OLDMAR God in Yoruba Belief BY E. BLAJI IDOWU Con en ! "RE#ACE $ii %.&I' ALL ()I'G* . . . RELIGIOU*& % +.

OUR A'CE*(RAL )OME %% ,. I' ()E BEGI''I'G %.. OL/DMAR00()E 'AME ,1 2. OL/DMAR00)I* A((RIBU(E* ,3. OL/DMAR00)I* *(A(U* .4. ()E MI'I*(ER* O# OL/DMAR 24 -. ()E MI'I*(ER* O# OL/DMAR00CO'(I'UED 4% 5. ()E CUL( O# ()E DI6I'I(IE*00WOR*)I" %14 %1. ()E CUL( O# ()E DI6I'I(IE*00"RIE*()OOD %+5 %%. ()E CUL( O# OL/DMAR %.1 %+. OL/DMAR A'D MORAL 6ALUE* %.. %,. OL/DMAR A'D MA'7* DE*(I'Y %35 %.. OL/DMAR A'D MA'7* #I'AL DE*(I'Y %-3 %2. C)A'GE OR DECAY8 +1+ I'DE9 O# *UBJEC(* +%3 I'DE9 O# "RO"ER 'AME* ++%

"refa:e In all ;e <re$iou! =or>! =;i:; ;a$e referen:e o ;e reli?ion of ;e Yoruba@ ;e Dei A ;a! been a!!i?ned a <la:e =;i:; Ba>e! )iB $erA reBo e@ of li le a::oun in ;e !:;eBe of ;in?!. 6erA fe= <eo<le =;o reallA >no= ;e Yoruba :an e!:a<e ;e unea!A feelin? ;a ;ere i! !oBe ;in? inadeCua e@ o !aA ;e lea! @ abou !u:; a no ionD and i i! ;a &unea!A feelin?& ;a led o BA in$e! i?a ion of =;a ;e Yoruba a: uallA >no= and belie$e abou ;e Dei A. (;i! boo> ;u! <re!en ! a ne= ! udA of ;e belief of ;e Yoruba =i ; ;e !<e:ifi: aiB of eB<;a!i!in? ;eir :on:e< of ;e Dei A. In order o do ;i! obEe: i$elA@ I ;a$e endea$oured ;rou?;ou @ a! Bu:; a! <o!!ible@ o le ;e Yoruba ;eB!el$e! ell u! =;a ;eA >no= and belie$e@ a! ;eA are !o =ell able o do ;rou?; ;eir BA ;!@ in ;e re:i a ion! of ;eir <;ilo!o<;A@ =i ; ;eir !on?! and !aAin?!@ and bA ;eir li ur?ie!. (o ran!la e Yoruba $er!e! and !aAin?! in o En?li!; and Ae <re!er$e ;eir eFa: Beanin? i! no an ea!A a!>. I ;a$e@ ;o=e$er@ ried o Bee ;e diffi:ul A bA bein? ra ;er li eral and >ee<in? $erA :lo!e o ;e ori?inal in BA ran!la ion!. (;rou?;ou ;i! =or>@ I ;a$e re!er$ed ;e i le &Dei A& for ;e *u<reBe Bein? alone@ =;ere I aB no :allin? )iB bA )i! Yoruba naBeD and for ;e &?od! BanA and lord! BanA& I ;a$e u!ed ei ;er ;e ?eneri: de!i?na ion of &di$ini A& Gor &di$ini ie!& a! ;e :a!e BaA beH@ or :all ;eB bA ;eir Yoruba ?eneri: naBe@ orI! J K@ =;en I aB no u!in? ;eir indi$idual naBe!. One !e:ondarA aiB =;i:; I !ee> o fulfil ;rou?; ;i! boo> i! o !u<<lA one of our dee<lA fel need! in ;e Ba er of ?ood ! andard eF boo>! on Yoruba belief! and ;ou?; !. I i! ;u! BA ;o<e ;a ;e boo> =ill be of $alue o ea:;er! and ! uden !. A ;i! <oin I li>e o borro= ;e =ord! of BA (u or@ Dr. A. C. BouCue of CaBbrid?eL &Bu if anAone !;ould a!>L 7)o= :an a <adre be eF<e: ed o <rodu:e an iB<ar ial rea i!e on a !ubEe: :on:ernin? =;i:; ;e i! bound o ;a$e defini e denoBina ional :on$i: ion!700BA an!=er =ould be a on:eL 7I belie$e ;a ru ; !;ine! bA i ! o=n li?; . I ;a$e fai ; ;a if BA o=n :reed i! in anA rue !en!e ab!olu e@ i :anno !uffer froB an un<reEudi:ed and di!<a!!iona e eF<o!i ion of ;e ;i! orA of reli?ion7. And !o I ;a$e ! ri$en o =ri e a! a !:ien i! @ no a! an ad$o:a e. W;e ;er I ;a$e !u::eeded ;e <ubli: Bu! Eud?e.& (o ;i! I do no need o add anA :oBBen . I =i!; o eF<re!! BA ?ra i ude o ;o!e =;o ;a$e !o ?enerou!lA ;el<ed Be bA ?i$in? Be of ;eir $aluable iBe and =i!doB for ;e <ur<o!e of ;i! boo>. MA ;an>! ?o fir! o all ;e friend! ;rou?;ou ;e :oun rA =;o!e aid ;a! been in$aluable o Be in ;e onerou! and be=ilderin? a!> of :olle: in? Ba erial. In ;i! :onne: ion I !;ould li>e o Ben ion e!<e:iallA BA bro ;er@ Mr. O?unle J Ae J Ido=u@ and Mr. Rufu! A=oEOJMJdN of Ile0IfO J . I ;an> Mr!. Mabel '=a:;u>u for A<in? Bo! of ;e draf @ Mr. #. OlubU11#, J rP J de O?unA5 J Bi@ =;o <a ien lA and !>ilfullA <re<ared ;e :oB<le e A<e!:ri< @ and Mr!. #. A. O?un! J 5 J A5 J @ =;o >indlA <re<ared ;e Ba<. I aB al!o ?ra eful o Re$. G. *. (odd@ IBBanuel Colle?e@ Ibadan@ for

readin? ;e =or> ;rou?;ou in A<e!:ri< or Banu!:ri< and ?i$in? Be ;e benefi of ;i! :on! ru: i$e and ;el<ful :ri i:i!BD o Mi!! MollA M. Ma;ood@ "rofe!!or of En?li!;@ Uni$er!i A Colle?e@ Ibadan@ Mr. Ulli Beier@ of ;e EF ra0Bural De<ar Ben @ Uni$er!i A Colle?e@ Ibadan@ and Mr. M. B. Ran!on@ 'i?erian Colle?e of *:ien:e and (e:;nolo?A@ for readin? <or ion! of ;e A<e!:ri< and Ba>in? $erA ;el<ful !u??e! ion!D o Mi!! E$a Ri:;ard!on of ;e Uni ed Mi!!ionarA Colle?e@ Ibadan@ and o BA dear =ife@ bo ; of =;oB !o :arefullA and ;el<fullA read ;e <roof!. I reBain! for Be o add ;a ;i! boo> i! ba!ed on a (;e!i! <re!en ed o ;e Uni$er!i A of London in %522 for ;e De?ree of Do: or of ";ilo!o<;A in ;e #a:ul A of (;eolo?A. In ;i! :onne: ion@ I re:ord BA dee< ?ra i ude o Re$. Dr. E. GeoffreA "arrinder@ =;o in!<ired and !u<er$i!ed BA ;e!i! ;rou?;ou D o Mi!! Moni:a )uBble@ of ;e Me ;odi! Girl!7 )i?; *:;ool@ La?o!@ and Mr. ). Ulli Beier@ =;o read ;e ;e!i! and ;el<ed Be =i ; ;eir :ri i:i!B! =i ; a $ie= o i ! <ubli:a ion. I !end ou ;i! boo> in ;e ;o<e ;a i =ill be a :on ribu ion o ;e ! udA of ;e &=aA! and =i!doB& of our belo$ed Afri:a. E. BLAJI IDOWU Uni$er!i A Colle?e@ Ibadan. A<ril@ %531.

I In All (;in?! . . . Reli?iou! & Bun er@& !aid Lord "e er@ . . .&do Aou >no= =;A I aB doub ful abou ;e !u::e!! of ;o!e ra eF<eriBen !8& &Meanin? Mr. )ar Ban7!@ BA Lord8& &Ye!@ Dr. )ar Ban ;a! a ;eorA. In anA in$e! i?a ion@ BA Bun er@ i i! Bo! daBnablA dan?erou! o ;a$e a ;eorA.& &I ;a$e ;eard Aou !aA !o@ BA Lord.& &Confound Aou00Aou >no= i a! =ell a! I doQ W;a i! =ron? =i ; ;e do: or7! ;eorie!@ Bun er8& &You =i!; Be o re<lA@ BA Lord@ ;a ;e onlA !ee! ;e fa: ! =;i:; fi in =i ; ;e ;eorA.& % (;i! de e: i$e dialo?ue i! a<<o!i e ;ere a! =e o<en ;e fir! :;a< er on a =or> =;i:; in$ol$e! :areful !:ien ifi: ! udA. I i! of !u<reBe iB<or an:e o bear in Bind ;a i i! a :oB<ul!orA <rereCui!i e of !u::e!!ful !:ien ifi: in$e! i?a ion o >ee< a :lear@ o<en Bind. (;i! i!@ ;o=e$er@ one of ;o!e inEun: ion! =;i:;@ in :on!eCuen:e of ;e $a?arie! of ;e ;uBan Bind@ ;a$e of en been a>en a! :oun!el! of <erfe: ion. E!<e:iallA i! i iB<or an in our field of in$e! i?a ion o a$oid ;e <i fall! of <reEudi:e and <re:on:ei$ed no ion!D for@ in ;e =ord! of WilliaB (eB<le@ &W;ere :ondi ion! are <re!:ribed before;and@ ;one! ! udA i! iB<o!!ible.& + A Yoruba fol> ale ell! of an en:;an ed ?arden =;ere !Ball ?ourd! ?re= in <rofu!ion. On en erin? ;e ?arden@ one ;eard ;e :laBour of !e$eral of ;e ?ourd! in$i in? one in ;e Bo! =innin?@ <er!i! en @ alBo! :oB<ul!i$e =aA@ &"lu:> BeQ "lu:> BeQ "lu:> BeQ& (;ere =ere@ ;o=e$er@ o ;er! =;i:; =ere <erfe: lA :alB and reBar>ablA !ilen . )e =;o =a! =i!e and =ould be !u::e!!ful in life Bu! i?nore ;e allurin? in$i a ion! of ;e :laBorou! one!D for in ;eB =ere :on ained all ;a baffled@ all ;a eBbarra!!ed@ all ;a ! un?@ all ;a :au!ed !ufferin?. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % A (rea!urA of *aAer!7 * orie!@ bA Doro ;A L. *aAer! G London@ 6i: or Gollan:S L d.@ %52-H@ <. +2.. + Tuo ed bA E. C. De=i:> in (;e London Tuar erlA and )olborn Re$ie= G (;e E<=or ; "re!!@ JanuarA %525H@ <. 4. 0%0

Le ;iB <lu:> of ;e :alB@ !ilen one!D for on !Ba!;in? ;eB@ =eal ; and <ro!<eri A be:aBe ;i! lo . #or ;o!e =;o :anno be lured a=aA froB ;e <a ; of <rin:i<le! bA ;e :laBour and ?li er of ;in?!@ ;ere i! ;e re=ard =;i:; ! eadine!! of <ur<o!e and <a ien !ear:; brin?. In our field@ ;ere =ill be BanA allurin?lA :laBorou! and fan:iful ;in?!D bu !in:e our Cue! i! ;e ru ;@ =e Bu! reEe: e$erA ;in? el!e@ ;o=e$er eB< in? or !en!a ional@ =;i:; doe! no Bini! er o ;e ru ;. We Bu! ?uard a?ain! findin? fa: ! o fi in =i ; :er ain ;eorie!. &Mere :olle: ion! of inforBa ion are a< o be Bi!leadin? abou anA ;in?@ bu are :er ain o be abou =;a i! li$in? and or?ani: li>e reli?ion.& % I i! iB<or an ;a one !;ould be able o u!e ;e :olle: ion! =i!elA and <rofi ablA@ and ;a ine$i ablA in$ol$e! in er<re a ion. (o in er<re obEe: i$elA i! a diffi:ul a!>@ ;o=e$er. I ;a! been o BanA an in$e! i?a or &A ?ulf <rofound a! ;a *erbonian bo?@ Be =iF DaBia a and Moun Ca!iu! old@ =;ere arBie! =;ole ;a$e !un>.& + (;ere are a lea! ;ree <i fall! =;i:; are ;ere for ;i! undoin?. #ir! @ ;ere i! ;e be!e in? eB< a ion o a>e a<<earan:e for reali A =i ;ou adeCua e $erifi:a ion. (o a$oid ;i! ;a! been bA no Bean! ea!A@ e!<e:iallA for ;o!e =;o ! udA ;e =aA! and =i!doB of <eo<le! =;o li$e in =orld! of idea! and belief! =;i:; are differen froB ;o!e on =;i:; ;eA ;a$e been brou?; u<. More of en ;an no @ error! of Eud?Ben ;a$e re!ul ed froB Bo! in$e! i?a ion! :ondu: ed bA !u:; <eo<le. #or eFaB<le@ ;e =ord fe i:; ;a! been =idelA u!ed o de!:ribe ;e reli?ion of We! Afri:a. A::ordin? o ;e ;i! orA of ;e =ord@ i =a! fir! in rodu:ed bA ;e "or u?ue!e o de!:ribe ;e :;arB! and !a:red eBbleB! of We! Afri:a. (;e =ord !i?nifie! & ;a W;i:; i! Bade&. *oBe of ;e eF<lorer! de!:ribed ;e =;ole of Afri:a a! a <la:e ?o$erned bA &in!en!ible fe i!;&. , Ano ;er label =;i:; ;a! been flun? abou indi!:riBina elA i! EuEu. . (;e #ren:; Bu! ;a$e ;ou?; ;a ;e :ul obEe: ! of We! Afri:a =ere no Bore ;an ridi:ulou! <laA ;in?!D for ;e =ord i! !aid o be deri$ed froB ;e #ren:; Eou0Eou@ =;i:; Bean! & oA&. I ;a!@ ;o=e$er@ been RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % (;e 'a ural and (;e *u<erna ural@ bA Jo;n OBan G CaBbrid?e Uni$er!i A "re!!@ %5,%H@ <. .-2. + "aradi!e Lo! @ Boo> II@ 25%025.. , (;e 6oi:e of Afri:a@ bA Leo #robeniu! G London@ )u :;in!on@ %5%,H@ $ol. I@ <. Fiii. . #or fur ;er :oBBen ! on ;e =o =ord!@ fe i:;i!B and EuEu@ !ee C;a< er 4@ <. 3.. 0+0

