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Pre-Historic African Religions Are INSANE | 4K Documentary
In this documentary we will explore the mind-blowing pre-historic African religions as well as Africa's role as the cradle of humanity, tracing our evolutionary journey from ancient Ethiopia to the Mediterranean and beyond. Discover the astounding ancient religions that flourished across Africa, from the mystical Nubian lion-headed goddess to the intricate Yoruba traditions. Unearth the fascinating connection between the Egyptian and Nubian cultures, and delve into the enigmatic world of Yoruba's Orishas. Join us in unraveling the rich tapestry of Africa's past, its impact on our present, and the timeless wisdom it imparts.
In this documentary we will explore the mind-blowing pre-historic African religions as well as Africa's role as the cradle of humanity, tracing our evolutionary journey from ancient Ethiopia to the Mediterranean and beyond. Discover the astounding ancient religions that flourished across Africa, from the mystical Nubian lion-headed goddess to the intricate Yoruba traditions. Unearth the fascinating connection between the Egyptian and Nubian cultures, and delve into the enigmatic world of Yoruba's Orishas. Join us in unraveling the rich tapestry of Africa's past, its impact on our present, and the timeless wisdom it imparts.
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00:00Where does humanity originate? This question has inspired countless narratives throughout
00:05human history, but none truly answered the question of our origin. Africa's vast savannas
00:12teeming with life, bath in golden sunshine, this was the landscape in which our ancestors
00:18set forth on their epic evolutionary journey, culminating in us. Long before ancient cultures
00:25and religions came into existence, Homo sapiens emerged from Africa's heart, specifically modern-day
00:32Ethiopia, branching out towards the Mediterranean, Middle East and Eastern regions. But Africa is not
00:40only the birthplace of Homo sapiens. Surprisingly, it also cradles the diverse spectrum of religions
00:46that have shaped our spiritual landscapes. From the enchanting Yoruba traditions, to the voodoo,
00:52to the mystical practices of Nubian lion-headed goddess, influencing powerful deities such as
00:59Isis and Sekhmet, Africa's prehistoric religious heritage is truly mind-blowing. What are some
01:07Africa's old tribal religions and how they are intertwined into our modern-day belief systems?
01:14We'll try to find out together in the new episode of Secret Origins. Welcome!
01:18Africa isn't merely our ancestral homeland. It is the cradle of humanity. But how can we believe this
01:28claim? The evidence lies within the African soil. We've unearthed bones of Homo sapiens across Africa,
01:36leaving no doubt about its role as our birthplace. The deeper we delve into these rock layers, the more
01:43traces of Homo sapiens we uncover compared to the other parts of the world. Africa's archaeological
01:51treasures span from the fossil-rich Great Rift Valley to the stunning rock art of the Sahara,
01:57each piece serving as a testament to our shared heritage. As we journey from Africa's heart to
02:03the land of the pharaohs, ancient Egypt, we find roots of civilization stretching deep into the African
02:10continent, reflected in the art, customs, and deities of ancient Egyptians. Fascinating discoveries from
02:18the Great Rift Valley, such as the ancient Hominid fossils in Ethiopia and Kenya, give us invaluable
02:25insights into our early evolution. So, it's clear that our journey as species is firmly rooted in the
02:33African landscape. Our journey as Homo sapiens can be traced back to Africa, the continent that holds the
02:40oldest remains of our species, dating back 300,000 years. This tells us that our human saga truly began
02:49amidst the vast and diverse landscapes of Africa, carrying not only our oldest fossils,
02:56but also the genetic imprints of our shared heritage. Consider Lucy, the renowned 3.2 million year old
03:05fossil discovered in 1974 in Ethiopia. This find transformed our understanding of human evolution.
03:14Lucy, belonging to the species Ostroophyticus afarensis, provided key insight into our evolutionary stages.
03:23She combined both human and apple-like features, symbolizing a transition between our primate
03:29ancestors and modern humans. The well-preserved skeleton allowed us to study her anatomy, affirming
03:36bipedalism, a significant milestone in our evolution, and further cementing Africa as humanity's cradle.
03:45Also rooted in Ethiopia, the place where Lucy was found, is the Ethiopian traditional religion.
03:51Predating the arrival of Christianity and Islam by millennia, this belief system encompasses a range
03:58of spiritual beliefs and practices deeply ingrained in Ethiopian culture. Characterized by a profound
04:06connection to nature, ancestral worship, and belief in supernatural forces, this faith incorporates
04:12elements of animism. Rituals and ceremonies are performed at sacred sites, aiming to appease and
04:19receive blessings from ancestral spirits and deities. This religious practice further underscores Ethiopia's
04:28pivotal role in the narrative of human history. The Ethiopian religion is not uniform belief system,
04:35but a conglomerate of a diverse regional customs. Its practice varies among ethic groups, each adding
04:42their unique cultural elements. Despite a decline due to the spread of Christianity and Islam, the faith
04:49continues to hold significance, especially in rural areas where traditional customs thrive.
