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The Influence of Indigenous Akan Cultural Elements on Christian THE INFLUENCE OF INDIGENOUS AKAN CULTURAL ELEMENTS ON CHRISTIAN WORSHIP IN THE KUMASI METROPOLITAN AREA. by KWAME DANKYI ANSONG, (BA, Art; MA, Art Edu., MA, Theology) A Dissertation submitted to the Department of General Art Studies Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (AFRICAN ART AND CULTURE) Faculty of Art, College of Art and Social Sciences July, 2012. © 2012, Department of General Art Studies. 1 DECLARATION. I hereby declare that this submission is my own work towards the PhD degree and that to the best of my knowledge, it contains nomaterial previously published by another person nor material which has been accepted for the award of any other degree of the university, except where due acknowledgement has been made in the text. Kwame Dankyi Ansong, 20065011 ...................................... 13/12/2012 Student’s Name and Identity No. Signature. Date. Certified by: Dr. Opamshen Osei Agyeman .......................................... ................................. 1stSupervisor’s Name Signature. Date. Dr. Eric Appau Asante ............................................ ............................... 2nd Supervisor’s Name Signature Date. Certified by: Dr. Osei-Opoku .......................................... ................................. Head of Department’s Name Signature. Date. 2 ABSTRACT The Akan people of the Kumasi Metropolitan Area, who form a part of the larger Twi speaking Akangroup of Ghana, are a people with a very rich and varied cultural heritage. This cultural heritage is expressed in various forms. Such cultural forms or elements are clearly seen in the daily lives of the people. The main objectives of this research work were: a) To look at Akan cultural elements which have influenced forms of Christian worship in the Kumasi Metropolitan Area and their impact on the churches. The study also tried to find out whether there are still more Akan cultural elements which could be introduced to enhance Christian worship in the Kumasi Metropolitan Area. Finally, the study was to investigate the outcome of the introduction of further Akan cultural elements into Christian worship in Christian Churches in the Kumasi Metropolitan Area. The main instruments used for the collection of data for this thesis were questionnaire and interviews for primary information as well as the taking of pictures with a digitalcamera and the recording of interviews. The results obtained from the study, indicated that there are still more Akan cultural elements which could be incorporated into Christian worship in the Kumasi Metropolis. However, looking at the experiences of the introduction of some Akan cultural elements into some churches in the Kumasi Metropolitan area, it is obvious that it is not going to be easy trying to introduce more Akan cultural elements into Christian churches in the Kumasi Metropolis, especially, so far asthe Charismatic and Pentecostal churchesin the Kumasi Metropolis are concerned. 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS For such a major work to have come to such a successful end, it would be realised that many people made some contributions in one way or the other. I appreciate all the contributions made however small it was. However, there are some people who deserve the honour, and who should be mentioned by name. First and foremost I wish to thank my lecturer and principalsupervisor, Dr. O. Osei Agyemanand also Dr. Dogbey, both formerlecturers of the Department of General Art Studies for the immense contributionsthey made towards the completion of this work. Thanks a lot for your support and encouragement in it all. I wish also, to thank my current supervisor, Dr. E. A. Asante, of the General Art Studies Department for completing what Dr. Osei Agyeman started.Dr. Samuel Nortey of the Department of Industrial Art, Faculty of Art, KNUST, also deserves to be mentioned for the support he gave throughout the preparation period of the work. Dr. E.C. Nyarko, a former lecturer of the Art Education Department of the Faculty of Art, KNUST, also deserves to be mentioned. Ever since my enrolment in the PhD programme he has followed my progress with keen interest. Thank you for your brotherly moral support. I am also grateful to the Emeritus Archbishop of the Kumasi Roman Catholic Archdiocese, Most Rev. Peter Kwasi Sarpong, PhD. Having read some of his writings and listened to his talks on Ghanaian culture and tradition, I decided to interview him on the issue of inculturation. In the course of the discussions I asked him if he could find some time to read through some of my scripts for me. He willingly accepted this request and eventually became more of a supervisor to me. From his inputs and the speed at which he worked with me, I should say that if I had seen him earlier, this project could have been finished at least a year earlier. Nana, Ayekoo! Thanks a lot for your help. The Anglican Bishop of Kumasi, Rt. Rev. Dr. Daniel Yinkah Sarfo, PhD., was another source of inspiration to me in the completion of the project. He personally handled the distribution and collection