SCHOOL: BEREA COLLEGE FOR INTEGRATED STUDIES.

INDEX: CPM/BCC/052/24.

COURSE TITLE: INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION.

COURSE CODE: CTH 110.

TASK: Discuss various rules of African Traditional Specialists.(20marks)

TUTOR: REV. DANIEL OMOLO.

MODE OF STUDY: REGULAR.

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 15/04/2024.

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 CONTENTS
i. INTRODUCTION ………………………………………………………………………………………… 3 |page

Rainmakers.…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3 |page

Priests.…………………………………………………………………………………………….…….…...3/4 |page

Prophets .……………………………………………………………………………………………………4 |page

Divinities.…………………………………………………………………………………………………….4/5 |page

Medicine men.…………………………………………………………………………………………….5 |page

ii. CONCLUSION.………………………………………………………………………………….……..…….5 |page

iii. BIBLIOGRAPHY………………………………………………………………………………….……..……….6|page

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INTRODUCTION.

According to Webster's dictionary defines specialist as any of four enlisted ranks in army corresponding
to the grades of corporal through sergeant in the fast class. Men feels that he cannot or should not
approach God alone or directly, and must do so through the mediation of special persons or other
beings. African Traditional is an inherited established, or customary pattern thought, action or behavior.

Rainmakers.

According to Mbiti's, 1970," They exercises their profession in consulting with God, through prayer,
sacrifice". Their duty was mainly making rain, but they may stop it when too much is falling. They
offered sacrifice in order to persuade God to give rain. They also accepted to pray to God or to the spirit
and living dead. Rainmakers’ knowledge of making rain came from the living dead.

They also blessed the seeds before planting or harvesting. Many of them are well-versed in the
knowledge of the weather. The is known and studied example comes from the Luvedu, with their
famous "Rain-queen" she is a political head of the nation, the symbol of its welfare and prosperity, she
only make rain for her people, but may stop it from falling on the land of his enemies, with the help of
other experts.

The Nuba believe that God appears at some times of the rainmakers in dreams, and that he causes the
crops to grow when the rainmaker ask him to do so. Rainmaker in Nandi among the Ndebele, come from
one clan, and those observed the rainmaking cult are known as "the children of God". They offered
sacrifice like black cattle, sheep, or goats, and offers black cloths at the cult shrine, when they plead with
God for rain. The Lugbara believe that God gives special mystical power (tali) to rainmakers.

They say that "Rainmakers know the words of God; that is their work. This indicates that rainmakers are
thought to have a special relationship with God, so as to get to" know his words ", and get the power for
him.

Priests.

According to Anderson B, 1986, priest are formally trained and commissioned. There duties were mainly
making sacrifices, offerings, prayers, ceremonies, giving advice and conducting both public and private
rates. They acted as mediator between man and the spirits or man and the god. The priest were
regarded as sacred. They are said to look at the soul of the community. The priest wear only skin
garment, and qualified priest wear a bracelet on the left wrist.

They also interceding with God on behalf of the people. Priest can be men or women although the
majority are men. He may experience a special calling to the work or he may inherit the job. The
Mondari priest is also a political head, the rainmaker, and the judge. The people believe that when he is
giving judgement, his words are given to him by God.

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The Tikar political head (Fon) performs priestly functions on the occasion of the annual sacrifices to God
and those sacrifices we're to ensure the fertility of the women and of the land. For the Yoruba," the
priest has always been an important social figure", virtually nothing is done without the ministration of
the priest.

Among the Herero, the priest is also the chief of the local group. He is regard as representing the God
among the people. The Lozi have a supreme priest above the others, who makes offerings to God on
nation crisis. Under him other priest are appointed by the king in council and put in charge of the loyal
graves.

Prophets.

A prophet is defined as a special person who foretell the future events and also utters divinely impaired
revelation. They dreamed and foretold droughts diseases and other major events. They received their
revelation either from God or the spirits. He also represent people needs from God. There were both
chosen men and women through being possessed by divinity concerned prophets guided people in
performing the necessary ritual and invocations to God.

When special needs arise, the Ila go to a" prophetess”, who guides them in performing the necessary
rituals and invocations to God. Twana held prophets who foretold droughts, diseases and other major
events. They received their revelations either from God or the spirits. The Meru religious leader (the
Mugwe) is said to derive his power from God.

He is considered a "wise man"a man of God and the savior of his own people he led the Meru from
there former land of bondage. The Ganda prophets acted as the mouthpieces of the divinities.

Divinities.

According to Webster's dictionary diviners is the one that practice divination. According to Erdman's
bible dictionary, 1040:23, Divination is the ability to interrupt phenomena of nature and occult spirits.
Also diviners are connected with God in his immanent aspect. Diviners believed that everything that
happens must have definite spiritual council.

Diviners also were known as misfortune-teller, seer or oracles, are individual who claim to have ability to
gain insight or predictions about the future, provide guidance and interpreted hidden meanings,
through various method. Their nature work various across cultures and historical periods. They held an
ability to communicate with spirits, duties, or other spiritual entities.

The 'jie' believe that some of their diviners received revelations from God. Lugbara believe that their
diviners are connected with God in his immanent aspect, and that he gives them their mystical power
(tali). In time of drought, the Ila go to the diviners to find out why God does not give them rain. Turkana
believe that diviner is God's chief representative.

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One begins his career by a period to complete retreat during this time of withdrawal he lives in deserted
areas. When he returns in the society he began to have a prophetic dream; foretelling the future, heal
the sick and cure barrenness. Among the 'Toro', diviners are said to derive their power from God.

Medicine men.

They are also known as traditional doctors they were generally given bad publicity by foreign writers
who simply harp on their preconceived notions, which do not match the facts. They were the greatest
friends of African societies and each community has one or more of them. Their main duties were
medical.

The Kyiga medicine-men were recommended when offering we're to be made to the spirits. When twins
are born, the Gisu medicine-men sacrifice fowls to the divinities. Among the Akamba, the medicine-men
determine the nature and form of wrote to be performed in times of need, and some of them direct the
actual performance of it. The Bena associated medicine and medical skills of these doctors with God.

Conclusion.

In the community specialist serve in one capacity or another of the benefit and the life of the
community. The specialist use their knowledge that they brought from the inheritance of their fore
fathers divinely given by God.

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Bibliography.

Gehrman J, 1973, published by oasis international limited, U.S.A.

Mbiti’s S, 1970, concept of God in Africa, Great Britain London.

Mugambi s, 1976, The African religious heritage, Nairobi Kenya.

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