Religions of Africa

by Lora Friedenthal and Dorothy Kavanaugh

Published 1 September 2006
While African religions are as diverse as the continent itself, most Africans can be placed in one of three groups: followers of traditional religions, Islam, or Christianity. Until the 20th century, religion was rarely a primary source of conflict. However, in recent years Muslim-Christian tensions have contributed to unrest in such nations as Nigeria, Sudan, and Tanzania. This book is intended as an introduction to the practice of religion in Africa today. It provides a brief history of religious development in Africa, discusses the common religious practices in various regions of the continent, and explores the role of religion in current African conflicts.