Integrating pragmatic lessons of traditional initiation rites into Christian initiation rite for adults in the Roman Catholic Church: A case study of Akan puberty rites.
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Date
2018-11
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KNUST
Abstract
Christianity in Africa seems to have denied many religio-cultural ritual practices, regardless of their values and lessons, which are integral part of indigenous African culture. This makes the African live an uncomfortable Christian life. But it is an undeniable fact that the nature and relevance of African Christianity can be understood if it is studied in its relation to African world-view and indigenous knowledge systems, which serve as resources for indigenous education and formation.
Puberty rites mark a moment of education to teach and learn the norms, values and lessons in the ritual moments for identity formation, and initiate a transitional period in the life of an Akan person. They serve to socialise and institutionalise the individual into the new stage of life attained in the community with rights and responsibilities.
Within the Roman Catholic domains, apart from the catechism, which teaches the
catechumen the basic tenets of Christianity, the doctrines and precepts of the church, there is no pattern of formation for young catechumen to mature into responsible adult Christian, who has both strong roots and understanding of the Christian faith and practices and yet firmly planted in authentic Akan religio-cultural beliefs and practices, which do not contradict the Christian faith. This prompts the quest of this research; to find out how the values and lessons of puberty rites could be integrated into the preparation and formation of young people for responsible adult Christian life in the Akan community.
The study revealed that there are great lessons that could be harnessed from this rite as an indigenous knowledge system, which will give a practical touch to the instructional sessions organised for the rite of Christian adult initiation, making the Christian young man and woman a person of his/her culture and tradition.
Description
A Thesis Submitted In Partial Fulfilment Of The Requirement For The Degree Of Master Of Philosophy.