There have been rare stories regarding non-Africans adopting African spirituality which is quite intriguing as African traditional religions are non-proselytizing and sometimes even exclusive.

But it's one thing to share one’s own beliefs or to even impose them and another to take the beliefs of someone else’s.

Is culture and spirituality a free-for-all?

Is it okay to take whatever we want from another’s culture and spirituality and mould it into our own compatibility?

If these practices are non-invitational is it only at the behest of the custodians whereby an outsider may adopt these unfamiliar practices or should it be voluntary?

Should spirituality be exclusive?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kddR14oFgow&feature=player_embedded




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lx7iO_A68_U&feature=player_embedded

Well, I can only speak for my self.

I love it when foreigners are interested in my culture, my history and my language.
I have always been interested in African Culture, tribes, history and language. Specially west-african, and specially fulani/tuareg/hausa. I have been reading about it since I was around 14-15years old, and remember; we all came from Africa in the beginning. I guess that is why, for many people in Europe, it attracts even more so.

Many people joke with me being born with the wrong skin-colour, and in the wrong part of the world. I can live with that Reggaemusic, dancehall, drums, tribe-music..it all brings out feelings in me that no other music have ever done. I have had rastas four times in my life, and I truly understand why people wish to never cut them. I feel more grounded with them on, and more close to the nature. They have become like this with almost no help, and they continue their journey by them self. It is many things in the african culture that I feel at home with..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU-5GX8R8kE&feature=related

This is the native people of Norway. Drums I grew up with many of these people around me as well.

JallowBah: I have had dreadlocks four times in my life, and I truly understand why people wish to never cut them.

I think that's what you meant.

PhysicsQED:

I think that's what you meant.

Lol. You are true there. Just used to talking broken gambian-english.

emöfine2: There have been rare stories regarding non-Africans adopting African spirituality which is quite intriguing as African traditional religions are non-proselytizing and sometimes even exclusive.

But it's one thing to share one’s own beliefs or to even impose them and another to take the beliefs of someone else’s.

Is culture and spirituality a free-for-all?

Is it okay to take whatever we want from another’s culture and spirituality and mould it into our own compatibility?

If these practices are non-invitational is it only at the behest of the custodians whereby an outsider may adopt these unfamiliar practices or should it be voluntary?

Should spirituality be exclusive?

Hello dear friend!
First, I understand that culture has an origin, that is, each tradition originates in a country or region. But the culture belongs to humanity, and not a country or a group.
Africa has adopted foreign religions and traditions imposed by the invaders. These cultures are at odds with the idiosyncrasies of Africans. But they have imposed.
The music, dance, religions, languages ​​... have an origin, but nobody owns it.
Religion, culture and African traditions, came to America with the slaves. These slaves longed for Africa, and kept alive the flame of tradition, despite the torture, punishment, and the worst conditions. Especially South America, Central America, have adopted the religion and African traditions as their own.
Alarmingly, the general ignorance that Africans themselves have about their origins and traditions ... Meanwhile, in America examines the historical and cultural events in Africa.
In all cases, I understand that the choice of religion, traditions, and culture should be a personal choice should never be influenced by family or any third parties.
A fraternal and warm greetings!

@emofine2 So na here u dey hide lol, havent seen u post in pidgin thread for a while, how u dey? sorry to interrupt your thread but i dey miss u na lol and i dey miss di yan wey we dey yan for pidgin, r u on skype?

OP: There have been rare stories regarding non-Africans adopting African spirituality which is quite intriguing as African traditional religions are non-proselytizing and sometimes even exclusive.

But it's one thing to share one’s own beliefs or to even impose them and another to take the beliefs of someone else’s.

Is culture and spirituality a free-for-all?

Is it okay to take whatever we want from another’s culture and spirituality and mould it into our own compatibility?

If these practices are non-invitational is it only at the behest of the custodians whereby an outsider may adopt these unfamiliar practices or should it be voluntary?

Should spirituality be exclusive?

So you speak pidgin? Interesting. . . .
Anyway, African cultures have already been attacked and to a large extent, destroyed by the colonization of the continent. The foundation of our cultural identities has been partially eroded and Africans have been made to see themselves and their cultural values as below that of their colonial masters.
Years of marginalizing African in terms of things like politics and administration has further reduced whatever stand the continent would have had in cultural globalization. For us to be able to reestablish our identities in the world to any meaningful extent, we cannot chase interested non Africans by making the cultures exclusive, rather we have to come down to a level which would make accepting those cultures easier for them. One way would be by adopting values that are considered modern in the opinion of the majority, and 'modernity' in the context in which it is used today embodies adopting values and traditions that are hardly found in African culture.
Summary of my long story is no. No, we should not make them exclusive if we want them to grow.
(man, I'm quite drowsy. I hope what I typed makes sense

sorry i posted in the thread again by accident lol my bad

Awesome.

