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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Spiritual Churches in Kumasi, 1920-1986: Some Observations
Author:Sackey, BrigidISNI
Year:1991
Periodical:Africana Marburgensia
Volume:24
Issue:2
Pages:32-49
Language:English
Geographic term:Ghana
Subjects:African Independent Churches
Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
Religion and Witchcraft
Abstract:African Independent Churches or African Indigenous Christian Churches, known in Ghana as 'sunsumsore', or spiritual churches, have been proliferating in Africa since the beginning of the 1880s. Founded through the initiative and leadership of Africans, they generally arose out of the pressures of rapid social and religious change, and the desire to de-Westernize Christianity. In this article, the author traces the evolution and growth of spiritual churches in Kumasi and their contribution to society. The very early churches were brought into Kumasi by non-Asante and the initial adherents were also non-Asante. Broadly speaking, spiritual churches have seen three distinct stages in their development. The first phase was characterized by itinerant or roving prophetism, the second phase by the advent of foreign spiritual churches, for example Aladura, Cherubim and Seraphim, between the late 1940s and the early 1950s. The third phase, which can be dated from between the late 1960s to 1986, featured an intensified, but laissez-faire type of prophetism. The main preoccupation of spiritual churches is healing. However, through their work philosophy, they have also contributed towards improving the standard of living of their members. Notes, ref.
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