Ancestors, Spirits and God - History Of Africa with Zeinab Badawi [Episode 8] 

This focused heavily on Christianity, Islam, and Jewish religion in Africa as opposed to African spirituality. I would have appreciated a focus on African spirituality.

I can't help but be aggravated when I see those white saints and white Jesus on church windows and walls.

Aint nobody "abandoned" anything We were forced to take on new religions

Christianity did so much damage to indigenous peoples all over the world

I miss my grandfather he used to sit with us outside when the moon is full and used to tell us about our tradition and teaching us about the trees and herbs u can make from them 😰Rest In Peace grandpa I know you watching over us 👏👏👏👏👏

This quickly became about Christianity nd Judaism and only the first 5minutes was about African spirituality

I wish there was more focus on traditional African spirituality - this documentary was all about Christianity, Judaism & Islam!

It’s time we give up these false religions and return back to the spirit!!! Real spirituality that respect to our ancestors and nature!!

Everybody was respecting nature and understanding the oneness of the Most High except the Europeans! Just caused confusion all over the earth!

Remember they are telling the story to benefit a EURO-CENTRIC view

The interviewer got this all wrong! First and foremost this is supposed to be about African spirituality and their traditional Gods NOT religion 🤦🏿‍♂️🤦🏿‍♂️🤦🏿‍♂️

I love the comments especially from the ones who are spiritual and over stand African Spirituality. We most continue what are ancestors started.

Time to return to what made us powerful God’s children - African Spirituality

I am so happy to see the ways of my ANCESTORS has survived & is still being practiced. Thanks for the Inspiration from this video

BBC should have re-titled this 'A History Judaeo Christian Africa'. So little time spent on the traditional beliefs of Africa. I would have loved to know more history and detail about the shrines at the beginning but alas I wasted my time watching a show about foreign religions

Alexander the wicked, nothing great about him if you know the true history

My mother was soo much obsessed with Islam and was so furious when I wanted to name my son an African name he told me I'm cursing him...she now knows how relevant the name was to my son...he is such a brilliant boy who speaks things that an elderly can't imagine of...he has alot of knowledge at an early age

As much as I appreciate this documentary series, this episode need to be revisited and focus more on traditional Afrikan spirituality. We are earning for it. Sadly, I was raised Catholic, but my ancestors keeps calling me to go back to our original beliefs prior to the outsiders religions.

I myself still practise African spirituality. I left the church when I was 8 years old.

In my community, Kisii of Western Kenya, naming was very important because of the spiritual connotation that came with it. Babies were named after dead ancestors and it was like bringing them back to life. It still happens today. Children could then inherit the traits of the people they were named after. Parents were always careful not to name their children after evil people as that meant bringing back an evil person to the society. There were good and bad spirits. There were good and bad families. Before marriage, a background check had to be done. Families associated with evil and witchcraft were avoided... I wish you focused more on our traditional African beliefs

Ahh Afrika, we never learn. When the enemies use the sellouts among us, we are always eager to share the remaining knowledge that they've not been able to know and stolen to use against us. This is so sad and pathetic.

I love seeing african people keeping their ancestors tradition and preserving it .foreign religions destroyed our people and has made our ppl weak .i hope we awaken the greatness within us and let us prosper together .bless you

"Not souvenir, but a part of you." I savored that for a moment. Beautiful.✨

The absence of West Africa's Vodou (fon, Yoruba, etc.) spirituality in this documentary is an enormous mistake. Because it's the matrix of the Afro-Caribbean and the Afro-Latin spiritualities on the American continent. "Vodun (meaning spirit in the Fon, Gun and Ewe languages, pronounced [vodṹ] with a nasal high-tone u; also spelled Vodon, Vodoun, Vodou, Vudu, Voudou, Voodoo, etc.) is a religion practiced by the Aja, Ewe, and Fon peoples of Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Nigeria. It is distinct from the various traditional African religions in the interiors of these countries and is the main source of religions with similar names found among the African diaspora in the Americas, such as Haitian Vodou; Louisiana Voodoo; Cuban Vodú; Dominican Vudú, and Brazilian Vodum (Candomblé Jejé and Tambor de Mina)." WIKIPEDIA

