Folk Christology in Africa: the Dialectics of the Nganga Paradigm

This article explores the debate surrounding the existence, or lack thereof, of the person of Jesus Christ in African religions (folk christology). There appears to be one point of view which perceives Christ as what the Bantu call an "nanga" or medicine-person. The article explores the role of the nganga and its traditional role in the interpretation of anthropological literature. It is also argued that there is evidence from varying parts of Africa that not only Christ but the Christian pastor is frequently seen as an alternative nganga. The opposite side of this view is also investigated: i.e., that the nganga is being increasingly christianized and even christified.