# Religion in Southern Africa

> journal 1980-1987

**Wikidata**: [Q102290817](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102290817)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/religion-in-southern-africa

## Summary
Religion in Southern Africa is a scholarly journal published from 1980 to 1987 that focused on religious studies, theology, and cultural dynamics in the Southern African region. It is classified as an academic journal and magazine, distinguished by its ISSN numbers (0258-3224 and 1980-1987) and its role in documenting religious practices and societal changes during a critical historical period. The journal originated in South Africa and was published in English, reflecting its academic and regional scope.

## Key Facts
- **Publication Period**: 1980–1987.
- **ISSN Numbers**: 0258-3224 (printed matter) and 1980-1987.
- **Country of Origin**: South Africa.
- **Language**: English.
- **Classifications**: Academic journal, scientific journal, and magazine.
- **Focus Areas**: Religious studies, theology, cultural dynamics, and societal changes in Southern Africa.
- **Context**: Published during the apartheid era, addressing religious and social issues.
- **Identifiers**: ACNP Journal ID 3226334, JSTOR Journal ID "relisoutafri".
- **Related Entities**: Connected to the broader "magazine" entity and the country of South Africa.
- **Archival Access**: Available via JSTOR and ATLA databases.

## FAQs
**What is Religion in Southern Africa?**  
It is a scholarly journal published from 1980 to 1987, focusing on religious studies and cultural dynamics in Southern Africa, particularly during the apartheid era.

**What are the ISSN numbers for the journal?**  
The journal has two ISSN numbers: 0258-3224 (for printed matter) and 1980-1987.

**What regions and themes did the journal cover?**  
It specialized in religious practices, theology, and societal changes in Southern Africa, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to religion and culture.

**How is it distinct from other religious journals?**  
Its unique focus on Southern Africa during the politically charged 1980s, combined with its academic rigor and regional specificity, sets it apart from broader religious studies journals.

**Where can the journal be accessed?**  
It is archived in databases such as JSTOR and ATLA, with identifiers including JSTOR ID "relisoutafri" and ACNP Journal ID 3226334.

## Why It Matters
Religion in Southern Africa is significant for its documentation of religious and cultural dynamics during a transformative period in Southern African history, particularly under apartheid. The journal provided a platform for academic discourse on how religious institutions navigated and influenced social justice movements, making it a critical resource for understanding the intersection of faith, politics, and society. Its interdisciplinary approach—encompassing theology, sociology, and anthropology—offers insights into both local and global religious studies. By focusing on a region marked by intense racial and political strife, the journal highlighted the role of religion in both perpetuating and challenging systemic oppression, leaving a lasting scholarly legacy.

## Notable For
- **Regional Focus**: Concentrated on Southern Africa, a region undergoing significant political upheaval during its publication years.
- **Interdisciplinary Scope**: Combined theology, sociology, and cultural studies to analyze religious practices and institutions.
- **Apartheid-Era Context**: Provided critical perspectives on religion’s role in both supporting and resisting apartheid policies.
- **Academic Rigor**: Published peer-reviewed articles, establishing it as a credible resource in religious studies.
- **Archival Value**: Preserved historical insights into religious communities and movements in 1980s Southern Africa.

## Body

### History and Publication Context
Religion in Southern Africa was published from 1980 to 1987, a period marked by heightened political tensions and resistance to apartheid in South Africa. The journal emerged as a scholarly response to the need for nuanced analysis of religious institutions’ roles in societal change. Its publication span coincided with pivotal events, including the rise of the anti-apartheid movement and the eventual release of Nelson Mandela in 1990, though the journal ceased publication before the end of apartheid.

### Academic Focus and Content
The journal specialized in interdisciplinary studies of religion, emphasizing theology, sociology, and anthropology. It featured articles on topics such as the role of churches in anti-apartheid activism, indigenous religious practices, and the intersection of faith with colonialism and liberation struggles. Contributors included scholars from Southern Africa and international researchers, fostering a dialogue between local and global perspectives on religious studies.

### Structural and Identifying Properties
- **ISSN Numbers**: The journal is identified by two ISSN numbers: 0258-3224 (specific to printed matter) and 1980-1987, reflecting its publication period.
- **Country of Origin**: Published in South Africa, it centered on regional themes while engaging with broader academic discourse.
- **Language**: Primarily English, aligning with academic publishing norms and ensuring accessibility to international audiences.
- **Archival Identifiers**: Accessible via JSTOR (ID "relisoutafri") and the ATLA database (ID ATLA0000023293), with an ACNP Journal ID of 3226334.

### Related Entities and Connections
- **Magazine Entity**: Classified as a type of magazine due to its periodic publication, though distinguished by its academic focus.
- **South Africa**: Directly tied to the country’s history, culture, and political landscape, particularly the apartheid era and its societal impacts.
- **Broader Context**: Part of global scholarly efforts to document religion’s role in social change, alongside regional studies journals focused on Africa.

### Thematic Significance
The journal’s exploration of religion in Southern Africa highlighted the duality of religious institutions as both conservative forces and agents of liberation. For example, it examined how some Christian denominations supported apartheid ideologies while others, such as the Dutch Reformed Church, later renounced these stances. This nuanced analysis provided critical context for understanding the complex moral and political landscape of the region.

### Legacy and Impact
Though publication ceased in 1987, Religion in Southern Africa remains a key resource for historians and scholars of religion. Its archival availability ensures continued relevance for research on 20th-century Southern Africa, offering primary-source insights into the era’s religious and cultural debates. The journal’s emphasis on interdisciplinary inquiry also influenced subsequent scholarship, underscoring the importance of contextualizing religion within broader social and political structures.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.jstor.org/journal/relisoutafri)
2. [Source](https://www.atla.com/SearchCenter/Pages/advanced.aspx?k=ATLA0000023293)
3. ISSN Portal
4. [Source](https://acnpsearch.unibo.it/journal/3226334)