of the questionnaire to his ministers. Bishop, may God richly bless you. 4 The following African Indigenous Church ministers were very helpful and fully co- operated with me in the collection of data from their churches: Prophet Nubah II of the Ghana Holy Healing Church, Krofofrom-Kumasi, Pastor Paul Atiemo Boahen of the Kwadaso Branch of the African Faith Tabernacle, Rev. John K. Gyamfi of the Ebenezer Prayer Church, also at Krofofrom-Kumasi,Rev. Benjamin Osei of the Apostles Continuation Church at Mpatase[, were all very helpful and need to be acknowledged. I had the privilege of attending the sittings of the Kokofu Traditional Council at Kokofu on three different occasions in order to observe things for myself at the invitation of the Kokofumanhene. After that he granted me the audience for interviews on five different occasions. To make sure all was well with the work he also spoke to me on phone. After it all, Nana referred me to the Offinsomanhenewho also warmly welcomed me and granted personal interviews. Nananom, I appreciate your inputs and say thank you very much. I also want to thank Mrs. Peggy Amma Fening, PhD student, KNUST, and Dr. (Mrs.) Regina Oppong Kwakye, a lecturer at the School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana, Legon, for their encouragement and moral support towards the completion of this work. Special thanks also go to the staff at the Institute of African Studies, Legon,Library for their immense help throughout the research period. After the first visit to the Library when they got to know me, they were ever willing to give all the help I needed. At every visit they showed me new books which they felt would be helpful. Rev. Fr. Enoch Nana Kusi Kyeremateng, Secretary to the Emeritus Archbishop Peter K. Sarpong, deserves mentioning. He coordinated the work I did with the Archbishop Emeritus and other Roman Catholic Priests. Thanks so much, Rev. Father for the help given. Lastly, I wish to thank members of my family first for their patience during the period of studies. Part of the precious time we could have had together as a family was taken up by my studies. I am grateful to them for their moral and spiritual support. When I was found wanting, so far as ICT was concerned, my children, in spite of their busy schedules were always ready to help. 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS. Title Page.....................................................................................................................1 Declaration Page..........................................................................................................2 Abstract.......................................................................................................................3 Acknowledgements.....................................................................................................4 Table of Contents........................................................................................................6 List of Plates (photographs)........................................................................................9 Abbreviations……….....................................................................................................11 CHAPTER ONE 1.1 Overview 12 1.2 Background to the Study 14 1.3 Statement of the Problem 21 1.4 Objectives of the Study 22 1.5 Research Questions 22 1.6 Delimitations 22 1.7 The Importance ofthe study 23 1.8 Introduction to Methodology 24 1.9 Organisation of the Rest of Text 24 1.10 Definition of terms 25` CHAPTER TWO 2.1 Overview 27 2.2 The Engagement of the Gospel and Culture 29 2.3 The Cultural incubation of the Christian Gospel 33 2.4 The Roman Catholic Mass in Kumasi and Akan Traditional Worship 40 2.5 The Wrong views about Akan Traditional Religion 46 2.6 The Akan concept of God 49 2.7 The Saturday Akan God 55 2. 8 What are Akan Cultural Elements? 57 2.9 The Relevance of Akan Cultural Elements in Christianity 59 2.10 Cultural Elements and the Gospel 63 2.11 The Main features of Culture 65 2.12 Inculturation in the Church 66 6 2.13 Steps to Inculturation in Christian Churches in Kumasi 81 2.14 Conclusion 84 CHAPTER THREE METHODOLOGY 3.1 Overview 86 3.2 Research Design 86 3.3 Library Research 87 3.4 Population for the study 88 3.5 Sampling 89 3.6 Survey Instruments 91 3.7 Questionnaire design and validation 92 3.8 Administration of the questionnaires 93 3.9 Interviews conducted 94 3.1 Observation 95 3.11 Data Analysis 96 3.12 Summary of discussions 97 CHAPTER FOUR PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS 4.1 Overview 98 4.2 The process of Inculturation 99 4.3 The Religious worldview of the Akan People 106 4.4 Akan Traditional Names of God 108 4.5 Attributes meant solely for God 111 4.6 Human attributes which are also ascribed to the Supreme Being 112 4.7 Some natural items associated with the Supreme Being 114 4.8 Akan Proverbs, Idioms and other comments about God 115 4.9 The Philosophy behind Akan Proverbs 120 4.10The Uniqueness of the Akan Supreme Being 123 4.11 Some Akan appellations of God 124 4.12 Practical Applications of Appellations, idioms, etc., in Church Worship.
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