Saints, biographies et histoire en Afrique

Although in the African societies the term "holy" lets one think immediately of monotheistic religions, here it is related to every person who maintains a supernaturally mediating relation to the Godly sphere. Saints, as dilettantes with special vocation and instructions, interfere in particular fields with actual professionals. Apart of that, they intervene with general instructions and demands in the lives of all members of their community : In relation to the supernatural with the medicine man, shamans, concerning the divine with the priests and religious scholars, socially and politically with those in power, politicians and military. In any case the wonder is the regular confirmation of their charisma and instructions. The saint can act here either as a simple mediator but also as a medium in a broader sense. The contributions discuss how the biographical material is constantly revised to keep its role in creating and maintaining a historico-cultural identity. The sources to be investigated were not restricted to written ones, but also include pieces of oral tradition and fine arts.