West African Traditional Religion Waec Syllabus

Below is this years Waec Syllabus for West African Traditional Religion. Note that this syllabus is for both internal and external candidates.

Aims and Objectives

gained insight into and have an appreciation of the traditional religious beliefs and practices and their impact on the lives of the people
worked out practical ways of confronting the challenges that West Africans face in utilizing acceptable traditional moral ideas and principles
understood how our traditional principles can be applied in their daily lives
analyzed the major traditional religious factors that influence the political, social and economic life of West Africa

Scheme of Examination

There will be two papers, Papers 1 and 2, both of which will be a composite paper and will be taken in one sitting.

PAPER 1: Will consist of fifty multiple-choice objective questions, all of which must be

answered within 50 minutes for 40 marks.

PAPER 2: Will consist of three sections, Sections A, B and C, each consisting of three essay-type questions. The sections shall cover the following areas of the syllabus

Section A: General Introduction to West African Traditional Religion
Section B: The Individual and the Community
Section C: Contemporary Society

Candidates will be required to answer four questions in all, choosing at least

one question from each section, for a total of 60 marks. The paper will take 2 hours 10 minutes.

Detailed West African Traditional Religion Syllabus

SECTION A: GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO WEST AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION

Introduction to the Study of West African Traditional Religion Nature
- Characteristics of W.A.T.R
  - Belief in the Supreme Being
  - Divinities, Ancestors, Mystical Powers etc
- Purpose/Reasons for the study of W.A.T.R
Terms Used to Describe West African Traditional Religion
- Fetishism and Paganism
- Animism and Ancestral Worship
- Polytheism and Monotheism
- Totemism
- Primitive
Sources of West African Traditional Religion
- Non-Oral Sources
  - Traditional Arts/Crafts
- Oral Sources
  - Names and Attributes of God
  - Theophorous Names
  - Proverbs/Wise sayings
  - Songs/Dirges
  - Myths / Legends and Drum Language
Approaches to the Study of West African Traditional Religion
- Thematic Approach
- Comparative Approach
- Historical Approach
- Enumerative Approach
The Structure of West African Traditional Religion
- God in West African Belief
- The Ancestors
- The Divinities
- Charms and Amulets
Worship in West African Traditional Religion
- Worship in W.A.T.R – Introduction
- Main features
  - Prayer/Libation
  - Sacrifice
  - Spirit possession

SECTION B: THE INDIVIDUAL AND THE COMMUNITY

Religious Personalities in West African Traditional Religion
- The concept/types of religious personalities
- Processes for selecting religious personalities
- The functions of religious leaders
Festivals in West African Traditional Religion
- Types of Festivals
- The significance of Festivals
Religion and Medicine in W.A.T.R.
- Religion and Medicine: Introduction
- Herbal Medicine
- Traditional and Orthodox Healing
Concept of Time, Work and Wealth
- Concept of Time
  - Definition of time in West Africa.
  - Concept of the Future
  - The Importance of Time
- The Concept of Wealth
  - Meaning/Attitude towards Wealth
  - Ways of Acquiring Wealth
  - Consequences of Acquiring Wealth
Concept of Man and Destiny
- Concept of Man
- Concept of Destiny
Enemies of Life in West African Traditional Religion
- Witchcraft and magic
  - Meaning of witchcraft and magic
  - Acquisition of Witchcraft
  - Role of Witchcraft and Magic
- Malevolent Spirits
Religion and Ethics in West African Traditional Religion
- The main Features of Ethics
- Sources of Ethics in WATR
- Moral Values/Virtues in West African Traditional Religion
- Taboos and Sin in WATR
- Convenant in WATR
Rites of Passage
- Rites of passage
  - Description of the stages; Rites of passage: Birth, Naming, Puberty, Marriage and Death
  - Importance of Rites of Passage

SECTION C: CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY

Traditional Political Institutions in West African Traditional Religion
- Chieftaincy
  - Structure of chieftaincy institutions
  - Process involved in selecting Chiefs
  - Importance of chieftaincy institution
- Asafo Companies
  - Introduction/Background
  - Importance
Religion and Tourism in West African Traditional Religion
- Introduction
- Religion and tourism
- The uses of free/leisure time
- Sacred personalities and tourism
- Sacred places and tourism
- Sacred objects and tourism
Religion and Stress Management in West African Traditional Religion
- Meaning and types of stress situation in West African traditional society
- Causes and effects of stress situations
- Management of stress situations
The Role of W.A.T.R. in Conflict Resolution and Management
- Introduction – meaning/concept of conflict in West African traditional society.
- Causes of conflicts
- Effects of conflicts
- Conflict resolution and management in West African society
Religion and Reproductive Health in West African Traditional Religion
- West African Traditional Religion and Reproductive Health Features: issues of Hygiene, sexuality and Promiscuity/Abortion
- Circumcision Rites and Reproductive Health
W.A.T.R. and Modernity
- The impact of foreign religions on (Christianity and Islam) WATR
- The impact of West African Traditional Religion on Christianity and Islam.
- The impact of Science and Technology on West African Traditional Religion.
- West African Traditional Religion and Conservation of the Environment.
- The Impact of Urbanization on West African Traditional Religion
New Religious Movements (NRM) in West African Traditional Religion
- Afrikania Missions (Ghana)
- Godianism (Nigeria)
- The future of West African Traditional Religion

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