à l’intérieur du corpus sélectionné. Or, l’exploration de la situation actuelle de l’enseignement et de la recherche sur les RTA dans certaines universités du Nigéria met en lumière la somme importante de travaux sur les RTA et la diversité des canaux de communication. En somme, ce mémoire démontre à quel point le savoir est localisé et lié aux ancrages culturels, disciplinaires et idéologiques des chercheurs. Il ouvre, à partir de l’analyse de textes africains, sur la question plus large de la difficulté de la représentation de l’unité et des particularismes des RTA. Mots-clés : Religions traditionnelles africaines, religions du monde, représentations, outils de recherche documentaire, localisation du savoir, africism, internationalisation des universités. ii Abstract This thesis provides a critical analysis of several different representations of African Traditional Religions (ATR) as found within a number of regional and disciplinary networks in Western and African countries. First, numerous means of representation (geographical maps and graphics) from different western scientific media were used to examine different ways in which ATR are represented. This analysis reveals that the categorization systems employed in these media to represent ATR do not reflect the variety, vitality, complexity and significance of ATR; and, on a more general level, reveals a lack of equity in the representations of different world religions. A conceptual analysis puts into question a number of categories (e.g. “ethnic religion”) used to define ATR as well as the notion of world religion. Second, the research strategies that were used to identify African research networks are presented. Several different Western tools and documentary resources (Database, encyclopedic articles, etc) were evaluated on their usage and citations of African research on ATR. This analysis, which was drawn from a qualitative discourse analysis approach, highlights the limited importance that is given to African researchers. In contrast, our evaluation of RTA-related education and research in Nigerian universities reveals an enormous amount of RTA-related research as well as a diversity of communication channels. On a more general level, this thesis demonstrates the extent to which knowledge is localized and linked to the cultural, disciplinary, and ideological presuppositions of researchers, and, from the analysis of African documents, opens to the larger question of the difficulty to represent the unity and specificities of ATR. Keywords: African Traditional Religions, World religion, Representation, Tools for documentary research, Localization of knowledge, Africism, University's internationalization. iii Table des matières Introduction 1 Les RTA dans les représentations des religions du monde .............................................................1 Buts et utilité de la recherche ..........................................................................................................4 Localisation sociale et démarche de décentration............................................................................5 Structure du mémoire et stratégies méthodologiques......................................................................9 Chapitre 1 Représentations des RTA dans le savoir savant ....................................... 13 1.1 Qu’est-ce qu’une religion du monde (world religion) .........................................................14 1.2 Représentations graphiques et cartographiques des RTA....................................................16 1.3 Réflexion sur les catégories utilisées pour représenter les RTA..........................................20 1.3.1 La notion de religion tribale à l’épreuve de l’exemple yoruba.....................................21 1.3.2 La notion de religion ethnique à l’épreuve de la religion igbo ....................................26 1.3.3 Catégorisation retenue : religion traditionnelle africaine............................................32 1.4 Représentations de la diversité des RTA .............................................................................37 1.5 Les représentations des RTA dans le programme pédagogique Exploring Africa...............41 1.6 Les représentations des RTA dans des statistiques sur la diversité religieuse au Québec et au Canada ......................................................................................................................................46 1.7 Conclusion : inégalité de traitement entre les religions?......................................................47 Chapitre 2 Comment retracer des réseaux chercheurs africains et leurs travaux sur les RTA ....................................................................................................................... 49 2.1 Analyse de trois articles encyclopédiques occidentaux .......................................................51 2.1.1 Identification des documents.........................................................................................52 2.1.2 Définition de la relation sociale de communication .....................................................53 2.2 Quels sont les acteurs à qui la parole a été donnée dans les trois articles encyclopédiques? 