The phenomenon of change of name and identity in Yorùbá religious community in the light of social change

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Periodical article

Title:	The phenomenon of change of name and identity in Yorùbá religious community in the light of social change
Author:	Ayantayo, Jacob Kehinde
Year:	2010
Periodical:	Orita: Ibadan Journal of Religious Studies (ISSN 0030-5596)
Volume:	42
Issue:	1
Pages:	1-16
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Nigeria
Subjects:	personal names acculturation identity African religions Pentecostalism social change Yoruba
Abstract:	In the context of global social change, change of name is a practice common among members of Nigerian Pentecostal churches. This paper is concerned with the implications of name change for the identity of the individuals concerned, their families and their communities, among Nigeria's Yoruba. Following an examination of the significance of traditional names within the Yoruba religious community, the paper shows that some of the agents of social change in the Yoruba religious community are Christian missionaries of different denominations. Through Western education, they have influenced African beliefs and practices. The paper argues that Christian names are not superior to traditional names, and that any change that makes people or individuals lose their identity would do away with peoples' culture. Ref., sum. [ASC Leiden abstract]