By Celi Nhlengethwa
In rituals, ceremonies and festivals. Consider childbirth, naming, circumcision and other initiation ceremonies, marriage, funerals, harvest festivals, etc. Some are at family level others at community level. Through their observation spiritual knowledge is perpetuated and passed on to the next generations.
In shrines, Sacred Places and Religious Objects.
Some shrines belong to families, e.g. graves. Others to communities, e.g. rocks, caves, hills, mountains, rivers, etc. Some shrines are man-made, others are natural formations. All of them help in practising and in handing down our spirituality.
In Art and Symbols
Our art often expresses religious ideas. We find it in wood, calabashes, stones, domestic animals, human bodies, etc.
Symbols are normally found where art is found and their meanings are generally known to almost everyone. There, however, are symbols that can only be interpreted by a few individuals e.g. symbols used in initiation, divination, etc.,
In Music and Dance
Many of our songs deal with spiritual ideas and practices. Ritual, ceremonies and festivals are always accompanied by song, music and dance. Music gives outlet to the emotional expression of the spiritual life and is a powerful means of communication in African traditional life.
In Proverbs and Riddles
These provide a rich source of African wisdom. Many speak of our spirituality, beliefs, morals, etc. Because they are short, they are easy to remember and pass on from one person to another and so go back many generations.
Riddles are used to stimulate thinking.
