Rwanda
-- Religion
The
majority
of Rwandans,
about 65%,
are Roman
Catholic,
with another
9% Protestant.
Only about
1% of the
population
is Muslim.
About a
fourth of
Rwandans
are adherents
of indigenous
beliefs.
However,
these numbers
and divisions
are not
clear cut.
Many Rwandans
practice
both their
traditional
religion
and Christianity
at the same
time. At
the core
of traditional
religion
is a supreme
being or
spirit called
Imana. This
supreme
being can
only be
addressed
through
intermediaries,
and they
can be Christian,
the spirits
of deceased
family members
known as
abazima,
or other
illustrious
ancestors.
In this
final category,
Ryangombe
and Nyabingi
are two
venerated
ancestral
deities
that can
intercede
and ask
for power
and benevolence
from Imana
but do not
posses them
themselves.
Ryangombe
is venerated
mostly in
southern
and western
Rwanda.
Nyabingi
is a goddess
venerated
mostly in
northern
Rwanda.
Rwandan's
believe
that one's
familial
ancestors,
the abazima,
can protect
and benefit
living family
members
if they
are honored
and remembered
through
sacrifices.
When they
are not,
and sacrifices
are not
performed,
they can
cause illness
or other
misfortunes.
Diviners
are called
upon by
family members
to interpret
the wishes
of abazima
and to recommend
ways to
appease
angered
ancestors.
Source:
Taylor,
C.C. 1995.
Rwandans.
In Worldmark
Encyclopedia
of Cultures
and Daily
Life.