Africa

Jacob K. Olupona Professor of African Religious Traditions at HDS, discusses African Religions and education.

In this project, Elena Guzman explored the way Black women and non-binary people through the Caribbean and its diaspora use spiritual and ritual performance within African Diasporic Religions, including Santeria, Haitian Vodou, Puerto Rican Espiritismo...

When Religion and Public Life at Harvard Divinity School launched three years ago, it engendered a new Certificate in Religion and Public Life, providing students the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills, and networks to leverage their master of...

One of the highest priorities for HDS in recent years has been expanding faculty expertise. This year, Dean Hempton welcomed Professors Tracey E. Hucks, AM '95, PhD '98, Terrence L. Johnson, MDiv 'oo, and Ahmad Greene-Hayes to the HDS community. Their...

"If we lose these religions, it would be a big loss for the world,” says HDS Professor of African Religious Traditions Jacob Olupona. “We would have lost an entire civilisation.”

Widely decorated in academic circles, and the recipient of the Nigerian National Order of Merit, Harvard Divinity School Professor Jacob Olupona’s humble demeanor masks the greatness of the man whose groundbreaking work in comparative religion continues...

Rahina Muazu is Visiting Lecturer on Women's Studies and Islam and an HDS WSRP Research Associate for 2021–22. This semester, she is teaching the course, "Gender, Islam and Debates surrounding Female Vocal Nudity in West Africa (Nigeria and Niger)."

Reflections from HDS Yang Visiting Scholar in World Christianity, Professor Oluwakemi Abiodun Adesina Professor Oluwakemi Abiodun Adesina is one of two Inaugural Yang Visiting Scholars in World Christianity at HDS during the 2021-22 academic year. Below...

The Harvard Center for African Studies hosted the Folorunso Alakija Distinguished Lecture on Religion and Public Life in Africa, titled "Faith and Women’s Rights: The Role of Religion," on December 1, 2021. The event was moderated by Leila Ahmed, Victor S...

Distinguished Visiting Professor of World Religions Michael D. Jackson, an anthropologist, reflects on West African divination as a case study in hope during times of great uncertainty.