eB<loAed eF en!i$elA a! a :oB<re;en!i$e eF<re!!ion =;i:; <ur<or ! o :on$eA all ;a i! Bean bA reli?ion in We! Afri:a. BA ;e!e =o illu! ra ion!@ =e !ee ;a ;e idea =;i:; ;a! been :ir:ula ed abroad and =idelA a::e< ed i! ;a ;e reli?ion of We! Afri:a i! !oBe ;in? =i ;ou anA real $alue00 !oBe ;in? in =;i:; barbari: :rudene!! i! Ber:ifullA relie$ed bA a ou:; of ;e ridi:ulou!. (;e =or>! of =ri er! li>e R. *. Ra raA and E. GeoffreA "arrinder ;a$e aiBed a ! ron? blo= a ;i! erroneou! ideaD bu ;o= !u::e!!ful ;eA ;a$e been i! ! ill $erA Bu:; o be !een. % *e:ondlA@ ;e Cue! ion of ori?in i! a $erA eB< in? one. (;ere ;a$e been ;o!e =;o ;a$e ea?erlA ra:ed ;e ori?in of e$erA eleBen in our na i$e belief and :ul ure o !our:e! ou !ide our!el$e!. (;e an:ien :i$ili!a ion of E?A< ;a! been irre!i! ible o !u:; in$e! i?a or!@ !o a ra: i$e ;a i ;a! be:oBe iB<o!!ible for ;eB o ;in> e$en of ;e brea ; of our no! ril! =i ;ou ?oin? all ;e =aA o E?A< for i ! !our:eQ (;i! i! an eF:e!! o =;i:; a Yoruba na ional in ;i! ea?erne!! o <ro$e ;e nobili A of ;i! an:e! rA and ;e !oundne!! of ;i! :ul ure BaA ea!ilA fall $i: iB. + Bu an un=arA Euro<ean eF<lorer BaA be ri<<ed u< ;ere al!o. Leo #robeniu! be:aBe !o enaBoured of ;e reli?ion of ;e Yoruba ;a ;e <lainlA !a= in Ile0IfO J , ;e &Lo! A lan i!& of "la o7! roBan:eQ . (;irdlA@ in rAin? o a$oid ;e fir! =o error!@ one i! li>elA o fall in o ano ;er@ =;i:;@ ;ou?; le!! ob$iou!@ i! eCuallA dan?erou!. (;a i! ;e Bi! a>e of BorbidlA !;rin>in? froB anA !u??e! ion of !iBilari ie! or iden ifi:a ion be =een one :a e?orA of reli?iou! erBinolo?ie! and ano ;er. In ;i! boo>@ (;e Da=n of Reli?ion@ Eri: *. Wa er;ou!e <ra: i:allA :ondeBn! #a ;er *:;Bid @ =i ;ou due rial@ of ille?i iBa elA eF<or in? C;ri! ian ;eolo?i:al erB! for ;e <ur<o!e of de!:ribin? ;e :on:e< of ;e *u<reBe Bein? aBon? &<riBi i$e ra:e!&. &(;e a ribu e! =;i:; are re:orded bA *:;Bid @& !aA! ;e@ &!eeB o be in er<re ed oo readilA in erB! of our Gi ali:! BineH ;eolo?A@ for ;e ?i$e! ;eB a! e erni A@ oBni!:ien:e@ benefi:en:e@ Borali A@ oBni<o en:e@ and :rea i$e <o=er.& 2 Wa er;ou!e !eeB! o ;in> ;a o ;er ra:e! a<ar froB ;e Euro<ean! are in:a<able of a<<re;endin? ;e Dei A in ;o!e erB!. *urelA@ ;ere are no idea! and :a e?orie! =;i:; are :rea ed o be ;e RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee A!;an i@ bA R. *. Ra raA@ and We! Afri:an Reli?ion@ bA E. GeoffreA "arrinder G London@ (;e E<=or ; "re!!@ %5.5H@ <<. %+ ff. + (;e Reli?ion of ;e Yoruba!@ bA Dr. J. OluBide Lu:a! G La?o!@ C. M. *. "re!!@ %5.-H@ a<<ear! o !a$our oo Bu:; of ;i! enden:A. , *ee C;a< er +. . (;e 6oi:e of Afri:a G London@ )u :;in!on@ %5%,H@ 6ol. I@ <<. ,.. f. 2 O<. :i .@ <<. ,5 f. 0,0

eF:lu!i$e Bono<olA of anA <ar i:ular ra:e8 W;A !;ould i be iB<o!!ible for ;e Dei A o re$eal )iB!elf o o ;er ra:e! and o ;e Euro<ean! in !iBilar =aA!8 I! ;ere anA rea!on =;A =;a ;a! been ;ou?; and <ra: i!ed in one <la:e :ould no o::ur in ano ;er =i ;ou anA <re$iou! :on a: be =een ;e =o <la:e!8 (;i! i! a Cue! ion abou =;i:; =e :anno be oo :areful@ for ;ere i! no <oin a all in :rea in? di! in: ion! =;ere ;eA do no eFi! BerelA be:au!e =e fear ;a =e BaA be a::u!ed fal!elA of eB<loAin? forei?n :a e?orie! =;ere ;eA do no a<<lA. If =e find ;a ;e Yoruba ;a$e reli?iou! do: rine! and <ra: i:e! !iBiliar o@ or iden i:al =i ;@ do: rine! and <ra: i:e! aBon? ;e )ebre=! or ;e E ru!:an!@ i !;ould be le?i iBa e o eB<loA in referen:e o ;e forBer !u:; erBinolo?ie! a! ;a$e been u!ed in de!:ribin? ;e la er@ <ro$ided ;eA are found o be a<<ro<ria e. (;ere !;ould be no ;in? o <re$en u! froB u!in? adeCua e ool! =i ; =;i:; ;eolo?A or an ;ro<olo?A ;a! <ro$ided u!D i =ould be di!;one! no o :all ;in?! bA ;eir <ro<er@ >no=n naBe!. (;e!e are <oin ! =;i:; Bu! be :arefullA =ei?;ed a! one under a>e! a =or> !o deli:a e. O ;er=i!e@ ;ere i! ;e dan?er of ;e :onfu!ion =;i:; ari!e! froB &Bere :olle: ion! of inforBa ion& or of erroneou! Eud?Ben =;i:; i! ;e ou :oBe of ;e =ron? a i ude. AlreadA !i?n! of ;e!e are !;o=in? ;eB!el$e! in a ne= =aA. (;ere i! a &Bodern& !:;ool of in$e! i?a or! =;o :laiB o be free froB ;e ;andi:a<! and <reEudi:e! of ;e earlier =ri er!00;andi:a<! and <reEudi:e! =;i:;@ a::ordin? o ;eB@ in:lude ;e C;ri! ian fai ;. BA and lar?e@ ;o=e$er@ ;eA end no o >no= eFa: lA =;a o Ba>e of ;eir :olle: ion!@ o ra ionali!e@ o refu!e o adBi ;a o ;er <eo<le be!ide! ;eB!el$e! are :a<able of ;in>in?@ and o <oo;0<oo; anA ;in? ;a i! no in a?reeBen =i ; ;eir o=n <ar i:ular $ie=!. In :on!eCuen:e of ;i! a i ude ;eA are li>elA o reBain for e$er li>e ;o!e a?ain! =;oB * . "aul =arn! (iBo ;AL &E$er learnin?@ and ne$er able o :oBe o ;e >no=led?e of ;e ru ;. & % We !ee@ ;en@ ;e <redi:aBen of ;e Bodern in$e! i?a or =;o !e ! ou u<on an obEe: i$e ! udA of ;e belief and :ul ure of anA na ion. If@ ;o=e$er@ ;e follo=! ;e !afe :our!e00 !afe bu arduou!00of <a ien lA and :oura?eou!lA a$oidin? ;e &:laBorou! ?ourd!& of fan:A and <re:on:ei$ed no ion!@ of brin?in? ;i! <redile: ion! under <ro<er :on rol@ of =ai in? <a ien lA for and a::e< in? ;e real re$ela ion! of ru ; a! i i! $ou:;!afed o ;iB@ ;e =ill rea:; a !afe ;a$en. In our ! udA@ ;erefore@ our Bain a!> i! o ?o o ;e Yoruba in order ;a ;eA BaA re$eal ;eB!el$e! o u!D o !ee ;eB &froB ;e in!ide&@ RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % II (iBo ;A ,L4. 0.0

and !o learn froB ;eB!el$e! =;a ;eA >no= and belie$e =i ; re?ard o ;e !u<reBe Ba er of reli?ion. *o le u! loo> and li! en. (;e Yoruba :oB<ri!e !e$eral :lan! =;i:; are bound o?e ;er bA lan?ua?e@ radi ion!@ and reli?iou! belief! and <ra: i:e!. (;e Cue! ion of ;eir ori?in i! ! ill a deba able !ubEe: @ !in:e =e do no Ae <o!!e!! adeCua e Ba erial ou of =;i:; =e :an build u< ;e ;i! orA of ;eir be?innin?. In ;e Bain@ ;e Yoruba :laiB o be de!:endan ! of a ?rea an:e! or. % (;ere i! no doub a all ;a ;eA ;a$e been a ?rea ra:e. (;eA areD and ;eA a<<ear in !oBe =aA! o be de riBen allA o$er0:on!:iou! of ;eir ?rea an:e! rA and lon?@ noble radi ion!. Indeed@ ;eA are ;e <ro?enA of ?rea =ar lord!@ effi:ien >in?doB builder! and a! u e ruler!. (;eA ;a$e been enEoAin? for :en urie! a =ell0or?ani!ed <a ern of !o:ie A@ a <a ern =;i:; <er!i! ! ba!i:allA in !<i e of all ;e :;an?e! :on!eCuen u<on Bodern :on a: ! =i ; ;e We! ern World. (;eir >in?! ;a$e@ froB a $erA lon? <a! @ =orn :o! lA beaded :ro=n! and =ielded roAal !:e< re!. And no one reBeBber! a iBe =;en ;e Yoruba ;a$e no =orn :lo ;e!. (rulA@ ;en@ ;eA ;a$e ;eir rea!on! for bein? <roud of ;eir ra:e. )o=e$er@ ;e real >eAno e of ;e life of ;e Yoruba i! nei ;er in ;eir noble an:e! rA nor in ;e <a! deed! of ;eir ;eroe!. (;e >eAno e of ;eir life i! ;eir reli?ion. In all ;in?!@ ;eA are reli?iou!. Reli?ion forB! ;e founda ion and ;e all0?o$ernin? <rin:i<le of life for ;eB. A! far a! ;eA are :on:erned@ ;e full re!<on!ibili A of all ;e affair! of life belon?! o ;e Dei AD ;eir o=n <ar in ;e Ba er i! o do a! ;eA are ordered ;rou?; ;e <rie! ! and di$iner! =;oB ;eA belie$e o be ;e in er<re er! of ;e =ill of ;e Dei A. (;rou?; all ;e :ir:uB! an:e! of life@ ;rou?; all i ! :;an?in? !:ene!@ i ! EoA! and rouble!@ i i! ;e Dei A =;o i! in :on rol. Before a :;ild i! born@ ;e ora:le i! :on!ul ed and due ri e! ob!er$edD =;en ;e :;ild i! born@ ;e ora:le ?i$e! dire: ion! abou i D a e$erA ! a?e of life00<uber A@ be ro ;al@ Barria?e@ a>in? u< a :areer@ buildin? a ;ou!e@ ?oin? on a EourneA and@ in fa: @ ;e ;ou!and and one ;in?! =;i:; Ba>e u< ;uBan eFi! en:e ;ere on ear ;00Ban i! in ;e ;and! of ;e Dei A =;o!e di: a e i! la=@ and =;o i! =ai in? on ;e o ;er !ide of ;i! life o render o ;iB a! ;e de!er$e!. (;e reli?ion of ;e Yoruba <erBea e! ;eir li$e! !o Bu:; ;a i eF<re!!e! i !elf in Bul ifariou! =aA!. I forB! ;e ;eBe! of !on?!@ Ba>e! o<i:! for Bin! rel!A@ find! $e;i:le! in BA ;!@ fol> ale!@ <ro$erb! and !aAin?!@ and i! ;e ba!i! of <;ilo!o<;A. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er ,@ <<. ++ ff. 020

