Mapping Practical Theology’s African Homecoming: A Ritual-Liturgical Cartography

Abstract A quest for the heart of practical theology, searching for where the discipline’s treasure is currently located, is undertaken in this article in the service of finding the coordinates for its homecoming in Africa. Methodologically a ritual-liturgical cartography is employed. Religion is approached as primarily something that people do and thus the liturgical adage lex orandi lex credendi , in a heuristic fashion, guides this quest, as the law of practice might serve as an indicator of the law of belief. Cultural anthropological, performance and liturgical theories regarding practices are employed. In conclusion three coordinates are provided.