The Religion and Origins of South Africa

The Religion and Origins of South Africa

South African religion and origins is such a fascinating topic. The history of the people and their beliefs attains to much of their everyday life. Christianity was introduced to the Africans by Western missionaries who clearly taught the foreign information even before the Africans received independence. [1] Christianity was expected to die out during the 1960's, after much of Africa gained its independence. [2] This was exactly opposite of what happened after the independence was acquired. [3] The people turned to Christianity by the number. [4] Sub-Saharan Africa holds more Christians than the majority of Europe. [5]

One indigenous religion is of the Religion of the San People. [6] They believe in a powerful God of whom they pray to but they also believe they can pray through a healer. [7] The trance dance is one of the most important rituals within their religion. [8] During the trance dances, the women sit in a circle while the men dance. [9] As the spirit enters the shamans from the San during this time, they believe they can heal people. [10]

The traditional indigenous religion of South Africa is simply stated in four practices. First, the people exercise Ubuntu which is basically being a kind and good citizen. [11] Secondly, the people believe in the concept of ancestor worship. [12] Thirdly, they sacrifice animals to honor ancestors or during special events. [13] Lastly, they focus on the significant aspects of each person’s life such as marriage, starting a family/birth, initiation, and death. [14]

Picture: Christianity in South Africa

Some of the other religions present in South Africa are: Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism. [15] These religions were imported, brought into the country, by travelers or foreign settlers. [16] The two most common the world seems to want to know about are Islam and Christianity.

Islam came to South Africa by taking in people from Indonesia as slaves. [17] These people brought their religion over with them and it spread in the South African religious community. [18] As time passed the number of followers kept growing and Islamic schools began forming. [19] As Islam schools formed, missionaries were also teaching school and bringing in Christianity. [20] To date, Christianity has been rising more in South Africa rather than Islam. [21]

References

[1] Elphick, Richard. 2013. "Making African Christianity: Africans reimagining their faith in colonial South Africa." Church History 82, no. 3: 760-762. ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials, EBSCOhost (accessed May 29, 2015).
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.

[6] "Different Religions of South Africa." Different Religions of South Africa. Accessed May 29, 2015. http://prep.bishops.org.za/academics/classpages/gr4/social science/DIFFERENT RELGIONS OF SOUTH AFRICA.htm.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Ibid.
[11] Ibid.

[12] Ibid.

[13] Ibid.
[14] Ibid. 
[15] Ibid.
[16] Ibid.
[17] Ibid.
[18] Ibid.
[19] Ibid.
[20] Ibid.

[21] "Tolerance and Tension: Islam and Christianity in Sub-Saharan Africa." Pew Research Centers Religion Public Life Project RSS. April 14, 2010. Accessed May 29, 2015. http://www.pewforum.org/2010/04/15/executive-summary-islam-and-christianity-in-sub-saharan-africa/.

Image #1: "Share Your Life With An AFS Exchange Student." AFS-USA Hosting. Accessed May 29, 2015. http://www.afsusa.org/host-family/our-students/countries/south-africa/.

                                                                                                       

Image #2: "Different Religions of South Africa." Different Religions of South Africa. Accessed May 29, 2015. http://prep.bishops.org.za/academics/classpages/gr4/social science/DIFFERENT RELGIONS OF SOUTH AFRICA.htm.

Image #3: "Different Religions of South Africa." Different Religions of South Africa. Accessed May 29, 2015. http://prep.bishops.org.za/academics/classpages/gr4/social science/DIFFERENT RELGIONS OF SOUTH AFRICA.htm.

Image #4: "Tolerance and Tension: Islam and Christianity in Sub-Saharan Africa." Pew Research Centers Religion Public Life Project RSS. April 14, 2010. Accessed May 29, 2015. http://www.pewforum.org/2010/04/15/executive-summary-islam-and-christianity-in-sub-saharan-africa/.

South Africa - A Historical Record on Music

 

           

South Africa - A Historical Record on Music

            South African music dates back to many years, starting in the 1600's. The Dutch colonial era brought along slaves and tribes from the west into the eastern part that taught their culture of music. In the 1690's, a slave orchestra was formed and owned by the governor of the Cape. Throughout the years, many instruments were produced and introduced to the world of music. For example, the mamokhorong. This is a type of violin. [1]

In the 1800's, the South Africans started marching around much like the British military marching bands, similar to the minstrel shows. Every New Year’s Celebration to this day includes the marching band and a carnival. Hymns were being formed by John Knox Bokwe using Xhosa, a harmonic pattern. Through the years, folk music traveled and different regions and types of music met and blended, were shared, and traded as ears heard and learned to pass on the tunes. [2]

In 1912, the first recordings of South African music occurred. In the 1920's, the South African music style was much like the American swing style except they had their own little twist with the Marabi melodies. Jazz was becoming a big hit to the nation. Distinct, South African jazz was called mbaqanga.[3]

One piece to be specially featured of the music produced in the history of South Africa is their national anthem. Nkosi’ Sikelel’ iAfrika (God Bless Africa) was written by a teacher named Enoch Sontonga in the early 1900's. It was considered the unofficial national anthem at the time. The official anthem contains two combined anthems and a total of five different languages. The official anthem contains: Nkosi’ Sikelel’ iAfrika (God Bless Africa) and Die Stem (The Call of South Africa). Die Stem was originally a poem written in May of 1918 by CJ Langenhoven. Originally, it was considered the official anthem until the two anthems, the official and unofficial were combined to produce: The Call of South Africa, which became the official one in 1962. [4]

The national anthem is an important piece of history in South African music and is still used today because it declares the peoples’ pride and loyalty to their country. The national anthem is well known to so many because of the many languages it contains and the translations produced.