I think African spirituality is something that is feared but heavily admired.
A lot of people look to Hinduism or Buddhism to understand how to meditate, but African spirituality is like on a completely different level.

Everything from proverbs, to dance and song, there is something about it that draws us to it.
I cannot explain it.

fellis:
So you speak pidgin? Interesting. . . .
Anyway, African cultures have already been attacked and to a large extent, destroyed by the colonization of the continent. The foundation of our cultural identities has been partially eroded and Africans have been made to see themselves and their cultural values as below that of their colonial masters.
Years of marginalizing African in terms of things like politics and administration has further reduced whatever stand the continent would have had in cultural globalization. For us to be able to reestablish our identities in the world to any meaningful extent, we cannot chase interested non Africans by making the cultures exclusive, rather we have to come down to a level which would make accepting those cultures easier for them. One way would be by adopting values that are considered modern in the opinion of the majority, and 'modernity' in the context in which it is used today embodies adopting values and traditions that are hardly found in African culture.
Summary of my long story is no. No, we should not make them exclusive if we want them to grow.
(man, I'm quite drowsy. I hope what I typed makes sense

100% agree, but that is only some African groups though. Some are still holding strong to their culture, but other Africans are trying to make the Africans holding onto their culture change into becoming Westernized (telling nomads they should not be nomadic anymore is very mean).

I do not believe spirituality should be exclusive, however the way in which beliefs develop make them unique to each culture. It is unwise to hand over something that has taken years to cultivate and grow, to someone who is just learning how to dig a hole. A kì í fi àì-mọ̀-wẹ̀ mòòkùn. When someone makes a decision to follow a religion that is vastly different from those found within their social context, it is often because they are seeking meaning in about their life. Such people are usually from a family without strong bonds or they have isolated themselves from larger groups. These are not the type of people that will remain dedicated, nor will they appreciate the fullness of what is involved.

FortuneTeller: I do not believe spirituality should be exclusive, however the way in which beliefs develop make them unique to each culture. It is unwise to hand over something that has taken years to cultivate and grow, to someone who is just learning how to dig a hole. A kì í fi àì-mọ̀-wẹ̀ mòòkùn. When someone makes a decision to follow a religion that is vastly different from those found within their social context, it is often because they are seeking meaning in about their life. Such people are usually from a family without strong bonds or they have isolated themselves from larger groups. These are not the type of people that will remain dedicated, nor will they appreciate the fullness of what is involved.

I strongly disagree with that statement sis.
I don't think because one has had a difficult or hard life and searching for that "bond" or culture they have been missing, that they are someone who is not capable of being sincere. The sole purpose of their spiritual journey as you have stated is to fill a void. They are looking to the culture/beliefs because it may hold the key to them figuring life out for itself.

Take me for example, I am not antisocial. I'VE MAAAAAAANY FRIENDS. However the hanging out, gossiping and living careless - I have been there done that. I look to being around myself as much as possible to know who and what I am (about) and in doing so I study the cultures and spiritual beliefs/rituals of different people.

I am not religious, and have rather taken beliefs from all religions THAT MAKE SENSE to me, combine them with my experience and serve God my own way. It's working for me even though I have a ways to go. I don't plan to ever completely adopt lifestyle of these people I study. I simply want to understand their philosophies and incorporate them into my life as best as I can or in ways that makes sense to me. However, my refusal to be 100 percent into their lifestyles doesn't mean I am not dedicated or planning to use their knowledge against them, instead I am using what they teach me to better myself.

Isn't that the point?

It is good that people are kum ba yahing..it is refreshing...but when did spirituality has an ethnicity

Are there such thing as American Spirituality?
European spirituality?
Indian spirituality?

Are you guys confusing spirituality with traditions/customs?

Hehe mrs Chima. Methinks they are mixing up 'spirituality' and 'religion' ^
Religion?you join and adhere to the laid rules whereas with spirituality, you create your own realities, carve out your own unique beliefs.

*Kails*:

I am not religious, and have rather taken beliefs from all religions THAT MAKE SENSE to me, combine them with my experience and serve God my own way. It's working for me even though I have a ways to go. I don't plan to ever completely adopt lifestyle of these people I study. I simply want to understand their philosophies and incorporate them into my life as best as I can or in ways that makes sense to me. However, my refusal to be 100 percent into their lifestyles doesn't mean I am not dedicated or planning to use their knowledge against them, instead I am using what they teach me to better myself.

thank you for supporting my viewpoint