This dissertation compares the family and marriage traditions of the Ashantis of Ghana and Ancient Hebrews. Some common features characterize the two societies, principal among which is the idea that having children is the key purpose of marrieage above love and intimacy. Others are the low status of the wife in the domestic context; endogamy rules based on consanguinity; and payment of bride price. However, the two traditions differ in important areas. For example, the Ashantis follow kinship system based on matrilineal descent, succession and inheritance and the girl child is preferred. The patriarchal system of the Ancient Hebrews invest all authority in the father and the male heirs is preferred. Other defining factor in Ashanti and Pentateuchcal marriage is their religion and belief systems. Much of the marriage traditions seem to be cultural references rather than religious imperatives binding on Christians today. / Old Testament & Ancient Near Eastern Studies / Thesis (M.Th.)

In transmitting the Gospel, Western missionaries passed on their portrayal of Christ as a European. Conversion to Christianity was aimed more at promoting Western cultural, moral and spiritual issues. Western culture has thus been an obstacle or hindrance to effective cross-cultural communication of the Christian message. Batswana believers are challenged to peel the Western cultural layers off Christianity, in order to reclaim Christ. Batswana Christians will have to dress Christianity in the Tswana cultural heritage if it is to be of any lasting significance to them. Christian spirituality is centred on Jesus Christ, in the worldview of all Christians. Jesus joins faith and culture together. If Christianity is truly universal, then every culture should surrender to Jesus Christ and not to any other culture. Jesus’ question “who do you say that I am?” (Mk 8: 29), challenges Batswana Christians to write their own fifth Gospel. / Christian Spirituality Church History & Missiology / Thesis (M. Th. (Christian Spirituality))

Ce mémoire présente une réflexion critique sur différentes représentations des religions traditionnelles africaines (RTA) au sein de réseaux régionaux et disciplinaires africains et occidentaux. Dans un premier temps, plusieurs formes de représentations (cartographiques et graphiques) issues de milieux universitaires occidentaux sont explorées pour comparer le traitement des RTA. Cette exploration soulève le problème des catégorisations employées qui ne rendent pas compte de la diversité, du dynamisme, de la complexité et de l’importance des RTA; et de manière plus générale, cette analyse révèle un problème sur le plan de l’équité dans les représentations des religions du monde. À l’aide d’une analyse conceptuelle, un certain nombre de catégories utilisées pour définir les RTA, notamment celle de « religion ethnique », sont remises en question, tout comme la notion de religion du monde (world religion). Dans un deuxième temps, les stratégies de recherche utilisées pour retracer des réseaux de chercheurs africains sont présentées. Différents outils et ressources documentaires occidentaux sont analysés et évalués selon qu’ils donnent accès ou non à la production de chercheurs africains sur les RTA. L’analyse de ces documents, laquelle est inspirée d’une démarche d’analyse de discours, révèle à quel point la contribution des chercheurs africains est peu prise en compte à l’intérieur du corpus sélectionné. Or, l’exploration de la situation actuelle de l’enseignement et de la recherche sur les RTA dans certaines universités du Nigéria met en lumière la somme importante de travaux sur les RTA et la diversité des canaux de communication. En somme, ce mémoire démontre à quel point le savoir est localisé et lié aux ancrages culturels, disciplinaires et idéologiques des chercheurs. Il ouvre, à partir de l’analyse de textes africains, sur la question plus large de la difficulté de la représentation de l’unité et des particularismes des RTA. / This thesis provides a critical analysis of several different representations of African Traditional Religions (ATR) as found within a number of regional and disciplinary networks in Western and African countries. First, numerous means of representation (geographical maps and graphics) from different western scientific media were used to examine different ways in which ATR are represented. This analysis reveals that the categorization systems employed in these media to represent ATR do not reflect the variety, vitality, complexity and significance of ATR; and, on a more general level, reveals a lack of equity in the representations of different world religions. A conceptual analysis puts into question a number of categories (e.g. “ethnic religion”) used to define ATR as well as the notion of world religion. Second, the research strategies that were used to identify African research networks are presented. Several different Western tools and documentary resources (Database, encyclopedic articles, etc) were evaluated on their usage and citations of African research on ATR. This analysis, which was drawn from a qualitative discourse analysis approach, highlights the limited importance that is given to African researchers. In contrast, our evaluation of RTA-related education and research in Nigerian universities reveals an enormous amount of RTA-related research as well as a diversity of communication channels. On a more general level, this thesis demonstrates the extent to which knowledge is localized and linked to the cultural, disciplinary, and ideological presuppositions of researchers, and, from the analysis of African documents, opens to the larger question of the difficulty to represent the unity and specificities of ATR.

