The University of Zambia
Institute of Distance Education
School of Education
Department of Religious Studies
RES 2010 ASSIGNMENT Questions 2014
Dear Student,
A warm welcome to RES 2010: Indigenous Religions in Southern Africa in which we
explore the historical nature of African Traditional Religion or Bantu religions and the beliefs
and practices ofthe Bantu speaking people. We hope that you will be open minded as you
study this religion in order to understand and appreciate it as seen in the lives of the
adherents.
You are expected to write three (3) assessment items in this course, which constitute the
continuous assessment, and these include (2) assignments and one (1) test. Most importantly,
adhere to the due dates for all these tasks, as late submission of assignments will not be
tolerated in any way. You are encouraged to carefully read the instructions that have been
provided to guide you as you work on the assignments. You are also encouraged to take your
studies seriously. We wish you a wonderful"and enriching experience as you study a religion
which is everywhere in our communities where we live.
Instructions
1. Your essay should be typed, the spacing must be 1.5, 12 font size (Times New
Roman) and with normal margins. It must be 212 pages in length. Page 3
should bear the references.
2. DO NOT spiral bind your assignment. Just staple it.
3. You will be penalised for plagiarising, poor citation style, and poor English.
4. Be original, critical, reflective, argumentative, and bring out new ideas.
5.At least work out three (3) drafts before you submit the final copy for marking.
6. The assignments should be submitted strictly on 2014. No late submission will
be tolerated.
7. The assignments must reach the lecturers by 15 December 2014
Assignment One
Document the religious significance of mountains and rivers, which are found in the
community where you live according to African traditional religious thought.
You are expected to get primary data on these religious places and come up
with a comprehensive essay on what makes these mountains and rivers
sacred. What traditional story lies behind these mountains and rivers? What
value do they have in traditional societies? You are free to interview Chiefs,
headmen, diviners, the elderly and other people you may consider to be
custodians of this information.
Assignment Two
Clearly show how morality and judgment are understood in African Traditional Religion.
(You can use any ethnic group from these options: Tonga, Chewa, Bemba,
Tumbuka, Luvale, Soli, Lozi and Kaonde. You are expected to address issues
of the relationship between morality and judgment, sources of morality and
agents of judgment in African Traditional Religion. Again, feel free to not
only depend on secondary data, but to interview custodians of traditional
wisdom).
Course Lecturers: Dr. A. Cheyeka Email: [email protected]
Nelly Mwale Email: [email protected]