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Christianity and African Culture in Nigeria

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Christianity and African Culture in Nigeria Journal of Religion and Theology Volume 3, Issue 2, 2019, PP 26-33 ISSN 2637-5907 Christianity and African Culture in Nigeria Metala, Ajana Clinton* Department of Soil Science University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria *Corresponding Author: Metala, Ajana Clinton Department of Soil Science University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria, Email: [email protected] ABSTRACT This study examined the impact of Christianity on African Culture in Nigeria. The study emphasizes more on religion and way of life of Africans and Europeans. In view of the findings made in this study, the researcher realized that there are areas of conflict and influence which are: modes of worship, birth and naming, eating fishes from sacred streams, marriage customs, magic charms and witchcraft and so on. Christianity as we have it today is a western culture of worshiping their own God which has positively impacted on Africa culture of living life and worshiping their own ‘’gods’’ popularly known as deity. Based on this assertion, the researcher assiduously made the following recommendations: The two religions should have good communication and respect for each other’s belief and that’s why some honest pastors will tell you ‘’give Caesar what belongs to Caesar and give God what belongs to God’’. From time to time, there should be educative programmes by churches or group of persons with in-depth knowledge of religions where people are enlightened more about religion on a neutral ground to avoid misconception in our society. Keywords: Christianity, Culture, Nigeria and Africa INTRODUCTION similarities. For example, the morals they uphold, their love and respect for their culture as The African traditional society is a homogenous well as the strong respect they hold for the gods and close one with its unique characteristic they believe in and the important i.e Kings and features that set it apart from other cultures of Chiefs (Wikipedia, n.d). Bello (1991) aver that the world. Some of their beliefs and practices culture is the totality of the way of life evolved like Caste-system (osu-one dedicated to by a people in their attempts to meet the idol/god), and Slave (ohu) all in Igbol and, challenge of living in their environment, which killing of twins, and abinos, burying of chiefs gives order and meaning to their social, /kings with slave, which crafting, polygamy, political, economic, aesthetic and religious nude dressing and certain practices against norms thus distinguishing a people from their women and widows etc appear to be evil in the neighbors. Culture serves to distinguish a people contemporary society and therefore, need to be from others, and Aziza (2001) asserts that: sermonized against so as to review them in the light of superior religion like Christianity Culture refers to the totality of the pattern of (Ibenwa, 2014). behavior of a particular group of people It includes everything that makes them distinct However, the culture of Africa is varied and from any other group of people for instance, manifold; consisting of a mixture of countries their greetings habits, dressing, social norms with various tribes that each has their own and taboos, food, songs and dance patterns, unique characteristic from the continent of rites of passages from birth, through marriage Africa. It is a product of the diverse populations to death, traditional occupations, religious as that today inhabit the continent of Africa and the well as philosophical beliefs (Idang, 2015: 99) African Diaspora. African culture is expressed in its arts and crafts, folklore and religion, Idang (2015) aver that culture is passed on from clothing, cuisine, music and languages. generation to generation. The acquisition of Expressions of culture are abundant within culture is a result of the socialization process. Africa, with large amounts of cultural diversity Explaining how culture is passed on as a being found not only across different countries generational heritage, Fafunwa (1974: 48) but also within single countries. Even though writes that: African cultures are widely diverse, they are The child just grows into and within the cultural also, when closely studied, seen to have many heritage of his people. He imbibes it. Culture, in Journal of Religion and Theology V3 ● I2 ● 2019 26 Christianity and African Culture in Nigeria traditional society, is not taught; it is caught. Their decision depends very much, on the The child observes, imbibes and mimics the impact which the Christian faith will have on action of his elders and siblings. He watches the them during childhood. No person can be forced naming ceremonies, religious services, to remain Christian against one‟s will. This is marriage erituals, and funeral obsequies. He one of the remarkable differences between witnesses the coronation of a king or chief, the commitment to Christianity and commitment to annual dance and acrobatic displays of guilds the African religious heritage. Just as an African and age groups or his relations in