Akan rites of passage and the sacraments of christian initiation

: a theological enquiry

Abstract

This academic research seeks to address theologically the question of the possible ways in which certain elements of the African culture (Akan Culture) can serve as the foundation to Christian Doctrinal Instruction. It attempts a theological and anthropological enquiry into some Akan Rites of Passage and the Sacraments of Christian Initiation. The dissertation also encounters the points of convergence and divergence in relation to both initiation rites. Having established the fact that in most human societies, rites of initiation are inevitable, the dissertation asserts that there are indeed similarities and differences between the Akan Rites of Passage and the Sacraments of Christian Initiation. A critical survey at the Rites of Passage such as birth and childhood (Naming ceremony: “edin to”) and adulthood and initiation (Bragoro) with its future goal of marriage and procreation affirms that these rites have their corresponding Christian rites of initiation like baptism, confirmation and the Holy Eucharist. However, this research does not intend to raise the rites of passage above the Sacraments of Christian Initiation. In other words, our objective is not to equate the former rites to the Christian Sacraments. Thus, there may be common ritual elements and processes but different theological significances. As such, water used in baptism washes away our sins while when used in the Akan Naming Ceremony signifies truthfulness which should lead to a befitting moral life. This, notwithstanding, both baptism and naming ceremony welcomes and initiates one into the community of believers. The dissertation again recommends and establishes that a profound knowledge of rites of initiation would lead to a better understanding of Christian Initiation Sacraments. Therefore, when the rites of initiation ( rites of passage) of the local culture is well understood, catechetical instructions leading to the celebration of the rites of Christian Initiation becomes secured and comprehensively appreciated. This is to affirm that in evangelisation, the culture of the people must not be underestimated because it serves as the first contact of every human person. They mark important transitions through the lifecycle, from one stage, role and social position to the other and they serve as key factors in the socialisation process of the individual into the larger group.

Date of Award	1 Jul 2014
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Bernardino Ferreira da Costa (Supervisor)