A! ;ere are no =ri en re:ord! of ;e an:ien <a! of ;e <eo<le@ all ;a ;a! been <re!er$ed of ;eir BA ;!@ <;ilo!o<;A@ li ur?ie!@ !on?! and !aAin?!@ ;a! :oBe do=n o u! bA =ord of Bou ; froB ?enera ion o ?enera ion. And all ;i! o?e ;er =e !;all :all &Oral (radi ion!&. (;e!e oral radi ion! are our onlA Bean! of >no=in? anA ;in? a all of ;eir ;eo?onA and :o!Bo?onA and =;a ;eA ;in> and belie$e abou ;e rela ion!;i< be =een ;ea$en and ear ;. (;e oral radi ion! enable u! o !ee ;a Cue! ion! fundaBen al o reli?ion ;a$e been a!>ed and an!=ered in ;e <a! @ and ;a i i! in :on!eCuen:e of ;o!e Cue! ion! and an!=er! ;a ;e bodA of oral radi ion! no= a$ailable o u! ;a! :oBe in o bein?. (=o ;in?! Bu! be <oin ed ou a on:e. I =ill be ob!er$ed@ u<on :ri i:al analA!i!@ ;a ;ere are ?rou<! of ;e!e oral radi ion! =;i:; Bu! be <ie:ed o?e ;er a! fa:e ! of one :en ral do: rine. #ailure o re:o?ni!e ;i! fa: froB ;e be?innin? BaA re!ul in :onfu!in?@ <ar ial ru ;!. On ;e o ;er ;and@ ;ere are !e$eral of ;eB =;i:; a<<ear o u! o be Bu uallA :on radi: orA or in:on!i! en . (;i! i! of en due o !i ua ion! :rea ed bA <a! and lon?0for?o en e$en ! and no o ;e fa: ;a ;e Yoruba are in lo$e =i ; & en!ion bu no <re:i!ion& a! i =a! on:e eF<re!!ed in a le: ure@ =;en i =a! !u??e! ed ra ;er unfairlA ;a ;e Yoruba delibera elA or e$en Bi!:;ie$ou!lA :rea ed en!ion! and :on radi: ion! =;ere ;eA did no ori?inallA eFi! . #or ;a i! $erA un rue. (;e ru ; i! ;a ;e Yoruba are onlA bein? ;one! abou ;e fa: ! of ;eir eF<erien:e! and are of en in$ol$ed@ li>e anA o ;er <eo<le!@ in ;e <robleB of in er<re a ion. (;eA >no= ;a life i! full of <aradoFe! and :on radi: ion! and do no !ee> :le$erlA o blin> a ;e ru ;. )ere i! ano ;er fa: =;i:; Bu! be re:o?ni!ed in order o Ba>e ;e ri?; u!e of eleBen ! froB ;i! :a e?orA. A! ). U. Beier % on:e ob!er$ed@ =;a a<<ear o ;e :ri i:al in$e! i?a or a! :on radi: ion! and in:on!i! en:ie! do no a<<ear !o o ;e ?enerali A of ;e Yoruba@ a! ;eir reli?ion >no=! no do?Ba. Beier i! Cui e ri?; . (;e Yoruba li$e in all ;e!e eleBen ! a>en o?e ;er@ and ;eA forB ;e =ar< and =ef of ;eir belief. (;i! doe! no Bean ;a in our ! udA =e Bu! !u!<end Eud?Ben . We onlA need o Ba>e a :areful no e of ;i! iB<or an =arnin?@ !o ;a =e BaA a$oid ;e eB< a ion of Ba>in? ;in?! oo !Boo ; bA reEe: in? one A<e of Ba erial in fa$our of ano ;er@ BerelA be:au!e ;e la er i! Bore <lau!ible or ;a<<en! o be Bore !ui ed o !oBe <e ;eorA. Con radi: orA@ or a<<aren lA :on radi: orA@ radi ion! BaA in ;eB!el$e! RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % ). U. Beier i! a u or in ;e EF ra0Mural De<ar Ben of ;e Uni$er!i A Colle?e@ Ibadan. 030

be of real $alue@ a! in ;eB =e BaA di!:ern ;a ;ere are <robablA =o or Bore <arallel or !u<<leBen arA !:;ool! of do: rine on ;e !aBe !ubEe: . 'o=@ le u! loo> in !oBe de ail a ;e $ariou! eleBen ! =;i:; in !uB o al forB ;e bodA of oral radi ion!. #ir! @ ;e BA ;!. #roB ;e :;ara: er of our BA ;!@ ;eA a<<ear o be@ in ;e Bain@ eF<lana orA an!=er! o ;e Cue! ion! <o!ed o Ban bA ;e $erA fa: ! of ;i! :onfron a ion =i ; ;e <;A!i:al uni$er!e and ;i! a=arene!! of a =orld =;i:;@ ;ou?; un!een@ i! Ae !uffi:ien lA <al<able o be real o ;iB. Cer ain <;enoBena ! and ou a! una$oidable Cue! ionBar>!L ;e!e deBand of ;e Bind an!=er! a! o ;e =;en:e and =;erefore@ =;A and ;o=@ of ;in?!. (;e Bind of Ban al!o@ ;o=e$er naU$e@ ;a! al=aA! been an eF<lorer in o ;e BA! erie! of eFi! en:e@ e$er roaBin? and re:oun in? ;e re!ul ! of i ! eF<lora ion. C;ildren a!> Cue! ion!L in order o !ubdue ;eir na ural :urio!i A@ !oBe ;in? a::e< able bA =aA of an!=er Bu! be ?i$en o ;eir Cue! ion!. In ;e BA ;!@ ;erefore@ =e ;a$e ! orie! ran?in? froB ;e !iB<le eF<lana ion of :oBBon o::urren:e! rela ed o ;e fa: of ;uBan eFi! en:e@ o an!=er! o !eriou! riddle! li>e ;o!e in$ol$ed in ;e <;enoBena of bir ;@ ;uBan life in all i ! <;a!e!@ and dea ;D Cue! ion! =i ; referen:e o ;e Dei A@ ;e =;en:e and =;erefore of ;e un!een =orld in =;i:; Ban feel! ;iB!elf en$elo<ed@ =;i:; rule!@ ?uide!@ or Bole! ! ;iB. (;e BA ;! ;u! !er$e ;e Banifold <ur<o!e! of ! a eBen ! of do: rinal belief!@ :onfirBa ion of fai ; in ;e Bind@ li ur?i:al :redo@ !iB<le Be a<;A!i:!@ and ;e <ro$i!ion of !oBe ;in? readA o !aA &=;en ;A !on a!>e ; ;ee in iBe o :oBe !aAin?@ W;a i! ;i!8& *e:ondlA@ ;e OdN :or<u!. (;i! i! a bodA of re:i al! =;i:; belon? o ;e in ri:a e !A! eB of di$ina ion :onne: ed =i ; ;e :ul of runBIlK. % (;eA are belie$ed o be ;e re!<on!e! $ou:;!afed bA ;e ora:le ;rou?; ;e <rie! ! o de$ou enCuirer! and !u<<lian !@ and :on! i u e@ in a !A! eBa i: WaA@ ;e reli?iou! <;ilo!o<;A of ;e Yoruba@ =;i:; i! a <ra?Ba i: one. A! ;eA are@ ;eA belon? o ;e Bo! fiFed and reliable + !e: ion of ;e oral radi ion!. We :anno ell eFa: lA ;o= BanA of ;e re:i al! ;ere are =i ;in ;e :or<u!. )o=e$er@ =e >no= ;a ;eA are =ell ?rou<ed under ;eadin?! o =;i:; are ?i$en ;e ?eneri: naBe of OdN. , (;ere are =o ;undred and RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % runBIlK i! ;e ora:le di$ini A. *ee C;a< er! -@ <<. 42 ffD and %1@ <<. %,- ff. + *ee C;a< er %2@ <. +%1. , OdN in ;i! :a!e Bean! &;eadin?&@ &!e: ion&@ or &:;a< er&. *ee <<. ,, ff for fur ;er :oBBen !. 040

fif A !iF of ;e!e OdND and o ea:; of ;eB@ a::ordin? o ;e baba7lV=o@ % are a a:;ed one ;ou!and !iF ;undred and ei?; A ! orie! or BA ;!@ :alled <a ;=aA!@ road!@ or :our!e!. + Ea:; OdN ;a! i ! o=n naBe and :;ara: er@ and fall! in o ;ree di! in: !e: ion!. #ir! @ ;ere i! a <i ;A !aAin? =;i:; i! :on$eAed in a $er!e. (;i! $er!e !;ould be :learlA lin>ed and rela ed o ;e =o !e: ion! =;i:; follo= i @ =;ile ;o!e !e: ion! !;ould be i ! aB<lifi:a ion. (;i! i! of en ;e :a!e@ bu i i! no al=aA! !oD for@ rue o ;e A<e of an ora:ular u eran:e@ i BaA e$en a<<ear o be ab!olu elA irrele$an or unin elli?ible in ;e :on eF in =;i:; i i! !e . (;e rea!on for ;i! BaA be ;a i ;a! a dee<er Beanin? ;an ;a =;i:; a<<ear! iBBedia elA on ;e !urfa:eD bu i i! of en due o ;e eF ual di!lo:a ion! =;i:; ;a$e a>en <la:e in ;e :or<u! in :on!eCuen:e of ;e liBi a ion! of Ben al re:ord!. 'e$er ;ele!!@ ea:; $er!e ;a! i ! o=n in rin!i: $alue for our ! udA@ a! i in$ariablA ;old! !oBe ;eolo?i:al@ <;ilo!o<;i:al@ or <ro$erbial eF<re!!ion. )ere i! an eFaB<le00(;i! OdN i! I=PrI0MWEIL <X nlV nY7AoJ a?o?o ide J l7 UJnuD /EP nlV l7 Z <7 O>I I n7 <O J O J D ! J un J =NEI l7 Z f5JWJ Ee J @ l7 f Ee J Bu@ L7 Z rV 7rV =oJ 7nN oBi loJ. A ;i:> rod i i! ;a rouble! ;e bra!! ?on?D A ;ea$A rain i i! ;a redu:e! ;e an ;ill o BudD un of J =NE[ i i! =;o fini!;ed ea in?@ fini!;ed drin>in?@ And :ra=led delibera elA a=aA in o ;e ri$er. (;e !e:ond !e: ion =;i:; follo=! ;e $er!e i! a ! orAD and i i! ;e >ernel of ;e re:i al froB ;e <oin of $ie= of di$ina ion. I i! in rodu:ed bA O dV f\n@ or O d7 ifV f\n@ =;i:; Bean! &(;u! de:lare! ;e ora:le o or abou . . .& or &(;i! i! ;e ora:le7! de:lara ion for or abou . . .& (;e!e =ord! of in rodu: ion a ;e !aBe iBe lin> u< ;e ! orA =i ; ;e <re:edin? $er!e. (;e ! orA ell! of a BA ;olo?i:al :;ara: er or :;ara: er! o =;oB ;e ora:le ;ad !<o>en before under :ir:uB! an:e! !iBilar o RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % (;i! i! ;e ?eneri: i le ?i$en o ;e di$iner! =;o are :onne: ed =i ; ;e :ul of runBIlKD i Bean! li erallA@ &fa ;er of ;e :ul & or &fa ;er =;o i! $er!ed in ;e BA! erA&. + Yoruba )ea ;eni!B@ bA Re$. JaBe! Jo;n!on G En?land@ JaBe! (o=n!end@ %-55H@ <. %5. 0-0

;o!e of ;e <re!en enCuirer. (;u!@ ;e line! =;i:; follo= ;e abo$e $er!e ?o a! follo=!L O dV fun J ;In0]=KL (Y 7! J e O J ?bUJn /n^ J rP I!In<_@ ni ori J ;In0]=K L7 a ! J e n! J 7 /n l7 `re. (;u! de:lare! ;e ora:le o J ;In0]=K G&Af er0Bein?&@ <er!onifiedH W;o i! ;e !enior of /na G&(o0daA&@ <er!onifiedH. O Ae <eo<le of I!In<_@ i i! on a::oun of J ;In0]=K (;a =e are ;o!<i able o /na. Of en ;e ! orA i! :learlA and !uffi:ien lA iB<lied in line! a! in ;i! one Eu! Cuo ed@ or old in a full narra i$e. In ei ;er :a!e@ i lead! iBBedia elA o ;e ;ird !e: ion =;i:; i! i ! <ra: i:al a<<li:a ion@ i ! <ur<o!e bein? analo?i:al. (;u! ;e baba7lV=o ell! ;e enCuirer ;a ;e Bu! al=aA! be ;o!<i able ;a ;e BaA ;a$e a ?ood Af er0Life. % I i! <ar i:ularlA of $alue ;a ;e OdN :or<u! :on ain! ;e naBe! and a<<ella ion! of@ and ! orie! abou @ ;e Dei A and ;e di$ini ie!. (;u!@ ;eA ?i$e u! $aluable Ba erial on Yoruba ;eo?onA. + (;irdlA@ ;e li ur?ie!. )ere a?ain@ =e feel ;a =e are on rea!onablA !ure ?round be:au!e ;e li ur?ie! ;a$e been <re!er$ed for u! alBo! undi! urbed for ?enera ion!. We o=e ;i! o ;eir !a:redne!!@ and ;e belief of ;e Yoruba ;a ;e effi:a:A of =or!;i< de<end! on ;e :orre: ne!! of ;eir :ondu: . In Yoruba =or!;i<@ ;ere i! no ;in? of ;e non:onforBi! !7 ?o0a!0Aou0<lea!e ! Ale. A <rie! a<<roa:;e! ;i! a<<oin ed a!> =i ; a=e@ e$er :on!:iou! of ;e dreadful fa: ;a if ;e =ron? ! e< !;ould be a>en or ;e ri?; order of !er$i:e be no follo=ed@ e$erA ;in? Bi?; be lo! and ;i! o=n life and ;e life of ;e =or!;i<<er! Eeo<ardi!ed. We ;a$e rea!on@ ;erefore@ o be fairlA :er ain ;a in ;e li ur?ie! =e ;a$e =;a ;a! been ;anded do=n in a: 00 ;a i!@ a! far a! ;e ;uBan Bind :ould Ba>e i 00froB ?enera ion o ?enera ion. (;e li ur?ie! are ;e <eo<le7! Bean! of :oBBuni:a ion =i ; ;eir obEe: ! of =or!;i<. I i! an in?rained ;abi in Ban o :all ;i! obEe: of =or!;i< bA a ribu i$e naBe!. (;e Yoruba are e!<e:iallA fond of a<<ella ion! and <er!onal e<i ;e ! e$en in ;eir dealin?! be =een Ban and Ban. In ;e old daA!@ and o a ?rea eF en odaA@ ;e >in?! and ;e noble! ;a$e <eo<le =;o!e Bain du A i! o !in? ;eir <rai!e!D ;e nobler and Bore ;eroi: a <er!on7! an:e! rA@ ;e lon?er ;e li! of ;i! <rai!e0 RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er %.@ <<. %53 ff. + *ee C;a< er! ,@ <. %-D 4 and -. 050