56 2.2.1 Diverses catégories d’acteurs sociaux majoritairement européens .............................56 2.2.2 Des acteurs sociaux africains majoritairement formés en Occident ............................63 2.2.3 À qui a-t-on refusé la parole pour représenter les RTA?..............................................65 2.3 Diversité d’outils et de stratégies de recherche pour retracer les chercheurs africains et leurs travaux ...........................................................................................................................................69 2.3.1 Premières stratégies de recherche : constituer un corpus pour identifier des réseaux de chercheurs africains .............................................................................................................69 2.3.2 La recherche universitaire sur les RTA en Afrique de l’Ouest .....................................71 2.3.3 La situation universitaire nigériane : l’exemple de quatre universités du Sud ............74 2.3.4 Comparaison de trois bases de données (ATRIUM, ATLA et Worldcat)......................80 2.4 Analyse de trois articles synthèses de chercheurs africains .................................................83 2.4.1 Description des matériaux (construction des données sociologiques) ..............................83 2.4.2 Udobata Rufus Onunwa : classification selon trois courants nationalistes africains...84 2.4.3 Hebron Luhlanya Ndlovu : classification selon les démarches théologiques...............87 2.4.4 Christopher Ifeanyi Ejizu : classification selon les discours philosophiques et théologiques ..............................................................................................................................88 2.5 Conclusion : l’internationalisation des universités favorise-t-elle la prise en compte des savoirs africains .............................................................................................................................90 Chapitre 3 Comment représenter l’unité ou le particularisme des RTA? ................ 93 3.1
Load more

Recommended publications
  • History of Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Igboland (1923 – 2010 )
    NJOKU, MOSES CHIDI PG/Ph.D/09/51692 A HISTORY OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH IN IGBOLAND (1923 – 2010 ) FACULTY OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT OF RELIGION Digitally Signed by : Content manager’s Name Fred Attah DN : CN = Webmaster’s name O= University of Nigeri a, Nsukka OU = Innovation Centre 1 A HISTORY OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH IN IGBOLAND (1923 – 2010) A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF RELIGION AND CULTURAL STUDIES, FACULTY OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT FOR THE AWARD OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (Ph.D) DEGREE IN RELIGION BY NJOKU, MOSES CHIDI PG/Ph.D/09/51692 SUPERVISOR: REV. FR. PROF. H. C. ACHUNIKE 2014 Approval Page 2 This thesis has been approved for the Department of Religion and Cultural Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka By --------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Rev. Fr. Prof. H. C. Achunike Date Supervisor -------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ External Examiner Date Prof Musa Gaiya --------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Internal Examiner Date Prof C.O.T. Ugwu -------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Internal Examiner Date Prof Agha U. Agha -------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Head of Department Date Rev. Fr. Prof H.C. Achunike --------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Dean of Faculty Date Prof I.A. Madu Certification 3 We certify that this thesis
    [Show full text]
  • A Socio- Economic History of Alcohol in Southeastern Nigeria Since 1890
    CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION Background to the Study Alcohol has various socio-economic and cultural functions among the people of southeastern Nigeria. It is used in rituals, marriages, oath taking, festivals and entertainment. It is presented as a mark of respect and dignity. The basic alcoholic beverage produced and consumed in the area was palm -wine tapped from the oil palm tree or from the raffia- palm. Korieh notes that, from the fifteenth century contacts between the Europeans and peoples of eastern Nigeria especially during the Atlantic slave trade era, brought new varieties of alcoholic beverages primarily, gin and whisky.1 Thus, beginning from this period, gins especially schnapps from Holland became integrated in local culture of the peoples of Eastern Nigeria and even assumed ritual position.2 From the 1880s, alcohol became accepted as a medium of exchange for goods and services and a store of wealth.3 By the early twentieth century, alcohol played a major role in the Nigerian economy as one third of Nigeria‘s income was derived from import duties on liquor.4 Nevertheless, prior to the contact of the people of Southern Nigeria with the Europeans, alcohol was derived mainly from the oil palm and raffia palm trees which were numerous in the area. These palms were tapped and the sap collected and drunk at various occasions. From the era of the Trans- Atlantic slave trade, the import of gin, rum and whisky became prevalent.These were used in ex-change for slaves and to pay comey – a type of gratification to the chiefs. Even with the rise of legitimate trade in the 19th century alcoholic beverages of various sorts continued to play important roles in international trade.5 Centuries of importation of gin into the area led to the entrenchment of imported gin in the culture of the people.
