Towards a Christian Theology of African Ancestors

“Thomas Otanga has expertly organized a wealth of material and clearly expressed his findings. The work is especially significant in this era of continuing growth of Christianity in Africa. In particular, Otanga’s reflections on Mababu theology are a stimulus for other scholars studying the role of the veneration of ancestors in various traditions.”


—James A. Wiseman, OSB, The Catholic University of America, emeritus





“A product of wide research and rigorous critical analysis, this book presents the pitfalls of early Christian evangelization in the most clear, balanced, and captivating style. The author brilliantly demonstrates the religious parallels in the African ancestor veneration and Christian saint veneration cults, setting the stage for a dialogue of equals between Christianity and African religious traditions. This book is a mandatory read for whoever wishes to unassumingly interact with the two traditions of spirituality.”


—Theophilus Chando, The Technical University of Kenya





“Early missionaries often condemned African reverence for deceased forebears (‘mababu’ in Kiswahili) as primitive ‘ancestor worship.’ In this important new study, the author explores this fundamental feature of African traditional religions. He argues that the traditional African veneration of ancestors can be placed in fruitful dialogue with the Christian tradition of the ‘communion of saints.’ The resulting ‘mababu theology’ allows contemporary Africans to claim a fully African Christian identity while greatly enriching the global Church.”


—Steven Payne, OCD, The Catholic University of America