Religion Studies Grade 12 | African Traditional Religion and the nature of divinity
Religion Studies Grade 12
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Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow.
All religions have a set of beliefs about the nature of humanity, the world, the divine, creation and other parts of our lives. Such broad beliefs are referred to as religious teachings. Religious teachings can be in the form of written or oral texts.
Question
With reference to African Traditional Religion , Discuss the nature of divinity.
In African Traditional Religion (ATR), the understanding of the nature of divinity is both spiritual and deeply rooted in African culture and identity. They believe in the existence of a Supreme Being, who is the most powerful and sacred force in the universe. He is Creator of the universe, and everything that exists—both visible and invisible—is believed to originate from Him. This Creator is not only the initiator of life but also the one who oversees the cycle of existence.
Although belief in the Supreme Being is universal in ATR, the Supreme Being is given different names in different parts of Africa, depending on the language and customs of each community. For example, the Supreme Being is called Bembe in Central Africa. These names reflect both the diversity and the unity of belief across African cultures.
Importantly, the Supreme Being does not communicate directly with the living. Instead, communication is conducted through intermediaries called ancestors, also known as the living dead. These ancestors are deeply respected in African communities, as they are believed to continue existing in spiritual form after death. Because they have lived among the people and now dwell in the spirit world, they serve as effective go-betweens, conveying the concerns of the living to the divine and delivering guidance or warnings from the divine back to the living.
Furthermore, the African attitude towards the divine Supreme Being is to maintain silence about unknowable. This respectful silence reflects a belief that the Supreme Being is so great and mysterious that human beings should not attempt to fully describe or understand Him. This attitude emphasizes humility and reverence in the face of divine mystery.
ATR also acknowledges a complex spiritual universe beyond the Supreme Being. African tribes recognise the existence of different gods and goddesses, who are often associated with specific aspects of nature or life. For example, the Zulu nation honours uNomkhubulwane, a goddess linked to fertility and agriculture. These deities are not equal to the Supreme Being but are considered important in their respective domains and are included in rituals and offerings.
Finally, the Supreme Being is regarded as the source of life and the ultimate cause of death. This view underlines the cyclical nature of existence in ATR, where life and death are not opposites, but different expressions of the same divine will. Life is seen as a sacred journey that continues even after physical death through the presence of the ancestors.
Therefore, the nature of divinity in African Traditional Religion is rich and multifaceted. It centres around a Supreme Being, who is the Creator of the universe, and engages with human life through ancestors. It respects the mystery of the divine, honours other spiritual beings like gods and goddesses, and views both life and death as sacred elements under divine control. This comprehensive view connects the physical and spiritual worlds in a continuous relationship of respect, worship, and balance.
Get free Religion Studies Grade 12 study resources: Religion Studies Grade 12 notes, Religion Studies Grade 12 study guides, Religion Studies Grade 12 past papers, exam questions, textbooks & revision tools to ace Grade 12 Life Sciences.”
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