The origins of some courses are obvious. Geometry and physics originated due to scientific demand for them. Same with literature and French. But where do special courses come from?
A myriad of specialized religion classes are taught on the third floor of Cherry Hall. One is Bella Mukonyora’s “Christianity in Africa.”
Mukonyora, an assistant professor of Religious Studies, did her dissertation on Christianity, but not the Christian beliefs of the Western world.
It started in 1992, when Mukonyora was on a trip to Africa for a visit. While there, she first viewed people performing their version of Christian rituals.
Christianity in Africa is a combination of African cultural beliefs and their concept of Christianity. The religion is shown more to be a religious act of worship through ritualistic behavior.
“Their idea of Christianity is transmitted through acts of cultural heritage, where they translate their ideas as one with their cultural idea,” Mukonyora said.
The cultural heritage that Mukonyora talks about references the African religions of their ancestors. It is a way of incorporating the beliefs of their society to coincide with that of their religious practices.
Traditionally, when the people celebrate, they do so in the open air, dancing and singing from morning until night.
According to Mukonyora, they celebrate outside to demonstrate the happiness and joy that their faith brings to them.
In one of her classes, a student commented that though they are in a completely different culture, their celebrating looks really fun.
Mukonyora admitted to culture shock when she first encountered the religious practices. Being a life-long member of the Anglican Church, which observes religious beliefs in a reserved manner, it was different seeing people celebrate their faith in an open and enthusiastic manner.
“The way you feel is very important,” she said in regard to the people celebrating.
In Africa, that’s how the faithful worship. They find a group that they can belong to, one that they can worship with and be accepted.
According to Mukonyora’s discoveries, 40 to 50 percent of Africans are visibly Christian in post-colonial Africa.
Her observations led her to Oxford to work on her dissertation for her Doctorate. Consequently, in 1996, she returned to Africa to do field research.
When Mukonyora completed her dissertation, she became a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.
It was there that she began writing her book “Wandering a Gendered Wilderness: Suffering and Healing in an African Initiated Church,” which was written in a more laid back tone than the typical academic work.
“I wanted to try to tell a story that was readable to a very mixed audience.”
The book was well-received by anthropologists of religion and was supported at Western, where she finished it.
Though the book was completed, the class maintains its elasticity to include the constant flow of new research. Mukonyora’s research acts as a spyglass into the villages of Africa, bringing truth to Western’s boast of being “a leading American university with international reach.”
Reach Eric Isbell at diversions@chherald.com.
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