How African Churches Africanise Modernity and Modernise Africanity on their Websites
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Date
2023
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HUMANUS DISCOURSE
Abstract
Christian churches in Africa are increasingly launching websites to take
advantage of the ubiquity associated with the Internet. Striving to reach a global
audience, they modernise African practices and Africanise modernity for African
participants. However, the extent to which this practice constructs Africanity or
Africanises modernity is yet to be understood. This study, therefore, examines
African church websites with a view to explaining how they walk the tight rope of
modernising Africanity and Africanising modernity. An available sample of
websites belonging to churches based in Africa was taken. Using content analysis
method, 271 church websites were observed and analysed. Findings indicate
that271 churches have website presence portraying African models, motifs, flags
and sundry images. On the one hand, with African worship styles and cultural
adornments, they Africanise modernity; on the other hand, they modernise
Africanity with massive use of foreign languages, musical instruments and
orchestra.