Table of Contents

Introduction: the definition of traditional African religions; the relationship between traditional religions, Christianity and Islam - the growth of independent churches; religion vs culture; the Constitutional framework for the protection of religious rights and freedoms; description of San beliefs; witchcraft and statecraft - liberal democracy in Africa; African discourses on witchcraft and evil; evaluating African traditional religion in pluralistic Africa - a case of relevance, resilience and pragmatism; traditional healing - state support and control; superstition and the criminal law - a cultural defence in South Africa?; recognition of traditional religions for state purposes - reality or dream?; rethinking African religious practices in matters of marriage and death in an (in?) tolerant South Africa; Ubuntu in traditional religion - 'Metaphysical pragmatism'.

About the Author

Professor Thomas Bennett is Professor of Law at the University of Cape Town, and currently lectures in Conflict of Laws, Principles of Public International Law, and International Law on the Regulation of Disputes. He is a consultant and advisor on matters of human rights, customary law and international law to various NGOs and has written extensively on customary law.