Traditional African Religions (TARs): on HIV/AIDS, health and morality in Africa

Abstract

Traditional African Religions (TARs) played a big role in the well-being of the people especially
in the field of health in the context of the World Health Organization definition. Unfortunately,
they do not seem to have been given consideration in the fight against the current AIDS epidemic
and its consequences. TARS being the custody of the survival strategies of living healthily on the
African continent, disregarding them, means that the African system of self-governance is
destroyed. As a result, people do not seem to know how to handle their lives and are vulnerable
to a lot of social evils, HIV/AIDS inclusive. This is because the moral guidance put forward by
African religions is underestimated; hence making HIV/AIDS more of a moral problem.
Rethinking the dialogue with TARs, will help in setting appropriate means of enhancing health in
a broad sense and living in human dignity in Africa.

Mtafiti Mwafrika Vol. 15 2005: pp. 1-36