Religion

“Slaves, Obey Your Masters”: How the Church Used the Bible to Break the Spirit of Enslaved Africans and Instill Docility

In the brutal world of slavery, where whips tore skin and families were auctioned, and bred like cattle, the most powerful weapon wasn’t always the lash, it was the Bible. Through sermons, laws, and redacted scripture, Christianity which was...

“Teach Them to Love Poverty”: King Leopold II’s 1833 Letter to Colonial Missionaries and the Mental Enslavement of Africa

In the year 1883, as European empires tightened their grip on Africa, King Leopold II of Belgium issued a letter to colonial missionaries that would later come to symbolize the most chilling fusion of religious evangelism and imperial conquest....

Odomankoma: The Omnipotent Creator of All Things According to the Akan People of Ghana

The Akan people of Ghana have a rich spiritual tradition that centers around a powerful triad of deities: Nyame, Nyankopon, and Odomankoma. Among these, Odomankoma stands out as the omnipotent creator of all things, the divine craftsman who shaped...

The Jesuits and Their Involvement in Slavery in the 18th Century

Every generation of humans somehow figured out ways to make God in their image. The heart of man is desperately wicked, and what better way to justify this than to have God on his side. In God's name, everything...

Ekwensu: The Igbo God of War Misrepresented as the Devil by White Missionaries

Ekwensu occupies a significant place in Igbo cosmology as the Alusi (deity) of war and trade. As a spirit associated with negotiation, bargains, and strategy, Ekwensu was both revered and feared for his ability to guide warriors in battle...

Roog: The Genderless God Behind the Serer People’s Mystical Creation Story

Among the Serer people of the Senegambia region, a profound creation story reveals a world brought into existence by Roog, a genderless and transcendent deity. Unlike many gods in global mythologies, Roog is both male and female, yet beyond...

Mwari: The Creator and Guiding Spirit of the Shona People of Southern Africa

The Shona people, one of the largest ethnic groups in Southern Africa, primarily inhabit Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and parts of South Africa. Renowned for their rich culture and spiritual beliefs, the Shona maintain a profound connection to their traditional religion,...

How the Society of Jesus Sold 272 Enslaved Africans to Finance Their Missions in 1838

The Society of Jesus, known as the Jesuits, is a Catholic religious order renowned for its commitment to education, missionary work, and theological scholarship. However, their history includes a troubling chapter: the 1838 sale of 272 enslaved Africans to...

Chiuta’s Gift: The Tumbuka Creation Story and the Origins of Life and Death

The Tumbuka people are an ethnic group primarily found in southeastern Africa, particularly in Malawi, with communities in Zambia and Tanzania as well. Known for their rich cultural heritage and strong connection to traditional beliefs, the Tumbuka have a...

The Time When Everything Divided: The Creation Story of The Kaluli People of Papua New Guinea

The Kaluli people of Papua New Guinea believe that everything in the world was created to address the issues of cold and hunger. The Kaluli are a clan of indigenous people who live in the rain forests of the Great...
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Nathan “Nearest” Green: The Enslaved African Who Taught Jack Daniel the Art of Whiskey

Nathan “Nearest” Green is one of the most influential, yet long-overlooked, figures in the history of American whiskey. Born...
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