The traditional African religious beliefs and cultural orientations have developed for thousands of years, and they are still deeply rooted in some of the traditional African societies that are still living in some of the remotest places in the world (Mbiti 74). Among the civilized African communities, the practice is still there but is not as deep-rooted as it was before. Just like the other traditional communities in the world, for istance, the Brazilians, Chinese, Indians, American Indians among other groups, the perception of living dead still dwell in their traditions (Mbiti 78). Though different African communities have different perceptions on the issue but the beliefs are almost tied to the same religious believes
According to John Mbiti, the studies on the African religious traditions done earlier are scarce and they are inadequate, prejudicial, and derogatory. Mbiti believes that they are very biased and they betray the kind of attitude and the interpretations that are dominant among the minds of those who invented or even propagated different theories on tradition (Mbiti 78). The spiritual world of the African communities is inhabited by spiritual beings and spirits the living dead. The concept of their understanding of God can be integrated to find out their inner understanding of the existence of the living dead in their communities. The Africans consider the spirits as the natural divinities of God that occur in a natural phenomenon and influenced by the Actions of God. It is sometimes difficult to draw a clear line between the gods, divinities, natural spirits and even the demigods.
The African belief of what happens to the dead is the same concept they apply to what happens when a child is born in the community. It is natural that the child will grow and conform to the needs of the society and the same way when a person dies, he/she becomes a spirit automatically (Africa Traditional Religious System as Basis of Understanding Christian Spiritual Warfare1). The spirits are believed that they can make themselves visible to man, but naturally they are considered invisible. To them, becoming a spirit is considered an elevation to a higher rank, and thus, the living dead are held with a very high regard (Review of John S. Mbiti, Introduction to African religion). They are seen to be older, much powerful and are seen to have a higher authority hence they are respected. The ancestral spirits are held in high regard, and they are feared and respected because they are believed to hold a certain power over the destiny of an individual.
In the traditional African beliefs, as long as someone is still remembered among the living, he/she is considered as a living dead. But with time, their memories fade away, and they are forgotten. They are said to enter into oblivion. The living dead are believed to dwell near their burial places in their homes and sometimes are known said to appear to his/her people to give a warning message, or to predict the future (Baloyi 236). Among the Abaluhya in Kenya, the living dead are said to influence the future of an individual. The living dead are believed that they can manipulate one’s destiny depending on their relationships with them when they were alive here on earth. Others are known to be the source of one’s victory or downfall.
Other beliefs that have surrounded the traditional African societies is that when the living dead are angered, they cause misfortunes. The people believe that they must always be at peace with their ancestors. As Mbiti explains, the family members who could be seeking help from their ancestors through sacrifices mediums and prayers are feared because not all their request often turn well (Baloyi 239). They believe that they can be angered by these mediums such as witch doctors to inflict misfortunes. The living dead particularly the ancestors is often believed to be the link between the living and the supernatural beings such as God and the divinities (Introduction to African religion 3). They are believed that they pass information to the supernatural beings because direct prayers to them might not reach hence the need for intermediaries.
The belief in the existence of the living dead in the traditional African communities their belief systems is almost similar to their role as intermediaries to the supreme beings. The living dead are still believed to be in existence and are the case of many things that happen to an individual as they journey through life. However, as civilization and the western culture influence continue to sink into the African societies, the religious and the cultural belief systems continue to be manipulated leaving no room for continuity of their beliefs. Even in today’s world, these traditional beliefs are still thinly held by very few individuals in the society because the traditions are no longer being passed from one generation to the other.
Works Cited
"Africa Traditional Religious System As Basis Of Understanding Christian Spiritual Warfare | Lausanne Movement." Lausanne.org. N.p., 2016. Web. 10 May 2016.
Baloyi, Lesiba. "The African Conception Of Death: A Cultural Implication." PhD. University of South Africa, 2013. Print. 232-244
Mbiti, John S. African Religions & Philosophy. Oxford: Heinemann, 1990. Print.74, 76, 78-81
"Review Of John S. Mbiti, Introduction To African religion". Hartford-hwp.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 10 May 2016.
