Journal of Christian Religious Studies

This study examines how colonial androcentric frameworks have obscured the visual and lived dimensions of African Traditional Religion Studies by privileging textual interpretation over oral and performative traditions. The study aims to demonstrate the importance of gendered perspectives and visual hermeneutics in interpreting African religious symbols and recovering marginalized indigenous voices. Using a decolonial feminist methodology and feminist hermeneutical framework, the study interprets ritual objects, sacred spaces, masquerades, body art, and ritual cloths as primary texts communicating spiritual meaning. Findings reveal that visual symbols encode gendered mythologies, reinforce patriarchal structures, and simultaneously provide spaces for women and marginalized practitioners to negotiate spiritual authority. The study also shows that women’s ritual roles and visual codes have been largely marginalized in scholarship. The study concludes that African Traditional Religions are dynamic systems where gender and visuality co-construct religious meaning. The study recommends integrating gendered perspectives and visual hermeneutics into the study of African Traditional Religions.

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