Religion in Togo

Religion in Togo (ARDA 2020 est.)[1]
  1. Christianity (47.8%)
  2. Traditional faiths (33.0%)
  3. Islam (18.4%)
  4. Baháʼí (0.50%)
  5. None (0.20%)
  6. Other (0.10%)
Holy Ghost Cathedral in Kpalimé.

Religion in Togo is diverse, with Christianity being the most widely professed faith. A substantial number of the Togolese also practice traditional faiths and Islam.

A significant number of Christians and Muslims in Togo also incorporate elements of folk religion.[2][3] Togo is a secular state and the nation's constitution provides freedom of religion and worship.[4]

Overview

The 2014 General Population and Housing Census noted that 25% of the population was Catholic, making it the primary branch of Christianity in Togo, while other denominations included Methodists, Lutherans, Assemblies of God, Seventh-day Adventists, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) and Jehovah's Witnesses. Nichiren Buddhists, followers of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness, Baha’is and Hindus are among other religious groups in the country.[5]

Christians live mainly in the south of the country, while Muslims live predominately in the central and northern regions.

Traditional African religions

In 2021, approximately one-third of the population practiced an animist religion. Among Christians and Muslims, some practice a form of worship that combines traditional rites and Voodoo beliefs. The Togolese remain very attached to animist practices and their ancestral customs.[6] Among these religions, the most important are the Yoruba religion, whose famous ceremony, the Gelede, is characterized by the expression of feelings through music and songs[7], and fetishism, which is the worship of fetishes believed to cure the ills caused by witchcraft.

Islam

Main article: Islam in Togo

Islam was introduced to Togo by Berber groups who built mosques and converted populations, so that by 1900, 4% of the population was Muslim. In the 17th century, the Tchokossi, a Muslim people, settled in the Mango region (Togo) and gradually spread northward. German, and later French, rule was considered very favorable to the development of Islam in the country. The settlers signed agreements with the Muslim Berbers of the region to provide them with gold, weapons and mercenaries[8]. The first mosque in Togo was built in the middle of the 19th century in the village of Didawurê.[9]

I’m 1997, Togo has become a member country of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.[10]

Other religions

Hinduism

Main article: Hinduism in Togo

In accordance with a 2022 estimate, there are 80,000 Hindu Togolese. This religion was exported to Togo through the Hindu Monastery of Africa based in Accra, Ghana.[11]

Baháʼí Faith

In 2020, there were around 40,000 followers of Baháʼí Faith in Togo.

Cults

Cults has enormously grew in Togo since the 1990s with the socio-economic crisis the country is going through.[8] More than two thousand are registered in Lomé, some of which are hiding networks of prostitution, modern slavery, and embezzlement.

Freedom of religion

In 2022, Freedom House rated Togo's religious freedom as 3 out of 4,[12] noting that religious freedom is constitutionally protected and generally respected in practice. Islam, Catholicism and Protestantism are recognised by the state; other groups must register as religious associations to receive similar benefits. The registration process has been subject to long delays with almost 900 applications pending at the beginning of 2021.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Religions in Togo | Arda". www.globalreligiousfutures.org. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  2. ^ "Togo 2012 International Religious Freedom Report" (PDF). 2009-2017 Archive for the U.S. Department of State. Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  3. ^ Matt, Phillips; Andrew, David; Bainbridge, James; Bewer, Tim; Bindloss, Joe; Carillet, Jean-Bernard; Clammer, Paul; Cornwell, Jane; Crossan, Rob; et al. (Authors) (September 2007). The Africa Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the Continent. Coordinated by Matt Phillips. Footscray, Australia: Lonely Planet. p. 94. ISBN 978-1-74104-602-1. OCLC 144596621.
  4. ^ "Togo 2021 International Religious Freedom Report" (PDF). Office of International Religious Freedom. 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  5. ^ US State Dept 2021 report, Retrieved 2023-4-25
  6. ^ "Traditions, religions and customs in Togo - Togo-Tourisme" (in French). 30 September 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  7. ^ Heritage in danger. ICOM. 2004. 0020-6418.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  8. ^ a b "Discovery of Togo: Religions". Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  9. ^ "Togo: when religions coexist peacefully!" (in French). 17 September 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  10. ^ Togo, 55th member of the Islamic Conference. 10 June 1997. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
  11. ^ Peter Bernard Clarke (2005). Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements. p. 688. ISBN 978-0415453837.
  12. ^ Freedom House, Retrieved 2023-04-25

Bibliography

  • Jean-Paul Savi (2020). Geopolitical Failure and Missionary Failure? German Catholic Missionaries in Togoland (1892-1921). Paris: L’Harmattan.
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