Revisiting African Culture: A Way to Global Harmony and Peace

Abstract

Customs, traditions, attitudes, values, norms, ideas, symbols and language govern human behaviour patterns. It is almost impossible to conceive of a people without such phenomena that sum up a people’s culture, for that would mean that such people do not experience or
have no knowledge about the world in which they live. Culture therefore determines the way in which the world around a people is understood. The multitude of cultures in Africa has in this perspective played a remarkable role in innumerable ways in the formation and
growth of Christian faith right from its infancy. However, on the global scene African culture has often been understood largely in a negative sense. This contribution aims at rectifying this perspective by proffering the African culture as a model for global peace and
reconciliation. It intends to achieve this by analyzing the African culture with its comprehension of humanity and peace as embodied in its “Ubuntu” concept, its traditional proverbs, and its unique indigenous religious and spiritual symbol, Jesus as Proto African
Ancestor. The article strives to emphasize the point that when such practices are reawakened and emulated worldwide they could engender harmony of global significance, and forge a pathway for global harmony and peace.