Return to African Traditional Religion after conversion to Christianity or Islam: Patronage of culture or religious conversion?

Abstract

Scholars and individuals have repeatedly affirmed that many Africans frequently return to African Traditional Religion (ATR) after conversion to either Christianity or Islam. This frequent return to ATR has been attributed to different reasons that have not been substantiated with data. This paper examined the nature of interaction that Christians and Muslims have with ATR and cultural practices, and highlighted the reasons for the frequent patronage. The findings confirmed that the patronage of cultural practices does not imply conversion to ATR. Data were collected through randomly distributed questionnaires across four state capitals in the Western part of Nigeria. The state capitals were selected for the possibility of having converts from both Christianity and Islam respond to the questions. Findings were analysed qualitatively. The result showed that there is movement back to ATR and cultural practices for three fundamental reasons; first to seek solutions to physical problems, second to ward off spiritual attacks and third, many Africans still perceive ATR as part of normal custom of the Africans. The findings of this study show that the causes of the back and forth movements are not indications of crisis of faith among those that engage in the movement.

Keywords: African Traditional Religion (ATR), Christianity, Conversion, Islam,