Africa goes to church, the mosque and the witch doctor

                 

By Christopher Landau BBC News,
Bagamoyo

 In his cramped hut at the end of an alleyway in the coastal Tanzanian town of Bagamoyo, traditional healer Dr Msilo treats patients with a variety of mental and physical problems. To locals, he is known as a witch doctor, and his treatments involve casting out evil spirits, as well as administering traditional potions. People are keen to seek out his services, regardless of their religious affiliation. "God provides medicine for all people - Muslims, Christians and pagans," he says.
 RELIGIOUS AFRICA
 77% of Africans pray at least once a day
48% of Africans have witnessed or experienced a divine healing
 61% of Africans believe Jesus Christ will return during their lifetime
 93% of Tanzanians believe in witchcraft
71% of Nigerian Muslims favour making Sharia law the country's official religion
 Ten things we have learnt about Africa
 "They all know that the trees were given by God, and He gave some people the power to heal." The continuing devotion of many Africans to elements of traditional belief is well known. But Dr Msilo is just one example of a key trend identified in a major new study of African faith. The Pew Forum interviewed more than 25,000 people in 19 sub-Saharan countries about all aspects of faith and belief. The results show that the overwhelming majority of Africans in those countries are committed followers of either Islam or Christianity. Religious harmony But alongside regular visits to church or mosque, they will also visit traditional healers like Dr Msilo, who offer a connection with the ancient beliefs that pre-date Christianity and Islam in Africa. The survey underlines that in most countries, Christians and Muslims live peacefully side by side. Fewer than one third of respondents felt religious conflict was a problem in their country - though 58% said it was in Rwanda and Nigeria, where there have recently been clashes between rival communities around Jos. Where tensions grounded in religious difference do exist, there is a strong correlation with ethnic divisions - as was the case in Jos. Christians are more likely to regard Muslims as violent than vice-versa. On average, more than 40% of Christian respondents associated violence with Muslims, whereas 20% of Muslims associated violence with Christians.