Trans-disciplinary research on religious formations in urban Africa : towards liberative methodological approaches
Loading...
Date
Authors
De Beer, Stephanus Francois
Smith, R.D. (Drew)
Manyaka, Semape Jacob
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AOSIS Open Journals
Abstract
In this article, we are exploring a methodological approach to research on faith and religious
expressions in urban Africa. We are committed to trans-disciplinary work that pursues research
methods mutually liberating for researchers, co-researchers and community participants and
that results in long-term benefits and strengthened agency on the part of the host communities.
Our reflections in this article are based on a collaborative research project1 in two regions of
Pretoria, Tshwane2 – Pretoria Central and Mamelodi East – in which we explore how religious
innovation and competition in and amongst churches contribute to the healing or perpetuation
of urban fractures.
Description
The project is also a sub-theme of the ‘Faith in the City’ research project, hosted by the Centre for Contextual Ministry in the Faculty of
Theology, University of Pretoria.
Keywords
Faith, Urban Africa, Communities, Religious expressions, Urban fractures, Religious innovation, Religious competition, Churches, Healing, Perpetuation
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
De Beer, S.F., Smith, R.D. & Manyaka, J., 2017, ‘Trans-disciplinary research on religious formations in urban Africa: Towards
liberative methodological approaches’, HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 73(3), a4693. https://DOI.org/10.4102/hts.v73i3.4693.