naBe! and a<<ella ion!. (;i! li! in:lude! a !ur$eA of ;i! an:e! ral ori?in@ ;e :ir:uB! an:e! of ;i! an:e! or! and ;eir :onne: ion! and ;eroi: deed!@ and a :all o ;iB o li$e u< o ;e noble radi ion and <re! i?e of ;i! linea?e. W;a ;a<<en! on ;i! ;uBan le$el ;a<<en! al!o =;en ;e Yoruba :oBBuni:a e =i ; ;eir obEe: ! of =or!;i<. (;u!@ in ;e li ur?ie! =e learn Bu:; abou ;e naBe! of ;e Dei A and ;e di$ini ie!@ ;eir ori?in! or no0ori?in!@ ;eir :ir:uB! an:e!@ ;eir a ribu e! and :a<abili ie!@ and ;e ;o<e! =;i:; are re<o!ed in ;eB. #our ;lA@ ;e !on?!. (;e Yoruba are a !in?in? <eo<le. In ;eir !in?in?@ =;i:; :oB<ri!e! !on?!@ lAri:!@ ballad!@ and Bin! rel!A@ ;eA ell ! orie! of ;eir <a! @ ;e :ir:uB! an:e! of ;eir <re!en @ and ;eir ;o<e! and fear! of ;e fu ure. If all ;a a Yoruba :lan ;a! e$er !un? :ould be :olle: ed@ ;ere i! no doub ;a a fairlA a::ura e ;i! orA of ;a :lan :ould be buil u<. And ;eir !on?! are <erBea ed =i ; ;eir belief!. We >no= ;o= of en i ;a<<en! ;a =;a i! ineffable in :on!eCuen:e of ;e liBi a ion! of <ro!ai: !<ee:; ride! for ; ea!ilA on ;e $e;i:le of <oe rA. #or ;a rea!on@ ;e Yoruba :an <u ;eir do: rinal and <;ilo!o<;i:al ;in>in? in o eF<re!!ion ;rou?; !in?in?. A ?ood BanA of ;e !on?! are an:ien and fiFed in :;ara: er. Of ;e!e are ;e ;ABn! u!ed a =or!;i< and =;i:; are@ ;erefore@ <ar ! of ;e :ul !. (;i! :a e?orA in:lude! al!o ;e e<i:! and ;e ale! of ;i! orA =;i:; ;a$e been redu:ed o <oe rA. (;e!e are all inforBa i$e and Beanin?ful for our <ur<o!e. La! lA@ ;ere are ;o!e ?eB! of Yoruba lan?ua?e00 ;e <ro$erb!@ ada?e!@ and e<i?raB!00 =;i:; ;a$e be:oBe ;e !ine Cua non of Yoruba !<ee:; and of en :on$eA dee< ;eolo?i:al or Be a<;A!i:al Beanin?. All ;e!e $ariou! eleBen ! a>en o?e ;er enable u! o ! udA ;e indi?enou! belief of ;e Yoruba &froB ;e in!ide&L o >no= =;a ;eA a: uallA ;in> and belie$e@ and no =;a =e ;in> ;a ;eA !;ould ;in> and belie$e@ in due deferen:e o !oBe <e ;eorie!. (o a:;ie$e ;i! ! udA &froB ;e in!ide&@ i i! ne:e!!arA o ?o o ;e <eo<le@ o Bee ;eB@ o !ee ;eB a! ;eA reallA are@ o en er !AB<a ;e i:allA in o ;eir feelin?! and ;u! o under! and ;a =;i:; i! ;e >eAno e of ;eir life. In order o rea:; ;e ;ear of ;e Yoruba in ;i! =aA@ ;e fir! <la:e of iB<or an:e for u! o ?o i! Ile0IfO J @ ;eir An:e! ral )oBe@ ;eir )olA Ci A. Af er ;i!@ and onlA af er i @ !;ould =e loo> el!e=;ere. And !o@ le u! <aA a $i!i o ;a An:ien Ci AQ 0%10

+ Our An:e! ral )oBe Ile0IfO J L ;e fir! of :rea ion ;ere belo=D ;e ori?inal ;oBe of all ;in?!D ;e <la:e froB =;i:; ;e daA da=n!D ;e en:;an ed@ ;olA :i AD ;e ;oBe of di$ini ie! and BA! eriou! !<iri !Q (;a =a! ;e Bul ifariou! <i: ure of Ile0IfO J =;i:; u!ed o forB <ar of our :;ild;ood >no=led?e. E$en odaA@ in !<i e of !e$eral Aear! of We! ern !o<;i! i:a ion@ ;e :i A ! ill ;a! a :er ain en:;an Ben for ;e Yoruba <eo<le@ if onlA be:au!e i i! ;e ;ear =;i:; !e ! ;e reli?iou! blood :our!in? ;rou?; ;eir na ional $ein!. Un il :oB<ara i$elA re:en lA@ =;en ea!A :oBBuni:a ion ;a! Bade i <o!!ible o ra$el alBo! all o$er ;e :oun rA !afelA and Cui:>lA@ Ile0IfO J u!ed o be ;e !a:red load! one =;i:; filled ;e Yoruba <eo<le e$erA=;ere =i ; a dee< Aearnin? for <il?riBa?e. (;ere =a! e$er in e$iden:e !oBe ;in? no! al?i: in e$erAone@ al=aA! a :oBBuni A of in ere! e$erA=;ere@ abou ;e :i A. Our elder! u!ed o ;a$e G ;eA ! ill ;a$eH BanA ! orie!00en er ainin?@ en:;an in?@ or ;air0 rai!in?00 o ell abou i ! Banifold BA! erie!. (;eA old of <la:e! and ;in?! of ?rea in ere! @ of ;in?! <erBi!!ible o ;e Aoun? o !ee@ of ;in?! =;i:; no e$en an elder@ and none a all eF:e< ;e ini ia ed@ Bi?; !ee on <ain of ?rie$ou! <eril!. #or eFaB<le@ ;ere =a! ;e ?ro$e of lZ J fe J f\raL ;e =a! a di$ini A re<u ed o ;a$e ;e ;abi of ;ailin? and =el:oBin? $i!i or! e$en froB ;e di! an:e =i ; lau?; er and !<on aneou! EoA a! one doe! an old@ lon?0Bi!!ed@ belo$ed friend. If@ ;o=e$er@ anA $i!i or re!<onded :orre!<ondin?lA@ ;i! fa:ial fea ure! =ould reBain <erBanen lA fiFed in ;e :on or ion of Bir ;le!! lau?; er. )o= :ould a Aoun?@ un=arA@ <er!on $i!i !u:; a <erilou!lA an ali!in? <la:e =i ;ou endan?erin? ;i! fa:eQ Or ;e !;rine of ;e &Moon&. (;ere ;e &Moon& laA in ;e !;a<e of a fla !lab of ! one. (;e $i!i or oo> a !Ball <ie:e of ! one and rubbed ;ard on i ! !urfa:e. A! ;e rubbed@ ;e =a! !ure@ =i ;in a !;or iBe@ o ob!er$e ;e Bo$eBen ! of :er ain !;ado=!L ;e!e =ere !;ade! of <eo<le =;o ;ad de<ar ed froB ;i! ear ;@ aBon? =;oB ;e =a! !ure o re:o?ni!e !oBeoneQ )e Bu! no be ! ar led or fri?; ened@ 0%%0

;o=e$er@ or ;i! life =ould be in ?rea dan?er. (;erefore@ ;a =a! ano ;er <la:e ou of bound! for ;e Aoun? and ;e ner$ou!. (;e &Boonrubbin?& Bi?; no be under a>en bA anAone a all durin? ;e a<<earan:e of ;e Boon in ;e !>A a! i =a! ;en un:ondi ionallA dan?erou! o do !o. A Aoun? <er!on =;o =a! lu:>A enou?; in ;o!e daA! o be a>en bA ;i! <aren ! o Ile0 IfO J =ould a<<roa:; ;e :i A =i ; feelin?! =;i:; baffled analA!i!. )e =a! bound o be a!!ailed on en erin? ;e :i A =i ; !u::e!!i$e =a$e! of eBo ion. )e =ould be alBo! afraid o loo>D for a e$erA urn Bi?; be =al>in? or lur>in?@ for all ;e >ne=@ !oBe di$ini ie! or ?;o! !Q )e =ould be !;o=n !e$eral <la:e! and ;in?!@ ;o=e$er. A $erA iB<re!!i$e one =ould be <b rXnAKn00&(;e ! aff of rXnAKn&. GrXnAKn@ a! ;e oral radi ion! ;a$e i @ =a! a <o=erful ;ero@ a =arrior !on of ;e ?rea OdNd\=K@ ;e roAal@ deified <ro?eni or of ;e Yoruba. % W;en ;e be:aBe $erA old@ ;e =i ;dre= ;iB!elf froB ;e abode of Ben and li$ed in !e:lu!ion in a ?ro$e. #roB ;ere@ ;e eFer:i!ed a Cua!i0di$ine !u<er$i!ion o$er ;e affair! of ;i! :;ildren@ ;e IfO J . In ;e :a!e of an in$a!ion@ ;e =en o ;eir aid and@ !in?le0;anded@ defea ed ;eir eneBie!. (;e IfO J =ere forbidden o <ani:@ fire a !in?le !;o @ or rA o defend ;eB!el$e! in anA =aA in !u:; a :ri!i!. (;eA !;ould ra ;er !in? and dan:e@ af er ;eA ;ad ?i$en ou ;e !;ou @ rXnAKn@ o?un BK dW oQ00&O rXnAKn@ =e are bein? a a:>edQ&rXnAKn =ould ;en ?o for ; on a :;ar?er and <u ;e in$adin? arBA o rou =i ; Bu:; !lau?; er. One daA@ ;o=e$er@ durin? a ?rea fe! i$al@ =;en ;e :i A =a! ;ron?ed =i ; <eo<le all :elebra in? and reEoi:in?@ in :on!eCuen:e of =;i:; =ine ;ad flo=ed $erA freelA@ !oBe fri$olou! IfO J be:aBe in!<ired =i ; al:o;ol@ and =i ;ou >no=in? ;e ;arB ;eA =ere :au!in? !;ou ed@ &O rXnAKn@ =e are bein? a a:>edQ& IBBedia elA@ ;e fier:e =arrior@ blinded =i ; ;e <a!!ion for :arna?e@ :aBe ou on ;i! :;ar?er@ !=ord un!;ea ;ed@ and be?an ;e ?;a! lA =or> of =;ole!ale Ba!!a:re. GI i! !aid ;a @ ;abi uallA@ ;e onlA ! o<<ed >illin? =;en &;i! :;ar?er =a! fe lo:>0dee< in blood&QH )e ;ad alreadA de! roAed BanA before an old !a?e !;ou ed o ;iB froB a re!<e: ful di! an:e@ &O rXnAKnQ You are de! roAin? Aour o=n :;ildrenQ& I =a! ;en ;a ;i! eAe! :leared a! if !:ale! ;ad fallen froB ;eB and ;e reali!ed =;a ;a$o: ;ad been done. )e =a! dee<lA ?rie$edD ;e !;ea ;ed ;i! !=ord@ urned ;e ;ead of ;i! ;or!e and rode in !ilen:e@ =i ; droo<in? ;ead@ o=ard! ;i! ?ro$e. A ;e en ran:e@ ;e <au!ed and@ af er :ool delibera ion@ Bade a !oleBn $o= ;a @ ;en:efor ;@ ;e =ould RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er ,@ <<. ++ ff. 0%+0

ne$er ?o ou a?ain in $i!ible forB o :;aB<ion ;e :au!e of ;i! :;ildrenD ;e =ould defend ;eB in fu ure froB ;i! !ea in ;e ?ro$e. *o ;e <lan ed ;i! =arrior7! ! aff in ;e ?round on ;e !<o =;ere ;e Bade ;e $o=@ and ;i! iBBedia elA urned in o ! one. )e ;en rode in o ;e ?ro$eL ;ere@ in a !i in? <o! ure on ;i! :;ar?er@ ;e Be aBor<;o!ed ;iB!elf in o ri?id ?rani e@ o?e ;er =i ; ;i! =ife =;o in a >neelin? <o!i ion ;eld u< o ;iB a =el:oBin? :alaba!; of :ool drin>. On ;e ! aff =;i:; ! ood !e$eral fee ;i?; =ere !oBe ;ard Be al ! ud! =;i:; ;e elder! de!:ribed a! ;e bulle ! =;i:; ;ad been fired a ;e ?rea =arrior durin? ;i! :aB<ai?n!. (;e Aoun? $i!i or =ould be a>en o !ee BKbX@ C J I?IdI. (;i! =ould be de!:ribed o ;iB a! an IfO J =arrior of an iCui A =;o@ in! ead of dAin? in ;e norBal =aA@ :on$er ed ;iB!elf o ! one. BKbX@ C J I?IdI i! ;e ?rani e bu! of an a?ed <er!ona?e =earin? a raffia ;a . (;e Aoun? $i!i or =ould be a!!ured ;a BKbX C J I?IdI ! ill brea ;ed fain lA and =in>ed ;i! eAe! Eu! <er:e< iblA and@ be:au!e an elder !aid !o@ ;e =ould di!:ern !oBe !i?n! of fain brea ;in? and !oBe Eu! <er:e< ible !i?n! of =in>in?Q #roB ;e eFaB<le of BKbX C J I?IdI i =ould be eF<lained fur ;er o ;e Aoun? $i!i or ;a in ;e old daA! !e$eral of ;e ?rea and ! ron? Ben did no die in =;a ;ad no= be:oBe ;e norBal =aA@ bu :;an?ed ;eB!el$e! in o ! one or =al>ed ;rou?; a :a$e in o ;ea$en. (;e en ran:e o ;a :a$e =ould be <oin ed ou o ;iB. )e =ould !ee ;a i ;ad been !ealed u< and =ould be old ;e in ere! in? ! orA :onne: ed =i ; i ! :lo!ure. A::ordin? o ;e ! orA@ ;e en ran:e ;ad been !ealed u< be:au!e oo BanA <eo<le =ere findin? ;eir =aA o ;ea$en <reBa urelA. Ori?inallA@ ;e :a$e0en ran:e =a! u!ed bA bo ; ;o!e =;o =ere old and ri<e enou?; o ?o and li$e <erBanen lA in ;ea$en and ;o!e =;o onlA <aid $i!i ! ;ere in order o be? for !oBe fa$our or ble!!in?. In :our!e of iBe@ ;o=e$er@ <eo<le be:aBe ?reedA and =an ed oo BanA ;in?! in a ;urrA. (;eA =ould ?o o ;ea$en and a!> for ;e!e ;in?!D and if ;eA =ere old ;a a::ordin? o ;eir de! inA ;eA =ould ;a$e o =ai a lon? iBe for =;a ;eA =an ed@ or ;a ;eir ! ore! of ear ;lA ?ood! ;ad been eF;au! ed@ ;eA =ould be:oBe ;ear bro>en and refu!e o re urn o ;e ear ;. )en:e i =a! :on!idered eF<edien o !eal u< ;e <a!!a?e. Ano ;er ! orA abou ;e dead ;a =ould be old o ;e $i!i or =a! ;a !in:e Ile0IfO J =a! ;e ori?inal ;oBe of all@ anA <er!on =;o died@ =;ere$er i Bi?; be@ Bu! $i!i Ile0 IfO J iBBedia elA in order o re:ei$e in! ru: ion! abou =;a o do neF . (;ere@ ;e =ould be old =;e ;er ;e !;ould ?o dire: lA o ;ea$en@ in =;i:; :a!e ;i! fee =ould be !e alon? 0%,0

