Happy Sinful #FolkloreThursday Everyone! So, I spent a bit of time since this week’s theme was announced thinking about whether to approach it playfully or seriously (or if at all...this is a fraught topic 😅).
#FolkloreThursday #AfricanMythology
In most, if not all, traditional African societies, “Sin” is conceived of as ritual errors i.e. offences against the gods, breaches of their directives or neglect of filial duties which may anger the ancestors. (J. Ọmọṣade Awolalu)
In most, if not all, traditional African societies, “Sin” is conceived of as ritual errors i.e. offences against the gods, breaches of their directives or neglect of filial duties which may anger the ancestors. (J. Ọmọṣade Awolalu)
#FolkloreThursday
There are many myths and folktales in #AfricanMythology which illustrate what “sin” means to different African peoples. Also, “sin” can be committed by the gods as well as by people.
There are many myths and folktales in #AfricanMythology which illustrate what “sin” means to different African peoples. Also, “sin” can be committed by the gods as well as by people.
#FolkloreThursday #AfricanMythology
For example, in Yoruba (Nigeria) mythology, Obatala and Ogun drink palm wine, get drunk and mess up quite spectacularly.
Ogun kills his own people during battle.
For example, in Yoruba (Nigeria) mythology, Obatala and Ogun drink palm wine, get drunk and mess up quite spectacularly.
Ogun kills his own people during battle.
#FolkloreThursday #AfricanMythology
Obatala is unable to give his task of creating humans the due care. Thus, Obatala is patron of people with disabilities in the Yoruba worldview. Also, Obatala devotees do not drink palm wine (except on Ogun’s Day, from what I understand)
Obatala is unable to give his task of creating humans the due care. Thus, Obatala is patron of people with disabilities in the Yoruba worldview. Also, Obatala devotees do not drink palm wine (except on Ogun’s Day, from what I understand)
#FolkloreThursday #AfricanMythology
An important thing to keep in mind is that “relationship” and “community”, for better or worse, is the heart of the African worldview so neglect of filial duties is a very serious offence for many communities.
J. Ọmọṣade Awolalu again:
An important thing to keep in mind is that “relationship” and “community”, for better or worse, is the heart of the African worldview so neglect of filial duties is a very serious offence for many communities.
J. Ọmọṣade Awolalu again:
#FolkloreThursday #AfricanMythology
Full paper (It's a good overview, I think)
jstor.org/stable/pdf/146…
Full paper (It's a good overview, I think)
jstor.org/stable/pdf/146…
#FolkloreThursday #AfricanMythology
Among the Oku people in Cameroon for e.g. the mere existence of family disharmony is a serious offence to ancestral spirits who send illness or catastrophes to people who disturb the peace of a family.
Among the Oku people in Cameroon for e.g. the mere existence of family disharmony is a serious offence to ancestral spirits who send illness or catastrophes to people who disturb the peace of a family.
#FolkloreThursday #AfricanMythology
So, the Ntangle ritual is performed to address such issues. Ntangle means “arbitration and the resolution of disputes”. During Ntangle, both the offending and offended groups gather for confessions of bad feelings and expressions of regret.
So, the Ntangle ritual is performed to address such issues. Ntangle means “arbitration and the resolution of disputes”. During Ntangle, both the offending and offended groups gather for confessions of bad feelings and expressions of regret.
#FolkloreThursday #AfricanMythology
Then, palm-wine is served from large wine pots known as eking myin, and a chicken sacrificed (ritually killed and prepared) and eaten, with the ancestors also receiving a share.
Then, palm-wine is served from large wine pots known as eking myin, and a chicken sacrificed (ritually killed and prepared) and eaten, with the ancestors also receiving a share.
#FolkloreThursday #AfricanMythology
For many communities across the continent, constant misfortunes, illnesses, and poverty are indications of unconfessed sin, which IMO edges into victim-blaming territory and is an example of an aspect of culture that can be re-assessed.
For many communities across the continent, constant misfortunes, illnesses, and poverty are indications of unconfessed sin, which IMO edges into victim-blaming territory and is an example of an aspect of culture that can be re-assessed.
#FolkloreThursday #AfricanMythology
The interesting (and comforting) thing is that there is no “sin” which damns a person eternally. This is what I think people mean when they say the concept of "sin" does not exists in traditional African religious belief.
The interesting (and comforting) thing is that there is no “sin” which damns a person eternally. This is what I think people mean when they say the concept of "sin" does not exists in traditional African religious belief.
#FolkloreThursday #AfricanMythology
Corrective action through purification, confession and reparation and sacrifice is always an option.There are many purification rituals to remove “sin”: washing in rivers and other bodies of water, drinking purgative herbal mixtures, smudging.
Corrective action through purification, confession and reparation and sacrifice is always an option.There are many purification rituals to remove “sin”: washing in rivers and other bodies of water, drinking purgative herbal mixtures, smudging.
#FolkloreThursday #AfricanMythology
Trickster figures are often the perpetrators of "sin" in many folktales. In such cases, their actions and its consequences are used to affirm community norms and values.
Trickster figures are often the perpetrators of "sin" in many folktales. In such cases, their actions and its consequences are used to affirm community norms and values.
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