The Impact of Indigenous African Religious Beliefs and Cultural Values

The book examines the impact of the traditional African religious beliefs and cultural practices on the religious pluralistic context of the Bɔrbɔr Mfantse traditional area in Ghana, particularly, on Christian-Muslim relations. The central argument of this thesis is that although a larger percentage of the indigenous population are converts to Christianity and Islam, it is the indigenous beliefs and values which, mainly, serve as the mediation for their religious and cultural expressions. This indigenous influence has enhanced harmonious relationships among members of Christianity and Islam in the area. Over the years, scholarly attention has tended to focus on intellectual and institutional dimensions of inter-religious dialogue, to the virtual neglect of dialogue of life which takes place, daily, in various communities among members of diverse faith traditions, with their peculiar challenges. This book attempts to respond to this need. In addition, the research tools used, namely interview and observation, provides an intellectual basis for analyzing some of the relevant issues that inform inter-religious relations among members of diverse faiths.