Inculturation In African Independent Churches In Igboland 1960-2007

ABSTRACT

The title of this work is inculturation in African independent churches in

Igboland 1960-2007. Igboland is no longer a virgin soil as far as

Christianity is concerned. Igboland has been in contact with Christianity

for over a century and has been responding positively and negatively to it.

Despite attempts made by the missionaries to eradicate traditional religion

and impose Christianity, African independent churches through their

inculturation process have preserved some of the traditional cultural values

and attitudes within their church circles. Therefore this work examines the

inculturation process by African independent churches in Northern

Igboland (Enugu Igbo). The work aims at a critical and realistic evaluation

of inculturation elements by African independent churches in (Northern

Igboland) with a view to suggesting ways by which the gospel could be

incarnated into the culture in a manner that Igbo Christians will understand

it and express it better. It was found out that African independent churches

in Enugu state have preserved some of the traditional religions and cultural

practices such as polygamy, title taking, divination, witchcraft belief, use

of African instruments in worship etc. within the church circle. It was

found out that the Igbos have lost some good cultural elements. Therefore,

inculturation programme by the African Independent Churches has been

highlightened to proffer solution to existing information gap between the

missionaries and African Christians as this inculturation programme has

posed a challenge not only to the missionaries but also to the main line

churches and the entire society at large. In fact, inculturation process in

African independent churches involves the search for values of the past

and for a religious system that takes account of the traditional views and

aspirations of the people. Data for this work were collected from both

primary and secondary sources. Primary sources involve interview

conducted with priests and lay members of the churches and others outside

African Independent churches in Northern Igboland. Secondary sources

include both published and unpublished materials such as books,

newspapers, journals, magazines, relevant Internet material etc. The

methodological approach adopted is historical and descriptive. The

information collected is described, analyzed and sifted and the descriptive

interpretative method was used to analyze the data in order to present a

readable data.