Indigenous African Religions

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South-Africans have always prided themselves on how rich and diverse their country is. This beautiful country consists of many different cultures each so diverse but yet influencing each other in such an immense way. In this essay I will be critically analyzing both the San hunter-gatherers and the Bantu speaking farmers in every aspect of their unique cultures; how these two groups met and how they influenced each other. I will also discuss the influence the Colonists had on indigenous African cultures and if it is appropriate to refer to all the indigenous cultures as one collective group of people by discussing what these two groups (San hunter-gatherers and Bantu speaking people) have in common. Since there are no written records of the pre-colonial period, all the information available is collected through archaeological evidence and oral transmission through the generations. The San hunter-gatherers. This group of people inhabited southern-Africa since the Neolithic times and are the first people to live here. They lived in peace with the natural rhythm of the land, moving around and living next to waterholes in rich natural areas, never overstaying their welcome as they did not want to deplete the natural resources. Both men and women worked towards survival as women built the huts from branches and grass collected from the immediate environment, they also gathered food such as edible plants, in contrast men hunted antelopes and other game for meat with a poisonous arrow and bow as well as making the fire every night. Both sexes where seen as equals. Although there were distinguished differences between northern, southern and south-eastern San, like not understanding each other’s language, they had the same practices, bel... ... middle of paper ... ...ause they are so different they need to be acknowledged for the two rich and beautiful groups of people that they are, and if possible their cultures and beliefs should be promoted separately to help the San get back to a strong and peaceful race that they once were, and also to get the Bantu farmers back what was taken from them by the colonists. Now in post-apartheid South-African the Constitution promotes respect and acknowledgement for all the different religions that is currently living together in South-Africa. All the different religions can practice what they want as long as it does not violate basic human rights or any other law References Kruger National Park. URL: http://www.krugerpark.co.za/africa_bushmen.html Date of access: 23/03/2014 RST1501 (Religious Studies and Arabic) - Tutorial Letter 501/3/2014 Study unit 2: African Indigenous Religions.

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