Religion is the most significant influence in the life of most Africans; yet, its key principles are too often unfamiliar to foreigners (Awolalu, 1976). This leads to considerable misunderstanding of the African worldview and beliefs. As religion is part of life for most African's, it cannot be studied by itself (Awolalu, 1976). To efficiently study the African Traditional Religion (ATR), one must also study the people who practice this religion. ATR is the original religious belief and practice of the Africans. Many of the World Religions are more known than ATR in many parts of Africa (Adedeji, 2012).
The Africans are known to be intensely religious people. Deep within the being of every African, is a feeling of an irresistible religious imperative. Religion makes the most absolute claim in the life, hopes and aspirations, fears and joys of the average African person (Ikwuagwu, 2007). ATR has served from the beginning as the fundamental source for the native in Africa to understand their origin, position, and connection among themselves and within the universe. Certainly, it is their own way of coming to a balance with reality. In fact, when speaking of ATR, it is meant the domestic beliefs, ceremonies, rituals, customs, and practices of the Africans born out of the expression and deep reflection of their ancestor (Ebere, 2011). As a consequence to modern evolution, ATR cannot prevail untouched but it is by no means vanished (Awolalu, 1976). The followers of ATR are very conservative, resisting the impact of modernism brought by the colonial era, including the introduction of many other religions and medicine. They care for their traditional; they worship with sincerity because their belief is important to them; they hold firmly to their covenant that binds them together (Awolalu, 1976). Despite the influence of many world religions in Africa, ATR continues to be from generation to generation.
