Traditional “African Anarchism” and Orthodox Theology. Is a Dialogue between them Possible?

Abstract

This article has a twofold aim. It offers a study of precolonial African politicalsystems, and especially those which are often referred to as “traditional African anarchism.” These, despite their influence on many independence movements and political theories and practices in contemporary Africa are mostly ignored in theology, certainly outside of Africa. But the article seeks to engage with them and to study their correspondence to certain strains of Orthodox theology, which question the entrenched hierarchism within the Church. The approach of the article is not simply to excavate historically interesting material, but to seek to demonstrate how traditional thought can inspire political and theological discussions today, both within the context of the Orthodox Church and more broadly among Christians.