    [Show full text]
  • OF CULTURAL FESTIVALS and RELATIONS in WEST AFRICA: PERSPECTIVES on MBANO of SOUTHEAST NIGERIA SINCE the 20TH CENTURY Chinedu N
    Mgbakoigba, Journal of African Studies, Vol. 8 No. 2. May, 2021 OF CULTURAL FESTIVALS AND RELATIONS IN WEST AFRICA: PERSPECTIVES ON MBANO OF SOUTHEAST NIGERIA SINCE THE 20TH CENTURY Chinedu N. Mbalisi OF CULTURAL FESTIVALS AND RELATIONS IN WEST AFRICA: PERSPECTIVES ON MBANO OF SOUTHEAST NIGERIA SINCE THE 20TH CENTURY Chinedu N. Mbalisi Department of History and International Studies, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka [email protected] Abstract Africa is prominently known for its rich cultural heritage, festivals and traditional celebrations. The Igbo of southeast Nigeria are known globally for their addiction to their traditional way of life, belief systems and celebration of numerous cultural festivals. These traditional and cultural festivals form the basic foundation of the rich heritage of the Igbo. Most of these celebrations begin from birth. Usually, the birth of a new born baby is greeted with joy and fanfare by his/her parents and their relatives. The celebrations continue till the period of transition (death); from puberty to adulthood, marriage, title taking, old age till one rejoins his/her ancestors, then comes the final celebration. Mbano people of southeast Nigeria have numerous traditional and cultural festivals which form the nucleus of their relations with their neighbours. In fact, the cultural festivals depict the rich cultural heritage of the people and are used to show in most parts, the kinship between the people and their proximate neighbours. This paper essays to demonstrate the import of these traditional and cultural festivals to the nature of relationship prevalent between Mbano people and their neighbours in southeast Nigeria. The work adopts the orthodox historical method of narrative and analysis.
    [Show full text]
  • THE AESTHETICS of IGBO MASK THEATRE by VICTOR
    University of Plymouth PEARL https://pearl.plymouth.ac.uk 04 University of Plymouth Research Theses 01 Research Theses Main Collection 1996 The composite scene: the aesthetics of Igbo mask theatre Ukaegbu, Victor Ikechukwu http://hdl.handle.net/10026.1/2811 University of Plymouth All content in PEARL is protected by copyright law. Author manuscripts are made available in accordance with publisher policies. Please cite only the published version using the details provided on the item record or document. In the absence of an open licence (e.g. Creative Commons), permissions for further reuse of content should be sought from the publisher or author. THE COMPOSITE SCENE: THE AESTHETICS OF IGBO MASK THEATRE by VICTOR IKECHUKWU UKAEGBU A thesis submitted to the University of Plymouth in partial fulfilment for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Exeter School of Arts and Design Faculty of Arts and Education University of Plymouth May 1996. 90 0190329 2 11111 COPYRIGHT STATEMENT. This copy of the thesis has been supplied on condition that anyone who consults it is understood to recognise that its copyright rests with its author and that no quotation from the thesis and no information derived from it may be published without the author's prior written consent. Date .. 3.... M.~~J. ... ~4:l~.:. VICTOR I. UKAEGBU. ii I 1 Unlversity ~of Plymouth .LibratY I I 'I JtemNo q jq . .. I I . · 00 . '()3''2,;lfi2. j I . •• - I '" Shelfmiul(: ' I' ~"'ro~iTHESIS ~2A)2;~ l)f(lr ' ' :1 ' I . I Thesis Abstract THE COMPOSITE SCENE: THE AESTHETICS OF IGBO MASK THEATRE by VICTOR IKECHUKWU UKAEGBU An observation of mask performances in Igboland in South-Eastern Nigeria reveals distinctions among displays from various communities.
