ABSTRACT
African spirituality embraces not only the whole and unbridled humanity of all Africans, but of humankind the world over. African spirituality is deeply embedded in the psyche of African people. It remains aloof from Western notions of polytheism, as African people believe in a Supreme God, who created the Universe. The essence of being human in African religious tradition, termed 'Bumuntu', relates to the capacity to 'express compassion, reciprocity, dignity, harmony and humanity in the interests of building and maintaining community'. The traditional African worldview thus upholds that the world is animated by a multitude of invisible spiritual entities, particularly the ancestral spirits. The African propensity to seek and maintain balance and reciprocity is grounded within rituals that strengthen individual family and community life. Despite Western influence, African people continue to honour their ancient traditions as a source of healing.
