Contents:
- predominant religious system
- a god or gods
- spirit world
- power and authority
- miracles and magic
- ancestors
- primary documents
- rites and events
- godhead
- characteristics of god(s)
- basic beliefs
- individuals
- society
- family
- foreigners
- other religions
- leaders
- magical rites
- seen / unseen
- animism
3.1 Describe the predominant religious system or systems in society?
The predominant religious system of the society is Muslim. Each person interviewed stated that a great majority of the Songhai were Muslim. It is acknowledged that a few have converted to Catholicism. In actuality, even casual glance at the practiced religion will reveal a mixture of the Muslim faith and a deep involvement in animistic practices.
3.2 Does the religion express belief in a god or gods? Name and describe them. If they have a pluralistic belief in gods, what are the relationships between the gods?
"There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is His prophet"; this is the essence of Islamic belief. For the Muslim, this god named Allah can be a severe God, uninvolved in everyday life. Most Songhai people mix animistic belief with traditional Islamic practices. As such, the Songhai fears evil spirits that may control circumstances of daily lives. It was stated that God is in control of one's eternity, but the spirits are in control of one's daily life.
3.3 Chart and describe the people's spirit world (beings, places and status).
Most of the Songhai place great importance upon the spirit world. Most Songhai acknowledge that there are many good and bad spirits. The good spirits bring about a feeling of peace in the house and may be able to protect one from the evil spirits. Most people were able to speak at length about the evil spirits. In his book "In Sorcery's Shadow", Paul Stoller gives a detailed listing of the gods and godesses, describing their role in the spirit realm and how each interacts with humanity.
Irikoy is the most high god; he is described as removed and usually unconcerned with day-to day-life, though he has the power to do all things if it so pleases him. This is the word Christians use to name our God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as expressed through Jesus Christ.
Satan (Iblisi) is in control of evil spirits.
Thoughts about evil spirits:
The evil spirits can posses people and force them to do evil things.
If a person has only one child, an evil spirit will eat him. If one has many children, the evil spirits will leave them alone.
Animals are very afraid of evil spirits and can sense their presence.
Evil spirits come out at night and do their work in the darkness.
If an evil spirit rests in a tree, the tree will die.
When one is alone in the bush and seen by evil spirits, the spirits will make darkness come all around, preventing the person from being able to see and causing the person to become very scared. After returning home, this person will become very ill.
There are only three people that the evil spirits are afraid of: the religious leader of the mosque, the sorcerer and the person that circumcises the male child.
Dirt and trash being in the home prove the presence of an evil spirit in the house.
Charms, amulets and verses of the Koran can be used to protect one from evil spirits.
If an evil spirit touches a person, it can bring sickness or a brake or wither a limb.
Many said it was impossible to see an evil spirit, but some said one could indeed see them. These evil spirits look like men, but with very evil eyes.
Perfumes and incense will attract spirits.
When sleeping outside at night, one must cover up completely. As evil spirits fly in from the bush, the sand that falls from them can land on a person making one sick or very tired when waking in the morning.
When entering the house after dark, one must open the door and stand aside so that an evil spirit that may be hiding inside can leave without touching the person on the way out.
3.4 Where does the power and authority reside in the religion(s)? What is the source of the authority and the power?
Allah is seen as the ultimate and greatest source of power. Songhai attribute spcial power to the mosque, the Koran and its written verses, prayer beads, and Islamic religious leaders. Certain villages and specific people hold special powers for Animistic believers, as well as items used in sorcery.
3.5 Do the people believe in miracles and magic? Are the superstitious?
Most of the people believe in supernatural events. Many recounted particular experiences. Most were actions of evil spirits. The Songhai people are very superstitious. Some of the superstitions mentioned were:
When selling things at the market, one must sell to the first person that approaches or one will have a bad day.
If a sick, handicapped or ugly person is seen when on route to do something, one should turn around and go back home. If one chooses continue, the task will be impossible to accomplish.
One should not whistle when entering a home.
Children wear small sacks around their necks with bits of the Koran or other charms to ward off evil spirits.
Some believe that good luck or blessings will come from drinking water that has been poured over the Koran or eating ground up pages of the Koran.
