The Effects of Globalization on Traditional African Religion and Cultural Conflict
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Date
2017-01
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African Journal of Religion, Culture and Society.
Abstract
Global culture, a part of globalization, has not only transported the good side of the economic and social development across the globe but has also changed in the culture of host communities. Some change s include the mode of production and the way things are done, while others include the symbolic interaction or the appreciation of how social facts are to be seen and appreciated. Example is the change from collectivism social structure that characterizes African society to individualism structure that characterizes the market-oriented culture of western society. This change is without doubt that "Globalization is one of the most important and developed theories of the twentieth century" (Ritzer, 2008). However, one aspect that justifies the importance of this development is the culture (termed civilization in other areas) that the application of this concept transports from one location to another. This cultural aspect may be economic, marketing oriented, or just a change in logical behaviour of consumption and production. This change nonetheless questions the static existence of rapport, the role that traditional culture plays in the life of African communities, and the impact traditional religions still have on the essence of African culture. These questions are raised as we discuss globalization as an economic culture and a source of conflict due to the imperative change in methods of production and consumption. The chapter also discussed the negative impact of the incoming culture of globalization on traditional religion as well as the traditional role of women in African culture.
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Keywords
Globalization, African culture, Cultural structure, religion