African religions, spirituality, and mental health healing practices

Traditional African religions are diverse with each having its own rituals and symbolisms and often defining an ethnic and language group. Even though most subscribe to the notion of a supreme deity, a common feature of these religions is their polythetic philosophy in which there are many layers of deities and ancestral spirits. The African gods are not jealous, making religious fundamentalism alien to the adherents of traditional religions. African traditional healing practices, rooted in African religious beliefs, are commonly sought because they are thought to get at the root causes of illness and not just to provide relief from symptoms. In the face of globalization as well as pervasive influence of Western cultures, the Abrahamic religions of Christianity and Islam now jostle for dominance and for the sole occupation of the spiritual space. However, even when the average African subscribes to an Abrahamic faith, it is common for them to retain a world view steeped in traditional spirituality. An appreciation of this dualism is important when addressing the mental health condition of the African patient.