THE IMPACT OF CHRISTIANITY ON TRADITIONAL RELIGIOUS PRACTICES IN AWKA, ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

Religion remains a major aspect of people's lives today. Even though the tilt toward religiosity may be waning in Europe and elsewhere, Africans maintain a strong sense of commitment and attachment to the spiritual realm, upholding the belief that “the spiritual controls the physical." The central role of religion in human life is evident in its influence on global issues such as the Middle East conflict. In Africa, the arrival of Europeans and Arabs introduced new forms of religion—Christianity and Islam. While these religions have been widely embraced, African Traditional Religion (ATR) continues to command significant followership. The Awka people long worshipped their deities in indigenous ways before the introduction of Christianity. Although a large section of the town embraced Christianity, both religions have coexisted though not without tension. Christianity often regards traditional practices as evil, leading to misunderstanding and conflict. This religious discord has hindered communal unity, making it difficult for the town to collectively address shared challenges such as insecurity and poor infrastructure. By historicizing the religious evolution of Awka, this paper aims to highlight the far-reaching impact of Christianity on the indigenous religious system of the Awka people. It also proposes strategies for fostering harmony among the various religious groups and their adherents. To achieve this, the study draws on both primary and secondary sources, with oral interviews playing a pivotal role. Ultimately, the paper argues that if the strained relationship between the Christian Church and traditional religion practitioners is not addressed, it could have grave consequences for Awka and indeed, for Anambra State.