    [Show full text]
  • Global Journal of Applied, Management and Social Sciences (GOJAMSS); Vol.13 December 2016; P.95 – 103 (ISSN: 2276 – 9013)
    Global Journal of Applied, Management and Social Sciences (GOJAMSS); Vol.13 December 2016; P.95 – 103 (ISSN: 2276 – 9013) DEMARGINALIZING INDIGENOUS AFRICAN DEITIES IN AN AGE OF TERROR ABBA A ABBA (PhD) Head of Department of English and Literary Studies, Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo, Delta State, Nigeria [email protected]; +234 803 675 8759 & CHIBUZO ONUNKWO (PhD) Department of English and Literary Studies University of Nigeria, Nsukka [email protected] Abstract The demonization and consequent marginalization of African indigenous religious practices by the colonial West has indeed led to the erosion of African values. Despite the terrors orchestrated by alien religions across the globe in general and Africa in particular, only a few scholars have called for the demarginalization of indigenous African spirituality as a means of rebuilding the man and his world. For instance, Soyinka, one of Africa’s foremost literary scholars has contended that African spirituality has been marginalized by the aggressive, often bloody intrusion of Christianity and Islam on African soil. And for him, African spirituality provides sources of spiritual strength to its people and acts as rallying point in their struggle for liberation and human dignity. In its attempt to further this line of thought, this paper argues that African indigenous deities have been misrepresented, demonized and pushed outside the margins of the continent’s discourse of spirituality by the practitioners of alien religions who at the momentseek to bring the world to a state of nothingness. Focusing on some selected Igbo deities, the paper interrogates some disgruntled mistranslations that demonize heroic indigenous deities in order to establish instances of the epistemological damages which the colonizer has done to the colonized.
    [Show full text]
  • Omenala and Omenachukwu in Igbo World View: a Philosophical Equipoise
    OMENALA AND OMENACHUKWU IN IGBO WORLD VIEW: A PHILOSOPHICAL EQUIPOISE Jude I. Onebunne* Abstract Omenala and Omenachukwu are wings of basic and fundamental human trado-religious activities and interactions in Igbo society. Omenala as basic human culture can be defined as shared pattern of behaviour and interactions, cognitive constructions and affective understanding that are learnt through a process of inter and intra socialization. Omenachukwu translates essentially as Divine Culture and in a large sense, Christianity and by extension, inculturation. Omenala and Omenachukwu are basic human activities within human society in relation to a patterned way of life as well as to a being of a sort. In this paper, the researcher using the method of unaided critical analysis finds out that in Igbo Society, between omenala and omenachukwu is a vital activity seen in ‘ome’ and the conjunction ‘na’ relates the activity either to culture as expressed in the concept of ala and Chukwu as to a supreme being. Keywords: Omenala, Omenachukwu, Tradition, Religion, Culture, Socialization Introduction The Igbo is an ethnic group native to the present-day south- central and southeastern Nigeria. Geographically, the Igbo homeland is divided into two unequal sections by the Niger River; an eastern (which is the larger of the two) and a western section. The Igbo people are one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa. They are socially and culturally diverse. Igbo culture (Omenala) includes the customs, practices and traditions of the Igbo people. They have a dynamic and fascinating cultural heritage that says much about them. It Nnadiebube Journal of Philosophy, Vol.3(1), 2019 comprises archaic practices as well as new concepts added into the Igbo culture either by cultural evolution or by outside influence.
