Portrayal of Religious Syncretism in Akiki Nyabongo’s Novel: Africa Answers Back

Abstract

Akiki Nyabongo’s novel, “Africa answers back”, reveals that religious syncretism in Africa is a reality that has persistently painted Christianity as an offshoot of traditional African religions. Using qualitative content analysis that looks at the text for themes, meaning and underlying values, the study critically analyses the two major religious thoughts of African Traditional Religions and Christianity in the context of the rite of passage – pregnancy, naming, baptism, marriage, death and burial. The study found out that religious syncretism as portrayed in Africa Answers Back is evident in all the major rites of passage. The conflict portrayed between the two religious beliefs shows that syncretism is a major issue today among African Christians and it is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future. I conclude that most African Christians will take long to detach themselves from traditional African religious beliefs, because their way of life and practices are rooted in African traditional religion. I recommend continuous negotiations between African traditional religions and Christianity as each has something to offer to enrich their respective faiths.