Worlds of Power: Religious Thought and Political Practice in Africa

by Stephen Ellis, Gerrie Ter Haar

With Christian revivals (including Evangelicals in the White House), Islamic radicalism and the revitalisation of traditional religions it is clear that the world is not heading towards a community of secular states. Nowhere are religious thought and political practice more closely intertwined than in Africa. African migrants in Europe and America who send home money to build churches and mosques, African politicians who consult diviners, guerrilla fighters who believe that amulets can protect them from bullets, and ordinary people who seek ritual healing: all of these are applying religious ideas to everyday problems of existence, at every level of society. Far from falling off the map of the world, Africa is today a leading centre of Christianity and a growing field of Islamic activism, while African traditional religions are gaining converts in the West.

One cannot understand the politics of the present without taking religious thought seriously. Stories about witches, miracles, or people returning from the dead incite political action. In Africa religious belief has a huge impact on politics, from the top of society to the bottom. Religious ideas show what people actually think about the world and how to deal with it. Ellis and Ter Haar maintain that the specific content of religious thought has to be mastered if we are to grasp the political significance of religion in Africa today, but their book also informs our understanding of the relationship between religion and political practice in general.

Genres: Africa, Religion, History

263 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2004

Reviews

[Blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the Kindle version which also credits Gerrie Ter Haar as co-author which is important since this book fits within her larger trajectory. The argument is relatively simple: the division of politics and "religion" found in the West is not present in Africa. In fact, politics and "religion" are intertwined in Africa so to understand one, you must consider the other.

This might seem like a facile argument but what they are getting at moves away from anthropology and other social sciences considering "religion" and political science etc. considering politics within their own domains without reference to the other. Throughout the authors draw attention to the deep interconnections between "religion" and politics, illuminating both.

"Religion" itself, as the quotes indicate, is a contested term. Ellis and Ter Haar understand religion as having to do with the interaction of the material reality of everyday human experiences and some kind of spiritual reality. This seems like a helpful corrective to an overly Western anthropological understanding that imposes categories of belief and practice on people. It allows the actual beliefs and practices with their meanings to emerge.

And perhaps that is the greatest strength of this work. It treats African agency respectfully, allowing distinctive voices and traditions to emerge in ways that challenge dominant ways of interpreting both religion and politics. Well worth the read.

[Jouke Jong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Years ago since I read it, but I still think back and get reminded at some of the concepts. That says a lot. Highly recommended to anyone who needs more help to understand a bit of sub-saharan African culture.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this is not a very long book it is packed with information. This book was not an easy read, but just the same was very fascinating. The authors show religious thought informs political action in Africa primarily but also in the world as a whole. A very insightful read.