African Traditions in the Study of Religion in Africa

This book presents a unique exploration of African traditions in the study of religion in Africa and the new African diaspora. Contributors drawn from diverse African and global contexts situate current scholarly traditions of the study of African religions within the purview of academic encounter and exchanges with non-African scholars and non-African contexts. Jacob Kehinde Olupona stands out as a pioneer in the socio-scientific interpretation of African indigenous religion and religions in Africa. This book marks his immense contribution to an emerging field of study and research.

Contents: Preface, Ulrich Berner; Introduction: African traditions in the study of religion in Africa, Ezra Chitando, Afe Adogame and Bolaji Bateye; Part I Emerging Trends in the Teaching of African Religions: African religions in African scholarship: a critique, Umar Habila Dadem Danfulani; Challenges and prospects of teaching African religion in tertiary institutions in East Africa, Adam K. arap Chepkwony; Teaching African traditional religion at the University of Zimbabwe, Tabona Shoko; Gender and the teaching of religious studies in Nigeria: a primary overview, Oyeronke Olademo; Mainstreaming HIV/AIDS in African religious and theological studies, Musa W. Dube. Part II Indigenous Thought and Spirituality: Women, narrative traditions and African religious thought, Anthonia C. Kalu; African spirituality from 'noise, dust, darkness and dancing', Lilian Dube; Tribes without rulers? Indigenous systems of governance and sustainable rural development, Rose Mary Amenga-Etego; 'Life is more superior to wealth'?: indigenous healers in a contemporary African community, Amasiri, Nigeria, Elijah Obinna; Christianity and the negotiation of cultures: a case study of Yakurr festivals in Nigeria, Dodeye U. Williams. Part III Christianity, Islam, Hinduism: 'From prophetism to pentecostalism': religious innovation in Africa and African religious scholarship, J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu; Perceptions of women's health and rights in Christian new religious movements in Kenya, Philomena N. Mwaura and Damaris S. Parsitau; Religion and divine presence: appropriating Christianity from within African indigenous religions' perspective, Victor I. Ezigbo; African traditional religion in the study of the New Testament in Africa, Lovemore Togarasei; Southern African Islamic studies scholarship: a survey of the 'state of the art', Muhammed Haron; Folk beliefs about spiritual power and Hinduism in Ghana, Albert Kafui Wuaku; Index.