My homeland, grew up in Matobo, climbing those hills, amazing #🇿🇼

I was really looking forward to this episode God and Spirit. It got off to a very bad start and went downhill after that. The first word out of Zeinab's mouth was religion. She was so ill equipped to handle the topic of spirituality in Africa, which is the foundation of all these nonsensical things called religion. I noticed how quickly she ran away from the interview with the brother from Zimbabwe. Brother Nyate' (hope I spelled correctly - forgive me) was on a roll and she could not handle the information. The brother was pointing her to where African spirituality came from through the study of the celestial body. He was hinting her to go to Kmt which has the foundational evidence of which he speak. But no, that was too heavy and so she ran away. Even the brother from Senegal who was mixing Islam and indigenous practices left her uncomfortable. Frankly I don't care for the mixture of the two. The real indigenous practice looses its vitality when it's mixed with outsiders foolishness. There's so much that was wrong with this and a lot of the other episodes but I will stop here. As usual, Africa is such a beautiful and spiritual landscape God knows why he put the beautiful melanated kinky haired people there. Stay strong sistArs and brothers. Africa for Africans.

I love the term spirituality and not religion. It sounds like a choice and not forced.

I see a lot of us upset that we didn't get the true story of our African spirituality. But I don't know why we got our hopes up high. BBC = BRITISH broadcasting CORPORATION. We need to dig deeper and tell our own stories to each other. The ancestors will guide us...

I'm African American( from the West)and I believe in the spirits and eternity...The spirit continues to live after the body has expired...

so true there is connection between nature and spirituality

I have never ever seen this channel show Africa in a good way

I came on this to educate myself about African spirituality so why am I seeing white pictures of Jesus and saints?

This is my favorite in the series so, far. I could have sworn Christianity started in Ethiopia.

The title is misleading. I want to learn more about home grown African spiritiality, and not about the imported stuff.

I'm very much enjoying this BBC series with Zeinab Badawi, but very well aware of the invading Greek and Roman conquerors influence centuries ago upon the indigenous African's culture. When all of the religious characters and Saints take on the appearance of the colonizers, it is quite evident. The true spirit of a people can never be truely be lost by indoctrination through force because the truth lies deep within the people. The deceivers foundation is weak so it can no longer stand in this age. With that being said, this is a very entertaining series to those of us living in the so called civilized w🌍rld, especially during these times we're currently living, re: COVID-19.

I've seen it all a true African with a Gucci phone cover. What has Italy done for Africa? Why? They should be creating their own fashion/ style icons. I can see culture and tradition but Gucci n Louis V????

When I dance and clap my hands I feel spiritual connection, a connection to the world.

They didn't abondon spiritual practices in favour of new religions, they were forced and brainwashed.

I just love being African. We have very strong cultural values. It is very sad that some religions are determined to see it ifade away.

Beautiful Africa..

wasn't this supposed to be about African ancestors, spirits and God?

I love the way you narrate these documentaries May the spirit of our ancestors be with you in your great work

See this is a very special topic for me, but because I’m Deaf, it is hard for me to hear very well. Please anyone upload subtitles! I really really really want to watch this with full understanding. Thank you for your time reading this!

My mother, grandfather and great-grand father were all preachers. So, growing up, me and my siblings wondered which of us would be next! My brother ran from it so much, that I think he went too far, into devilment and did not reach his full potential. My mother was very, very, very…religious in the Church of God in Christ. That where people dance, shout, speak in tongue, lay on of hands, foot washing, and tarrying (praying all night). We went to church so much, that me and my brother would say, we have “church in the bank.” So, when we get grown, we will never have to go again! Because of this religious background I always had interest in spirituality, but I had a strong aversion to Christianity and Islam. But as a student and adult my interest was always in African religion or spirituality. I was lucky to find the book I discuss in the following. Brother John S. Mbiti is the best African author and philosopher who, through his book entitled African Religions and Philosophy, lay out for us a good description and understanding of traditional African Spiritual Practices. Please remember, the African Religions he discusses, are not “organized religion” typically as some other religions. Also note that the word “Religions” end with “s”, indicating that African people have many Gods, and no one really know which of these Gods came before or after the other. As an African man, born and raised in a heavily African-American community, in small southern town, in the state of Mississippi, when I began to take classes and study Black (U.S.) and African (continental) history; and interacted with many students from Africa, I always had a feeling of familiarity with the people (in other words, for almost every student from Africa I met, I knew an African-American who looked like that person) and things I read and experienced with African people always had a feeling of familiarity. It was like when I said certain words and learned about certain thing that Africans did, it felt so natural to me. I believe it was partly because my DNA test reveil I'm 98% African blood! 1% Iberian (i.e. Moors), 1% unknown, I was suprised, given many of us have some other blood. Reading African Religion and Philosophy, I had this same feeling as I read about the Gods and spiritual practices in this book. Bottomline, no matter who you are, in the many spiritual practices outlined in the book, you can find something for you. Most of us just do not know of the variety of Greater and Lesser Gods through out Africa and the rituals around birth, marrage, death, etc. All the African religions, with their Gods, have a story of the origin of humanity. These stories while fantastic, are as believable or unbelievable as any other religion or spiritual belief. The example, of an African religion, I like to point to is the practice of the Dogon people in Mali, who call their God Amma. Please Google “Dogon Religion”, then scroll down to the question, “What has been the historical religion of the Dogon?” Read what it says about the fact most still practice their tradition religion, not Christianity or Islam. Now when you read about this or any traditional African religion, and you find their creation story fantastic, just think about the creation stories of other religions and remember they or just as fantastic. Bro. Maulana Ron Karenga, who create the Kwanzaa holiday, speaks of research, rescue, reconstructing and celebrating our past. So, as we learn about and practice our traditional religions, reconstructing may mean we need to change or express certain rituals we used to do, and express them in a symbolic way, to accommodate our modern life. So, while Kwanzaa is not an exact representation of long-ago celebration, it has certain items to represent the things of the past, for example the mat represent tradition. So, in closing, if you are serious about learning and understanding the whole of African Religions and Philosophy, from an African, then pick up Bro. John S. Mbiti’s book. Be sure to order or buy black and support an African bookstore.