;e =aAD or =;e ;er ;e !;ould ! ill reBain ;ere on ear ;@ in =;i:; :a!e ;e =ould be old =;ere o abide and =;a o do. *u:; a &<er!on&@ =;en ?oin? o Ile0IfO J @ Bu! be dre!!ed in =;i e and ;old a =;i e fo=l. A Ile0IfO J @ ;ere =a! a <ar i:ular !;rine =;i:; =a! ;e re:e< ion <la:e for ;e ne=lA de:ea!ed. Ye!@ Ile0IfO J @ a::ordin? o ;e belief! of ;e Yoruba@ i! ;e ear ;lA ori?in and foun ain of allD i i! al!o ;e ear ;lA end o =;i:; all Bu! re urn in order o be old =;a o do neF . (;e Yoruba are ! ill lar?elA <o!i i$e abou ;a . Ile0IfO J i! ;e ori?in and :en re@ no onlA of ;e Yoruba =orld bu al!o of ;e =;ole =orld of na ion! and <eo<le!. A one iBe@ a ! one &!;oe& :ould be !een ;ere@ and i =a! !aid o be ;e <riBe$al !;oe@ ;e ar:;e A<e of ;e !;oe! =orn bA Euro<ean!. (;ere are =o bodie! of =a er in ;e :i AL one i! :alled !KrK G!KH00&(;e La?oon& and ;e o ;er />un00&(;e *ea&. (;e!e are !aid o be re!<e: i$elA ;e ori?inal !our:e! froB =;i:; ;e =orld7! la?oon! and !ea! and o:ean! deri$ed. OlZ>un@ &(;e Godde!! of ;e *ea& Ga feBale 'e< uneH i! one of ;e di$ini ie! of Yorubaland. W;en Leo #robeniu!@ ;e GerBan eF<lorer@ $i!i ed Yorubaland@ ;e =a! !o iB<re!!ed bA ;e :ul of ;e ?odde!! and ;e =;ole !e 0u< of Yoruba reli?ion ;a ;e :on:luded ;a Ile0IfO J =a! ;e &Lo! A lan i!& redi!:o$ered and ;a ;e Yoruba =ere de!:endan ! of ;a le?endarA >in?doB. % (odaA@ ;e &BA! erie!& of Ile0IfO J are bein? :lo!elA in$e! i?a ed. I i! no= >no=n ;a <X rXnAKn =a! ;e <rodu: @ =i ; BanA o ;er ;in?! of !iBilar na ure@ of an an:ien :i$ili!a ion ;e full bearin? of =;i:; on Yoruba ;i! orA =e are ! ill o >no=. I i! a =or>ed@ ?rani e obeli!>. (;ere ;a$e been BanA !u??e! ion! abou i ! ori?in@ bu no ;in? i! Ae >no=n for :er ain. (;e iron ! ud! on i are !u??e! i$e of !e$eral ;in?!. I !eeB!@ be:au!e ;eA are !e in ;e !;a<e of a riden @ ;a ;e obeli!> =a! ori?inallA :onne: ed =i ; ;e :ul of OlZ>un00&(;e Godde!! Gor =a! ;i! a ?od ori?inallA8H of ;e *ea&. Or i! i a ?i?an i: <;allu!@ a! i ! !;a<e !u??e! !8 (;ere i! al!o@ o=ard! i ! o<@ Eu! before i ! <AraBidal a<eF@ !oBe en?ra$in? =;i:; =a! <robablA <ar of an in!:ri< ionD bu !in:e a <ar of ;i! ;a! been :;i<<ed off@ ;ere !eeB! o be no >no=in? =;a i ori?inallA =a!. + (;e &Moon& =a! onlA a !lab of !<e:ial ! one =;i:; !<ar>led =;en i ! !urfa:e =a! bein? rubbed =i ; ano ;er <ie:e of ! one. I =a! a>en a=aA a fe= Aear! a?o bA an un!:ru<ulou! in$e! i?a or@ =e are old. (;u! RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % O<. :i . + Bu !ee (;e Reli?ion of ;e Yoruba!@ bA J. OluBide Lu:a! G La?o!@ C.M.*. Boo>!;o<@ %5.-H@ <<. ,12 ff on ;e !ubEe: . 0%.0

one :ould ?o on o eF<lain ;a ;ere i! li le BA! erA abou BanA ;in?! =;i:; =ere on:e re?arded =i ; a=e in Ile0IfO J . Bu =;en all ;e!e ;a$e been !aid and adBi ed@ BanA of ;e old ! orie! abou Ile0IfO J reBain !ub! an iallA an eF<re!!ion of ;e belief of ;e Yoruba abou ;eir an:ien @ ;olA :i A. (;e reli?ion of ;e Yoruba i! :lo!elA rela ed o ;e reli?ion of Ile0IfO J . Mo! Yoruba <eo<le refer ;eB!el$e! ba:> in radi ion o Ile0IfO J a! ;eir ori?inal ;oBe. (;e =or> of !:ien ifi: in$e! i?a or! ;a! en;an:ed@ ra ;er ;an diBini!;ed@ ;e !i?nifi:an:e of Ile0IfO J =i ; re?ard o ;e ;i! orA and :ul ure of ;e Yoruba@ e$en =;en !oBe of ;er er! =;ile BA! erie! ;a$e been ! ri<<ed of ;eir !u<er! i iou! or !en iBen al =ra<<in?!. Wi ; ;e di!:o$erA ;ere of bronSe! and =or>! of an:ien ar =;i:; are uniCue in ;e =;ole of 'i?eria@ ;e :i A ;a! :oBe in o a ne= <roBinen:e. I i! no= >no=n for :er ain@ ;rou?; ;er radi ion! and ;e ar:;eolo?i:al di!:o$erie! Bade ;ere froB iBe o iBe@ ;a Ile0IfO J =a! ;e ;oBe of a :en urie!0old :ul ure. (;e cin? of Ile0IfO J i! re?arded bA Bo! of ;e Yoruba a! ;e #a ;er of ;e ra:e a! =ell a! ;eir !<iri ual leader. I i! ?enerallA belie$ed ;a ;e deri$e! ;i! ! a u! froB OdNd\=K % =;oB ;e Yoruba belie$e o be ;eir ori?inal an:e! or and a <rie! 0>in? of Ile0IfO J . (;ere i! radi ional e$iden:e ;a in ;e an:ien daA!@ ;e <rie! 0>in? of Ile0IfO J =a! ;e one in =;oB re!ided all au ;ori A@ reli?iou! and !e:ular@ and ;a ;e ;eld a <on ifi:al !=aA o$er all. E$en af er ;e !:e< re ;ad bran:;ed off and <ar 0au ;ori A =en o AP J and el!e=;ere@ ;e Yoruba :on inue o loo> u<on Ile0IfO J a! & ;e )oBe&@ ;e uniCue@ !a:red !<o =;i:; =a! ;e !our:e and foun ain of all. ManA >in?! of Yorubaland rule odaA be:au!e ;eir !:e< re! deri$ed froB Ile0IfO J . In Yorubaland@ ;ere i! a :ul ural or?ani!a ion@ >no=n a! E J ?b Ee J BoJ OdNd\=K@ =;i:; ;a! :on!iderable influen:e in ;e :oun rA. (;e or?ani!a ion re<re!en ! ;e =;ole ra:e and ;a! ?i$en fre!; eB<;a!i! o ;e iB<or an:e of Ile0IfO J a! ;e ;olA :i A of ;e Yoruba. I i! :lear@ ;en@ ;a a Bodern and ne= ! udA of ;e reli?ion of ;e Yoruba !;ould :en re round Ile0IfO J @ al ;ou?; ;e in$e! i?a or Bu! a>e a::oun of all ;e o ;er iB<or an reli?iou! and :i$i: :en re! of Yoruba lifeD for i i! ne:e!!arA o >no= al!o ;e Banifold $aria ion! =;i:; ob ain froB <la:e o <la:e in order o <re!en a balan:ed $ie= of ;e !ubEe: . In ;i! :onne: ion@ ;e o=n of bK + :all! for !<e:ial Ben ion@ be:au!e RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er ,@ <<. ++ ff. + bK i! a $illa?e abou four Bile! a=aA froB d>er Ee J . I i! :alled ei ;er bK0IlW or bK d>er Ee J o di! in?ui!; i froB ;e o ;er <la:e! :alled bK in Yoruba :oun rA. 0%20

i oo laA! :laiB o bein? ;e ori?in of ;e ear ;. A :areful ! udA of i ! radi ion ;a! re$ealed@ ;o=e$er@ ;a ;ere i! :onfu!ion !oBe=;ereD and ;i! ;a! re!ul ed froB i ! ! ron? a a:;Ben o ;e :ul of OrI! J K0nlV@ ;e ar:;0di$ini A of ;e Yoruba. %

(;e radi ion of bK !;o=! ;a ;e fir! lZ J bK G ;e >in? of bKH =a! a BeBber of an eF<edi ion =;i:; rXnAKn + led in o ;e Edo :oun rA , D =;en rXnAKn =a! re urnin? o Ile0IfO J froB ;i! eF<edi ion@ ;e lZ J bK :;o!e o ! o< a ;e <la:e =;i:; i! no= :alled bK. I a<<ear!@ ;o=e$er@ ;a i =a! UrJ1%CEnAKn =;o ! a ioned ;iB ;ere be:au!e ;e <la:e =a! :on!idered an ou <o! be =een Ile0IfO J and Benin !ui able a! an ob!er$a ion <o! for ;e !afe A of ;i! >in?doB. )o=e$er@ ;e lZ J bK reBained ;ere and founded a o=n. (;e lZ J bK Bu! ;a$e a>en =i ; ;iB ;e :ul of OrI! J K0nlV froB Ile0IfO J . Bu ;i! i! ;e <oin a =;i:; ;e radi ion of bK i! ra ;er :onfu!ed. I i! :laiBed bA ;e bK <eo<le ;a ;e fir! lZ J bK =a! ;e founder of ;e ear ;. I =a! ;e =;oB OlZd\BarW !en @ =i ; OdNd\=K a! ;i! :oB<anion@ o ?o and e! abli!; ;e ear ;D o ;iB =a! ?i$en ;e loo!e ear ; in a !nail7! !;ellD and i =a! ;e =;o :aBe ;an?in? do=n bA a :;ain and a::oB<li!;ed ;e =or>@ be?innin? a ;e <la:e =;i:; i! odaA :alled Ile0IfO J . (;i!@ of :our!e@ iden ifie! ;e lZbK =i ; OrI! J K0nlV. . (;e Cue! ion ;en i!@ if OrI! J K0nlV and ;e lZ J bK are one and ;e !aBe@ ;o= :aBe i ;a ;e lf J gbK =a! a follo=er of@ or a lea! !ubordina e o@ rXnAKn8 #or rXnAKn =a! defini elA ;e leader of ;e eF<edi ion o ;e Edo :oun rA. )o= :aBe i al!o ;a ;e lZ J bK =a! ! a ioned or :;o!e o ! o< a a <la:e of :on!iderablA le!! iB<or an:e ;an Ile0IfO J @ =;ile rXnAKn =en ba:> o ;e Bore iB<or an <la:e8 I i! :er ain ;a OrY! J K0nlV =a! in e$erA =aA !u<erior o rXnAKnD ;e =a! a di$ini A &of ;e ;ea$en!& =;ile ;e la er =a! a ;uBan ;ero@ ;ou?; ;e be:aBe deified la er. (;e li$in? lZ J bK odaA =or!;i<! OrI! J K0nlV =;o i! >no=n in bK a! OrI! J K lZ J bK00&(;e Di$ini A =;o o=n! bK&@ or &(;e Di$ini A =;oB ;e lZ J bK =or!;i<!&. A::ordin? o ;e <re!en lZ J bK@ OrI! J K0nlV i! ;e !u<reBe o=ner of cVbiAO!i00&)i! MaEe! A&00;ere on ear ;. Our :on:lu!ion@ ;erefore@ i! ;a ;e fir! lZ J bK =a! a <rie! 0>in? =;o!e di$ini A =a! OrI! J K0nlV. )e =en froB Ile0IfO J o bK =i ; bo ; RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er -@ <<. 4% ff. + *ee abo$e@ <<. %+ fD and C;a< er -@ <. 5+. , A::ordin? o ;i! orA@ rXnAKn rei?ned in Benin Ci A for a !;or =;ile and ;en de:ided o re urn o Ile0IfO. )e <roBi!ed o ?i$e ;e Benin a >in? of ;eir o=n blood. )e ;erefore oo> a Benin =oBan o =ife@ and ;e <rodu: of ;a union =a! E=e>K I of Benin Ci A. . *ee C;a< er ,. 0%30

;e :ul of ;e di$ini A and ;e radi ion :onne: ed =i ; i . )i! !ubEe: ! =ere old ;a ;eir di$ini A =a! ;e ;ead o$er all ;e Yoruba di$ini ie! a! =ell a! ;e founder of ;e ear ;. We :an !ee ;e ea!A ran!i ion froB ;i! ori?inal belief o ;e radi ion ;a ;e <la:e =;ere ;e founder of ;e ear ; d=el =a!@ in fa: @ ;e ori?in of ;e ear ;. And@ of

:our!e@ =;en ;e fir! lZ J bK died and be:aBe an an:e! ral :ul obEe: @ ;e ?raduallA be:aBe Ber?ed@ in ;e ;ou?; of ;e <eo<le of bK@ =i ; OrI! J K lZ J blK =;o al!o =a!@ and ! ill i! bein? addre!!ed !iB<lA@ and in ea!A abbre$ia ion@ a! lZ J bK. I i! =or ;A of no e ;a in !<i e of ;eir <roud radi ion@ ;e <eo<le of bK :on inue o refer o Ile0IfO J a! ;eir ori?inal ;oBe. 0%40

, In ;e Be?innin?

