The majority of Africans are adherents of the Abrahamic religions: Islam and Christianity. Both religions are widespread throughout Africa. These religions are often adapted to African cultural contexts and indigenous belief systems. It was estimated in 2000 that Christians form 45% of Africa's population, and Muslims forming 40.6%.[2]
Christianity
Main article: Christianity in Africa
Although Christianity existed far before the rule of King Ezana the Great of the Kingdom of Axum, the religion took a strong foot hold when it was declared a state religion in 330 AD. Pinpointing a date as to when Christianity emerged in Ethiopia will always probably be a mystery. The earliest and best known reference to the introduction of Christianity was when the evangelist Phillip converted an Ethiopian traveler in the 1st Century AD from the Acts of the Apostles. Although the bible refers to them as Ethiopians, scholars have argued that Ethiopia was a common term used for encompassing the area South-Southeast of Egypt. Other traditions have the convert as a Jew who was a steward in the Queen’s court. All accounts do agree on the fact that the traveler was a member of the royal court who successfully succeeded in converting the Queen, which in turn caused a church to be built. Rufinus of Tyre , a noted church historian, also has recorded a personal account as do other church historians such as Socrates and Sozemius.[3]
After being shipwrecked and captured at an early age, Frumentius was carried to Axum where he was treated well with his companion Edesius. At the time, there was a small population of Christians living there who sought refuge from Roman persecution. Once of age, Frumentius and Edesius were allowed to return to their homelands, however they chose to stay at the request of the queen. In doing so, they began to secretly promote Christianity through the lands.
During a trip to meet with church elders, Frumentius met with Athanasius, Archbishop of Alexandria who was second in line to the pope. After recommending that a bishop be sent to proselytize, a council decided that Frumentius be appointed as a bishop to Ethiopia.
By 430 AD, Frumentius returned to Ethiopia, he was welcomed with open arms by the rulers who were at the time not Christian. Ten years later, through the support of the kings, the majority of the kingdom was converted and Christianity was declared the official state religion.
Islam
Main article: Islam in Africa
Islam has adherents throughout Africa and it is one of the most widely practiced religions on the continent.[4] Its historic roots in Africa stem from the time of its founder Muhammad whose relatives and followers migrated on a hijra to Abyssinia in fear of persecution from the pagan Arabs. Islam spread to Africa via passages through the Sinai Peninsula and Egypt and through Islamic Arab and Persian traders and sailors. Islam's first muezzin, Bilal ibn Ribah, was also of Northeast African(Habasha) descent.
Islam is the dominant religion in North Africa and the Horn of Africa, and it is also the predominant and historical religion of the West African interior and the far west coast of the continent as well as the coast of East Africa. Throughout history, there were several Muslim empires in Western Africa who exerted considerable influence notably the Mali Empire, which flourished for several centuries and the Songhai Empire, under the leadership of Sonni Ali and Askia Mohammed.
Islam continued a rapid growth into the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Islamic values are seen to have much in common with traditional African life: its emphasis on communal living, its clear roles for men and women, its tolerance of polygamy. Muslims sometimes argue that Christianity is alien to most Africans, despite it having a longer history on the continent.[5] Today, Muslims have increased success in proselytizing, with a growth rate, by some estimates, that is twice as fast as Christianity in Africa.[6] A notable example includes Rwanda where, according to reports, the percentage of Muslims in Rwanda has doubled[7] or tripled[8] since the genocide, due to Muslim protection of Tutsis and to Hutus wanting to distance themselves from those who committed genocide.
Judaism
Main article: African Jews
Adherents of Judaism too can be found scattered across Africa. Perhaps not as well known as the history of Christianity and Islam in Africa to the outside observer, Judaism has an ancient and rich history on the African continent. Today, there are Jewish communities in many countries; including the Beta Israel of Ethiopia, the Abayudaya of Uganda, the House of Israel in Ghana, the Igbo Jews of Nigeria and the Lemba of Southern Africa.
African adherents of Judaism
Hinduism
Main article: Hinduism in Africa
The history of Hinduism in Africa is, by most accounts, very short in comparison to that of Islam, Christianity, or Judaism. However, the presence of its practitioners in Africa dates back to pre-colonial times and even medieval times. There are sizable of Hindu populations in South Africa and the East African coastal nations.