Kick out all the religious leaders and go back to roots that will keep your spirituality... no Babylon!

God had a way to speak with us through our ancestors, through nature that he himself created. African Spiritually is beautiful.

African spirituality instilled fear in the local people and this pracrice is still respected all over Africa today. There is nothing more powerful in this world than a higher divine power that you can not see. African spirituality is seen in African Arts, African Culture especially that of our elder and ancestors, also seen in traditional African medicine (herbs) where we ward off evil spirits, curses and any kind of spiritual bondage. I thank GOD that I have learnt much about African Spirituality from my parents, grand parents and my great grand parents. *It has contributed to my Black African identity today and will help me to Love and nurture my children and my children's children in the future. When you identify the truth GOD allows you to heal.

Now we are following these religions that are bringing us no good. SMH

It’s shameful for that imposters image to be all over Africa! Ugh

Awesome, Thank you for this video. I am Christian and actively seeking to get in touch with African Spirituality and the answer to my question is yes! 🙏❤️🙏 12:12-12:21

Zainab Badawi, one of the bests of Kushiet/Aksumiet and Nubia /African Monarchies descent. Our impressive elegant, intelligent daughter. God bless and long live our precious gift. You are not only a journalist, presenter and narater. But you are all rounded spearheaded plus.

BORN of the EARTH are NATURE'S CHILDREN , FED by the WIND the BREATH of LIFE , JUDGE by the FIERY HANDs of GOD ......... the STAR

got to episode 8 before I felt compelled to comment... 0:48 many Africans were forced to "abandon these in favour of new ones" is perhaps a more accurate way to put that... convert or die is a little harsher, but truer still

I am so proud to be an African! Thank you my GOD.

Thank you so much Zeinab Badawi, I am so happy to find someone of African blood finally teach & show true history of the African people. I have followed everyone of your shows once again thank you!!

What a deceiving documentary.

I'm in this journey I just need someone to walk with me, not someone who will be scamming me.

I live in Europe and still believe and practice African spiritualism every month especially full moon! I communicate to my ancestors and they communicate back to me. I do go to church tho but this is part of who we are that we never ever need to forget

Thank you Zeinab these documentaries are crucial to our ancestral heritage and cultural awareness we need to know and acknowledge these information thank you so much

Abandoned or forced to accept another religion 🤔

Nice to my home area again after staying in foreign lands for so long, in IsiNdebele we say '' azibuyele emasisweni

The guy scamming people to buy his kids Gucci and Louis Vuitton 😅

I am so delighted when I see our custom, tradition and religion. We are going back to our root.

WOW, I am Speechless! Religions were brought to Africa and stripped Africans of our Spirituality! This is why we are so Lost! I have been on my Spiritual Journey since 2012 and the more I advance on this Path I discover more than I ever imagined; and I just found out about setting up an Ancestor Altar and a Deity Altar about a year ago and I work with my Ancestors as well as Deities! Believe me working,!with Ancestors or Deities, is very Real and Rewarding! Even after their transition, they’re still available to assist us in every way possible! And this documentary is simply an eye opening about our Traditional Beliefs in Africa! This is very Interesting!

Moses was a black man from Africa.

Would like to have seen more on African Spirituality.

I'm glad the first minutes focused on African spirituality and not Christianity or Islam.

When she speaks about the Ethiopian Jews she says “supposedly.” Just by looking at her you can see what she values.

