Religions in Contemporary Africa is an accessible and comprehensive introduction to the three main religious traditions on the African continent, African indigenous religions, Christianity and Islam. The book provides a historical overview of these important traditions and focuses on the roles they play in African societies today. It includes social, cultural and political case studies from across the continent on the following topical issues:

• Witchcraft and modernity
• Power and politics
• Conflict and peace
• Media and popular culture
• Development
• Human rights
• Illness and health
• Gender and sexuality

With suggestions for further reading, discussion questions, illustrations and a list of glossary terms this is the ideal textbook for students in religion, African studies and adjacent fields approaching this subject area for the first time.

Laura S. Grillo earned her PhD in History of Religions from The University of Chicago and is Affiliated Faculty at Georgetown University (USA). Her book, An Intimate Rebuke (2018), was supported by a Research Fellowship at Harvard Divinity School.

Hassan J. Ndzovu is Senior Lecturer of Religious Studies at Moi University (Kenya), with a PhD from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (South Africa). He has also held two postdoctoral positions, at Freie Universität Berlin (Germany) and Northwestern University (USA).

Adriaan van Klinken is Associate Professor of Religion and African Studies at the University of Leeds (United Kingdom). He holds a PhD in Religious Studies from Utrecht University (the Netherlands) and was a postdoctoral fellow at SOAS University of London.

Religions in Contemporary Africa is an accessible and comprehensive introduction to the three main religious traditions on the African continent, African indigenous religions, Christianity and Islam. The book provides a historical overview of these important traditions and focuses on the roles they play in African societies today. It includes social, cultural and political case studies from across the continent on the following topical issues:

• Witchcraft and modernity
• Power and politics
• Conflict and peace
• Media and popular culture
• Development
• Human rights
• Illness and health
• Gender and sexuality

With suggestions for further reading, discussion questions, illustrations and a list of glossary terms this is the ideal textbook for students in religion, African studies and adjacent fields approaching this subject area for the first time.

List of Images

List of abbreviations

Introduction: Why and How This Book Helps You Understand Religions in Africa

Part I: Major Religions in Africa

1. African Indigenous Religions
2. Christianity in Africa
3. Islam in Africa
4. Neo-traditional Religious Movements in Africa
5. Pentecostal-Charismatic Movements in Africa
6. Islamic Reform Movements in Africa

Part II: Topical Issues of Religions in Africa

7. Religion, Witchcraft and Modernity in Africa
8. Religion, Power and Politics in Africa
9. Religion, Conflict and Peace in Africa
10. Religion and Development in Africa
11. Religion and Human Rights in Africa
12. Religion, Illness and Health in Africa
13. Religion and Gender in Africa
14. Religion and Sexuality in Africa
15. Religion, Media and Popular Culture in Africa

Index