Reflections on Black Africa

[letric]

In thinking about religion, it is easy to be confused about what it is.
Is there some essence which is common to all religions? And cannot
a person be religious without belonging to any of the religions? The
search for an essence ends in vagueness - for instance in the statement
that a religion is some system of worship or other practice recognising a
transcendent Being or goal. a in answer, why yes there are plenty of
people with deep spiritual concerns who do not ally themselves to any
formal religious movement, and who may not themselves recognise any
thing as transcendent. They may see ultimate spiritual meaning in unity
with nature or in a relationship to other persons.

[letric]

When the white man came we had the land and they had the Bibles;
now they have the land and we have the Bibles.

[letric]

There are a number of religions in the Caribbean that serve to express some Africaness
Santeria in Cuba is the most interesting because it has imported so directly so many
features of Yoruba religion and Yoruba rites. Its deities are Yoruba, but also are identified
with Catholics saints: In this way the two religious traditions are integrated, and the
Catholic saints no doubt provide a kind of cover for the other faith, which has persisted
thus after the dislocations of forcible removal of the plantations. Similar remarks
apply to the father like group of cults known as Shango from God) in Trinidad & Tobago.

[letric]

An African Prayer

Jesus, our hero incomparable who goes before us in our fight
against international trade, hear us as we commit ourselves
to create an egalitarian, tender and caring world during our
lifetime. Grant that the hearts and minds of the powerful
leader of this world will hear our cry for justice and be tuned
to think the way God thinks about your oppressed, and often
disregarded, poor of this world.

[letric]

An African Prayer

Jesus, our hero incomparable who goes before us in our fight
against international trade, hear us as we commit ourselves
to create an egalitarian, tender and caring world during our
lifetime. Grant that the hearts and minds of the powerful
leader of this world will hear our cry for justice and be tuned
to think the way God thinks about your oppressed, and often
disregarded, poor of this world.

Jesus, our hero incomparable , you are our bed-rock, the original grinding stone which our mothers ground millet, the source of our life-giving and life-sustaining energy, grant that instead of wars, conflicts and rumours of wars, peace, harmony and fair play will prevail within and without our borders.
Amen
Jonathan Gichaard, Kenya