Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism. The name "Hindu" came from Muslims that invaded India in 1 200 AD because they wanted to distinguish between their own religion and that of the inhabitants of India. Hinduism, major world religion originating on the Indian subcontinent and comprising several and varied systems of philosophy, belief, and ritual.

"Hindu" is the Persian word for "Indian". This is down from the 1.4% based on the 1996 census. However the Hindu presence in other West African states is limited to South Asian people residing in countries like Sierra Leone and Liberia. The Chinese immigrants introduced Buddhism in South Africa.
From India, it advanced in much of Asia after which it diminished in India at the time of Middle Ages. Judaism came about when the Jewish astronomers and cartographers came to South Africa. Buddhism, as a major world religion, is practiced in Africa.Though there have been some conversion amongst Africans, most of the Buddhists in Africa are of Asian, mostly Chinese, Vietnamese, Sri Lankan or Japanese descent.. South Africa holds the largest Buddhist population in the continent. Buddhism - Buddhism - Historical development: The Buddha was a charismatic leader who founded a distinctive religious community based on his unique teachings. If the Indus valley civilization (3rd–2nd millennium BCE) was the earliest source of Hindu traditions, then Hinduism is the oldest living religion on Earth. There is a community of 25,000 Hindus in Nigeria. The roots of Buddhism lied at the time of intellectual ferment as well as the period of socio-cultural change from the early Vedic period. Buddhism came into existence between the sixth and fourth centuries BCE in Ancient India. Hinduism is a religious tradition that began about 5 000 years ago. Hinduism is a recent phenomenon in West Africa most notably Ghana where it is said to be the fastest growing religion.

The Indians who worked as laborers in the settlements introduced Hinduism and now forms 1.2% of the total population in the country. Hinduism is practised throughout South Africa, but primarily in KwaZulu-Natal.Approximately 1.1% of the South African population professed to be Hindu, according to the 2011 census.

Some of the members of that community were, like the Buddha himself, wandering ascetics. The 2016 General Household Survey measured a …