There are a wide variety of beliefs and practices in modern day Wicca but there are a few basic points and principles that remain the same throughout different Wiccan beliefs. The first belief is that everyone has the divine within them and in turn with meditation and visualization one can tap into that energy and focus to become in touch with the natural gifts one possesses. Rituals and celebrations also help to bring one closer with his or her natural gifts and these events usually take place over the seasons and moon’s phases. Each Wiccan will take his or her own spiritual journey to build one’s personal relationship with the divine, the divine referring to the spiritual aspect of the Earth or the Mother Goddess. Wiccans use spells in rituals to help bring about the things they want.
Masks Of Africa Since the earliest times masks have played an important role in the culture of Africa. Masks have varied in appearance and function. Many masks are associated with religious ceremonies, myth, dance, rituals or are concerned with spirits of the dead, rites, or even curing sickness. The mask has been used by the Africans mainly to solve major human and social problems. When a man wears a mask his identity is hidden and the expression on the mask projects a new identity.
While Ezinma's abduction was something that could have potentially meant her death, Ekwefi honored the traditions of her people, and did not voice any protest when the decision to do that was made. The Igbo believed in many gods, with a god for different things. For example, Ani is the earth goddess, and is responsible for all things related to the earth, like the well being of crops, and the general well being of the tribe. The Igbo ancestors also take on a divine nature to some extent. Family plays such a central role in Igbo life that the spirits of their ancestors are consulted for almost every decision and even serve as judges in legal trials (in the form of masked elders).
Arusha Anupindi 3/23/13 Humanities (LA): “Things Fall Apart” Discussion Questions P4 1. The Ibo religious structure consists of chi–the personal god–and many other gods and goddesses. What advantages and disadvantages does such a religion provide when compared with your own? The Ibo culture is very similar to mine. In the Ibo culture, the chi can be both an advantage and a disadvantage.
Ritual and social meanings[edit] A mask used in ngil magic ceremonies of the Fang people of Gabon In most traditional African cultures, the person who wears a ritual mask conceptually loses his or her human identity and turns into the spirit represented by the mask itself. [3] This transformation of the mask wearer into a spirit usually relies on other practices, such as specific types of music and dance, or ritual costumes that contribute to conceal the mask-wearer's human identity. The mask wearer thus becomes a sort of medium that allows for a dialogue between the community and the spirits (usually those of the dead or nature-related spirits). Masked dances are a part of most traditional African ceremonies related to weddings, funerals, initiation rites, and so on. Some of the most complex rituals that have been studied by scholars are found in Nigerian cultures such as those of the Yoruba and Edo peoples, that bear some resemblances to the Western notion of theatre.
In my research I will identify how the African religious practices tie into ethics. The DROC religion can also affect the purpose of global ethics. While exploring each religion you will see how it was originated. A clear description of religious attachment into these membership groupings can give a deceptive picture of Congolese realism. The quantity of people who can be grouped as belonging entirely to one group or another is limited.
Nonwestern Theatre: From Ritual to Theatre Ritual Performed by priests or shamans. Based in myth, tradition, or religion. Audience is often participatory. Asks for sympathetic magic from nature. Distinctive Aspects of Non-Western Theatre Communal Binding Blurring of division between audience and performers Purpose: Heal, Honor, Mourn Diffused Focus Use of Elaborate Masks and Costumes Use of Dance and Music Non-Western Theatre Examples of Ritual Theatre Indigenous African ritual dance drama (i.e.
The Inquices do not tend to possess as detailed a mythology as the Yoruba gods. Kumina is a Afro-Jamaican religion influenced mainly by the Bantu peoples from the Congo-Angola area. Kumina refers to both a religion and dance. Dances include the Bailo, mainly used for entertainment purposes and the Country, used during the private religious ceremonies. Kumina provides a perfect example of what intra African
Throughout the process of initiation, ancestors and deities are often called upon for blessings and protection. This is essential because it is a means by which initiates are made increasingly aware of the Krobo traditional belief systems. It is believed that, the life of a human being is a developmental process that comprises of a number of stages from conception to death, with each stage having substantial effects on the individual as well as the community. Every single Krobo girl is expected to go through these rites otherwise she will by no means be entirely accepted as a Krobo woman. There is the belief among the Krobo people dating from prehistoric times, that, no Krobo girl can become a mature Krobo woman or a worthy
African Dance is important to Africa to show many cultural differences in musical and movement styles. These dances must be viewed in close connection with African music, as many African languages have no word to define music. They mostly dance in tribes or worshiping gods. These dances teach social patterns and values and help people work, mature, praise or criticize members of the community while celebrating festivals and funerals, competing, reciting history, proverbs and poetry, and to encounter gods. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_dance ) Traditional African Dance mostly used the African voice instead of the more current drums and other instruments.