W;a are =e au?; bA our forbear!@ a::ordin? o ;e oral radi ion!@ abou ;e =orld in =;i:; =e li$e8 W;o Bade ;i! =orld and all i ! fullne!!8 And ;o= are ;e affair! of ;e =orld Bana?ed8 *oBeone =;o ;a! Bade a :areful ! udA of all ;e Ba erial =;i:; our !our:e! afford =ill ;a$e no ;e!i a ion in a!!er in? ;a OlZdNBarO i! ;e ori?in and ?round of all ;a i!. % (;a i! ;e fa: =;i:; iB<re!!e! i !elf u<on u! =i ; ;e for:e of !oBe ;in? in:on ro$er ible. #roB all ;e e$iden:e =;i:; =e ?a ;er froB ;e radi ion!@ ;e Yoruba ;a$e ne$er@ ! ri: lA !<ea>in?@ reallA ;ou?; fur ;er ba:> ;an OlZdNBarO@ ;e Dei A. (;ere i! no doub ;a ;eA ;a$e ;ad ;eir o::a!ional =orrie!@ li>e all belie$er! and ;in>er! all do=n ;e a?e!@ =i ; re?ard o ;e ori?in of OlZdNBarO )iB!elfD bu =;ene$er ;a Cue! ion ;a! rai!ed i ! ;ead@ i ;a! been ni<<ed in ;e bud a! ;e dan?erou! be?innin? of irre$eren inCui!i i$ene!!. + (;e eFi! en:e of OlZdNBarO e ernallA , ;a!@ for all <ra: i:al <ur<o!e!@ been a>en for ?ran ed a! a fa: beAond Cue! ion. I i! u<on ;i! ba!i: fai ; ;a ;e =;ole !u<er! ru: ure of Yoruba belief re! !. (;en ;ere are ;e di$ini ie!@ . e!<e:iallA ;e <rin:i<al one!. All ;e indi:a ion! =;i:; ;a$e :oBe do=n o u! are ;a ;eA =ere all brou?; in o eFi! en:e bA OlZdNBarO ;a ;eA Bi?; be )i! Bini! er! in :arrAin? ou @ ea:; in ;i! o=n offi:e@ ;e fun: ion! :onne: ed =i ; ;e :rea ion and ;eo:ra i: ?o$ernBen of ;e ear ;. Bu a! o =;en ;eA be?an o be@ =e ;a$e li le inforBa ion. (;eA are fir! in rodu:ed o u! in :onne: ion =i ; ;e :rea ion of ;e ear ; and ;e arran?eBen of i ! eCui<Ben . And =;a abou ;e :rea ion of ;e ori?inal Ban or =oBan8 W;en did ;i! a>e <la:e@ or ;o=8 )ere a?ain@ =e are lo! in ;e =ilderne!!. All ;a i! :lear i! ;a ;eA =ere Bade bA OlZdNBarO@ =;o al!o fiFed ;eir de! inA. 2 A::ordin? o ;e oral radi ion!@ !oBe &:rea ure!& =;o RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er .. + *ee C;a< er 2@ <. .3. , *ee C;a< er 2@ <. .3. . *ee C;a< er! 4 and -. 2 *ee C;a< er %,@ <<. %4, ff. 0%-0

forBed ;e nu:leu! of ;e ;uBan o::u<a ion of ;e ear ; ;ad been in eFi! en:e e$en earlier ;an ;e ear ;. (;e BA ;! !<ea> abou ;eB and refer o ;eB !iB<lA a! ;uBan

bein?!. (;ere ;a$e been !:a ered !u??e! ion!@ oo@ ;a ;e di$ini ie! =ere ;e ori?inal o::u<an ! of ;e ear ; a! i ! founda ion@ and ;a i =a! froB ;e!e ;a i ! <re!en in;abi an ! deri$ed. (;i! ;eorA Ba>e! ;e di$ini ie! no Bore ;an deified an:e! or!@ and i Bu! ;a$e ! eBBed froB ;eir BA ;! =;i:; !;o= ;eB $erA of en en?a?ed in ;uBan a: i$i ie! ;ere on ear ;. We ;a$e li le o Ba>e u! doub @ ;o=e$er@ ;a ;ere are di$ini ie! =;o are :learlA and e!!en iallA &of ;e ;ea$en!&@ Cui e di! in: froB deified an:e! or!@ al ;ou?; ;ere ;a$e been an:e! or! =;o@ bA ;e !;eer for:e of ;eir :;ara: er@ ab!orbed in o ;eB!el$e!@ a ;eir a<o ;eo!i!@ a ribu e! =;i:; u!ed o belon? o !oBe of ;e <ure di$ini ie! and !o Cualified ;eB!el$e! for ;e <an ;eon. % We !;all no= <ro:eed o ell ;e ! orA of ;e :rea ion of ;e ear ; and i ! fullne!!. W;a i! no= our ear ; =a! on:e a =a erA@ Bar!;A =a! e. U< abo$e =a! ;e !>AeA ;ea$en =;i:; =a! ;e abode of OlZdNBarO and ;e di$ini ie!@ =i ; !oBe o ;er bein?!. (;e =a erA =a! e :on! i u ed@ in a =aA@ ;e !<or in? <la:e for ;o!e d=eller! abo$e. U<on i ;eA u!ed o de!:end bA ! rand! of !<ider7! =eb =;i:; al!o forBed brid?e! bA =;i:; ;eA =al>ed o$er i . *oBe of ;eB :aBe do=n froB iBe o iBe for ;e <ur<o!e of ;un in?. W;a Bo$ed OlZdNBarO o ;in> of :rea in? ;e !olid ear ;@ no one >no=!. )o=e$er@ )e :on:ei$ed ;e idea and a on:e :arried i in o effe: . )e !uBBoned OrI! J K0nlV@ ;e ar:;0di$ini A@ + o )i! <re!en:e and :;ar?ed ;iB =i ; ;e du AL for Ba erial@ )e ?a$e ;iB a leaf <a:>e of loo!e ear ; G!oBe !aA ;a ;e loo!e ear ; =a! in a !nail7! !;ellH@ and for ool! a fi$e0 oed ;en and a <i?eon. W;en OrI! J K0nlV arri$ed@ ;e ;re= ;e loo!e ear ; on a !ui able !<o on ;e =a erA =a! e. (;en ;e le loo!e ;e ;en and ;e <i?eonD and ;e!e iBBedia elA be?an ;e =or> of !:a erin? and !<readin? ;e loo!e ear ;. (;i! ;eA did un il a ?rea <or ion of ;e =a! e =a! :o$ered. W;en enou?; of i ;ad been :o$ered@ OrI! J K0nlV =en ba:> and re<or ed o OlZdNBarO ;a ;e =or> ;ad been a::oB<li!;ed. W;ereu<on@ OlZdNBarO di!<a :;ed ;e :;aBeleon o ?o do=n and in!<e: =;a ;ad been done. (;e :;aBeleon@ i Bu! be no ed@ =a! :;o!en on ;e Beri of ;e eF raordinarA :arefulne!! and deli:a:A =i ; =;i:; i Bo$e! abou @ and ;e ! ill Bore eF raordinarA =aA in =;i:; i :an a>e in anA !i ua ion RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee belo=@ <<. +4 ff. and C;a< er! 4@ <. 35@ and -@ <<. -5 ff. + *ee C;a< er -@ <<. 4% ff. 0%50

iBBedia elA. % #roB ;e fir! $i!i @ ;e :;aBeleon oo> ba:> ;e re<or ;a al ;ou?; ;e ear ; =a! indeed =ide enou?;@ i =a! no Ae !uffi:ien lA drA for anA fur ;er o<era ionD

froB ;e !e:ond $i!i @ ;o=e$er@ i re urned =i ; ;e :;eerin? re<or ;a i =a! bo ; &=ide enou?;& and !uffi:ien lA drA. (;e !a:red !<o =;ere ;e =or> be?an =a! naBed IfO J 00&(;a =;i:; i! =ide&@ froB ;e Yoruba =ord fO J @ Beanin? & o be =ide&. And ;a @ a::ordin? o ;e radi ion@ =a! ;o= IfO J @ ;e )olA Ci A of ;e Yoruba@ ?o i ! naBe. (;e <refiF IlW0 =a! added Bu:; la er on o !i?nifA ;a i =a! ;e ori?inal ;oBe of all and o di! in?ui!; i froB ;e o ;er o=n! :alled IfO J + =;i:; ;a$e :oBe in o eFi! en:e a! a re!ul of Bi?ra ion!. (;e :rea ion of ;e ear ; =a! :oB<le ed in four daA!D ;e fif ; daA =a! ;erefore !e a<ar for ;e =or!;i< of ;e Dei A and for re! . , W;en OlZdNBarO =a! !a i!fied ;a ;e =or> ;ad indeed been a::oB<li!;ed@ )e !en OrY! J K0nlV ba:> o eCui< and eBbelli!; ;e ear ;. (;i! iBe@ )e !en runBilK o a::oB<anA ;iB and be ;i! :oun:ellor. (o OrI! J K0nlV@ OlZdNBarO ;anded ;e <riBe$al I?i <e J G"alB (reeH. (;i! ;e =a! o <lan 00 i ! Eui:e =ould ?i$e drin>@ i ! !eed =ould ?i$e oil a! =ell a! >ernel! for food. )e ?a$e ;iB al!o ;ree o ;er ree! =;i:; =ere full of !a<. (;e!e =ere Ir Ee J G*il> Rubber (reeH@ A=Nn GW;i e=oodH@ and DZdo. (;e!e al!o =ere o be <lan ed and <ro<a?a edL ;eir Eui:e! =ould ?i$e drin>. #or a! Ae @ ;ere =a! no rain u<on ;e ear ;. (;e ori?inal ;en and <i?eon =;i:; ;ad been u!ed in !<readin? ;e loo!e ear ; !;ould no= in:rea!e and Bul i<lA and <ro$ide Bea for ;e d=eller! on ear ;. OrI! J K0n;V :aBe do=n and did a! ;e =a! old. W;en all =a! readA@ rO J l\rW@ . one of ;e bein?! =;o ;ad been <re<ared before;and@ =a! :oBBi!ioned o lead a <ar A of ;o!e bein?! do=n o ;e ear ;. )e brou?; ;eB do=n a! ;e =a! in! ru: ed and ;o!e be:aBe ;e nu:leu! of ;e ;uBan o::u<a ion of ;e ear ;. W;en ;e affair! of ;e ear ; ;ad been runnin? for !oBe iBe and i ! in;abi an ! =ere Bul i<lAin?@ i =a! di!:o$ered ;a ;ere =a! no enou?; =a er for u!e. (;erefore OrI! J K0nlV a<<ealed o OlZdNBarO and@ a! a re!ul @ rain be?an o fall u<on ;e ear ;. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % (;e :;aBeleon i! !a:red o ;e YorubaD i i! $ariou!lA de!:ribed a! ;e Be!!en?er of OlZdNBarO or ;e Be!!en?er of OrI! J K0nlV. I i! reBar>able for ;e =aA i :an Ber?e in o i ! !urroundin?! bA :;an?in? i ! :olour. I ! eAe! Bo$e inde<enden lA of ea:; o ;er and !o :an loo> o=ard! differen dire: ion! !iBul aneou!lA. + We ;a$e IEO J bu0IfO J@ for eFaB<le. , *ee C;a< er 5@ <. %%+. . *ee belo=@ <<. +, ff. 0+10

OrI! J K0nlV =a! a!!i?ned ano ;er !<e:ial Eob. )e =a! Bade ;e &:rea or& of ;uBan <;A!i:al fea ure! for ;e fu ure. I i! no :lear froB ;e oral radi ion! =;en ;e fir!

be?an o do ;e =or>. )o=e$er@ ;e ?o ;e EobD and ;i! allo ed du A =a! ;en:efor ; o Bould Ban7! <;A!i:al forB !:ul< or0di$ini A. Bu ;e ri?; o ?i$e life OlZdNBarO re!er$ed o )iB!elf alone for e$er. (;e in! ru: ion ?i$en o OrI! J K0nlV@ ;erefore@ =a! ;a =;en ;e ;ad :oB<le ed ;i! o=n <ar in ;e :rea ion of Ban@ ;e !;ould lo:> u< ;e lifele!! forB in a rooB and lea$e ;e <la:e. OlZdNBarO =ould ;en :oBe and ?i$e brea ;@ ;u! :oB<le in? ;e :rea ion of ;e ;uBan bein?. A ! orA i! old of ;o=@ on:e@ OrI! J K0nlV en$ied OlZdNBarO ;i! ri?; o be ;e !ole Gi$er of life. )e ;erefore laid a <lan o !<A on )iB. W;en ;e ;ad :oB<le ed ;i! =or> one daA@ in! ead of lo:>in? u< ;e :oB<le ed forB! and lea$in? ;e <la:e@ ;e lo:>ed ;iB!elf in =i ; ;eB and ;id in a :orner@ a=ai in? ;e arri$al of OlZdNBarO. OlZdNBarO@ ;o=e$er@ bA )i! oBni!:ien:e % >ne= ;i! :raf A de!i?n and fore! alled ;iB bA <u in? ;iB in o a dee< !luBber froB =;i:; ;e a=o>e onlA =;en all ;e forB! in ! o:> ;ad be:oBe ;uBan bein?!. *in:e ;en@ OrI! J K0nlV ;a! :on ended ;iB!elf =i ; ;i! o=n allo ed <ar of ;e =or>. (;e offi:e of a &:rea or& ?a$e OrI! J K0nlV ;e <rero?a i$e o Ba>e a =ill ;uBan fi?ure! <erfe: or defe: i$e@ and of =;a e$er :olour! ;e =an ! ;eB o be. (;e ;un:;ba:>@ ;e :ri<<le@ or ;e albino@ are !<e:ial Bar>! of ;i! <rero?a i$e or@ Bore of en ;an no @ di!<lea!ure. Be!ide! OrI! J K0nlV@ onlA one o ;er di$ini A i! !aid o >no= ;e !e:re ! of Ban7! bein?@ and ;a i! runBIlK. )e =a! =i ; OlZdNBarO a ;e be?innin? and >ne= ;o= all ;e =or> =a! be?un and :oB<le ed. )e >ne= ;e !e:re of ;e eFi! en:e of all ;e di$ini ie!@ oo. #roB ;e $erA be?innin?@ ;e ;a! been endo=ed =i ; eF raordinarA =i!doB and fore>no=led?e@ in =;i:; a ribu e! ;e i! neF o OlZdNBarO )iB!elf. + )en:e ;e =a! !en o be a :oun!ellor o OrI! J K0nlV in all Ba er! <er ainin? o ;e =orld. *in:e ;i! a<<oin Ben @ and bA rea!on of ;i! a ribu e!@ ;e ;a! been ;e one BaEor di$ini A =;oB e$erAone@ di$ini ie! and Ben@ :on!ul a! an ad$i!er@ ?uide@ and dire: or. , I =ould !eeB ;a =;en ;e =orld be?an@ e$erAone :ould ra$el o ;ea$en and ba:> a! ;e =i!;ed . and ;a all :ould ;a$e iBBedia e@ dire: :on a: =i ; OlZdNBarO. (;e oral radi ion! !aA ;a ;ea$en =a! $erA near o ;e ear ;@ !o near ;a one :ould ! re :; u< one7! ;and and ou:; i . W;e ;er ;i! i! a>en li erallA or in er<re ed a! a Be a<;or@ RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er 2@ <<. .% f. + *ee C;a< er -@ <<. 44 ff. , *ee C;a< er -@ <<. 44 ff. . *ee C;a< er +@ <<. %, f. 0+%0

