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 Periodical article |
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| Title: | Kórì: the Yoruba deity of children |
| Author: | Adebajo, Sola |
| Year: | 1989 |
| Periodical: | Orita: Ibadan Journal of Religious Studies |
| Volume: | 21 |
| Issue: | 2 |
| Pages: | 65-77 |
| Language: | English |
| Geographic term: | Nigeria |
| Subjects: | African religions cults Yoruba |
| Abstract: | Kórì, one of the 'orì.sà' (deities) of Yorùbá country, Nigeria, is essentially a children's deity. The worship consists of the hard shells of palm nuts strung into beads and made to hang from the neck to the knees. Two origin stories of the deity are presented and interpreted. Research shows that Kórì is worshipped variously from place to place. In Òyó, for example, every home houses the propitiation sites of Kórì, where she is worshipped in holes made in the walls. To worshippers, all human problems, especially those of barrenness, are solvable, just because Kórì is a goddess of small children. Kórì is also worshipped during festivals, where animals are sacrificed, accompanied by chants. There seems to be some connection between Kórì and other deities in Yorùbáland. The greatest benefit derivable from Kórì is the gift of children, who are often named after the goddess. Devoteses are not beset by lots of taboos, exceptions existing in the fields of promiscuity and menses. In conclusion, some chants are presented, whose general themes centre on praises, protection, and rituals. Although the emergence of Islam and Christianity, coupled with Western education, has dealt some blows to the worship of Kórì, adherents of these two religions clandestinely consult devotees of Yorùbá traditional religions, including Kórì worship. Notes, ref. |