This was absolutely amazing!! I do however, wish the interviewer went into more depth about Eritrean, Ethiopian, all Nubian spiritual practices before Islam and Christianity came to the area. I also loved when the elder brotha from Zimbabwe spoke of how it’s about spirituality not religion in Africa.

We are Afrikans, dont lie, lets return to the ancients

Love is the truth Religion...nothing else matter.

We the so called black Africans will always connect with our ancestors, through DNA. Each gene have his own frequency and vibrates at different frequency. Even when the body is dead and decomposed, the elements remain and continue to vibrate. That's how we reach our ancestors. A chant to a certain frequency can help reach the ancestors.

I'm from SA and I'm no stranger to traditional African spiritual beliefs our ancestral ways are still practiced here. I am saddened by the comments here because it is clear that a lot of people are in need of more content strictly focused on traditional African spirituality

Very misleading title

I proud to be a Muslim

In Africa you never use you're mouth to curse someone, because there is real magic on that land I have witnessed with my own eyes. We respect the dead and we respect nature.

"Death is not the end"✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿

Either this lady love that outfit or she did 5-8 episodes in one day 😏🤔🤷🏾‍♂️

Thanks for showing this BBC🙂. I like hearing the voice of the spiritual man at the beginning of the documentary.💟🙂. He is an Angel-blood. Love, and Light goes to him.💟🙂🎁

As I have studied religion over the years, I have noticed that regardless of the faith many want protection for the children and reverence the ancestors. I going out on a limb to say that our religions are linked closer than we would go to believe.

Interviewer I see you all of you even into your consciousness.....what’s your purpose what’s your intention what’s your motivation....we are watching

The Mother land ❤️🎵✊🏾👍🏾

They messed up the part where it was getting good . I was shown the future by a very powerful voice that shook my soul. I need to hear this

19:47 I can't do anymore lol... Thanks so much for the 5mins of history 🤦🏾‍♀️ n by the way what was the title that got us all here????

"Close your eyes, let us pray". The arrival of the White man's Bible.

Please I would appreciate if you researched on WITCH CRAFT IN AFRICA..and IMPORTANCE OF IT

The man who spoke in the beginning in very wise. This was how our Zulu elders were. And have you noticed that indigenous African people live together with natural, there's a relationship between human beings, animals and nature. Look at khoi San in South Africa , Masai in Kenya, Mursi in Ethiopia. But people now don't want to hear about this way of life. Only Islam, christianity and Jewish.

Zeinab is such a great African princess for all of her hard work. Thank you👍👍👍

Our ancestors are definitely not feeling the white washed pictures of Yeshua Heru. 💯🌟🌟🌟🌟👑

Man is not the Flesh and Bone man has no beginning no ending man is Spirit

Tua Neter (Thank God) I was introduced to African Spirituality. All African people need to get back to our roots and the ways of our ancestors.

Cant expect a proper look at african spirituality from outsiders. We need videos like this made FOR us BY us.

It is an ok documentairy. But There are a lot of inaccuracies. Make Part II and go into tribbes. Also needs to Check better about suddan and ethiopia

These present day Egyptians, Moroccans, and Algerians for the most part are not true Africans they are Arabs who invaded north Africa in 640 Ad to 708 Ad when the Arabs finally conquered north Africa. Judaism reach North Africa at the destruction of the second Temple when the Roman General Vespasian and his son Titus put an end to Jewish law in Palestine and the jews who black fled into Egypt, Libya and the rest of North and western AFRICA even into Spain.

Thank you for this series.

What a great video. I love seeing I was right about my beliefs of other countries and how belief systems don't match stereotypes. It's good to hear about the diverse peoples in these regions that predated Islam and Christianity . I learned these things long ago studying the moors , Jews , and Berbers . What an amazing video , she's covering great topics and asking amazing questions. This woman interviewing is covering all the best stuff , and she has the authorities there to answer them. Awesome job on this production people , top notch. ⭐

Well made. Good information. I'm an Animist like my Ancestors. Cultural Spirituality.

Though I appreciate your story knowing that white people have the final cut. I thought you did not elaborate enough on traditional African Spirituality, Africa as the Root of civilization and also how all the stories in the Bible came from Ancient Nubia. You did hint at It when you asked about the story of Mary in relationship to the goddess IsIs. I know you could do only what would allow you. This is why we need our own Black media outlets who's is not Unafraid to tell our story!!! Sincere Thanks

Thank you very much, the Sudanese media, Zainab Al-Badawi, for this great report on the ancient civilization of Africa

I Appreciate our African way of religion it was the best.