the activities. cannot choose the ethnic community into which The child in a traditional society cannot escape one is born, so it is almost impossible for one to his cultural and physical environments. dissociate into which one is born, so it is almost impossible for one to dissociate one‟s religious This shows that every human being who grows heritage from one‟s total cultural background up in a particular society is likely to become (Mugambi, 2013). infused with the culture of that society, whether knowingly or unknowingly during the process Influence of Christianity on African Culture of social interaction (Idang, 2015). Africa has This section tries to look at the part played by influenced and been influenced by other foreign religion (Christianity) towards the continents. This can be portrayed in the changes that have occurred in the society. willingness to adapt to the ever-changing Christianity is a foreign religion imported into modern world rather than staying rooted to their Africa while the traditional religion is the static culture. One of the ways Africa as a indigenous faith (Onyeidu, 1999). Christianity continent has been influenced is through has in time past and at present impacted so Christianity which is the focus of the work. much on African culture in general and it is still On the other hand, Christianity is not a culture, doing so now. Against this backdrop, Ugwu in but the Christian faith can be expressed and Ibenwa, 2004 said,” although the imported communicated only through cultural media. A world religions have brought in some positive Christian is a person who has accepted the influences or possible effects on the Nigerian Christian faith and made a firm decision to communities, they have also dealt a staggering become a follower of Jesus Christ. To become a blow on our social, economic, religious and Christian is to accept Jesus Christ and his political systems.” However, change is the only teachings as preserved in the Christian thing that is constant in human life and as such scriptures and maintained by the church of one‟s it is inevitable in human interaction (Ibenwa, choice. 2014). According to Ibenwa (2014), rapid social change in Africa, owing to the western influence The question as to what constitutes authentic in the second part of the nineteenth century Christian tradition is complicated by the helped to transform very simple, harmonious existence of numerous Christian denomina and homogenous society into complex and tions. But there is no doubt that the need for heterogeneous one. cultural freedom and cultural identity has been an important factor in the establishment of The people strictly observed the religion and Independent African Churches during the culture of their communities (Chuta, 1992). colonial period. The term Church can be loosely Foreign religion (Christianity) and their cultural defined as the community of people who have baggage which accompanied their preaching accepted the Christian faith and are consciously have been identified to be responsible for this bound together as a community by the state of affairs. This cultural baggage (i.e. commitment to implement the teaching of Jesus education and urbanization) served as the sweet Christ in the world. Christianity affirms that pills with which Africans were enticed and Jesus of Nazareth is Christ the „‟Son of God‟‟, captured, (Ozigbo,1988) No wonder, Wood but each church lives this faith according to its (1942), aptly remarked that Judaism, understanding of the demands of the Gospel. Christianity and Islam have all acted as social Each individual adult must decide for himself revolutionary forces in our societies. It should whether or not to become Christians and each be noted that some of the changes are inevitable church has developed a system of nurturing because they are a part of the survival strategy; children towards adult membership in the others are irresistible in the presence of church. However, when the children of conquering culture. A reinterpretation of theme Christian parents grow up, they have to make up has, therefore, shown a few instances of those their minds whether or not to remain Christians. changes (Ibenwa, 2014). 27 Journal of Religion and Theology V3 ● I2●2019 Christianity and African Culture in Nigeria For instance, the introduction of Christianity and Both instills discipline Islam in Africa marked the beginning of religious pluralism on the continent. Jordan Both condemns bad attitude (1948) wrote that a whole system of taboos and Both engages in knowledge building and ritual of ordination has controlled the entire life learning efficiency of Africans particularly the Igbos of Eastern Nigeria in Africa. These whole systems of CONFLICT BETWEEN CHRISTIANITY AND taboos and ritual of ordination that controlled AFRICA CULTURE the entire life of the Igbos were expanded by In account of Okeke, Ibenwa & Okeke (2017) Onyeidu (1999) to include: swearing of oath, just as in the recent times, the early Christian making of blood pact, trial by ordeal, oracles, church had conflicts with religions and cultures vows, secret societies and the meticulous that do not share same doctrines with it.
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