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SENUFO 667
some of the reasons stated for conversion to Islam were that Islamic affiliation
offered a sense of belonging to a larger community; conversion complemented
ancestral beliefs in the earth spirits once the individual settled in urban areas;
by accepting Islam, the individual was not embarrassed at having to explain his
traditional beliefs; local administrators were usually Muslim or Christian, and
by identifying with one of these religions the Senufo believed that he had greater
social and economic security. The nature of Islam allowed the Senufo to keep
more of his traditional beliefs than did the Christian sects.
Under current influences the Senufo conversion to Islam can be expected to
accelerate in years to come. In the past the communal nature of Senufo society,
combined with the religious role of the patriarchal head of family, served as a
cultural brake on Senufo conversion to Islam. Now, however, with the decline
of patriarchal influences, since the son can now earn money in the cities, and
the concurrent decline in the communal nature of traditional Senufo society,
more and more Senufo are becoming Muslims.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Books
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