Akan Perspective on Ancestors
The Akan (/ˈækæn/) are a meta-ethnicity living in the countries of present-day Ghana and Ivory Coast. … The Akan subgroups all have cultural attributes in common; most notably the tracing of matrilineal descent, inheritance of property, and succession to high political office.
The Akan believe that each human being is composed of three main elements: blood (mogya), deriving from the matrilineal clan and giving formal social status; character, or personality, from the patriline; and soul (kra), which comes from God and is one's formal destiny (nkrabea )
African religion is ancestor worship; it revolves around the dead, now thought to be alive and well in heaven and propitiated by the living on earth. For the Akan, the ancestors’ stool is the emblem of the ancestors (Nananom Nsamanfo). Led by their kings and queen mothers as living ancestors, the Akaan periodically propitiate the ancestors’ stools housing their ancestors. In return, the ancestors and deities influences the affairs of living descendants, making ancestor worship as tenably visible as any other religion.
Source – African Religion defined, A systematic study of ancestor worship among the Akan, Second edition, by Anthony Ephirim-Donkor. Wikipedia. Encyclopedia.com
Who or what are the Abosom?
In the Akan tradition, abosom are the children and messengers of Nyame (Creator). Other names used as reference are deities/divinities/ lesser gods. The singular word for Abosom is Obosom.
The abosom are spiritual forces evincing and operating throughout the Akan universe, assisting Nyame in the task of managing Creation, namely humanity. They are found throughout Ghana and are a major part of Akan cosmology. Abosom may be male or female or have the ability to embody both. Although the abosom often embody various manifestations of nature (i.e., wind, bodies of water, trees, mountains, hills, animals. these objects are used only as temporary dwelling places and should not be confused with the abosom themselves. The abosom are essentially spirit. Some examples of names are Oshun, Oya, Shango, iNyanga, Ala, and Osanyin,
Source – Sage Knowledge
Is African Traditional Religion only for Africans?
This is an interesting question as my personal experience have been socialized to think that African religion is just for Africans only as some their beliefs, practices and tradition are taboo to some and has been projected through social media and coincidentally enough history class. Upon research, Christianity and Islam seem to be most prominent. Here are my findings below:
The majority of Africans are adherents of Christianity or Islam. African people often combine the practice of their traditional belief with the practice of Abrahamic religions. Abrahamic religions are widespread throughout Africa. Christianity came first to the continent of Africa in the 1st or early 2nd century AD. Oral tradition says the first Muslims appeared while the prophet Mohammed was still alive. Thus both religions have been on the continent of Africa for over 1,300 years. Both religions have been on the continent of Africa for over 1,300 years. Some would argue that both Islam and Christianity are indigenous African religions. Many communities mixed Muslim or Christian practices with traditional ones. The Wolof, in Senegal, might go to the Mosque to pray for rain. If that failed, they would ask the women to do a rain dance. In Calabar, in south eastern Nigeria, there is a mixture of Christian and traditional practices living side by side. Islam sat side by side with African traditional religions. The King of the ancient Empire of Ghana of the 11th century was essentially a traditionalist, but that did not stop him employing Muslim scribes and administrators in his government. Islam sits more comfortably with some aspects of traditional religion than Christianity. A key area is marriage. Christianity demands monogamy, that is, not more than one wife. Islam, by contrast, allows a man to take several wives. So Islam had a better chance of being accepted in the polygamous societies of Africa. If a man converted to Christianity, he was obliged to dismiss all but one of his wives; this was the cause of much resentment and bitterness.
Source – BBC, The story of Africa.
learned so much about myself and my history studying with Nana. Her teachings are always with me wherever I go. Thank you for the teachings, love and support you have given us💜💜💜This conversation is most interesting. I have read a number of times just to digest and understand. This is our African roots and many of us are unaware of this history.