References

[1] "The Developement of Music in South Africa Timeline 1600-2004 | South African History Online." The Developement of Music in South Africa Timeline 1600-2004 | South African History Online. Accessed May 23, 2015. http://www.sahistory.org.za/topic/developement-music-south-africa-timeline-1600-2004.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] "SouthAfrica.info." South Africa's National Anthem. June 4, 2012. Accessed May 23, 2015. http://www.southafrica.info/about/history/anthem.htm#.VV-_fflViko.

Image #1:  South African Jazz. Accessed May 22, 2015. https://soulsafari.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/african-jazz-pioneers-1987-pic-copy.jpg?w=300&h=183.
Image #2: South Africa's National Anthem. Accessed May 22, 2015. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRw&url=https://www.pinterest.com/pin/401172279282851146/&ei=XUNjVay9FYbTsAXA-YCIBA&bvm=bv.93990622,d.b2w&psig=AFQjCNHt7aosN2pN17MT8rjK10f84yQ8EQ&ust=143.

South African Geography

           

 South African Geography

      South Africa is located at the southern part of the continent of Africa. It is surrounded by water on its western, eastern, and southern borders. The western body of water is the Atlantic Ocean. The eastern body of water is the Indian Ocean. The southern body of water is the Atlantic Ocean as well. The geographic features of South Africa range from rivers (the largest is the Orange River), to deserts (Namib and Kalahari), to the coast, to plateaus, to rocky ridges, and to mountains (English Online). When looking at two major cities in South Africa, one can better understand the South African climate and terrain.

       One major city is Johannesburg. Johannesburg is located in South Africa and is one of the largest cities on the continent (Campbell). The latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates of Johannesburg: 26.2044°S, 28.0456°E (Google). Located in the Gauteng province, Johannesburg is also known as “Joburg” or “Jozi” to the locals. It is one of the youngest cities in the world. Johannesburg sits on top of a grassy plateau that runs through the inside of South Africa. The rocky ridge of Witwatersrand Main Reef runs along the city and is a natural drainage for water into the bordering oceans. The elevation range of the city is 5,700-5,930 feet. There are not very many rivers, streams, or lakes in Johannesburg besides a few artificial lakes and small streams. The summer temperature usually averages 75°F and the winter temperature usually averages 55°F (Campbell).

       Another major city located in South Africa is Cape Town. The latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates of Cape Town: 33.9253°S, 18.4239°E (Google). Cape Town is surrounded by mountains and is a highly visited city in South Africa. The mountains surrounding Cape Town are: Devil’s Peak, Twelve Apostles, Table Mountain, and Lion’s Head. The city is located on a plain called the Cape Flats. The plain of the Cape Flats joins the Cape peninsula. Table Mountain is said to have been an island at one point and time (Cape Town Geography).

       After studying the make of the land, one can now better understand how it has affected the society over the years. Depending on the area, there may not be enough rain to farm and is common for droughts. This area tends to be the desert or near the deserts. Most of the farming and ranches are located in the countryside, outside of the city. Since the western and northern part of the nation is so dry, it has the least amount of population (English Online). 
       Overall, the land and climate have been of help to the South African nation. It has country sides to farm, enough areas of rainfall, the view of mountains and of the coast, and all that is in between. The only hindrances that can be found are the areas that obtain droughts all the time. During the course of history, the coast is what brought many of the settlers to the nation from the beginning. The diseases in South Africa are at an intermediate risk meaning they are not high risk but are not at low risk. The diseases that are obtained are usually from food and water (South Africa Major Infectious Diseases).

References

Campbell, James. "Johannesburg | South Africa." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Accessed May 15, 2015. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/304472/Johannesburg. 

"Cape Town Geography." Cape Town Geography. Accessed May 15, 2015. http://www.mapsofworld.com/south-africa/cities/cape-town/geography.html.

"English Online." South Africa. Accessed May 15, 2015. http://www.english-online.at/geography/south-africa/geography-south-africa.htm.

"South Africa Major Infectious Diseases." - Demographics. August 23, 2013. Accessed May 15, 2015. http://www.indexmundi.com/south_africa/major_infectious_diseases.html.

Image:  "Flag of South Africa." Wikipedia. Accessed May 14, 2015. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/Flag_of_South_Africa.svg/1280px-Flag_of_South_Africa.svg.png.