Identity and Rituals of South Asian Communities in Africa: A Missiological Analysis

Abstract

There is a sizable Indian population throughout sub-Saharan Africa. A majority of the Indian population are practicing Hindus. For Hindus, ritual is a significant part of their faith tradition, often the most important. In Africa, where they are a minority, Indians often cling to these rituals to maintain their identity as both Indian and Hindu. To share Christ among Indians in Africa, a robust understanding of ritual is required. While many Africans have thought about ritual from their cultural backgrounds, Seventh-day Adventist Africans have yet to do as much reflection on the role of ritual and faith. Adventists in Africa must rethink their understanding of rituals from a biblical perspective to better relate to their Hindu neighbors and potentially understand God in new ways. Combining this with long-term, meaningful relationships with the Indians in their communities may lead to greater understanding between each other and a deeper understanding of who God is.