04:56The Axiomite empire, present-day Ethiopia, practiced a polytheistic faith known as Axiomite religion.
05:04This belief system evolving from the Bronze Age to antiquity involved a pantheon of deities with
05:11Mahrum associated with the sky, rain, fertility and stars as the supreme god. The Axiomite kings were seen as
05:19a direct descendants of Mahrum, cementing their divine legitimacy. Alongside deity worship,
05:26ancestor veneration played a key role in their practices. The faith significantly influenced the
05:32political and cultural aspects of the empire evident in erected temples and celebratory rituals.
05:40However, the distinct Axiomite religion faded as Christianity and Islam took hold.
05:46The pre-dynastic Nubian religion of ancient Sudan is lesser known but provides fascinating insights
05:54through archaeological evidence and historical accounts. It bore several similarities with the
05:59ancient Egyptian religion, suggesting a considerable cultural and religious exchange. Their pantheons
06:06reflected shared deities and religious iconography, often displayed analogous motives such as lions,
06:14bulls and snakes. Notably, the Nubian and Egyptian religions also shared sacred symbols such as the
06:21Ankh symbolizing eternal life. The Nubian burial practices especially in the karma culture mirrored the
06:29Egyptian tradition featuring pyramid-like structures and tombs. Both the Nubian and Egyptian cultures shared
06:36a belief in the afterlife and provided grave goods for the deceased.
06:40The proximity and historical interaction between Nubia and Egypt facilitated cultural and religious exchanges.
06:48This is evident in the adoption of religious practices and titles by the rulers from both civilizations.
06:55The depth of these influences varied depending on the historical period and specific cultures involved.
07:02Dadoon, a lion-headed god symbolizing strength and protection played a significant role in ancient Nubian religion,
07:11associated with wealth, prosperity and agricultural fertility. Dadoon was also linked with the Nile
07:18River's annual flooding which brought nutrient-rich sediments for fertile harvests.
07:24Nubian rulers often sought Dadoon's blessings for their kingdom's prosperity. Despite the decline of the
07:32Kingdom of Kosh, the advent of Christianity and Islam, remnants of Dadoon's worship are seen in archaeological
07:39remains and inscriptions. The lion-headed god symbolized the Nubian's deep connection to nature,
07:46aspirations for abundance and respect for the Nile's life-giving properties. The worship of Dadoon,
07:53the lion-headed Nubian god, represented the pursuit of prosperity and well-being for the ancient Nubian
08:00communities. Today, Dadoon symbolizes the rich spiritual traditions of ancient Nubia.
08:06The lion-headed goddess Sekhmet, revered in ancient Egypt for her attributes of war, healing and
08:14protection, shows the historical, cultural and religious ties between Nubia and Egypt. Kemet,
08:21the ancient Egyptian religion, was a complex polytheistic belief system that spanned millennia.
08:27The religion held that gods controlled every aspect of life and the pharaoh was a god on earth.
08:34Key deities included Ra, Osiris, Isis and Horus. The Egyptians believed in afterlife where the soul
08:41would be judged and, if found worthy, granted eternal life. Archaeologists have found some of the
08:49world's oldest structures in Wadi Alpha, modern-day Sudan, previously known as Upper Egypt, exemplifying
08:57the antiquity of the region's civilizations. They've uncovered structures in Wadi Alpha,
09:03Sudan, dating to a thousand years BCE. These simple dwellings, consisting of oval depressions,
09:11lined with sandstone slabs, served as mobile homes for ancient hunter-gatherers.
09:19The Egyptian concept of mat, representing cosmic order, is comparable to Dinka beliefs, showing shared
09:26spiritual ideas before Egypt's centralized dynastic rule beginning around 3100 BCE. The Egyptian book of
09:36the death illustrates a ceremony where the deceased actions are judged in the afterlife, a practice rooted in
09:43the concept of mat. This may have influenced the idea of destiny or maktub in Islam. Yet, Islam wasn't the first monotheistic fate in Africa.
09:53The Atenist movement or the worship of the Aten emerged in the 14th century BCE under pharaoh Achenaten, marking a departure from
10:05Egypt's traditional polytheism. Aten, a sun deity, was elevated to the status of the sole god by Achenaten, who even changed his name to honor the deity.
