The Religious Itinerary of a Ghanaian People

A detailed piece of research into the continuing story of African religion and the evolving story of Christianity; a study of the Kasena Christians of northern Ghana whose first contact with Christianity occurred within the present century, and who revealed no acceptance of it until its second half. The author describes the background of Kasena society and family life, traditional beliefs and thought, mechanisms for resolving crises and personal problems, and natural environment. Her narrative traces the stages of the coming of the whites, conversion, Christian thought and action amongst the Kasena, and the emerging characteristics of what became a distinctly non-European model of Christianity. It winds up with a discussion about the implications of the Kasena experience for the gospels and theology, and for the conversion of other peoples. The author, anthropologist, and Senior Research Fellow at the Akrofi-Christaller Memorial Centre for Mission Research and Applied Theology in Ghana, lived and worked amongst the Kasena people in northern Ghana from 1981 to 1990. She reproduces here many of her first hand experiences: photographs, interviews, experiences of conversion, indigenous prayers and hymn texts, many of which are transcribed in full as appendices.