Journal of Student Research 2019

Journal of Student Research 102 towards death, and how their beliefs inform the conduct in their everyday lives. Cultural Overview The Yoruba people are one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa, living primarily in Yorubaland, a cultural region encompassing Nigeria, Togo, and Benin. They are not a single group, but rather a collection of diverse people bound together by a common language, history, and culture. 2 Despite their long and rich history as a people, the term “Yoruba” was not always used to describe them as an ethnic group. The term instead originally described the speakers of the Yoruba language, and was not used as an ethnic description until the 19th century. 3 Yoruba culture and religion largely focuses on folktales, philosophy, cosmology, and mythology. 4 They are known for their excellent craftsmanship, and are considered one of the most skilled and productive groups in Africa. 5 They have developed a variety of artistic forms including pottery, weaving, beadwork, metalwork, and mask making, all of which are practiced to honor gods and ancestors. 6 southwestern part of Nigeria where the gods are said to have descended to earth. 7 The city was founded by Oduduwa and Obatala—heroes from which all Yoruba people are believed to have descended. 8 While these two figures are notable in Yoruba culture, their roles in history possess a certain fluidity due to the Yoruba culture being one that is carried on through storytelling, and thus ever-changing. This mode of transfer causes traditional customs to vary from community to community as changes in influence and interpretation arise. 9 For example, one myth holds that Obatala was a divine being and Oduduwa was his wife, while another claims that Oduduwa was male rather than female, and led as the divine king of the Yoruba people; one credits the two gods with creating the world, while another credits Olorun alone—the high god of the Yoruba religion. 10 Following his death, Oduduwa’s sons left the city of Ile Ife to establish other Yoruba states. Today, the royal dynasty of Ile-Ife is over 800 years old, carried on by its current king, Alayeluwa Oba Okundae Sijuwade Olubuse II. 11 Yoruba History Yoruba people are said to have originated from Ile-Ife—an ancient city in the

Orisha, Divination, and Death in the Yoruba Culture of West Africa

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Due to the diaspora of slaves during the slave trade, many Yoruba traditions have been influenced by other cultures and religions. Their traditional polytheistic religion was challenged throughout history by Islam and Christianity—with missionaries of the latter sect practicing Christian conversion through the use of religious schools to draw people away from traditional beliefs. 12 Traditional Yoruba religion—often referred to as Aborisha—has played a significant role in influencing other groups as well, merging many traditional customs and values with the religions and cultures of South America and the Caribbean. 13 Yoruba religion and mythology are popularized in Latin America, especially in Haiti, Cuba, and Puerto Rico, and have given origin to several New World religions such as Santeria in Cuba, and Candomble in Brazil. 14 Around 20% of Yoruba people still practice the traditional religion of their ancestors, 15 but most contemporary Yoruba practice Christianity and Islam. 16 Traditional Yoruba religion holds that there is one supreme being—Olorun (also known as Olodumare), and hundreds of minor gods known as orisha . 17 Olorun is considered the creator of the earth, humans, and non-human beings. 18 Orisha are divine intermediaries between humankind and the supernatural, and are revered for having control over elements of nature. 19 They reflect the manifestations of Olorun, and were described to early Christian missionaries as minor gods that descended from a single, almighty god, just as Jesus was the son of the god in the Christian faith. 20 Each human possesses his or her own guardian orisha to which they pray and consult for guidance. And while there are there are over 401 gods known in the Yoruba religion today, 21 there are only three gods who are available to all: Olorun, the high god, Eshu, the divine messenger, and Orunmila (also known as Ifa), the god of Divination. 22 Orisha are not equal in power or ability—there are some that are viewed as more significant than others. Eshu, known as the “trickster god,” is a very important orisha in the Yoruba culture. He is regarded as Olorun’s divine messenger and negotiates between negative and positive forces in the body as a god of chance, accident, and unpredictability. 23 Ogun, another significant deity, is the god of war, hunting, and ironworking and serves as the patron deity of blacksmiths

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

New World Encyclopedia.

Orisha and Divination

“Yoruba.”

New World Encyclopedia.

“Yoruba.”

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

“Yoruba.” Every Culture.

New World Encyclopedia.

“Yoruba People.” New World Encyclopedia.

“Yoruba.”

Kennedy. “10 things that might surprise you about Yoruba culture.”

Mohammed Akinola Akomolafe. “Yoruba Ontology: A Critique of the Conceptualization of Life After Death.”

New World Encyclopedia. “Yoruba People.” Come to Nigeria.

“Yoruba Religion.” Wikipedia. Horton, “Yoruba Religion and Myth.”

Ken Chiedozie Egu. “Ile Ife, Nigeria (ca. 500 B.C.E.- ).”

“Yoruba.”

Come to Nigeria

Ibid.

“Yoruba.”

10 11

Horton, “Yoruba Religion and Myth.” Egu, “Ile Ife, Nigeria (ca. 500 B.C.E.- ).”

“Yoruba Religion.”

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