;ere i! no doub ;a our <eo<le belie$e ;a ;ere =a! a iBe =;en ;ere =ere no liBi a ion! a all o :oBBuni:a ion be =een ;ea$en and ear ;. (;ere =a! a >ind of Golden A?e@ or a Garden0of0Eden <eriod. (;en !oBe ;in? ;a<<ened@ and a ?iddA@

fru! ra in?@ eF en!i$e !<a:e o::urred be =een ;ea$en and ear ;. (;e ! orA of =;a ;a<<ened i! $ariou!lA old. One ! orA i! ;a a ?reedA <er!on ;el<ed ;iB!elf o oo Bu:; food froB ;ea$enD ano ;er ;a a =oBan =i ; a dir A ;and ou:;ed ;e un!oiled fa:e of ;ea$en. (;e Bo if i! all one00Ban !inned a?ain! ;e Lord of )ea$en and ;ere =a! iBBedia elA rai!ed a barrier =;i:; :u ;iB off froB ;e unre! ri: ed bli!! of ;ea$en. (;e <ri$ile?e of free in er:our!e@ of Ban a>in? ;e boun A of ;ea$en a! ;e li>ed@ di!a<<eared. Al ;ou?; i i! <lain ;a froB ;e be?innin? ;e di$ini ie! ;ad been ordained o be Bini! er! of OlZdNBarO in ;e ;eo:ra i: ?o$ernBen of ;e =orld@ a ! udA of ;e oral radi ion! !u??e! !@ ne$er ;ele!!@ ;a ;e &#all& of Ban ;a! :on!iderablA en;an:ed ;eir Bedia orial ! a u!. % (o ;e BA ; of ;e :rea ion of ;e ear ;@ ;ere i! a $arian =;i:; =e :anno i?nore. We ;a$e rela ed abo$e ;a OrI! J K0nlV =a! ;e a?en of OlZdNBarO in ;e a::oB<li!;Ben of ;e =or>. (;i! $arian @ ;o=e$er@ Ba>e! ano ;er a?en =;o!e naBe =a! OdNd\=K ;e one =;o a: uallA :arried ou ;e in! ru: ion =;i:; OlZdNBarO ?a$e o OrI! J K0nlVD and ;a ;a<<ened in ;i! =aA. W;en OrI! J K0nlV ;ad ?o ;i! in! ru: ion!@ ;e lef ;e <re!en:e of OlZdNBarO in order o ?o and do a! ;e =a! old. On ;i! =aA@ ;e be:aBe $erA ;ir! A and dran> ;i! fill of a eB< in? !u<<lA of <alB0=ine =;i:; ;a<<ened o be around. In :on!eCuen:e of ;a @ ;e be:aBe drun> and fell in o a dee< !luBber. We are no old for ;o= lon? ;e !le< D bu ;e !lee< Bu! ;a$e been ra ;er <ro ra: ed. #or OlZdNBarO be:aBe =orried abou ;iB and ;ad o !end OdNd\=K o ?o and find ou =;A i oo> ;iB !o lon? o re urn. OdNd\=K :aBe do=n@ de!:endin? bA a :;ain@ and found OrI! J K0nlV lAin? ;el<le!!. )e did no =a>e ;iB u< or <i A ;i! !orrA <li?; D ;e !iB<lA :olle: ed Cuie lA ;e Ba erial and ool! ;anded o ;iB bA OlZdNBarO and =en o <erforB ;e a!>. A<<aren lA@ OdNd\=K7! a: ion re:ei$ed ;e a<<ro$al of OlZdNBarO be:au!e@ a! ;e BA ; ;a! i @ ;e ;erebA !u<<lan ed OrI! J K0nlV@ no onlA in ;e ;onour of bein? ;e :rea or of ;e !olid ear ;@ bu al!o in !eniori A o$er all ;e o ;er di$ini ie!. We ;a$e !aid ;a ;i! $arian :ould no be i?nored be:au!e i rai!e! a $erA !i?nifi:an Cue! ion =;i:; in$ol$e! ;e earlA ;i! orA a! =ell a! ;e reli?ion of ;e Yoruba. And ;e Cue! ion i! &W;o i! OdNd\=K8& RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er 4. 0++0

#roB =;a =e are able o ?a ;er froB re!ear:; =or> on ;e earlA ;i! orA of ;e Yoruba@ =e learn ;a ;e <er!ona?e =;o ;a! been ?i$en ;e naBe OdNd\=K =a! ;e <o=erful leader under =;oB ;e nu:leu! of a ! rand of ;e <re!en Yoruba ra:e Bi?ra ed in o ;i! land froB ;eir ori?inal ;oBe. )e =a! a Ban of ! ron? re<u e@ :a<able in leader!;i<@

=i ; a <er!onali A =;i:; doBina ed ;e !:ene. I i! no :er ain =;a ;i! ori?inal naBe =a!D bu i :ould no ;a$e been OdNd\=K. % Durin? ;e :our!e of ;i! orA@ ;i! fi?ure ;a! be:oBe =ra<<ed in le?end o ;e eF en ;a =e :an no= onlA diBlA di!:ern ;e :on:re e ou line! of ;e ori?inal. (;ere i! no doub @ ;o=e$er@ ;a ;e li$ed in Ile0IfO J @ ;e :a<i al :i A froB =;i:; ;e ruled o$er ;e land and ;eld !=aA o$er a =ide area ;rou?; :onCue! or bA !;eer for:e of an o$er=;elBin? influen:e. ABon? ;i! follo=er! =ere di! in?ui!;ed =arrior! bA =;o!e aid ;e e! abli!;ed a Yoruba dAna! A. (odaA@ ;e i! a:>no=led?ed bA ;e Yoruba a! ;e <ro?eni or of ;eir ra:eD for@ a! ;e radi ion ;a! i @ ;e be?a !e$eral :;ildren =;o in due :our!e be:aBe ;e <ro?eni or! of ;e $ariou! :lan! =;i:;@ a>en o?e ;er@ are ;e Yoruba <eo<le. We learn froB ;e oral radi ion! ;a =;en OdNd\=K arri$ed in Ile0IfO J ;ere =a! alreadA a :oBBuni A of abori?inal <eo<le under ;e ;ead!;i< of rO J l\WrW. + (;e radi ion <er!i! ! ;a =;en OdNd\=K arri$ed =i ; ;i! :oloni!in? <ar A@ ;e a fir! did no <aA anA re!<e: o rO J l\WrW or re:o?ni!e ;i! ;ead!;i<. )e =a! ;au?; A and di!dainful in ;i! a i ude. rO J l\WrW a on:e <lanned o ea:; ;iB a le!!on. )e ;erefore found a =aA of <oi!onin? one of ;i! dau?; er!. OdNd\=K ried e$erA reBedA ;e :ould o :ure ;e Aoun? =oBan of ;er BaladA bu all o no a$ail. (;en ;e =a! inforBed ;a rO J l\WrW =a! a !>ilful do: or and ;a i =a! onlA ;e =;o :ould :ure ;e BaladA. (;i! Bade ;iB run o rO J l\WrW for ;el<D and ;a ?a$e rO J l\WrW ;e o<<or uni A of re<riBandin? ;iB for ;i! ;au?; ine!! and di!re!<e: . OdNd\=K =a! Bade o <aA fine! of !;ee< and fo=l!@ af er =;i:; ;i! dau?; er =a! :ured. BA ;i!@ OdNd\=K <la:ed ;iB!elf@ if onlA eB<orarilA@ under ;e <ro e: ion of ;e ori?inal di$ini A of ;e land@ =;o =a! OrI! J K0nlV@ ;e u elarA di$ini A of rO J l\WrW and ;i! <eo<le. #or a lon? iBe in Ile0IfO J @ rO J l\WrW a! an &an:e! or& =a! ;e ?uardian of doBe! i: Borali A and <re!er$er of !ound faBilA radi ion!. W;en ;e =a! ali$e ;o!e =;o bro>e anA abu in :onne: ion =i ; ;e!e ;ad o ?o before ;iB@ or before ;i! iBa?e af er ;i! dea ;@ o Ba>e ;eir :onfe!!ion and under?o ;e <re!:ribed <enan:e. I i! :er ain ;en@ ;a ;e in:ur!ion of OdNd\=K and ;i! <ar A@ =i ; RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee belo=@ <<. +2 f. + *ee abo$e@ <. +1. 0+,0

;i! doBineerin? :laiB!@ =a! no uno<<o!edD and =;ile ;e o<<o!i ion Bu! ;a$e been ra ;er =ea> in :on!eCuen:e of ;e !u<erior re!our:e! a$ailable o OdNd\=K@ i did no die do=n al o?e ;er for a $erA lon? iBe. E$erA ;in? <oin ! o ;e fa: ;a i =a! a ;i! iBe ;a ;e /?bZni :ul be?an. % (;i! =a! a !e:re :ul forBed@ in all <robabili A@ o

<ro e: ;e indi?enou! in! i u ion! of ;e land froB anni;ila ion under ;e influen:e of ;e ne= re?iBe. I Bu! ;a$e been ori?inallA an eF:lu!i$e or?ani!a ion liBi ed o ;e ori?inal o=ner! of ;e land. (;e :ul obEe: of ;e /?bZni i! :alled Onile00&(;e Landlord&00in :on radi! in: ion froB ;e &in erlo<er& =;o =a! OdNd\=K@ ;e :ul obEe: of ;e ne= <eo<le. + (;e BeBber! =ere bound o !e:re:A@ and BeBber!;i< =a! bA a dreadful ini ia ionL no BeBber !;ould re$eal anA !e:re of ;e :ul o ;e &! ran?er& or ;e unini ia ed on <ain of dea ;. (;e :ul Bu! ;a$e reBained an under?round Bo$eBen for a lon? <eriod =;ile OdNd\=K =a! bu!A <o!!e!!in? ;e land and !<readin? ;i! <o=er o$er i . OdNd\=K !e led do=n and or?ani!ed ! eadilA and eF en!i$elA@ ;o=e$er@ and :;ildren =ere born o ;iB and ;i! <ar A bA indi?enou! =oBen of ;e landD and !o <eo<le of BiFed blood =;o =ould be a ;oBe in bo ; =orld! of ;e old and ;e ne= be?an o :oBe in o bein?. Mu ual a!!iBila ion@ in <ar a lea! @ oo> <la:e be =een ;e ne= eleBen and ;e old@ =i ; ;e re!ul ;a a !AB<a ;e i: lin> =a! for?ed be =een ;e =o. (;ere =ere no= <eo<le =;o =ere =i ;ou bi erne!! o=ard! ei ;er of ;e o<<o!in? <ar ie!. BA ;e iBe ;a OdNd\=K died@ ;i! !AB<a ;e i: lin> ;ad be:oBe !uffi:ien lA ! ron? o be of :on!iderable influen:e. Af er ;i! dea ;@ ;e be:aBe an an:e! ral :ul obEe: =i ;in ;e !e in? of An:e! or0=or!;i<D bu ;e BeBorA of ;i! <ro=e!! and ;i! influen:e =;i:; <er!i! ed in a ;aun in? =aA !oon Cualified ;iB for a <la:e in ;e <an ;eon. (;a <roBo ion ;a! <rodu:ed &a riddle in!ide an eni?Ba&D for in :on!eCuen:e of i =e are no= :onfron ed@ no onlA =i ; ;e Cue! ionL &W;o :rea ed ;e !olid ear ;00OrI! J K0nlV or OdNd\=K8& bu al!o =i ; ;e Cue! ionL &Wa! OdNd\=K a ?od or a ?odde!!8& (;i! !e:ond Cue! ion =e Bu! a:>le fir! . (;e fa: ual an!=er =;i:; =e ;a$e o ;e Cue! ion of ;e !eF of OdNd\=K in Yorubaland odaA i! ;a OdNd\=K i! a::e< ed a! ei ;er a ?od or a ?odde!!@ de<endin? u<on ;e lo:ali A. Ile0IfO J <re!en ! a ?od under ;e naBeD and !o al!o do all ;e o ;er <ar ! of Yorubaland =;i:; RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee *a:red Wood Car$in?!@ bA ). U. Beier Ga !<e:ial &'i?eria Ma?aSine& <rodu: ion@ JulA %524H@ ;e <a?e! of =;i:; are no nuBbered. + *ee belo=@ <. +3. 0+.0

deri$e froB Ile0IfO J ;e radi ion of a Bale0di$ini A OdNd\=K. In AdZ@ ;o=e$er@ =e Bee a ?odde!! under ;e naBeD and !o al!o in <la:e! =;i:; follo= AdZ7! <er!ua!ion in ;e Ba er. (;rou?;ou Yorubaland@ ;erefore@ =e ;a$e ;e <redoBina in? radi ional no e ;a OdNd\=K i! a ?od@ =;ile a ;e !aBe iBe ;ere i! ;e =ea>er bu !uffi:ien lA

audible under one ;a OdNd\=K i! a ?odde!!@ bo ; radi ion! :laiBin? o belon? o one and ;e !aBe :;ara: er. )o= do =e eF<lain ;i!8 I i! no ;el< o di!Bi!! ;e Cue! ion =i ; ;e Ba er0of0fa: ! a eBen ;a one !ide i! ri?; and ;e o ;er =ron?. % (;e ;eorA ;a ;e feBaledi$ini A radi ion i! a <roof ;a Yoruba !o:ie A =a! a one iBe ba!ed on a Ba riar:;al !A! eB@ + =;i:; i! indeed <lau!ible@ reCuire! Bore ;an Eu! ;i! one illu! ra ion o !ub! an ia e i . In order o ?e !oBe dire: li?; on ;e !ubEe: @ le u! rA and unra$el ;e <robleB of ;e naBe OdNd\=K i !elf. W;a doe! ;e naBe Bean8 A! ;e naBe ! and!@ i :on ain!@ in i ! fir! <ar @ ;e =ord OdN , =;i:; i! i ! >eA :oB<onen . OdN Bean! in ;i! :a!e & ;e !u<reBe ;ead&@ &:;ief&@ or &one =;o bear! ;e !:e< re&. (;e !e:ond <ar of ;e naBe i! a :on ra: ion of ei ;er dV =K00&!elf0eFi! en & or &eFi! in? bA one!elf Gin !oli udeH&@ or i o dV I=K00an adEe: i$al :lau!e Beanin? &=;o :rea ed bein?&. (;e full naBe@ ;en@ Bean! ei ;er &(;e C;ief =;o i! !elf0eFi! en & or &(;e C;ief =;o :rea ed bein?&. . (;e naBe =ould ;u! <oin o !oBeone =;o i! underi$ed or =;o i! ;e au ;or of all ;a i!. BA for:in? a :oBbina ion of bo ; Beanin?! =e ;a$e &(;e *elf0eFi! en C;ief =;o :rea ed bein?&. (;a i!@ *oBeone =;o i! underi$ed and =;o i! a ;e !aBe iBe ;e :rea or of all ;a i!. I Bu! ;a$e been ;e no ion of ;i! <o!!ible :oBbina ion =;i:; ;a! led !oBe <eo<le o !u??e! ;a OdNd\=K i! ;e naBe of ;e Die A )iB!elf. 2 (;i! =ould be in order if =e =ere o de<end onlA on ;e <o!!ible Beanin?! of ;e naBe@ and e!<e:iallA if =e =ere o for:e ;e :oBbina ion. In our oral radi ion!@ ;o=e$er@ ;e naBe i! ne$er u!ed for OlZdNBarO@ al ;ou?; i i! ! ron?lA !u??e! i$e of )i! a ribu e!. Bu i i! al!o a naBe =;i:; :ould no ;a$e belon?ed o anA ;uBan bein?. I belon?ed ;en o a di$ini A. In ;e end@ =e are lef =i ; ;e onlA al erna i$e of ;e RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er %@ <<. 3 f. + *ee ar i:le bA ). U. Beier in Odu G JanuarA %522@ 'o. %H. , *ee C;a< er! %@ <<. 4 f.@ and .@ <<. ,, f. . We oBi ;e idea of &!oli ude& a! i doe! no o::ur in our radi ion =i ; referen:e o ;e Dei A or ;e di$ini ie!. 2 *ee Ifa ABoJna A=oJn Baba =a@ bA Re$. D. O. E<e?a GOde0ReBo@ %523H@ <. +2. 0+20

!e:ond <o!!ible Beanin? of ;e naBe =;i:; de!i?na e! ;e bearer a! !oBeone =;o i! ;e au ;or of all ;a i!.

