Column by Daniele Mezzana

Internet

Traditional religions online

It is debatable whether one should speak of an "African Traditional Religion" or rather of "religions" in the plural. What is certain is that the theme is widely discussed on Internet. Once again, the information available online altogether does more justice to a phenomenon which is too often marginalized, reduced to a mere museum exhibit, or even stigmatized.

There are many sites containing updated studies and research in this field, including some online resources. Among these are www.holycross.edu/departments/library/website/africanr.html (a guide to research on African religions), www.linkspider.org/index.cgi/Society/Religion_and_Spirituality/African (which provides links to essays, articles, bibliographies and even news bulletins on African religions), or www.tcnj.edu/~afamstud/divas/resources/religions.html e www.agora.stm.it/chiamalafrica/RELIGIONI.html#A1 (in Italian) (see also window). Frequently, these sites are managed by Christian intellectuals who present this information in order to enable a more aware comparison with the African religious tradition. Among these sites is one named "African Traditional Religion" by Chidi Denis Isizoh (see window), which is probably one of the most complete in general. Another such site is that of the Southern African Missiological Society (www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/8409/aic.htm).

In addition, several essays and papers are available on line. By way of example, in addition to those presented on the sites mentioned, texts may be consulted at www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~nurelweb/books/atoms/fred.html (on the dynamism of traditional African religions), http://mapage.noos.fr/professeur/remarques.htm (on Syncretism), www2.h-net.msu.edu/~slavery/essays/esy9601yai.html (on the survival of African cultures in the Americas), http://cehd.edu/faculty/ntodd(GhanaUDLP/KKAntiAfricanWomenReligion.html (on women in traditional religions) and others. The conference on "Millenarian Movements in Africa and the Diaspora", held in Brussels in 2000, should also be mentioned. Information on the subject can be found at sulla donna nelle religioni tradizionali) the Diaspora",held in Brussels in 2000, should also be mentioned. Information on the subject can be found at http://home-4.worldonline.be/~ababva/archief/millenarian_movements.htm.

Useful information on traditional religions - or on the contexts in which these were born and developed - can also be found on several web sites on African studies in general. In addition to those already cited in past issues of our magazine, we can mention - among others - www2.h-net.msu.edu/~africa/toc/index.html (which includes many links to magazines on Africa), , www.leeds.ac.uk/trs/jra/home (on the "Journal of Religion in Africa) and www.ehess.fr/editions/revues/cea.html (on the "Cahiers d'Etudes africaines").

Several sites containing in-depth studies are managed by individuals or organizations linked to African Traditional Religions - including in countries of the diaspora, for example in America - such as http://afgen.com/religion.html e http://members.aol.com/porchfour/religion/african.htm, www.mamiwata.com (which also contains information for a comparison between Islam and traditional religions - see window) or www.geocities.com/omo_sango_oya/index2.html. NGOs of this kind often manage web sites which provide information on, promote and valorize African Traditional Religions in general or specific religions such as Vodoun (see window). Other sites (such as, for example www.malidoma.com/Malidoma/index.html) are managed by African non-profit organizations which, in addition to religious and cultural activities, promote specific development programmes at a local level.

Web Sites

A more comprehensive view of Africa; Internet can be a source of up-to-date information on various aspects of modern Africa. In every issue we will be providing you with a few suggestions in this respect.

SOME ONLINE RESOURCES
(http://sparta.rice.edu/~maryc/AfroCuban.html)

This web site, managed by Mary Ann Clark of the Rice University of Houston, is devoted to African and Afro-Caribbean religions. It includes links to sites on specific cults (Orisha, Ifa, Palo Monte, Vodou and Candomble). In addition, it provides some links to discussion groups on these issues and to web sites on African history and culture in general.

AN AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION PORTAL
(www.afrikaworld.net/afrel)

This is a portal managed by Chidi Denis Isizoh, of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. The portal introduces various sections including several links. The main sections include a general introduction to African Traditional Religion - here referred to in the singular - as well as discussions of certain key topics such as the concept of social justice, the role of women, the relationship between the main religions in Africa, etc. These are followed by sections on the practice of African Traditional Religion, both on the continent and in the countries of the diaspora, with links to web sites on various cults (Orisha, Candomble, Ifa, Vodou and others).

FRANCOPHONE TEXTS ON AFRICAN RELIGIONS
(www.geoscopie.com/sources/biblio/g026afr.html)

This site features several links to general issues on contemporary Africa, political issues, economy, geography and environment, as well as links to sites on African societies and cultures, as well as a bibliography of texts on African philosophies and religions

VODOUN TODAY
(www.mamiwata.com)

A highly structured site, managed by the members of a Vodoun religious organization residing in the United States. The site mainly deals with the spiritual aspects of the religion, but also includes sections on African cultural studies, Vodoun stereotypes and various services. Part of the web site is dedicated to the Organization of African Traditional Healers, an NGO promoting traditional African religions in the United States.