Ce mémoire présente une réflexion critique sur différentes représentations des religions traditionnelles africaines (RTA) au sein de réseaux régionaux et disciplinaires africains et occidentaux. Dans un premier temps, plusieurs formes de représentations (cartographiques et graphiques) issues de milieux universitaires occidentaux sont explorées pour comparer le traitement des RTA. Cette exploration soulève le problème des catégorisations employées qui ne rendent pas compte de la diversité, du dynamisme, de la complexité et de l’importance des RTA; et de manière plus générale, cette analyse révèle un problème sur le plan de l’équité dans les représentations des religions du monde. À l’aide d’une analyse conceptuelle, un certain nombre de catégories utilisées pour définir les RTA, notamment celle de « religion ethnique », sont remises en question, tout comme la notion de religion du monde (world religion). Dans un deuxième temps, les stratégies de recherche utilisées pour retracer des réseaux de chercheurs africains sont présentées. Différents outils et ressources documentaires occidentaux sont analysés et évalués selon qu’ils donnent accès ou non à la production de chercheurs africains sur les RTA. L’analyse de ces documents, laquelle est inspirée d’une démarche d’analyse de discours, révèle à quel point la contribution des chercheurs africains est peu prise en compte à l’intérieur du corpus sélectionné. Or, l’exploration de la situation actuelle de l’enseignement et de la recherche sur les RTA dans certaines universités du Nigéria met en lumière la somme importante de travaux sur les RTA et la diversité des canaux de communication. En somme, ce mémoire démontre à quel point le savoir est localisé et lié aux ancrages culturels, disciplinaires et idéologiques des chercheurs. Il ouvre, à partir de l’analyse de textes africains, sur la question plus large de la difficulté de la représentation de l’unité et des particularismes des RTA. / This thesis provides a critical analysis of several different representations of African Traditional Religions (ATR) as found within a number of regional and disciplinary networks in Western and African countries. First, numerous means of representation (geographical maps and graphics) from different western scientific media were used to examine different ways in which ATR are represented. This analysis reveals that the categorization systems employed in these media to represent ATR do not reflect the variety, vitality, complexity and significance of ATR; and, on a more general level, reveals a lack of equity in the representations of different world religions. A conceptual analysis puts into question a number of categories (e.g. “ethnic religion”) used to define ATR as well as the notion of world religion. Second, the research strategies that were used to identify African research networks are presented. Several different Western tools and documentary resources (Database, encyclopedic articles, etc) were evaluated on their usage and citations of African research on ATR. This analysis, which was drawn from a qualitative discourse analysis approach, highlights the limited importance that is given to African researchers. In contrast, our evaluation of RTA-related education and research in Nigerian universities reveals an enormous amount of RTA-related research as well as a diversity of communication channels. On a more general level, this thesis demonstrates the extent to which knowledge is localized and linked to the cultural, disciplinary, and ideological presuppositions of researchers, and, from the analysis of African documents, opens to the larger question of the difficulty to represent the unity and specificities of ATR.

This dissertation compares the family and marriage traditions of the Ashantis of Ghana and Ancient Hebrews. Some common features characterize the two societies, principal among which is the idea that having children is the key purpose of marrieage above love and intimacy. Others are the low status of the wife in the domestic context; endogamy rules based on consanguinity; and payment of bride price. However, the two traditions differ in important areas. For example, the Ashantis follow kinship system based on matrilineal descent, succession and inheritance and the girl child is preferred. The patriarchal system of the Ancient Hebrews invest all authority in the father and the male heirs is preferred. Other defining factor in Ashanti and Pentateuchcal marriage is their religion and belief systems. Much of the marriage traditions seem to be cultural references rather than religious imperatives binding on Christians today. / Biblical and Ancient Studies / Thesis (M.Th.)

