Mwakabana, Hance A. O.2019-09-252019-09-252013-08-0520023906706877http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12424/191338The authors of the contributions to this volume share their theological/spiritual perspectives and insights regarding a particular phase in life—death—and its attendant rituals. Throughout history, death has preoccupied philosophers, sociologists and theologians of every culture. Death is widely feared and wise men and women have sought to encourage the acceptance of its inevitable reality. The rituals accompanying a person throughout his/her life’s journey are evidence that Africans have a strong sense of life beyond all forms of human suffering and death. The authors provide reasons for why Africans have managed, to this day, to nurture an incredible sense of hope in spite of the shadows and stark reality of death. This becomes especially pertinent in light of the HIV/AIDS pandemic currently consuming Africa. Africanists of many stripes are seeking solutions to Africa’s many problems. In reading these essays it becomes evident that trying to understand different religious traditions is a path to peace. We discover that God is first and foremost a God who loves the whole world and is therefore not bound to certain national, cultural, political and religious allegiances. Respecting the religious traditions of others, as well as our own, furthers the building of bridges of mutual trust and breaks down walls of hostility.Pages: 145engWith permission of the license/copyright holderAfrican Traditional ReligionsFamily and communityBereavement and deathReligious ethicsCommunity ethicsLifestyle ethicsIntercultural and contextual theologiesIntercultural theologiesAfrican theologiesChristian denominationsLutheranComparative religion and interreligious dialogueChristianity-traditional religionsBook