Mr Adisa Akintola
PhD Student

Summary

My doctoral research explores African Indigenous Religion, specifically focusing on the Gohu society of the Mijikenda people in East Africa. This work builds upon my master's dissertation, which examined why and how individuals of African Caribbean descent in the UK chose to, in most cases, reclaim and practise  traditional African spirituality instead of Christianity.

While previous scholarship has often overemphasized malevolent aspects of African Indigenous Religion, my research takes a different approach. Through an emic investigation, I aim to uncover the philosophical depth and cultural richness of Mijikenda spiritual practices. My study will analyze both the intrinsic elements of their belief system and the complex interplay between indigenous practices and external religious influences in the region, examining how these dynamics have shaped the Mijikenda community's spiritual understanding and expression.Through a detailed examination of African Indigenous Religion's processes and belief systems, my research will illuminate its profound philosophical underpinnings and cultural importance. If I am granted permission I will be personally exploring how spirituality weaves into the fabric of community life, for members of the Gohu society in Kilifi, Kenya.