In transmitting the Gospel, Western missionaries passed on their portrayal of Christ as a European. Conversion to Christianity was aimed more at promoting Western cultural, moral and spiritual issues. Western culture has thus been an obstacle or hindrance to effective cross-cultural communication of the Christian message. Batswana believers are challenged to peel the Western cultural layers off Christianity, in order to reclaim Christ. Batswana Christians will have to dress Christianity in the Tswana cultural heritage if it is to be of any lasting significance to them. Christian spirituality is centred on Jesus Christ, in the worldview of all Christians. Jesus joins faith and culture together. If Christianity is truly universal, then every culture should surrender to Jesus Christ and not to any other culture. Jesus’ question “who do you say that I am?” (Mk 8: 29), challenges Batswana Christians to write their own fifth Gospel. / Christian Spirituality Church History and Missiology / Thesis (M. Th. (Christian Spirituality))

This study investigates how Mbiti and Oduyoye articulate their understanding of God in connection with the African traditional religio-cultural heritage to make the concept of God to become relevant to African Christians and to help African Christians feel at home in the Christian faith. Chapter 1 briefly describes the background of the study, the problem statement, the purpose of the study, the research hypothesis, methodology, delimitation, and structure of the study. Chapter 2 provides a historical sketch of origins and development of African theology and diverse types of African theology. This chapter maintains that African theology emerged not only as a theological reaction to the dominant Western interpretation of the gospel in Africa, but also as a theological attempt to secure the African cultural identity by reaffirming the African past. Chapter 3 describes the basic beliefs in African traditional religions, several African ethnic groups’ concepts of God, and the African theologians’ Christianization of the African God by employing Christian theological terms. This chapter concludes that it is not possible to presume a homogenous or one unified concept of God in Africa. One and the same God whom all Africans have worshipped is not real. In chapter 4, Mbiti’s understanding of God is scrutinized in relation to his methodology, the African concept of time, his understanding of revelation and of salvation. Mbiti has maintained African monotheism and ATR(s) as a praeparatio evangelica and has arrived at his conclusion that the God revealed in the Bible is the same as the God worshipped in ATR(s). This chapter criticizes Mbiti’s way of Christian theological interpretation of anthropological data of the African concepts of God. Chapter 5 presents Oduyoye’s understanding of God, her methodology, the status of African women in ATR(s) and the African church, her appreciation of salvation, of the Bible, and of the locus of experience. In Oduyoye’s theology, women’s experience becomes a crucial factor for doing theology, and salvation is understood as liberation from all oppressive conditions. Her understanding of God is closely connected with the theme of liberation. Chapter 6 examines the similarities and differences between the two theologians’ understanding of God, critically compares their way of understanding the interplay of the gospel and African culture, and categorizes the two theologians’ ways with their models of contextualization: Mbiti’s gospel-culture oriented model of contextualization and Oduyoye’s gospel-liberation oriented model of contextualization. By a comparative-dialogical study of the two theologians’ models of contextualization, this chapter attempts to make a dialogue possible between the two, and suggests the interculturation model of contextualization in which each theology keeps its own theological characteristic and has an open mind to learn from the other through mutual understanding. It aims to overcome the absolutism of contextualization, syncretism, cultural relativism, and provincialism, to keep a balance between locality and catholicity, and to affirm cultural identity and Christian identity. On the basis of the interculturation model of contextualization, this chapter proposes some criteria for African Evangelical theology in order to do a biblically faithful and practically relevant theology in Africa. This study also suggests some guidelines to articulate the understanding of God so that it has theological relevance and legitimacy to African Christians as well as to Christians worldwide. Chapter 7, as the final chapter, gives a general summary and concluding suggestions for further research related to the subject of African theology. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2013 / Science of Religion and Missiology / unrestricted

MA (Psychology) / Department of Psychology / See the attached abstract below

Thesis (M. A. (Media Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Culture gives identity to the people, that which should run from one generation to another. In this information age, media are expected to be carriers of culture to help sustain its transmission through generations. This case study explored the role of the South African public broadcaster in sustaining African traditional culture concerning SABC 2 soap opera named Muvhango. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with a sample of 25 participants from Tshakhuma village in Vhembe District. The study hypothesised that there is a misrepresentation of reality in soap opera. However, the findings of the study prove that media representations about tradition are a true reflection of the culture impersonated. The results have shown that there is a good relationship between the media and culture, which the media as transmitters of culture are fulfilling. The findings of the study have proven sustainability of culture. However, thorough research is encouraged for content producers to have more accurate and truthful representation.