    [Show full text]
  • Sneak Peak! Chapters
    THE RETURN OF THE EARTH MOTHER SERIES: BOOK 1 DAUGHTERS OF NRI RENI K AMAYO PRAISE FOR DAUGHTERS OF NRI ‘Oh . my . goddesses! This book is something special. There is so much myth, fantasy and genuinely great storytelling packed into the pages of this novel. Excellent writing, brilliant book.’ Dorothy Koomson, Best-selling author ‘From a rich and deep culture, Amayo weaves a world of literary magic. Daughter’s of Nri is a beautifully written novel paving the way for a powerful collection to follow.’ Buzzfeed ‘A phenomenal debut from a brilliant writer which kept me on the edge of my seat from the first page. This is a beautiful story full of heritage, passion and bravery that every young black girl should read.’ Black Girl Book Club ‘With Daughters of Nri, Reni K Amayo conjures a magical world that truly centres black sisterhood. Combining lush prose with a fast-paced plot, this is one read that everyone – but especially black teens – will struggle to put down.’ Alex Sheppard, Author of ‘Oh My Gods’ ‘This book is a love letter to black women. It is beautifully written and its message is so powerful and incredibly important. Every black woman needs to read. We deserve this story.’ WCAN First published in Great Britain in 2019 by Onwe Press Ltd This paperback edition was first published in 2019 All rights reserved; no part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the publisher, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
    [Show full text]
  • Uli: Metamorphosis of a Tradition Into Contemporary Aesthetics
    ULI: METAMORPHOSIS OF A TRADITION INTO CONTEMPORARY AESTHETICS A thesis submitted to the College of the Arts of Kent State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts by Sandra A. Smith May, 2010 Thesis written by Sandra A. Smith B.A., Kent State University, 2006 M.A., Kent State University, 2010 Approved by __________________________, Advisor Fred T. Smith __________________________, Chair, School of Art Christine Havice __________________________, Interim Dean, College of the Arts John R. Crawford ii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................... v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ...................................................................................... vii CHAPTER Page INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 1 I DESCRIPTION OF IGBO HISTORY, CULTURE AND ART ...................... 8 Igbo-Ukwu .................................................................................................. 9 Igbo Culture and Society .......................................................................... 10 Igbo Religious Beliefs and Practices ....................................................... 12 Igbo Deities .............................................................................................. 13 Masked Spirits ........................................................................................ 14 Aspects of Belonging .............................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Leadership Symbolism in Onitsha Igbo Crowns and Ijele Author(S): Richard N
    Leadership Symbolism in Onitsha Igbo Crowns and Ijele Author(s): Richard N. Henderson and Ifekandu Umunna Source: African Arts, Vol. 21, No. 2 (Feb., 1988), pp. 28-37+94-96 Published by: UCLA James S. Coleman African Studies Center Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3336526 Accessed: 01/06/2010 12:37 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of JSTOR's Terms and Conditions of Use, available at http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp. JSTOR's Terms and Conditions of Use provides, in part, that unless you have obtained prior permission, you may not download an entire issue of a journal or multiple copies of articles, and you may use content in the JSTOR archive only for your personal, non-commercial use. Please contact the publisher regarding any further use of this work. Publisher contact information may be obtained at http://www.jstor.org/action/showPublisher?publisherCode=jscasc. Each copy of any part of a JSTOR transmission must contain the same copyright notice that appears on the screen or printed page of such transmission. JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [email protected]. UCLA James S. Coleman African Studies Center is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to African Arts. http://www.jstor.org LeadershipSymbolism in Onitsha Crowns and Igbo Ijele RICHARDN.
    [Show full text]
  • Interface Between Igbo Theology and Christianity