3.6 What part do deceased ancestors play in the religion? Is there interaction between the living and the dead?
From the Islamic point of view, ancestors should not play a part in daily life. Once a person is dead, they do not have interaction with the living. One can pray for the soul of an ancestor, and perhaps he or she will find forgiveness and be allowed into heaven.
From the Animistic point of view, one's ancestors often return in dreams and can also visit a person in bodily form, often during celebrations. Power comes from them.
3.7 What are the primary documents of the religion?
The primary document of the Islamic religion is the Koran. Other books that explain the Koran are also very important, but they are in no way considered equal to the Koran.
For the Animist, there are no written documents, but many things are memorized and passed down. This collection of incantations, praise poems and wisdom is called "sorkos".
3.8 What are the common religious rites and events?
The five pillars of Islam, linking faith and works:
- Shahada -- the profession of faith in God and the apostleship of Muhammad
- Salat -- the ritual prayer, performed five times a day facing Mecca
- Zakat -- almsgiving
- Sawm -- (fasting), abstaining from food and drink during the daylight hours of the month of Ramadan
- Hajj -- the pilgrimage to Mecca, incumbent on every believer who is financially and physically able to undertake it.
The important celebrations of the faith include:
- Ramadan -- "The 9th month of the Muslim year, Ramadan is a period during which all the faithful must fast between dawn and dusk. Observance of the fast is one of the five pillars of Islam. Because a lunar calendar is used, Ramadan falls at different times each year. It is sacred as the month in which the Koran was revealed to Muhammad." [Grolier Electronic Publishing, Inc.]
- Tabaski -- Most Songhai would be hard-pressed to give you the details of Tabaski. They know that they are required to make a blood sacrifice for their sins. After the males of the family have prayed at the mosque, the goat or sheep must have its throat cut and its blood drained. Then, the insides of the animal are examined to see how bad the family has sinned in the past year. The head and entrails are then cooked and eaten while the body of the animal is roasted over an open fire for most of the day. The meat is then shared with family and friends.
- Friday prayer times - Friday is the special day to go to the big mosuqe in any Songhai town. Men gather to hear the Koran read, prayer together, and discuss politics.
- Thursdays - This is the important day of the week for the Animist because it is believed that the spirits are the closest to the human world on this day. Possession dances are on this day.
3.9 What is their view about the godhead and the position of god?
For a Muslim, there is one god who is all-powerful and who is without equal.
3.10 What are the characteristics of the god within their religion?
God is all-powerful and all knowing. He is the creator of all things and is in control of all things. Nothing happens without his consent. He is seen as the judge who will decide in the end if a person has done enough to enter into His heaven. It was stated that "God is unique, without son or wife or parent, and His prophet is Mohammed".
3.11 What are the basic beliefs? About god? About good and evil? About life? About the source of life and creation? About death? About mankind? About spirits? About wrong, sin and guilt? About eternity? About salvation? About life after death? About sickness? About securing converts or adherents? About deviates from the religion? About women?
God -- See above, called Allah.
Good and evil -- Good comes from God and evil from Satan. One must earn salvation, therefore good works and deeds are very important.
Life -- One's life is important because by doing good works, helping others and following the example of Mohammed, one can earn salvation.
The source of life and creation -- God is the sole source of life and creation.
Death -- Each person has an appointed time to die that is the will of God. There is judgement after death and a heaven and hell.
Mankind -- God is in control of mankind and each person is responsible to God. One must choose to do good and follow the Muslim faith, or do bad and receive punishment.
Spirits -- The majority of Songhai people believes in evil spirits and is very familiar with their effects. Many believe in good spirits, but are uncertain about how these good spirits operate.
Wrong, sin and guilt -- All agreed that there is good and bad conduct of life. One sins by not following the Muslim faith. In practice, it seems that one is only guilty if caught.
Eternity -- There is an eternity controlled by God, who will reward those who were good and punish for those who were bad.
Salvation -- Again, salvation comes from following the five pillars of the Muslim faith. It is based on works. Salvation is guaranteed by building a mosque.
Life after death -- There is most definitely life after death.
Sickness -- Sickness can result from God's will, as a result of contact with an evil spirit, or from a curse by someone who is mad at or who dislikes a person.
Securing converts or adherents -- One may become a Muslim at any time by saying, "There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is His prophet". It was stated that there is no need for a Christian or Jew to become a Muslim. It is God who has provided different prophets such as Moses, Mohammed and Jesus so that all can find their way to Him.
