La Religione Tradizionale Africana: percorsi di dialogo con Cristianesimo e Islam

THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD THAT BINDS ALL LIVING BEINGS ON EARTH, THE BELIEF IN THE EXISTENCE OF ONE SUPREME BEING AND ENTITY.

IN THE AFRICAN RELIGION OF BENIN, THERE IS ONLY ONE SUPREME BEING KNOWN AS OSAGBAYE, WHOSE MEANING IS THE SPIRIT OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD THAT SPREADS ACROSS THE UNIVERSE.

FOR THIS REASON, IN THE PLACE OF WORSHIP OF THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD, A HUGE MOUND OF SAND, SIMILAR TO A SMALL PYRAMID, IS ERECTED AT THE FRONT OF EACH BUILDING. A LONG BAMBOO STICK IS PLACED IN THE CENTRE AND SACRIFICES ARE MADE TO THE ALMIGHTY GOD, ALMOST AS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE (EXODUS 12:3,5) AND THE KORAN (SAHIH MUSLIM, BOOK 22 NUMBER 4818).

AFTER THE SACRIFICE, THE HEAP OF SAND COLLECTED WILL BE SCATTERED IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY. THIS PRACTICE IS INFORMED BY THE IDEA AND BELIEF THAT THE SPIRIT OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD IS TOO GREAT TO BE CONFINED IN A BUILDING.

FOR EDO SPIRITUALISTS, GOD IS EVERYTHING AND EVERYTHING IS GOD. THEREFORE, WHEREVER A TRADITIONALIST GOES TO WORSHIP, FOUR THINGS ARE ESSENTIAL TO BE PRESENT: AIR, SUN (LIGHT), EARTH AND WATER.

THESE FOUR ENTITIES ARE PROOF OF THE EXISTENCE OF THE SUPREME BEING. THESE FOUR ENTITIES ARE ALSO VERY ESSENTIAL FOR THE SUSTENANCE AND CONTINUED PERPETUATION OF THE EARTH.

THEREFORE, WHEN AN ADHERENT OF TRADITIONAL RELIGION HAS TO OFFER PRAYERS AND SEEK THE SERVICE AND DELIVERANCE OF GOD, HE DOES SO WHEREVER HE IS. SUCH PRAYERS AND REQUESTS WILL CERTAINLY BE ANSWERED.

 FOR PRACTITIONERS, THE FIRST DEGREE IS TO REFRAIN FROM HARMING ONE'S NEIGHBOUR, AND IT MUST BE DONE WITHOUT ASKING FOR ANYTHING.

IT IS A DEGREE TO ASSIST AND PROTECT THE CHILDREN OF OTHERS WHEREVER THEY ARE SEEN AND IN CONTACT WITH THEM. MOREOVER, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO LOVE ONESELF BEFORE ONE THINKS OF LOVING OTHERS. NO ONE CAN GIVE WHAT THEY DO NOT HAVE.

ALL THE PATTERNS OF WORSHIP AND FAITH DESCRIBED ABOVE ARE SOME OF THE NATURAL LAWS OF NATURE, WHICH ARE ALSO FOUND IN THE HOLY BIBLE AND THE HOLY KORAN.

Note:
The poster's image recalls the symbol of 'Gye Nyame' which indicates the recognition of God's supremacy over all beings. This is one of many Adinkra symbols in West Africa, Ghana, and is used by the Akan people in various decorations, clothing and artwork. Some argue that the symbol represents two hands with different gestures referring to the fact that God is supreme as opposed to the simplistic ideals of male and female identification used today.