Sacrifices were believed to prevent future misfortunes. The Akamba and Kikuyu of Kenya offered sacrifices if they expected any misfortunes from God or any spiritual being

It helped the people mark and remember important occasions like marriage ceremonies. This was done to involve spiritual beings in the affairs of the living

It was a means through which people could make and renew their contact in the spiritual world. Through sacrifices, the Africans could ask for blessings in their work from their ancestors. This could be in form of cultivation or victory in wars.

It was an important aspect of reconciliation and forgiveness especially in the event where blood relationships had been broken.

Sacrifices were used for purification or cleansing a person from his or her wrong deeds like incest so as to avoid punishment from the ancestors.

Sacrifices were important in worshiping God and other spiritual beings. They showed peoples' faith in the Supreme Being.

They catered for the wellbeing of people as some served as food like the Karamojong of north eastern Uganda and the Asante of West Africa.

They were used as means of communication between the living and the spiritual world through the departed members.