Christian mission in creative tension with African worldview(s): A post-colonial engagement regarding life after death and ancestry

Abstract

Christian mission in African context, especially in the post-colonial era, can no longer afford to turn a blind eye to the fact that it co-exists with the African traditional religion(s). This article deals with the creative tension that exists between Christian mission and African worldview(s) in the area of life after death. In this article we presuppose more than a mere dialogue between ideas or individuals or denominations, but the encounter of different praxes. This article concludes that the dead in the worldviews are not dead; they continue to live in a different form and they continue to speak from the grave even though their praxes differ.

Decoloniality on Culture and Religion: Anglican Ritual performed on the Zulu King

“…This often involves incorporating Christian symbols, rituals, or concepts into African religious practices, or vice versa. Syncretic forms of worship and belief have been observed to have developed in most African countries as a result of the interaction between African and Christian worldviews (Mashau & Ngcobo, 2016).…”

The Holy Communion and African rituals: An encounter between African religion and Christianity

“…Rituals always act as a link between human and supernatural beings, and, moreover, the presence of the transcendent tightens community bonds. Mashau and Ngcobo (2016) added:…”

“…http://www.hts.org.za Open Access ritual of ukuphelezela 5 and even in post-death, the ritual of ummbuyiso 6 is performed. As a result, Mashau and Ngcobo (2016) added the following:…”