The Religious Traditions of Africa - by Elizabeth Isichei (Hardcover)

About the Book

This work is a first of its kind historical introduction to the major religions of Africa. The vast majorities of Africa's peoples have been Muslim, Christian, or Traditionalist for a great deal of time, making an inclusive study of these religions essential. Isichei's work gives equal attention to all three religions and balances the elements of each to construct an easily accessible overview. It is also the first book to provide a comprehensive look at the traditional religion in Africa, filling the void in the literature on African religious history.

Written by a pioneering scholar in the African religious experience, this volume blends in-depth research and personnel accounts to explore the origins and effects of religion in Africa. While primarily a work of history this book also incorporates the latest findings while engaging with current issues such as the interface of neo-traditional religion and contemporary cultures. This work includes four sections, each dedicated to a separate religion, detailed maps, a glossary, and a guide to further reading.

Book Synopsis

This work is a first of its kind historical introduction to the major religions of Africa. The vast majorities of Africa's peoples have been Muslim, Christian, or Traditionalist for a great deal of time, making an inclusive study of these religions essential. Isichei's work gives equal attention to all three religions and balances the elements of each to construct an easily accessible overview. It is also the first book to provide a comprehensive look at the traditional religion in Africa, filling the void in the literature on African religious history.

Written by a pioneering scholar in the African religious experience, this volume blends in-depth research and personnel accounts to explore the origins and effects of religion in Africa. While primarily a work of history this book also incorporates the latest findings while engaging with current issues such as the interface of neo-traditional religion and contemporary cultures. This work includes four sections, each dedicated to a separate religion, detailed maps, a glossary, and a guide to further reading.

Review Quotes

"[T]he text is an easily readable and engaging narrative, peppered with examples and anecdotes, and clearly organized into frequent subheadings....[T]his text would be of value to specialist and nonspecialist alike."-H-Net Reviews

"[S]tudents will be able to dip into it and have their appetites whetted, and harrased lecturers seeking African material will quickly find what they want. Then in the hundred pages of back-up material available they may pursue the topic further. A good library purchase."-African Studies Review

?[S]tudents will be able to dip into it and have their appetites whetted, and harrased lecturers seeking African material will quickly find what they want. Then in the hundred pages of back-up material available they may pursue the topic further. A good library purchase.?-African Studies Review

?[T]he book is rich in detail backed by the sureness of hand that only comes with direct exposure to Africa and African religious traditions.?-The International Journal of African Historical Studies

?In her attempt to produce one of the first comprehensive historical introductions to the major religious traditions of Africa, Isichei has succeeded masterfully....Since most of the scholarship on these religions was done in the 19th and 20th centuries, especially for traditional African religions, Isichei has chapters on both time periods. She uses a phenomenological approach to describe aspects of traditional religions such as ancestor worship, ritual and divination, and witchcraft, and gives examples from different ethnic groups. The author has a remarkable ability to summarize complex religious ideas and debates and to write clearly and gracefully. The book contains helpful maps and a guide to further reading. Highly recommended. Advanced undergraduates and above.?-Choice

?Isichei (religious studies, U. of Otago, New Zealand) catalogues the diversity and evolution of religious traditions in Africa from approximately 500 CE to the present. She examines Christian, Islamic, and "traditional" religious traditions in separate sections, dealing with socioeconomic changes interacting with religious evolution, issues of doctrine and symbolism, political and sectarian competition and cooperation, and other related topics.?-Reference & Research Book News

"ÝT¨he book is rich in detail backed by the sureness of hand that only comes with direct exposure to Africa and African religious traditions."-The International Journal of African Historical Studies

"[T]he book is rich in detail backed by the sureness of hand that only comes with direct exposure to Africa and African religious traditions."-The International Journal of African Historical Studies

"Isichei (religious studies, U. of Otago, New Zealand) catalogues the diversity and evolution of religious traditions in Africa from approximately 500 CE to the present. She examines Christian, Islamic, and "traditional" religious traditions in separate sections, dealing with socioeconomic changes interacting with religious evolution, issues of doctrine and symbolism, political and sectarian competition and cooperation, and other related topics."-Reference & Research Book News

"In her attempt to produce one of the first comprehensive historical introductions to the major religious traditions of Africa, Isichei has succeeded masterfully....Since most of the scholarship on these religions was done in the 19th and 20th centuries, especially for traditional African religions, Isichei has chapters on both time periods. She uses a phenomenological approach to describe aspects of traditional religions such as ancestor worship, ritual and divination, and witchcraft, and gives examples from different ethnic groups. The author has a remarkable ability to summarize complex religious ideas and debates and to write clearly and gracefully. The book contains helpful maps and a guide to further reading. Highly recommended. Advanced undergraduates and above."-Choice

About the Author

Elizabeth Isichei taught at African Universities for 16 years, nine of which were spent as Professor of History at the University of Jos, Nigeria. She is currently Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Otago, New Zealand. She has written many titles on African history and religion, including The Ibo People and the Europeans (Faber, 1973), A History of Christianity in Africa (SPCK/Eerdman, 1995) and Voices of the Poor in Africa (Univ. of Rochester Press, 2002).