The foundation of African spirituality is Ancestor Worship. The notion that the dead are not really gone and that they influence the living's earthly affairs.
African spirituality is not « Africanised Christianity.»
It's its own religion, often revolving around the preparation of corpses, funeral rites, and obsequies.
These things are done because of the belief that ancestors live eternally.
The soul goes through a journey after being buried. In Akan tradition, there are three possible outcomes after death.
Reincarnation is offered for people whose days were abruptly cut and who didn't really finish living up to their potential. Those who have lived a long and bad life are denied reincarnation. Those who have lived a full and good life, those who became wise and mastered the art of living by giving generations after them pride in their family name, are given Ancestor's title—powerful deities are also ancestors venerated their descendants around the world.
Since Ancestors are said to meddle in living affairs, humans often worshiped them to receive blessings, favors, and protection.
Worship is done with sacrifice, often involving food and spirits.
Usually, items that the ancestors loved when the were alive.
However, it is funny that African religion has been described over the centuries as barbaric, animist (in a derogatory manner), primitive, superstitious, etc... by Europeans.
On the other hand, they are fascinated by Egyptian worship of the dead, which consists of the soul taking the same journey to the underworld to be judged after being prepared with special funeral rituals and ceremonies.
MESS!
Africa is big and diverse; to just lump all Africans into one big spiritual practice would be very disrespectful. This is why "Get Off My Broom" will strive to seek out the voices of practitioners worldwide and the diaspora to paint the colorful picture that is Africa and keep bringing new content to the platform and new products that will serve all religious and spiritual practices.
Stay tuned for more posts and podcasts about African spirituality.