AFRICAN VALUES

CEREMONIES

West and Central African religious practices generally manifest themselves in communal ceremonies and/or divinatory rites in which members of the community, overcome by force (or ashe, nyama, etc.), are excited to the point of going into meditative trance in response to rhythmic or mantric drumming and/or singing.

SPIRITS

Followers of traditional African religions pray to various spirits as well as to their ancestors. These secondary spirits serve as intermediaries between humans and the primary God. Most African societies believe in a single Supreme Creator God (Chukwu, Nyame, Olodumare, Ngai, Roog, etc.). Some recognize a dual God and Goddess such as Mawu-Lisa

PRACTICES AND RITUALS

There are more similarities than differences in all traditional African religions. [19] Often, the supreme God is worshiped through consultation or communion with lesser deities and ancestral spirits. The deities and spirits are honored throughlibation, sacrifice (of animals, vegetables, cooked food, flowers, semi-precious stones, precious metals, etc.). The will of God is sought by the believer also through consultation of oracular deities, or divination.[20] In many traditional African religions, there is a belief in a cyclical nature of reality. The living stand between their ancestors and the unborn. Traditional African religions embrace natural phenomena – ebb and tide, waxing and waning moon, rain and drought – and the rhythmic pattern of agriculture.

VIRTUE

Virtue in traditional African religion is often connected with carrying out obligations of the communal aspect of life. Examples include social behaviors such as the respect for parents and elders, raising children appropriately, providing hospitality, and being honest, trustworthy, and courageous.

In some traditional African religions, morality is associated with obedience or disobedience to God regarding the way a person or a community lives.

FILIPINO VALUES

Common traditions of Filipinos are: Mano Po (the younger member of a family will take the elders hand and place the back of it to their forehead). The used of Ate or Kuya to show respect to the elders. Holding a gathering or family reunion just to catch up the update of every family members.

Family relationships are the basic building block of Philippine culture and society. Because of this tradition of Filipino family, members are provided assistance when needed and expected to give their first loyalty to their kin. This closed relationship is customarily enlarged through ritual co-parenthood called godparents to sponsor one’s child at baptism and also to sponsor when one member of the family will get married.

The hospitality of the Filipino is known to most foreigners who have traveled around the country. The attitude of the Filipino is one factor towards foreigners too. A typical Filipino house has any facility ready for the guests. It is filled with new and nice-looking items reserved only for them while ordinary ones are for everyday use.

Filipinos love entertaining foreign visitors, whether to help, or for whatever reason, interacting with them is unavoidable and may bring something to look forward. Aside from the country’s stunning and natural assets, meeting the Filipinos promises you true friendship and memories to keep.

Filipinos value personal relations. Known as pakikisama,personal relations often influence business and other key decisions.The word implies consideration,fairness,and camaraderie.A person can go to considerable extend just to prove he has pakikisama and is a worthly part of group.

Celebration of the Christmas season In the Philippines is one of the longest in the world-it start from December 16 and end on the first Sunday of January the following year.dec-16 marks the start of the nine-day simbang gabi or misa de gallo, which are held at around four O’clock in the morning. After the mass, the people usually have breakfast consisting of local delicacies at stalls set up in the churchyard. Favorites are ricecake like bibingka and puto bumbong,washed by salabat or hot ginger tea.

Family reunion is usually held on Christmas day and usually held in the home of the oldest member of the family where members of the family exchange gifts.