The Import of Symbolism in African Religious Experience

Abstract

The foundation of all religious rituals worldwide is the concept of symbolism. This is because most belief systems are abstract and depend on symbols to teach their followers the truth different religions teach. It acts as intermediaries between humanity and the divine giving form to the viable elements of the greater powers.  There are symbols in many other faiths. Symbols could be concrete, verbal, or expressive actions. It refers to something; it does not point to itself as a thing. While the problem is not just that most symbols have complicated meanings, but that their functions and understanding of the nature of this symbols varies in unique in different religions. This paper explores the need to enhance meanings that are vaguely discerned in daily life and to clarify these nuances of the impact of symbols in African religious practice. Hence, it is the opinion of this paper that symbolism is an important source of the affective power of African religious experience. It restores valuable meanings through which a code of conduct is created within the African religious practice. It helps to bring African religion down to earth by using different things that are physical to symbolize the tradition of African religion. The activities of African religion can only be effectively facilitated and complemented by symbolism. This research adopted hermeneutic and analytic methods in exposing the roles and importance of symbols in the African religious experience. Data collected were based on library research method.