    Interface Between Igbo Theology and Christianity Interface Between Igbo Theology and Christianity Edited by Akuma-Kalu Njoku and Elochukwu Uzukwu Interface Between Igbo Theology and Christianity, Edited by Akuma-Kalu Njoku and Elochukwu Uzukwu This book first published 2014 Cambridge Scholars Publishing 12 Back Chapman Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 2XX, UK British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Copyright © 2014 by Akuma-Kalu Njoku, Elochukwu Uzukwu and contributors All rights for this book reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. ISBN (10): 1-4438-6390-4, ISBN (13): 978-1-4438-6390-2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ................................................................................................. 1 Akuma-Kalu Njoku and Elochukwu Uzukwu Part One: Challenging the Project – Interface between the Theology of Igbo Indigenous Religions and Christian Theology Christianity Meets Igbo Traditional Religion ............................................ 10 Francis Cardinal Arinze The Interface of Igbo Theology and Christianity ...................................... 20 Msgr Theophilus Okere Ofo na-Ogu and Mmanwu: Ritual Symbolism in the Interface of Igbo Indigenous Religion and Christianity ........................................................ 31 Christopher
    [Show full text]
  • Acknowledgement 11 Forward 13 General Introduction 15 1 African Traditional Beliefs and Experiences 24 1.1
    ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 11 FORWARD 13 GENERAL INTRODUCTION 15 1 AFRICAN TRADITIONAL BELIEFS AND EXPERIENCES 24 1.1. Introduction 24 1.2. African World Views 25 1.3 Concept and Experience of God (Chukwu) 31 1.3.1 Misconception and De-misconception of African Experience of God 31 1.3.2 Supreme Being (Chukwu) in Igbo Traditional Religion 34 1.3.3 God's Name in Igbo land: Definition and Meaning 35 1.3.3.1 Personal Names of God 36 1.3.3.2 Title Names of God 39 1.4. Worship of Supreme Being in ATR: Igbo Experience 40 1.5 Belief and Experience of other Deities 44 1.5.1 Anyanwu (Sun-deity) 44 1.5.2 Igwe (Sky-deity) 45 1.5.3 Amadioha (God of Thunder and Lightning) 45 1.5.4. Ana (Earth-godness) 46 1.6 Spiritual Forces (Arusi) 49 1.6.1 Ifejioku 49 1.6.2 AgwuNsi 50 1.6.3 Mami Wata (Mermaid spirit) 50 1.6.4 River Gods 51 1.6.5 Ndichie (Ancestors) 51 1.7 Personal and Household Gods 52 1.7.1 Ikenga 52 1.7.2 Chi 52 1.7.3 Totem Animals and Trees 53 1.8 African Traditional Religion: Monotheistic or Polytheistic 54 1.8.1 Some Views on the Concepts of Monotheism and Polytheism in ATR 54 1.8.2 Are Deities and other Spiritual Forces Worshipped in Igbo Religion?58 1.9 Anthropocentric Pragmatism in ATR 64 1.10 Conclusion 66 2. THE CONCEPT OF MORALITY: GOOD AND EVIL IN IGBOWORLDVIEW 68 2.1 Introduction 68 2.2 Three Main Dimensions of Morality in Igbo land 69 2.2.1 The Supernatural Dimension 69 2.2.2 Communitarian or Social Dimension 70 2.2.3 Personal Dimension 76 2.3 Anthropocentric- Theocentrism in Igbo Morality 78 2.4 Sense of Goodness 80 2.5 Sense of Evil 81 Bibliografische Informationen digitalisiert durch http://d-nb.info/1016365713 6 2.6.
    [Show full text]
  • Crime and Punishment in Igbo Customary Law: the Challenge of Nigerian Criminal Jurisprudence
    CRIME AND PUNISHMENT IN IGBO CUSTOMARY LAW: THE CHALLENGE OF NIGERIAN CRIMINAL JURISPRUDENCE Ikenga K. E. Oraegbunam Abstract Every society has its own means of controlling the social behaviour of its citizens in order to reach its desired goals. The importance of the legal framework in this regard cannot be gainsaid. Thus, law provides, among other things, the penal technique by which those who are found guilty of acts prohibited by the society are punished. The Igbo society of Nigeria has in its body of customary laws a rich penal system. Though largely unwritten, prior to the advent of the British, this legal regime integrated the Igbo society unto its development. The Nigerian post-independence era, however, presented a veritable antipathy to and outright abolition of the customary criminal laws including that of the Igbo. Influenced by the received English system, its negative attitude to spiritualism in which most of the customary practices are immersed gives an added fillip to this disregard. But in their private lives and in the hinterland, people surely return to their primordial convictions. There is therefore the need to evolve a safe compromise that will preserve the baby after throwing away the bath water. Introduction Over and over again, the two concepts of “crime” and “punishment” have constituted themselves into a whole lump of siamese twins. Often, one can neither speak of ‘crime’ without ‘punishment’ nor ‘punishment’ without ‘crime’. No wonder, Okonkwo, a doyen of Criminal Law in Nigeria, sees punishment simpliciter as the object of Criminal Law 1. In criminal law textbooks in Nigeria and beyond, a crime or offence is said to have been created only when the attendant punishment is also stipulated.
    [Show full text]