Text in Afrikaans / Summary in Afrikaans and English / This study is an attempt to analyse and describe syncretism as an encompassing phenomenon from a historical-educational perspective. In recent times, the ideas of globalization, the influence of modern science, as well as certain ideas concerning modern education, are closely related to the manifestation of syncretism. A study of various exemplars from the past and present disclosed the essences of syncretism, thus unveiling the religious growth-motives that underlie syncretism, which also played an important role in the development of Western civilization and the modem world. The multi-faith idea (the idea of unity and synthesis), the idea of secularization, and the idea of relativity, were identified as prominent characteristics of syncretism. The identification and analysis of the essences of syncretism and supporting religious principles. become possible when syncretism is set in opposition to the Biblical and reformational thought processes. Bible-based education provides an alternative to syncretism in a fast changing and post-modern world. It gives perspective on the instruction to people to care for and develop God's creation. The intrinsic characteristics of Bible-based education were used as evaluation criteria in an attempt to expose syncretism. The characteristics of Bible-based education which also provide a framework for establishing a corrective to the problematic educational situation, are the following: • the acknowledgement of the Holy Trinity as central to man's existence; • the Bible/Holy Scriptures as essential for a Christian world and life view; • the essence of a Christian anthropology; • education as the fulfilment of God's covenant with man; • the directive role of Bible-based norms; • the transfer of culture through education • Biblical cosmology as an expression of the Christian faith; • the reformational aspect of Bible-based education. In the evaluation of syncretism, it was discovered that the relationship between man and the Holy Trinity would be negatively affected if the Christian religion were not regarded as the only source of truth concerning the salvation of man and the true meaning of life. The influence of syncretism necessitates a reformational and antithetical approach, which constantly emphasises the importance of the educator's role in the teaching and education of the child in the modem educational system. / In hierdie studie word gepoog om die sinkretisme as omvattende verskynsel vanuit 'n histories-opvoedkundige perspektief te ontleed en te omskryf. Die globaliseringsverskynsel, die inwerking van die modeme wetenskap en bepaalde idees in die moderne onderwys hang saam met die manifestasie van die sinkretisme in die eietyd. In 'n eksemplariese verlede- en eietydse studie is grondig ondersoek ingestel na tendense en verskynsels wat die wesenlike van die sinkretisme openbaar. Religieuse grondmotiewe in die Westerse beskawingsontwikkeling het 'n wesenlike bydrae gelewer tot die opkoms van die sinkretisme van die moderne wereld. Die wesenskenmerke wat prominent in die eksemplariese ondersoek betreffende die realisering van die sinkretisme gemanifesteer het, was die multireligieuse/intergeloofsidee en sintesedenke (eenheidsidee), die sekulariseringsverskynsel en die relatiwiteitsverskynsel. Die identifisering en ontleding van die wesenskenmerke van die sinkretisme en ondersteunende religieuse grondmotiewe word moontlik indien die sinkretisme teenoor die Bybelse en reformatoriese denkhouding gestel word. Bybelgefundeerde onderwys bied 'n altematief vir die sinkretisme in 'n snel veranderende en postmodeme wereld en gee perspektief aan die mens se beheersingsopdrag in die skeppingswerklikheid. Die wesenskenmerke van Bybelgefundeerde onderwys is as evalueringskriteria aangewend in 'n poging om die sinkretisme in sy ware gedaante te ontbloot. Die wesenskenmerke wat terselfdertyd die raamwerk vir die daarstel van 'n korrektief vir die problematiese onderwyssituasie bied, is: • God Drie-enig as sentrale uitgangspunt; • die Bybel/Heilige Skrif as essensieel vir 'n Christelike lewens en wereldbeskouing; • die Christelike mensbeeld (antropologie) as voorwaarde vir Bybel-gefundeerde onderwys • onderwys en opvoeding as die bevestiging van God se verbond met die mens; • die rigtinggewende rol van Bybelgefundeerde norme; • kultuuroordrag en Bybelgefundeerde onderwys; • die Bybelse skeppingsleer as 'n uitdrukking van die Christelike geioof; • die refonnatoriese/gereformeerde inslag van Bybelgefundeerde onder­wys In die evaluering van die sinkretisme is bevind dat die mens se grondverhouding met God Drie-enig aangetas word indien die Christelike godsdiens nie as die enigste bron van waarheid betreffende die mens se redding en toekomsverwagting beskou word nie. Die inwerking van die sinkretisme noodsaak in die moderne onderwyssisteem 'n reformatoriese en antitetiese denkhouding wat die mens deurlopend opskerp ten opsigte van sy rol as opvoeder in die opvoeding en onderwys van die kind. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (History of Education)