AFRICAN AMERICAN CONTEXTUAL THEOLOGY

African American theology, I feel must include and should be done in the context of our African Heritage and History

There are many accounts from the point of enslavement of Africans and the journey through which slavery has brought us as a people. Though this is a vital part of the African American history to understand our culture, who we are as a people, we should look at the African history.

Before African people where enslaved, our ancestors had systems of beliefs, family ties, tribal ties, languages common among those tribes as well as manners and customs that existed.

An excerpt from the interesting Narrative life of Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa, the African

An African who was taken from his tribe when he was about the age of 12 years old he shares memories and accounts from his youth, prior to being taken and enslaved.
Equiano States: Like the Israelites in their primitive state our Government was conducted by our Chiefs, judges, our wise men and elders. The head of the family enjoyed a similar authority over his household with that which is ascribed to Abraham and other
Patriarchs.

Olaudah Equiano goes on to note that as he learned to read the bible, that it was familiar because, his tribe practiced many of the same observances that the Jewish nation adhered to, such as circumcision and acknowledging God through offerings.

As African Americans, many of our customs have been incorporated into the
Religion that we were exposed to when we arrived here (our vibrant dance, celebratory singing has been apart of our worship to God and spirituality) I believe God in his divine providence had already established a connection with the Africans, who were considered to be less than human by those who enslaved them. Could it be that the religion that was used to suppress the slave and make the "Africans civilized" be the the very same foundation that God had established for this people to give them the freedom, strength, endurance, as well as the ability to maintain a sense of their culture, even in a world where others try to dominate.

SOURCES:

• African American Religious History- A documentary witness
• Traditional Ibo religion and culture
• Internet search