Abstract:
The title of this work is inculturation in African independent churches in
Igboland 1960-2007. Igboland is no longer a virgin soil as far as
Christianity is concerned. Igboland has been in contact with Christianity
for over a century and has been responding positively and negatively to it.
Despite attempts made by the missionaries to eradicate traditional religion
and impose Christianity, African independent churches through their
inculturation process have preserved some of the traditional cultural values
and attitudes within their church circles. Therefore this work examines the
inculturation process by African independent churches in Northern
Igboland (Enugu Igbo). The work aims at a critical and realistic evaluation
of inculturation elements by African independent churches in (Northern
Igboland) with a view to suggesting ways by which the gospel could be
incarnated into the culture in a manner that Igbo Christians will understand
it and express it better. It was found out that African independent churches
in Enugu state have preserved some of the traditional religions and cultural
practices such as polygamy, title taking, divination, witchcraft belief, use
of African instruments in worship etc. within the church circle. It was
found out that the Igbos have lost some good cultural elements. Therefore,
inculturation programme by the African Independent Churches has been
highlightened to proffer solution to existing information gap between the
missionaries and African Christians as this inculturation programme has
posed a challenge not only to the missionaries but also to the main line
churches and the entire society at large. In fact, inculturation process in
African independent churches involves the search for values of the past
and for a religious system that takes account of the traditional views and
aspirations of the people. Data for this work were collected from both
primary and secondary sources. Primary sources involve interview
conducted with priests and lay members of the churches and others outside
African Independent churches in Northern Igboland. Secondary sources
include both published and unpublished materials such as books,
newspapers, journals, magazines, relevant Internet material etc. The
methodological approach adopted is historical and descriptive. The
information collected is described, analyzed and sifted and the descriptive
interpretative method was used to analyze the data in order to present a
readable data.
