From ancestral rituals to phone screens: How have young Africans revived forgotten spiritualities?
Traditional spirituality is quietly making a comeback to the lives of young Africans through technology.
Written by: Mohammed Omran
In the heart Major African citiesAmid the skyscrapers and the noise of modern life, a quiet but profoundly influential cultural wave is forming, reviving spiritual practices that have remained in the shadows for decades.
Young people belonging to a fully digital generation have begun to rediscover ancestral rituals, traditional medicine, and symbolic practices that were once an integral part of African identity, before they declined due to colonialism and religious and social transformations.
Traditional spirituality is quietly making a comeback to the lives of young Africans through technology.
This revival does not represent a break with Islam or Christianity, but rather a complex blend of modern beliefs and ancient traditions, where inherited spirituality coexists with major religions in a new form of religious synthesis. As urbanization and technological advancement accelerate, questions of identity, belonging, and the search for meaning seem to be driving a new generation toward deeper roots, reshaping the relationship of Africans to their spiritual and cultural heritage.
In their quest for identity, a segment of young Africans is quietly reviving spiritual practices that have long been marginalized in public life. This revival does not represent a rejection of mainstream religions, but rather reflects an attempt to reconcile spiritual heritage with urban modernity within major African cities.
A return to spiritual roots is becoming a cultural wave among young people in African cities.
After years of marginalizing these practices and associating them with a disappearing rural heritage, African spirituality is now witnessing a remarkable resurgence in a number of capitals and major cities on the continent. However, this resurgence does not mean a complete revival of what are known as traditional religions, but rather a cultural reshaping that blends traditional medicine, initiation rituals, ancestor worship, and modern therapeutic practices, along with the use of digital platforms and social media.
This phenomenon extends from South Africa to the west and center of the continent, reaching as far as the Maghreb, where urban youth are rediscovering a symbolic heritage that has long been marginalized by globalized cultural models and institutional religions. This dynamic can be observed in South African universities, Voodoo networks in Benin, traditional ritual workshops in Gabon, and even within the Gnawa movement in Morocco.
The issue is not limited to the religious aspect alone, but is linked to deeper questions concerning identity, psychological well-being, cultural transmission, and the place of African heritage within modern urban and digital societies.
The World Health Organization, in its report on the “Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034”, defines traditional medicine as a set of local knowledge, practices and beliefs used to maintain health and treat physical and mental disorders.
The organization also emphasizes the importance of integrating these practices in a systematic and scientifically based manner that takes into account the cultural specificities of African societies.
However, the current return to traditional spirituality does not mean abandoning Islam or Christianity, as Pew Research Center surveys have shown that many Muslims and Christians in sub-Saharan Africa still incorporate ancient beliefs and spiritual practices into their daily lives, such as resorting to traditional healers or using ritual protection and medicinal herbs.
This phenomenon often takes the form of “hidden syncretism,” where traditional rituals coexist with modern lifestyles, whether in universities, workplaces, or even across social media platforms.
Rapid urbanization plays a key role in this transformation, as African cities have become a hub for social mobility, economic pressures, digital exposure, and the breakdown of traditional family ties.
According to data from the International Telecommunication Union, approximately 381 TP3T of Africa’s population used the internet during 2024, while the figure rose to more than 531 TP3T among young people aged between 15 and 24, with the gap between cities and rural areas continuing.
In light of this changing reality, African spirituality seems to be making a comeback, not just as an ancient ritual, but as a means of redefining identity and searching for balance and meaning in a rapidly changing world.
