Thursday, March 31, 2011


RELIGION in ANCIENT GHANA


Ancient Ghanaian religion was a mixture of supernatural and spiritual powers. They believed plants and animals had spirits as well as humans and that these spirits co-existed together. Ancient Ghanaians also practiced ancestor veneration by offering sacrifices and pouring out libations to their ancestors to appease them. They believed that if they neglected their ancestors that it would bring them bad luck. Anytime something bad happened they offered sacrifices to their ancestors with the help of spiritual leaders. Ghanaians at this time believed that their ancestors were a mediator to the gods.

By the 9th century Islam was introduced to Ancient Ghana. The Muslims came to Ghana for trading purposes and along with their goods they brought the Islamic religion. Many Ghanaians began to practice Islam at this time. In 1076 the Almoravids, who were Muslims, conquered Ghana. They attempted to make Islam the only practiced religion but failed.

By the 15th century, Christian missionsaries from Portugal were known to be on the coast of Ghana, But until then the Empire consisted of Islam and traditional Ghanaian religious practices. Half of the town of Kumbi Saleh, which was the capital, was called El Ghaba and was the traditional Ghanaian religious center of the town. The other half of the capital was the trading center or business district and since the Arab and Berber merchants were Muslim this side of town consisted of the Islamic faith. Several mosques were built in this business district of Kumbi Saleh.

4 comments:

  1. What is the picture of at the beginning?

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  2. great information i used it for a school project and hoping i get an a+ it's some good information man

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