| Chapter 1: | Introduction |
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Contrary to the claim by some scholars that Islam and Christianity are indigenous to Africa (Booth 1977, 297; Rieber 1977, 255; Mbiti 1989a, 223), a majority of Sierra Leone Traditionalists still consider Islam and Christianity to be ‘immigrant religions’ (Khanu 2001, 17–53; Alie 1990, 110) brought by foreigners, some of whom were interested in adventure and trade in Sierra Leone (Fyle 1981, 27; Alie 1990, 43, 101). It is an established fact that these faiths have, for many years, impacted African peoples, particularly invading their traditional religion and culture. However, in the Sierra Leonean context, neither their length of stay nor their impact on the religious landscape makes them indigenous.
The advent of these immigrant religions was the beginning of a long history of coexistence among practitioners of ATR, Islam, and Christianity in the region. In most countries, this relationship has been cordial.2 However, this peaceful coexistence does not imply equality.
As in all experiences of encounter and coexistence, there have been challenges as well as benefits. People living side by side meet and interact personally and communally on a regular basis. They share common resources and communal benefits. The social and cultural interaction and cooperation involved in this dialogue of life are what compel us to fully understand the worldviews of our neighbours and to seek out better relationships with them. In the history of this culture of dialogue and cooperation, ATR, the host religion, which has played and continues to play a vital role in the assimilation of Christianity and Islam, seems to have been marginalised and stereotyped.
The estimated religious statistics in Sierra Leone are as follows: Muslim, 50 percent; Traditionalist, 30 percent; Christian, 15 percent; and other faiths, 5 percent. Each of these religious traditions constitutes an important phenomenon and affects the future of the nation. In that respect, a programme must be developed for the constructive engagement of Traditionalists, Christians, and Muslims in the emerging postwar Sierra Leone.
In the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of the Sierra Leone Act, explicit reference is made ‘to the assistance from traditional and religious leaders in facilitating reconciliation’.