1. Identify any (but not the Shembe Church) African Traditional Religious group in the African continent or the Caribbean Islands/ South American where Afro cultural religion might exist. Provide a brief overview of this ATR group. Provide a brief history of the group and important cultural ideas and practices. Would you define this group as a social movement? Motivate your answer.
One African Traditional Religious group that does not belong to the Shembe Church is the Yoruba religion, also known as Ifá, which is practiced by the Yoruba people in Nigeria, Benin, and Togo, as well as among the African diaspora in the Caribbean, South America, and elsewhere.
The Yoruba religion is centered around the worship of a pantheon of gods and goddesses known as Orishas, who serve as intermediaries between humans and the supreme deity, Olodumare. The belief system is focused on maintaining a harmonious relationship between individuals, the community, and the natural world through rituals, divination, and ceremonies.
The history of the Yoruba religion dates back thousands of years and has its roots in the ancient Yoruba Kingdoms in Nigeria. It has since spread to other parts of the world through the transatlantic slave trade and is now practiced in various forms and syncretic practices in countries such as Cuba, Brazil, Haiti, and the United States.
The Yoruba religion can be seen as a social movement in the sense that it promotes cultural identity, empowerment, and solidarity among its followers. Through its rituals and practices, it fosters a sense of community and belonging, as well as resistance against colonialism, slavery, and other forms of oppression. In this way, it serves as a source of cultural pride and resilience for the Yoruba people and those who have been influenced by their traditions.