Niger Congo Religion

One of the traditional religions of Africa, Niger Congo religion recognizes three levels of spirits. At the highest level was God, who was the First Cause or Creator of the Universe. However, he is seen as a distant figure and does not play much role in daily rituals and religion. The concept of a single Creator is a manifestation of monotheism and can be traced back to the sixth millennium BCE. The second kind of spirit as recognized by the religion, are spirits. Each territorial spirit dwells within a specific territory and influences its events. The most common examples of territories are rivers. The Niger-Delta region abounding in rivers is believed to have several territorial spirits. Other territorial domains include a drainage basin of a particular stream or some definite expanse of land. The third level of spirits is the one considered most crucial in daily rites and rituals. These are the ancestral spirits. Though not worshipped, the ancestral spirits deserve a certain amount of respect and remembrance. These spirits are believed to have the most direct manifestation on day to day events. If remembered with respect and affection, these spirits can smoothen roadblocks and remove obstacles. However, disrespecting them can wreak havoc in life. The Niger Congo people regularly pray to them and make offerings. Though all remember ancestral spirits in times of need, those remembering them in times of happiness are specially blessed by these spirits.

Evil, according to Niger Congo religion, can be brought about by the dead or living. Neglected ancestral spirits or the spirit of an ancestor, who was evil and malicious during his lifetime, can cause damage to people. Also, envy, hate and malice of a living person can bring evil and also cause negative happenings. People who were faced with a long term illness or family misfortune turned to a doctor-diviner, more commonly known in English as a ‘witch doctor’. This man or woman was a person who had a good knowledge of medicines from natural sources and also good at reading people. The job of the doctor diviner was to identify the cause of misfortune and bad happenings, especially if it was due to envy and malice of an enemy or an ancestral spirit that was not looked after well. The doctor was to prescribe remedies for such causes of negativity.

Niger-Congo Ceremonies
Niger-Congo religious practices generally include communal ceremonies and divine rites. During these rituals members of the community are overcome by 'force' or 'ashe'. They are excited to the point of going into meditative trance in response to rhythmic or mantric drumming and singing. A unique type of drumming is used for each deity or ancestor. When in the state of trance, depending upon the types of drumming or instrumental rhythms played by respected musicians, participants embody a deity or an ancestral, energy or state of mind by performing distinct ritual movements that further enhance their elevated consciousness. In Eastern terms, excite the kundalini to a specific level of awareness and circulate chi in a specific way within the body. Further, when in trance, these people can also convey messages from the departed spirits and deities to the rest of the community.

Scientists are yet to appreciate such happenings and label it as superstition in the absence of plausible explanation. But, there is more to nature than eye can see or mind can comprehend.

Linus Orakles
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