10:17His motivations for the shift are unclear, but might involve personal belief or political ambition. Achenaten relocated the capital to a new city and centralized worship around Aden, closing other temples.
10:31His monotheistic reforms, however, failed after his death. After his death, his son, Tutankhamun, reversed the Atenist reforms, restoring the traditional polytheistic worship and erasing most Atenist influences.
10:49When we venture further into West Africa, we find references to the inhabitants of this region in ancient sources. For example, Herodotus, an ancient Greek historian,
11:00often credited as the father of history, made mention of a group known as the Atlantis.
11:08According to Herodotus, the Atlantis were a tribe from Libya, living in the western parts of North Africa.
11:15He describes the Atlantis as a people residing near the Atlas Mountains, which are found in what is now Morocco and Algiers.
11:24Herodotus depicts them as skilled charioteers and formidable warriors.
11:30Moving even further south, we find the Yoruba people of ancient Nigeria. The Yoruba are a West African ethic group, mainly found in Nigeria, but also in parts of Benin and Togo.
11:43Their religion bears, resembles to ancient Greco-Roman paganism, thought it is considerably older and features an interesting collection of deities with diverse responsibilities.
11:56Take Eshu, for instance. Also known as Eligba or Eshu, this deity is a key figure in the Ifa or Orisha religion of the Yoruba people.
12:06Eshu is a complicated and multi-faith divinity, frequently portrayed as a trickster and acting as a messenger and mediator between humans and the other Orishas, as well as between humans and Oludomer, the supreme being.
12:22Eshu is believed to carry human prayers, sacrifices and offerings to the divine realm, mirroring the roles of Hermes in Greek mythology and Thoth in Egyptian mythology.
12:33He serves as a link between the physical and spiritual realms, much like an angel or messenger deity, such as Midhras.
12:41He facilitates communication between these two realms.
12:45In Yoruba religious ceremonies, Eshu is invoked at the start as a protector and gatekeeper.
12:52His presence is required to open communication channels and ensure that prayers and offerings reach their intended recipients.
13:00Rituals dedicated to Eshu often involve offerings of palm oil, cola nuts and alcoholic beverages, like wine, which are believed to placate him.
13:11While Islamic critics have often portrayed Eshu as a devil or evil entity, he is not either of these.
13:18Instead, he is known as a trickster who gives misfortune to those who do not offer tributes or are spiritually inexperienced.
13:26Eshu is also considered a divine messenger, a negotiator between negative and positive forces, an enforcer of the universal law.
13:36He is believed to enhance the power derived from herbal medicines and esoteric practices like alchemy.
13:43The Yoruba people believe that Eshu alongside other Orishas or divinities has existed since the dawn of time and continues to inhabit in the spiritual realm.
13:56They are timeless beings that transcend human perceptions of time.
14:00Orishas are viewed as intermediaries between humans and the supreme being, Olu Dumare or Olu Ruin.
14:08These deities are seen as accessible and can be invoked.
14:13According to Alex Kuachu, Olu Dumare is the supreme almighty god of the Yoruba people and not an Orisha.
14:21Early missionaries to West Africa in the African diaspora often portrayed Olu Dumare as a distant but powerful deity whose actions and locations are obscure.
14:33As a mystery to these portrayals, Olu Dumare is a present and powerful god who is superior to the Orishas and all people on earth.
14:41Obatala, known as the Sky Father, is the creator deity associated with wisdom, purity and justice within the Yoruba pantheon.
14:51Obatala, often represented as an elderly man, is highly represented as the father of all the Orishas, the deities in the Yoruba tradition.
15:00Sango is the god of thunder, lightning and justice, embodying power, bravery and masculinity.
15:07Yamoja is the goddess of the sea, motherhood and fertility, recognized as caring and protective figure associated with compassion and healing.
15:18Ogun, the god of iron, war and technology, symbolizes strength, craftsmanship and determination.
15:25Oya, the goddess of wind, storms and change, represent transformation, female power and the spirit of commerce.
15:33Osun or Oshun, the goddess of rivers, love, fertility and beauty, is linked to femininity, sensuality and prosperity.
15:43These are just some of the numerous Orishas worshipped in the Yoruba tradition.
15:49The veneration of these deities involves diverse ceremonies, rituals and offerings such as drumming, prayers, dance, divination and the presentation of specific foods, drinks and potions.
16:01Devotees perform these rites to seek the Orishas favor, guidance and protection and blessings.
16:08Often participants experience psychedelic states akin to the Eleusinian mysteries in Athens.
16:15Voodoo's origins, known as Vodun in Africa, can be traced back thousands of years.
