The Impact of Christianity on African Tradition and Culture: X-Raying the Conflicts

Abstract

This research is focused on “the impact of Christianity on African tradition and culture: x-raying the conflicts”. Culture is any society’s way of life while conflicts are issues or crises which occur between two parties. The part played by Christianity towards the changes that have occurred in the society of Africa especially as it relates to her culture cannot be over-emphasized. Christianity affirms that Jesus of Nazareth is Christ the ‟Son of God” and is a foreign religion imported into Africa while the traditional religion is the indigenous faith of the Africans that believe in gods, divinities and spirits. Today, Christianity is one of the major religions in Africa with a significant numerical strength as well as a profound social, economic, political, and religious influence. Since its establishment, Christianity has made great achievements in the areas of education, healthcare, and rural development. However, change is the only thing that is constant in human life and as such it is inevitable in human interaction. Rapid social change in Africa, owing to the Western influence in the second part of the nineteenth century helped to transform a very simple, harmonious and homogenous society into a complex and heterogeneous one. There have been and there are still ongoing conflicts between Christianity and African traditional religions in the area of worship, rites, culture, etc. This research analyzed an overview of African culture, Christ and culture, the impact of Christianity on African social life and the impact of Christianity on African cultural practices. The study made use of historical and analytical methods as well as the utilization of books, internet sources and journal articles for proper clarity. It therefore recommends amongst others that cultural curriculum be built into our educational system from primary schools down to tertiary institutions for the preservation of African cultural heritage.