This essay will utilize an integrative theological method to examine the theology behind African Traditional Religion and its use of juju in cases of Nigerian sex trafficking. An integrative theological method approaches theology by focussing on the epistemological sources of Scripture, tradition, reason, experience and community and their interpenetration. This essay is especially aimed at equipping those among African Christian diaspora communities as well as NGO’s in their work to assist Nigerian trafficking victims within Europe.
Reports of Nigerian and other West African women migrating into EU member states then being forced into prostitution are on the rise at alarming rates. This form of labor exploitation has been defined as sex trafficking based on the UN Trafficking Protocol and is considered to be one of the most urgent human rights abuse issues of our time. The methods behind sex trafficking carry distinct traits in different parts of the world.
There is, however, a particularly beguiling element to Nigerian sex trafficking - the use of juju (voodoo) rituals as a tool to mentally enslave victims. This element has captured the attention of both state actors and European society on a larger scale. This form of control has been especially challenging to navigate for law enforcement and NGO organizations within the EU, since the controlling factors are built upon belief systems that are radically different to their own.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- ATR, Oath Taking Rituals and Juju
- Scripture and Ancient Oath Taking Traditions
- Reason and the Supernatural
- The Experience of Juju
- Liberating Communities
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to utilize an integrative theological method to examine the theology behind African Traditional Religion (ATR) and its use of juju in cases of Nigerian sex trafficking. The essay focuses on equipping African Christian diaspora communities and NGOs in their work to assist Nigerian trafficking victims within Europe.
- The role of African Traditional Religion in Nigerian society and its influence on practices like oath-taking rituals and the use of juju.
- The relationship between ATR and the ancient Near East (ANE) in terms of cosmology and ritual oath taking.
- The theological and cultural factors that contribute to the use of juju as a tool for control and exploitation in Nigerian sex trafficking.
- The challenges faced by law enforcement and NGOs in addressing the use of juju in trafficking cases.
- The potential of an integrative theological approach to provide understanding and support for victims of trafficking.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: The essay introduces the problem of Nigerian sex trafficking and highlights the role of juju rituals in controlling victims. It emphasizes the need for a theological understanding of the phenomenon.
- ATR, Oath Taking Rituals and Juju: This chapter explores the cosmology of ATR, focusing on the belief in intermediaries between God and humans, such as deities and ancestors. It discusses the role of ritual oaths in enforcing justice and the practice of juju as a means to manipulate supernatural forces.
- Scripture and Ancient Oath Taking Traditions: This chapter examines the similarities between ATR and ancient Near Eastern (ANE) cosmology, particularly in terms of ritual oaths. It highlights the use of curses in the ANE and how they connect to the practice of oath-taking.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This essay explores the intersection of African Traditional Religion (ATR), Nigerian sex trafficking, and the use of juju rituals. It examines the theological underpinnings of these practices, particularly the concept of oath-taking and the role of deities and ancestors. Key themes include the influence of ATR on modern Nigerian society, the cultural and spiritual factors contributing to trafficking, and the challenges faced by organizations in addressing this issue. The essay also emphasizes the need for an integrative theological approach to understand and respond to the complex realities of trafficking.
- Quote paper
- Justin Shrum (Author), 2019, African Traditional Religion and Voodoo Rituals in Cases of Nigerian Sex Trafficking. Application of an Integrative Theological Method, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/489211
