REVERENCE FOR ANCESTORS IN AFRICA: INTERPRETATION OF THE 5TH COMMANDMENT FROM AN AFRICAN PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The thesis of this article is that, moral instruction is related to popular wisdom. It is consequently believed that moral instruction serves various functions in an African community, to order the community, to direct the community relationships, to propagate community, tribe, clan, family ideals and bind the community tribe, clan, and family together. It is in this light that the fifth commandment is analysed and interpreted.