African Traditional Religions

African Traditional Religions encompass the diverse indigenous spiritual practices of the African continent. While each ethnic group has unique traditions, common threads weave through them: ancestor veneration, belief in a supreme creator, reverence for nature spirits, and the interconnection of all life.

The Yoruba tradition of West Africa is among the most influential, with its rich pantheon of Orishas (divine forces) and elaborate ritual practices. This tradition has spread globally through the African diaspora, giving rise to religions like Candomble in Brazil and Santeria in Cuba.

These traditions emphasize community, oral tradition, the sacredness of the earth, and maintaining harmony between the living and the ancestors. Rather than converting others, they typically focus on maintaining cultural identity and spiritual balance within ones community.