Superstitions: An attempt at explaining their roles in the African society
Keywords:
African, binding effect, oral traditions, superstitions
Abstract
Looking at the concept of superstitions you realize that for lack of a better term, in the African context these are beliefs captured for deterrence and for guidance to the community. These beliefs are not enforced by laws and regulations but they seem to be binding and not embodying them may have dire consequences. The paper gives examples of these age-old wisdom statements and seeks to explain them. The final part is looking at their relevance and applicability in contemporary society in the context of Africa where they are freely shared and exchanged.
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References
Boddy, J. 1995 “Managing Tradition: Superstitions and the Making of National Identity Among Sudanese Women Refugees” in Wendy James (ed.) The Pursuit of Certainty: Religious and Cultural Formulations (London/New York: Routledge)
Burns, W. 2005 New Dictionary of the History of Ideas (www.encyclopedia.com/…/1G2-342430075…)
Gyekye, K. 1996. African cultural values: An introduction. Philadelphia and Accra: Sankofa Publishing Company.
Hannah, W. Kinoti, “African Morality: Past and Present”, Moral and Ethical Issues in African Christianity. ed. J.N.K. Mugambi and A. Nasimiyu Wasike (Nairobi: Initiative Publishers, 1992).
Lambek, Michael. 1992. “Taboo as a Cultural Practice among Malagasy Speakers.” Man 27(2); 245-266.
Mbiti, John S. 1969. African religions and philosophy. New York: Praeger Publishers.
Mbiti, John S. 1992. Introduction to African religion, second edition. Nairobi: East African Educational Publishers, Ltd.
Mugambi, J.N.K A (1993) Comparative Study of Religion Nairobi University Press; Nairobi.
Stifel, David 2007 Taboos, agriculture and poverty
http://www.mwambao.com/super.htm
Burns, W. 2005 New Dictionary of the History of Ideas (www.encyclopedia.com/…/1G2-342430075…)
Gyekye, K. 1996. African cultural values: An introduction. Philadelphia and Accra: Sankofa Publishing Company.
Hannah, W. Kinoti, “African Morality: Past and Present”, Moral and Ethical Issues in African Christianity. ed. J.N.K. Mugambi and A. Nasimiyu Wasike (Nairobi: Initiative Publishers, 1992).
Lambek, Michael. 1992. “Taboo as a Cultural Practice among Malagasy Speakers.” Man 27(2); 245-266.
Mbiti, John S. 1969. African religions and philosophy. New York: Praeger Publishers.
Mbiti, John S. 1992. Introduction to African religion, second edition. Nairobi: East African Educational Publishers, Ltd.
Mugambi, J.N.K A (1993) Comparative Study of Religion Nairobi University Press; Nairobi.
Stifel, David 2007 Taboos, agriculture and poverty
http://www.mwambao.com/super.htm
Published
2022-06-06
How to Cite
Mutei, J. (2022). Superstitions: An attempt at explaining their roles in the African society. International Journal of Interreligious and Intercultural Studies, 5(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.32795/ijiis.vol5.iss1.2022.2856
Section
Articles