16:22Voodoo evolved as a syncretic religion blending various indigenous African beliefs with Christianity and other external influences.
16:31Voodoo has its roots in West Africa, particularly in regions now known as Benin, Togo and Nigeria.
16:40The term Voodoo doll typically refers to an effigy used for pin insertion.
16:46The practices related to the Voodoo doll are derived from various forms of magical traditions held by the ancient Africans.
16:54While it's challenging to determine the exact age of Voodoo as we know it today, the roots of this religion stretch deep into the ancient African magical traditions.
17:04Voodoo represents a robust spiritual tradition encapsulating the ancestral wisdom and cultural heritage of African communities.
17:13Islam spread across Africa was a gradual intricate process spanning several centuries.
17:20It was introduced to Africa through diverse means such as trade routes, migrations, missionary endeavors, warfare and forced conversions.
17:30This diffusion of Islam has left a significant imprint on the socio-cultural, political and religious landscapes of Africa.
17:38The first contact between Islam and Africa can be traced back to the era of the prophet Muhammad in the 7th century.
17:46At this time, Muslim traders from the Arabian Peninsula established trade networks that linked the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean with the East African coast.
17:57One of the earliest regions to accept Islam was North Africa where Muslims armies from Arabia expanded into regions like Egypt and Maq Reb, introducing Islam along the way.
18:10The Umayyad Califat established control over North Africa which led to the conversion of the local Berber tribes and the creation of Islamic State such as the Fadi Mid Caliphate.
18:23Islam further penetrated inland through intermarriage, trade and the establishment of Islamic educational centers.
18:31Islam became a conduit for cultural exchange, introducing new architectural styles, educational institutions and trade networks.
18:40This led to diverse Islamic movements like the Sufi brotherhoods which incorporated local customs and beliefs into their spiritual practices.
18:50Before Islam's widespread diffusion across the African continent, Christianity rose and ringed supreme.
18:57The Nag Hammadi texts, also referred to as the Nag Hammadi Library or the Gnostic Gospels, were discovered in 1945 near the ancient town of Nag Hammadi in Upper Egypt.
19:10These texts are instrumental in the illuminating a sect of a early Christianity known as Gnosticism.
19:17In December 1945, a group of local farmers found a large jar containing a collection of ancient manuscripts buried in the desert near Nag Hammadi.
19:29These texts, written in Coptic, an Egyptian language that used the Greek alphabet, encompassed a diverse range of religious and philosophical works.
19:39These include Gnostic Christian writings previously unknown or lost to history.
19:45The Nag Hammadi Library comprised 52 texts, including various Gnostic Gospels, apocryphal works and philosophical trities such as the Gospel of Thomas.
19:56This collection of sayings attributed to Jesus may be the oldest known source of Jesus' words found in Egypt.
20:04The Nag Hammadi Christians, as revealed in their writings, provide a unique insight into the multi-faith religious scene of early Christianity prior to Islam.
20:16They contribute to our understanding of the rich diversity of religious thought in the ancient world.
20:22Members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church who claim to possess the Ark of the Covenant are an integral part of this tradition.
20:31According to their religious narrative, the Ark of the Covenant, a sacred chest designed to hold the Ten Commandments given by God to Moses, was transported to Ethiopia and has been safeguarded there for centuries.
20:45The widespread belief is that the Ark resides in Ethiopia having been carried there from Jerusalem during the era of King Solomon.
20:55From the monumental discovery of Lucy, the ancient fossil that has fundamentally reshaped our understanding of human evolution, to the unforgettable Grand Liar of Egyptian civilization, we've touched the very heartbeat of our collective past.
21:11But before that, let's reflect for a moment on the eye-inspiring pyramids in the enigmatic Sphinx.
21:17These symbols of ancient wisdom and engineering brilliance are not merely relics of the past, but timeless legacies that reverberate in our world today.
21:28They remind us of a civilization whose wisdom and knowledge permeated the collective consciousness of humanity, shaping art, architecture and even the inception of science.
21:39Isn't it astounding to realize that these ancient achievements continue to influence our present world?
21:46How much of Africa's wisdom and knowledge have we absorbed, knowingly or unknowingly, in our everyday lives?
21:53How has the legacy of ancient civilizations like that of Egypt shaped our understanding of the world and our place within it?
22:01So, keep questioning, keep exploring, keep connecting the dots of our human story.
22:08And who knows, you might discover that Africa in its riches and complexity isn't just a distant birthplace of humanity, but a mirror reflecting our shape past, present and possibly our future.
22:23We bow before you and thank you for watching another episode of Secret Origins.
22:29Keep your minds open and until we meet again.
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