African rituals are complex and many number, which makes studying and understanding them a difficult task. African rituals can all vary depending on a particular tribe or culture, and they all have a specific purpose. Generally speaking, African rituals tend to be religious in their nature. However, religion itself is a concept to apply to African culture simply because that there is no set or determined religious ideology or belief; certain African tribes will have a specific religious ideology or practice that is unique to only them.
Though there is much of a varying degree to religions in African culture, they all will often share common features or ideas. The main commonality has to deal with the fact that they do not differ in their basic idea from other religions found in the rest of the world. Often, there will be one central God-like figure, with other lesser deities and spirits. These deities will often be worshipped through various types of rituals, which may include sacrificial offerings, libation, magic, dancing, drumming, chanting and other rituals that may be indigenous or unique to that particular tribe or religious belief.
More often than not, African rituals will vary upon geographic location as well. Sometimes, many African rituals may not necessarily serve a specific religious function, but rather they act as actions of good faith. For example, there exists rituals for building new homes, herding and hunting, transfer of leadership, etc. Though many of these types of rituals may have religious ties, they may not serve a specific religious function. African rituals will often vary upon their actual practice. Certain deities or spirits have specific ritual guidelines to be observed, such as the object of sacrifice, time of the day, week, month, or year to make a certain sacrifice, the use of specific costumes and ritual regalia, etc. African rituals are extremely specific, and require each aspect of the ritual to be followed exactly in order for it to serve its purpose as intended. Certain African rituals are used to make a connection between natural and supernatural worlds.
Magic and witchcraft are important aspects in African ritual. Those who practice magic or witchcraft within a particular tribe or culture are often highly-positioned members in the hierarchal arrangement of their society. The magicians or shamans are often consulted to help solve problems and provide advice for it is believed they have a higher understanding of the occurrences in nature and the supernatural alike. Often, many African rituals are viewed as cruel and unnatural by people of the Western world. Some examples may include branding, scarring, piercings, and other types of body modifications. In many cases, such rituals of body modification are used to denote a member of society to have a special place in their society.
For example, those who are to be considered of a warrior clan will often receive scars given by war chiefs as signs of accomplishments or having displayed honor or bravery in a specific situation. In other instances, these types of rituals are used in terms of castigation or punishment, where a member of society has to bear a physical mark in order to show that he/she has committed some sort of crime. African rituals exist in various forms and types, and the study of them allows for a better understanding of African cultures.
