18. One to Rule Them All: God in African Philosophy

Posted on 23 December 2018

Is traditional African religion in some sense monotheist, despite the worship of many divinities?

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Further Reading

• M.K. Asante and A. Mazama (eds), Encyclopedia of African Religion (London: 2009).

• M.K. Asante and E. Nwadiora, Spear Masters: Introduction to African Religion (Lanham MD: 2007).

• J.B. Danquah, The Akan Doctrine of God (London: 1968).

• K. Gyekye, An Essay on African Philosophical Thought: the Akan Conceptual Scheme (Philadelphia: 1987).

• E.B. Idowu, Olódùmarè: God in Yoruba Belief (New York: 1973).

• E.B. Idowu, African Traditional Religion: a Definition (Gateshead: 1973).

• A.M. Lugira, African Traditional Religion (New York: 2009).

• J.S. Mbiti, Concepts of God in Africa (London: 1970).

• J.K. Olupona, African Religions: a Very Short Introduction (Oxford: 2014).

• P.M. Peek (ed.), African Divination Systems: Ways of Knowing (Bloomington: 1991).

Comments

Thomas Mirus 25 December 2018

Great episode! Loved the very philosophical idea of God as Cleaver, and also the legend of men and the moon. Merry Christmas!

Anderson Graves 28 August 2019

I enjoy your podcasts.  How can I get a transcript of an episode?

Peter Adamson 28 August 2019

In reply to by Anderson Graves

Thanks, glad you like them! This question is actually covered in FAQ (see the link at the bottom of the page).

Jorge Herrera 2 January 2023

Dear Mr. Adamson,

Please advise if there is a technical issue pertaining to the ability to access episodes 18 and 19 of the Africana series. Such problem is not experienced in subsequent podcasts. The coincidence in the number of views reported appears to be statistically implausible.

Regards,

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