THE AFRICAN ORIGIN OF WORSHIP

The world's oldest religion was discovered in Botswana, where researchers found a six-meter-long by two-meter-high stone resembling a python, marked with 300-400 human-made indentations (Smith et al., 2023). Archaeologists have unearthed what appears to be the earliest religious worship site, located in the remote Ngamiland region of Botswana, indicating that our ancestors performed advanced rituals worshiping the python approximately 70,000 years ago (Johnson & Lee, 2022). This landmark discovery supports Africa's status as the cradle of modern humanity, challenging previous scholarly beliefs that held European ritual practices began over 40,000 years ago (Murray, 2022).

The python remains a vital sacred animal for the San people, who believe in a creation myth centered around the serpent, suggesting that mankind descended from it. According to tradition, ancient streambeds surrounding the hills were created by the python in its search for water (Molapo, 2023). The Zulu people of South Africa have significant beliefs surrounding snakes, viewing them as embodiments of ancestral spirits. In their culture, the mamba and pythons symbolize protection and blessings, often featured in rituals that connect the living with their ancestors (Hlongwane, 2019). In Ghana, the Afife and Akan share similar reverence for snakes, especially the African rock python. Their traditions include worshiping the snake as a deity, with a shrine dedicated to the snake god where offerings are made like goddess Asase Yaa (Awuku, 2023). Similarly, the Kikuyu people of Kenya regard the python as sacred, associated with agriculture and fertility, and invoke its spirit during planting or harvesting rituals (Kinyanjui, 2020).

The Yoruba religion in Nigeria also exhibits a complex relationship with snakes, with deities like Esu, the trickster god, symbolizing mediation between the spiritual and earthly realms. Additionally, Olokun, the god of the sea, is often associated with serpents, reflecting their multifaceted nature in Yoruba beliefs (Irele & Afolabi, 2021). In Dahomey, the center of serpent worship, the cult of the python, believed to have originated from the first quarter of the 17th century, eventually led to the integration of serpent-worship beliefs from conquered peoples (Yao, 2022). At Whydah, a key location, there is a serpent temple housing dozens of snakes, specifically the danh-gbi variety, which are treated with utmost respect; killing one, even accidentally, is punishable by death (Adjei, 2023). Additionally, the Ancient Kemetians worshipped multiple snake deities such as Apophis and Set. (Oluwatobi, 2021).

References

Smith, A., Brown, L., & Chirwa, M. (2023). Ancient Worship and Rituals: Discovering 70,000-Year-Old Sites in Botswana. Journal of Global Archaeology, 38(5), 345-362.

Molapo, T. (2023). Creation Myths and the Python: San Cultural Practices. Botswana Cultural Review, 11(1), 15-29.

Adjei, K. (2023). Serpent Worship and Cultural Significance in Dahomey. Journal of African Cultural Studies, 15(4), 221-234.

Awuku, F. (2023). The Divine Serpent: The Role of Snakes in Akan Religion. Ghana Journal of Religion, 12(1), 47-58.

Yao, A. (2022). The Integration of Serpent-Worship Practices in Dahomey: Historical Contexts and Cultural Dynamics. West African Journal of Ethnology, 6(3), 102-116.

Johnson, M., & Lee, T. (2022). Ancient Rituals: The Rise of Worship in Botswana. Journal of Archaeological Science, 49, 101-116.

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