Yoruba religion: seeing it in history, seeing it whole

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Periodical article

Title:	Yoruba religion: seeing it in history, seeing it whole
Author:	Peel, J.D.Y.
Year:	2008
Periodical:	Orita: Ibadan Journal of Religious Studies
Volume:	40
Issue:	1
Pages:	1-24
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Nigeria
Subjects:	African religions Yoruba syncretism Christianity Islam religious history
Abstract:	In this paper, originally presented as the third Ebenezer Adeolu Adegbola Memorial Lecture, the author offers an interpretation of Yoruba religion (Nigeria) as a historical whole, from before the 19th century up to today. By 'Yoruba religion' he means all forms of Yoruba religious expression, not just the non-Christian, non-Muslim parts that conventionally fall under the label of 'Yoruba traditional religion' (YTR). The author shows that, with its three components of 'orisa' religion, Islam and Christianity, Yoruba religion has always been a complex plurality, everchanging in the balance of its components and variegated across its geographical range. In conclusion, he expresses his concern over the present decline of 'orisa' religion in its land of origin: what will become of the Yoruba sense of sharing a common 'oro ibile', that 'oro' which so powerfully underwrote the Yoruba tradition of interreligious harmony? Notes, ref. [ASC Leiden abstract]