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Beyond Western Centrism of Religion: To Study Africa Inspired Religions in the 21st Century
Abstract Submissions Closed
RC22 Sociology of Religion (host committee)
Language: English
Session Type: Oral
The United Nations designated 2014 to 2024 the International Decade of People of African Descent. There are millions of inhabitants on the African continent, some 200 million in the Americas who identify as of African descent, and at least a million descendants living in Europe. Most descendants, in and outside of the African continent, are religious practitioners but, whereas Christianity is not omitted from these practices, there is a wide variety of Africa inspired religious traditions performed by continental descendants and others. The work of sociologists of religion has been skewed and determined by Western Civilization’s presumed universal logic, definitions and theoretical paradigms about religious activities. We are left with most scholarship and research understandings lacking descriptive and analytical accuracy concerning Africa inspired traditions and practices, on the continent and in the diaspora.
In the seventh year of the UN Decade of People of African Descent, this RC-22 session is for papers that describe, discuss, and/or analyze Africa inspired religious practices as a major concern for the sociology of religion. Papers may be methodological, theoretical, and/or analytically descriptive as they should focus on Africa inspired religious practices on the continent and throughout the African Diaspora. Among viable traditions for consideration in the Americas would be those inspired by Congo cultures, Yoruba practices, Ghanaian traditions, those related to Dahomey, and more. The intent is to engage Africa inspired practices for how they inform more accurate research, descriptions, and/or analyzes for better interpretations of Africa inspired traditions, collectively and within distinct commonalities.