A Study of the Concept of Prophecy in Nawuri Culture and Its Implications on Christian Practice

Abstract

This paper focused on studying the cultural concept of prophecy among the Nawuri people of Northern Ghana and its impact on Christian understanding and practice. The study aimed at establishing the cultural understanding of prophecy among the Nawuri people. This understanding is subsequently analyzed to determine its patterns and operations among Nawuri Christians in Ghana. The paper is both descriptive and exploratory, describing the traditional Nawuri concept of prophecy and examining how such an understanding influences the practice and understanding of Nawuri Christians. To achieve this, the study discussed the Old Testament concept of prophecy, its understanding and practice and further discussed the concept as understood in the traditional Nawuri setup. This understanding is then assessed to reveal how it impacts the Nawuri Christian’s understanding of the phenomenon of prophecy and its practice. Using a qualitative research approach, the study focuses on in-depth observation and participation in the Nawuri cultural context as well as interviews. The paper shows that Nawuri culture recognizes two main functionaries as performing the roles of prophets – the ‘Oseepu’ and the ‘Lagipu’. The cultural understanding of their roles has an impact on the practice of Nawuri Christians. This understanding has implications for the reverence that the Nawuri Christian accords the prophets. It also has consequences on the theology of evil, the level of consultations with prophets, the relationship between the believer and the prophet, and issues of Bible translation. The paper concludes that oral culture, regardless of how remote it may be from modern-day Christianity, has a significant impact on Christian practice.