Posted by Chester Morton / Monday, 5 June 2023 / No comments
In what ways are the divinities related to the Supreme Being in West African Traditional Religion?
IN WHAT WAYS ARE THE DIVINITIES RELATED TO THE SUPREME BEING IN WEST AFRICA TRADITIONAL RELIGION?
Introduction
The term Supreme Being is usually used in reference to deity
or gods. This is common in monotheistic (one God) religions. One example of such
is Christianity. In West African Traditional Religion too, there is a
recognition of the Supreme Being though the religion is polytheistic (many
gods). In this case, they recognize that there is a Supreme Being and addition,
other divinities.
A divinity seen as a supernatural entity. It is a god or
goddess. People worship them. It is believed that they have spiritual power and
are able to influence the life the living, at least, some aspects of it. They
are knowledgeable and creative. What is the relationship between the divinities
and the Supreme Being?
The
relationship between the supreme Being and divinities has been a subject of
discussion, among both scholars and non-scholars, for many years. It is the
intention of this article various ways in which divinities are related to
Supreme Being in West African Traditional Religion.
In West African Traditional Religion, the divinities are
related to the Supreme Being in a variety of ways. The Supreme Being is
believed to be the creator of the universe and all its creatures
The divinities are seen as intermediaries between the
Supreme Being and humanity.
In West African Traditional Religion, God is the Supreme
Being and therefore humans are unable to directly go to God, except they pass
through some other medium. That medium is the intermediary. The divinity
intermediates the relationships humans have with the Supreme Being.
Through the divinities, humans are able to communicate with
God. Human beings put before the intermediaries, their needs, fears, anxieties
etc. These are carried to God the Supreme Being, and in return, the divinities
return with guidance, and answered needs.
They act as messengers
Another type of relationship between the Supreme Being and
the divinities in West African Traditional Religion is that they act as his
messengers. They carry out this duty in many diverse ways. When people pray and
make their requests or need known, it is believed that the needs and requests,
are carried to the Supreme Being by the divinities. The divinities are also
believed to carry instructions from the Supreme Being, to the people. They also
convey the will of the Supreme Being to humans.
Protectors of the people
In West African traditional religion, divinities are the
protectors of the people. They are capable of delivering the people so that no
harm is able to befall them. In West African traditional religion, harm may
take different forms. Physical harm is not the only type of harm that can
befall a man, it could be spiritual, the people believe. Mental health is
considered a form of harm. Even the ultimate harm, death, the divinities are
believed to have the power to prevent from befalling the people.
Carrying out the will of the Supreme Being
The divinities also relate with the Supreme Being in West African
traditional religion by carrying out his will. It is the will of God that his
people be blessed, that rains must fall for them in due season, that they must
have bountiful harvest, etc. When the people pray to God through the
divinities, God hears their supplications and wants to act, it is believed that
his will carried out by the divinities.
Divinities are also seen as helpers of the Supreme Being,
doing his work in the world
Another aspect of the relationship between the Supreme Being
and the divinities in West African traditional religion is that the divinities
act as the spirit entities that carry out the will of the Supreme Being. It is
the will of God that his people be blessed, that rains must fall for them in
due season, that they must have bountiful harvest, etc. When the people pray to
God through the divinities, God hears their supplications and acts in answer to
the prayers of the people. God will is carried out by the divinities in answer
to needs of the people.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the relationship between the Supreme Being
and the divinities in West African traditional religion is not seen on the
basis of equality. The people believe that the divinities have some powers to
accomplish certain things but the ultimate power rests with the Supreme Being.
It is a relationship of mutual respect. Each party recognizes its role and
acknowledges the roles of the other.
Also Read
Why is it important for people to study West African Traditional Religion today?
Go to the list of other subjects>>
Go to the list of other topics in West African Traditional Religion
