Traditional African Religions in South African Law

Traditional African beliefs, together with African cultural traditions, are enjoying a new-found respect in South Africa, due in large part to the advent of the country's democratic Constitution. Even so, Traditional African Religion is poorly understood and, in spite of constitutional guarantees, receives far from equal treatment. Throughout Africa, there is a strong tendency to equate indigenous beliefs with culture. And because religion is always taken more seriously than culture, this means that traditional beliefs do not attract the respect they deserve. The overall purpose of this book is to consider whether indigenous African religions, independent African churches and traditional practices such as traditional healing, witchcraft, animal sacrifice, circumcision, marriage and burial deserve constitutional protection and recognition by the state. This book thus explores the legal and constitutional implications of traditional religion and, in particular, the state's intervention in them.