eLimu | Christianity and Traditional African Heritage

Relationships

Relationship between the unborn, the living, the living-dead and the ancestors

An expectant mother was taken care of and was much respected. This showed respect for life even before the child was born.
The ceremonies that were performed during pregnancy and birth showed the community’s desire to have a new member.
The naming ceremonies showed the link between the newborn and the living and dead members of the community.
The names given to children gave identity to the child and also made one an accepted member of his or her family, tribe and clan.
Children can inherit their characters from their parents and ancestors.

Departed people whom the living may have seen or interacted with are referred to as the living dead.
The traditional African community was made up of family members, the clan, tribe, nation, the world of ancestors and those yet to be born.
The African community was, and still is, an important source of moral and religious values.
In Genesis 50:24-25, when Joseph was about to die, he instructed those he would leave behind on what they needed to do.

The traditional African society believed the dead lived on among the living and in those people who inherited their names.
The dead were supposed to visit the living to bless them if they acted well or punish them if they violated the relationship upon which the community was built.
In African traditions, the past generations are believed to be part of the present family and the future (the unborn).

Those who died long ago were referred to as ancestors.
Through death, one joins the ancestors and becomes one of the spirits. An African not only continues the life of the dead, but is also supposed to pass it on to the coming generation through his or her own children.
The ancestors occupy an important place in African religious systems. They departed from the family but kept in touch with the surviving members.
Offering of drink and food to them were symbols of the continuity of contact of the living with the dead. This is called libation and was done as a sign of fellowship with the ancestors.

In today’s society, more and more governments are beginning to legalise abortion.
However, the Bible tells us in Psalm 139:13-16 that before we are born, God already knows us. He knows the number of days we are to live.
God called the apostle Paul and prophet Jeremiah even before they were born (Galatians 1:15, Jeremiah 1:5).
This shows that children in the womb and those born have a purpose. We should therefore not interfere with or prevent God’s plan for the born and the unborn.