CHRISTIANITY, AS IT AFFECTS THE PROGRESS AND CONTINUITY OF AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION

Abstract

Religion is a fundamental aspect of human culture, shaping societies beliefs, values and traditions. In Africa, religion has always played a very significant role in the lives of the people. African traditional religion represents the indigenous belief systems and practice that have guided African communities for generations. The introduction of Christianity to Africa, particularly during the colonial era brought significant changes that affected the African indigenous religion; and thee effects especially the negative effects are what the writer wants to look into. He employed socio-cultural approach for the findings. The researcher discovered that Christianity destroyed some of the traditional practices like, the way of marriage, the loss of traditional leadership, the knowledge system etc. It recommended that even though Christianity should be given accolade in certain areas that some of the ritual practices which were destroyed in the name of Christianity or being born again should be reintroduced again for betterment of African indigenous religion.