MISCONCEPTION OF RITUALS AS BASIS FOR CONDEMNATION OF AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION AMONG CONTEMPORARY RELIGIOUS PRACTITIONERS: A CALL FOR RE-ORIENTATION

Abstract

This paper discusses ritual observances across different cultures and religions. Presently, religious practitioners with different orientation and cultural backgrounds misconceive rituals. It is unbecoming that the concept is gaining attachment to evil minded acts. It is unfortunate that some religious practitioners believe that their religion or denomination has nothing to do with ritual meanwhile they indulge in ritual practices. Simply put, Christians condemn African traditional religion and culture for their devilish practices in form of rituals. Sometimes dead corpses are seen with victim’s breast, penis, head cut. People’s interpretation will always be that the ritualists have acted again. Such acts are done by sorcerers who could also use those victims for inhuman spiritual purposes that also contain rituals. But our day to day religious practices as Christians, Muslims, African traditional religious practitioners, Hinduist, etc are filled with rituals. Based on this, there is need for academic investigation into the matter, in order to unearth a sustainable recommendation so as to avert the looming danger emanating from unnecessary condemnation of any religion or culture. The research employed a phenomenological approach. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources and were analyzed with descriptive method of data analysis. The findings revealed if religious or cultural rituals are correctly comprehended, will elude and eradicate fanaticism and prigs among world religion and culture.