New Religions in Africa

The continent of Africa, covering about 30 million square kilometers, comprising at least 50 countries [Page 895]with more than 800 million people, is characterized by complex historical, cultural, religious, social, and linguistic affinities and diversities, some of which have given rise to new religious expressions. The innumerable ethnic social groups have cultures, each different from the other, that together represent the mosaic of African cultural diversity and lead to religious vitality and new forms of revitalization, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.

African religions comprise the indigenous religions of various African societies that share common affinities in their religious ideas, rituals, and worldviews. The emergence and expansion of Islam, Christianity, and Eastern-and Western-related spiritualities saw the introduction of new religious ideas and practices into indigenous religions. The encounter ...