Trans-disciplinary research on religious formations in urban Africa : towards liberative methodological approaches

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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.