Deviates from the religion -- Deviates from the religion are considered to be bad. Most considered the extremists of the Islamic faith to be deviants from true Islam.
Women -- Women are not considered to be equals of men. The Muslim faith and many African traditions support this view.
3.12 How does an individual relate to the religion? Is personal choice respected?
It seems that while the individual has a choice in his practice of religion, any choice other than Islam will bring about heavy repercussions from his family and friends. The Islamic faith is very much a part of culture for the Songhai, and to leave it is considered abhorrent behavior.
From the Animistic viewpoint, unless a person's heart is pure, one is always defenseless to spells and dieties' wishes.
3.13 How does religion involve society? How does it relate to society? How does society relate to religion? What position does religion have within society?
Society, religion and culture are one in the same for the Songhai. To be Songhai is to be Muslim. If you leave the Muslim faith, one, more than likely, will have trouble with work, housing, marriage, family relations, friends and future acceptance in the community.
3.14 How does religion involve family?
There are very strong family ties amongst the Songhai. The Muslim religion is a major factor in family unity. It does not seem to make much difference if a person practices the religion as long as he professes it. To leave the Muslim faith is to disgrace the family.
3.15 How does religion view foreigners?
All respondents stated that any foreigner who wished to follow the Muslim faith is warmly welcomed. Some stated that other religions were the same, and all were following God. Other respondents stated that all white people were Christians, were lost and did not know God.
3.16 How does religion view other religions?
The response was split. One group believed that any faith other than Islam was wrong and evil. One group stated that as long as one believed in God and did one's best, one would go to heaven, regardless of the choice of faith.
Stoller states that evil can be brought into the village with other religions, especially if that religion prohibits the people from praying together, reciting Mohammed's name, or attending the community prayer time on Fridays.
3.17 Who are the religious leaders? How are they chosen? Under what conditions and by what rules? How are religious leaders recognized and sanctioned?
The Muslim religious leaders in each community are chosen on the basis of education and knowledge of the Koran. They fill various roles as they teach in the Koranic schools; perform blessings at weddings, baptisms and deaths. Most of their blessings require payment. One person is chosen from the communities religious leaders to be the leader in prayer. If the leaders are dishonest or do not carry out their duties, the people can ask the other religious leaders to replace them. Some Muslim priests are trained locally, while others study in other countries.
Stoller explains that for the Animistic sorcerer, family secrets are revealed near the time of death and the chain of power is passed on at this time to a person previously chosen (usually the elder son) and groomed to receive the special powers when he is old enough to prove his worth.
3.18 Does the religion teach and do the believers use charms, amulets and enter into magical rites?
Formally, the Islamic faith forbids the use of charms, amulets and magical rites. However, Animistic roots of Songhai Muslims involve the use of these things. The Koran, or portions of the Koran, may be used to bring good luck. Prayer beads, or the sack they are carried in, may also protect and have power. Parents ward off evil spirits from their children by placing amulets and charms about their waists and necks. Amulets are even seen around animals' necks. In most communities, the practice of black magic is common, and one can purchase spells and incantations for most occasions.
3.19 What is the relationship between the seen world and the unseen world?
Most believe in the unseen world and that the spirits have a pronounced affect on their daily lives. There is also a strong belief that what one does in this life will affect one's situation in the next life. Angels are believed to have the power to travel between worlds. They can curse and bless depending on one's behavior. Spirits can possess people and cause them to do many bad things.
3.20 Is/are the religion(s) animistic or mixed with animism?
Islam, as practiced by the Songhai people, includes animistic beliefs and practices.
The vast majority of the information in this worldview was as result of interviews compiled by the Songhai People Group Team with Songhai, March - June 2000. We have continued to update the material and correct it, as needed, as we observe and participate in their daily life.
Paul Stoller's many works and impressions of the Songhai people give valuable, detailed insight into their religious practices. All comments or quotes written in italics type have been taken specifically from the book "In Sorcery's Shadow", by Paul Stoller and Cheryl Olkes, The University of Chicago Press, 1987.
We do not claim to be professional ethnographers, nor anthropologists. This paper is simply a compilation of our observations, what we have read, and what we understand about the Songhai at this time, by the grace of God. We continue to learn much daily.