Symbolism at the Heart of Bantu Traditional Religion (Research conducted in Bantu Land of Republic of Zambia and Republic of Malawi)

Authors

  • Ryan L. Contamina Graduate School Student University of San Jose-Recoletos

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32871/rmrj1301.02.11

Keywords:

symbolism, Bantu religion, Chiwa tribe

Abstract

This paper looks at the core of traditional Bantu religion and taking some particular practices and phenomena as examples to explore how the symbol plays an irreplaceable role in traditional religious circles in Chiwa tribe in Republic of Malawi and with the Bemba1 tribe of Republic of Zambia. At the heart of many traditional religions especially in Africa the supreme figure called God (Lesa for the Bemba and Chauta for the Chewa) express a common essence about cultures and religious beliefs, rites and rituals through symbolic manifestation within the culture. This kind of thought gives preference to emotion over reason, myth over practical investigation and rhythm over melody that transport their senses and belief from symbolic manifestation to spiritual realm of belief. African traditional religions, man finds no other possibility of existing without a religion as it is part of his nature.

Author Biography

Ryan L. Contamina, Graduate School Student University of San Jose-Recoletos

is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education at Surigao del Norte College of Agriculture and Technology in 2003. With his desire of reaching other people, he decided to join the Missionaries of Africa in the following year and he was sent for further studies Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan under the program Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy in 2004, and to the University of San Carlos, Cebu City in 2006. To further enrich his knowledge in Philosophy and with his willingness to involve in research, he continued his studies leading to Masters in Media Studies at the University of San Jose-Recoletos in 2008.
It was in 2009 when he had his first hand exposure to the world when he was sent to Republic of Zambia in the continent of Africa. In 2010, he was again re-appointed to Republic of Malawi that gave him a wider perspective of the African world that inspired him to use his knowledge in Philosophy and mission. He then participated in educational awareness campaign and working with people who is suffering with HIV and AIDS especially among farmers and women groups in Republic of Malawi. He also facilitated and designed the ‘Bayanihan’ community agricultural projects and experimental farming activities that were adopted in selected villages in the province of Dedza, Malawi. He also joined the Catholic Agricultural Development Commission to uplift the life of the farmers of the said country. Believing in the power of the youth, he became a teacher and mentor of human development, agriculture, history and culture at Golomoti Secondary Day School inDedza, Malawi.
While working with the farmers and mentoring the youth, he was exposed to their culture, belief, and farming activity that led him to publish his research entitled ‘Pastoral Ministry in Social Media’ and ‘Understanding of Plant Hybrid and Genetics’ which were both published in IMBISO, St. Joseph Theological Institute of Cedara, Pietermaritzburg, Republic of South Africa in 2013. Up to this date, his recent work entitled ‘Symbolism at the Heart of Bantu Traditional Religion’ a research conducted in Bantu people in Republic of Zambia, and Republic of Malawi is included in the Recoletos Journal for Commission on Higher Education 2013.

References

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Published

2013-12-31

How to Cite

Contamina, R. L. (2013). Symbolism at the Heart of Bantu Traditional Religion (Research conducted in Bantu Land of Republic of Zambia and Republic of Malawi). Recoletos Multidisciplinary Research Journal, 1(2). https://doi.org/10.32871/rmrj1301.02.11

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 2 (2013)

Section

Articles

License

Copyright of the Journal belongs to the University of San Jose-Recoletos

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