We are ! ren? ;ened in ;i! be:au!e i bear! on ;e real <oin in di!<u e@ =;i:; i! ;e Cue! ion of =;o :arried ou ;e in! ru: ion! of OlZdNBarO =i ; re?ard o ;e :rea ion of ;e !olid ear ;. Our :on:lu!ion i! ;a ;e naBe OdNd\=K belon?ed ori?inallA o a di$ini A and no o ;e <er!ona?e o =;oB ;e naBe =a! la er ?i$en. I =a! ;i! di$ini A =;o :aBe in o :onfli: =i ; OrI! J K0nlV. OrI! J K0nlV i! ;e ar:;0di$ini A of YorubalandD and@ !o far a! =e >no= ;ere ;a! ne$er been anA :i$il =ar in ;e Yoruba <an ;eon@ al ;ou?; doBe! i: bi:>erin?! are no un;eard of. Bu froB ;e radi ion! of Yoruba reli?ion@ =e ?a ;er ;a OrI! J K0nlV =a! in fierA and rAin? :onfli: =i ; a :er ain ad$er!arA. W;ere$er =e ;a$e ;e :ul of OrI! J K0nlV in full@ ;ere i! an annual ri ual re0ena: Ben of a :aB<ai?n@ an eEe: ion@ and a :oBin? ba:>. In ;e iBa?e of ;iB <re!er$ed a IdO J a in Ile0IfO J ;e i! de<i: ed a! :arrAin? in ;i! ;and! ;e ;ead of a defea ed eneBAD and in ;e one a IEN?bO J@ in ;e !aBe o=n@ ;i! fa:e i! aB<lA de:ora ed =i ; ;e !:arifi:a ion! of !oBe &forei?n& fa:ial Bar>in?. (;e ! orA old in :onne: ion =i ; ;i! !e:ond iBa?e i! ;a ;e <re!en ;ead i! no ;e OrI! J K7! ori?inal ;eadL ;e OrI! J K ;ad been en?a?ed in a fier:e =arfare =i ; ;i! eneBAD ea:; iBe ;e =a! be;eaded ;e ;ad onlA Eu! o ! oo< do=n@ <i:> u< ;e ;ead@ and re<la:e i D bu ;e la! iBe ;e did !o@ ;e Bi! a>enlA <i:>ed u< a be;eaded forei?ner7! ;ead@ and <la:ed i on ;i! o=n !;oulder!@ and =en on fi?; in?L i =a! oo la e =;en ;e reali!ed =;a ;ad ;a<<ened@ and !o ;e ;a! o &<u u<& =i ; ;e forei?n ;eadQ All ;i! i! o !aA ;a OrI! J K0nlV =a! en?a?ed in a fier:e ba le. 'o=@ OrI! J K0nlV i! ne$er a =arriorD bA na ure ;e i! no fi?; erL ;e i! for <ea:e@ order@ and :lean li$in?. (;erefore fi?; in? Bu! ;a$e been for:ed u<on ;iB bA ;i! eneBAD ;i! ba le =a! a ba le of ne:e!!i A. (;i! eneBA@ OdNd\=K@ =a! ;erefore@ =i ;ou doub @ a di$ini A =;o belon?ed o ;e Ban OdNd\=K. I =a! ;e =;o brou?; ;i! di$ini A =i ; ;er o=n :ul o ;e land. #or a <eriod a lea! @ ;e :onfli: =en a?ain! OrI! J K0nlV and ;e rO J l\WrW <ar AD and ;a =ould Bean ;a OdNd\=K ;ad <re$ailed o$er ;e indi?enou! di$ini A. A! OdNd\=K be:aBe e! abli!;ed in ;e land@ ;e =ould of :our!e Ba>e <eo<le learn ;eir re$i!ed ar i:le of belief@ naBelA@ ;a ;i! o=n ?odde!! =a! ! ron?e! and !u<reBeD ;a i =a! !;e@ and no OrI! J K0nlV@ =;o :rea ed ;e ear ;. (;i! Bu! ;a$e ?one do=n =ell =i ; a ?ood !e: ion of ;e <eo<le. La er ?enera ion! =;o belon?ed o bo ; =orld! found i no iB<o!!ible o a::e< bo ; $er!ion! of ;e ! orA abou ;e a?en of :rea ion and Ba>e 0+30

a :onfla ion of ;eB. (;i! :onfla ion i! ;e one no= ?enerallA a::e< ed a! ;e or ;odoF ! orA in Ile0IfO J L ;a i =a! indeed OrI! J K0nlV =;o ?o ;e :oBBi!!ion froB

OlZdNBarO bu @ ;rou?; an a::iden @ ;e forfei ed ;e <ri$ile?e o OdNd\=K =;o ;u! be:aBe ;e a: ual :rea or of ;e !olid ear ;. (;a ;i! ! orA i! a::e< ed =i ;ou Cue! ion odaA bA ;e <rie! ! of OrI! J +5K0nlV i! no ! ran?eL ;eA al!o ;a$e ;e blood of OdNd\=K in ;eir $ein!. A! a re!ul of ;e :onfla ion@ ;ere ;a! a>en <la:e in !oBe lo:ali ie! a >ind of ;Abridi!a ion be =een ;e :ul of OrI! J +5K0nlV and ;a of OdNd\=K@ =;i:; of en a<<ear! a! if one ;a! been !u<eriB<o!ed u<on ;e o ;er. #or eFaB<le@ I?bZ0oJrK =or!;i<! OrI! J K0nlV under ;e $erA ran!<aren $eneer of OdNd\=K. One :an ea!ilA di!:ern ;e founda ion :ul o be ;a of OrI! J K0nlV and ;a ;e o ;er one ;a! been ;inlA !<read o$er i . 'o=@ =;A do =e Bain ain ;a OdNd\=K7! di$ini A =a! a ?odde!!8 We are led o !ee ;i!@ <riBarilA bA ;e ?odde!!0 radi ion in ;e land. ManA ;in?! <oin o ;e fa: ;a ;e naBe belon?ed o a feBale di$ini A ori?inallA. E$en in Ile0IfO J =;ere ;e Bale0di$ini A radi ion i! ! ron?e! @ ;ere i! in ;e li ur?A a ;in =;i:; ! ron?lA indi:a e! ;a ;e di$ini A =a! a ?odde!!. In a brief@ uneB<;a!i!ed <oin in ;e li ur?A@ =e :a :; ;e =ord! IAe 7BalO J GIAa IBalO J H00& (;e Bo ;er of ;e di$ini ie!& or &Mo ;er0Di$ini A&. E$en ;ou?; ;e <rie! =ould ra ;er :all ;i! an aberra ion ;an a ?enuine <ar of ;e li ur?A@ i ! and! ;ere@ =;ene$er i i! allo=ed o@ a! a =i ne!!. In AdZ@ OdNd\=K i! indi!<u ablA a ?odde!!. *;e i! !aid o be ;e fir! of !e$en di$ini A0:;ildren of =;oB OrI! J K0nlV =a! one. I?bZ0oJrK :laiB! o ;a$e re:ei$ed ;er :ul froB AdZ. Bu @ a! =e ;a$e ob!er$ed@ ;ere i! :onfu!ion in ;e :ul a I?bZ0oJrK@ and ;i! in Bore =aA! ;an one. "ar of ;e li ur?A ;ere be?in! IAK dV>un ?bK =V oD ci o Z J 7ni@ Z J 7BoJD ?bO J ?i l7 AdZ O Bo ;er@ =e be!ee:; ;ee o deli$er u!D Loo> af er u!@ loo> af er GourH :;ildrenD (;ou =;o ar e! abli!;ed a AdZ. Bu Ae @ a! ;e ri ual ballad i! re:i ed@ =e ;ear <;ra!e! li>e &BA lord&@ &BA ;u!band& and !u:; <;ra!e! a! ! ron?lA indi:a e ;a a ?od i! bein? addre!!ed. (;e Bale :on:e< ion of OdNd\=K ;a! $erA li>elA ari!en in ;i! =aA ;en. OdNd\=K =a! ;e <rie! of ;e ?odde!! a! =ell a! ;e ;ead of ;i! 0+40

dAna! A. A ;e iBe of ;i! dea ; ;e ;ad =on ;e re!<e: of <eo<le far and =ide@ !o ;a i =a! an ea!A Ba er for ;iB o be:oBe an An:e! or de!er$in? a :ul . Before $erA lon?@

;o=e$er@ ;e be:aBe iden ified =i ; ;i! o=n di$ini A and en ered ;e <an ;eon on ;er a ribu e!. In ;i! =aA@ Ile0IfO J be?an o ;in>@ no of a ?odde!!@ bu of a ?od OdNd\=K. Bu @ before ;i! iden ifi:a ion@ ;ere ;ad alreadA been :lan! =;i:; ;ad di!<er!ed =i ; ;e <ure :ul of a ?odde!!D ;e!e >ee< on =i ; ;e radi ion. I Bu! be ob!er$ed ;ere ;a i i! alBo! in Ile0IfO J alone ;a ;e Bale0di$ini A :ul i! ! ron?. In Bo! o ;er <la:e! ;e Ban OdNd\=K i! re?arded onlA a! an an:e! or and no a! a di$ini A. We ;a$e ;e ;in of ;e andro?Anou! na ure of OdNd\=K =;ere$er ;ere ;a! been a ;Abridi!a ion be =een ;er :ul and ;a of OrI! J K0nlV@ ei ;er bA !u<eriB<o!i ion or ;rou?; a :oB<roBi!e. Le u! !uBBari!e. % Our fir! ! orA ;a OrI! J K0nlV =a! :oBBi!!ioned bA OlZdNBarO and ;a ;e :rea ed ;e !olid ear ; =i ; ;e Ba erial and ool! !u<<lied bA )iB re<re!en ! ;e earlier belief of ;e Yoruba abou ;e founda ion of ;e ear ;. (;e $arian :aBe in o bein? in :on!eCuen:e of ;e in:ur!ion of a forei?n <eo<le =;i:; be:aBe Ba! er! of ;e land and ;erefore !ou?; o di!<la:e ;e indi?enou! :ul =i ; ;eir o=n. I i! a :onfla ion of =o :onfli: in? radi ion! bA &:;ildren& =;o belon?ed o bo ; =orld! and ;erefore =ere Ba>in? & ;e be! of =o =orld!&. (o ;e!e &:;ildren& :oB<ounded of ;e on:e o<<o!in? eleBen !@ ;ere =ere no =o radi ion! bu =o :oB<leBen arA !ide! of one radi ion. BA <;A!i:al and !<iri ual ;eri a?e ;eA =ere loAal o ;e =o !ide! in =;i:; Bu uallA ;eA =ere in$ol$ed@ !in:e ;e!e =ere ;e =ar< and =ef of ;eir ra:ial bein?. (;i! ?enera ion =el:oBed ba:> OrI! J KnlV and re! ored ;iB o ;i! <la:e a! ;e !u<reBe di$ini A of ;e land =;ile <;A!i:allA ;eA reBained BoJ OdNd\=K. I i! a! ;e ironA of ;in?! =ould ;a$e i ;a ;e $erA /?bZni Bo$eBen =;i:; =a! de!i?ned o o<<o!e OdNd\=K ;a! no= ado< ed ;e naBe BoJ OdNd\=K alBo! a! an eF:lu!i$e <re!er$e of i ! o=n o de!i?na e i ! BeBber!;i<D for durin? ;e <eriod of a!!iBila ion@ ;e :ul be:aBe a ra:ial <ro<er A@ rai!ed o ;e $i al ! a u! of ;e BaEor ?o$ernBen al or?an for <re!er$in? la= and order@ :;e:>in? eF:e!!e! in >in?! and >ee<in? ;e :i iSen! la=0abidin?@ and <ro e: in? :i$i: ri?; !. OrI! J K0nlV :aBe in o ;i! o=n a?ain. #or@ odaA@ ;e *:e< re of Yorubaland i! in ;i! ;andD i i! ;rou?; ;iB ;a au ;ori A o be and o rule <a!!e! o all Yoruba >in?! =;o!e !:e< re! deri$e froB Ile0IfO J . (;e RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % (;i! i! no ;e <la:e for all ;a :an be !aid on ;e <robleB of OdNd\=K@ e!<e:iallA a! ;a :on:ern! ;e ;i! orA of ;e Yoruba. 0+-0

*:e< re =a! ;anded o ;iB bA OlZdNBarO and@ a::ordin? o ;e belief of ;e Yoruba@ i ;a! reBained =i ; ;iB e$er !in:e. In !<i e of ;e ! ron? :oB<roBi!e =;i:; ;a! a>en <la:e@ ;e <rie! ! of OrI! J K0nlV find i ne:e!!arA o Ba>e ;e :oB<en!a orA :laiB ;a e$en ;ou?; OdNd\=K on:e !u<<lan ed OrI! J K0nlV in ;e ;onour of :rea in? ;e !olid

ear ; and ;erefore in !eniori A o$er all ;e o ;er di$ini ie!@ ;e :ould no Bain ain ;e Ba:;inerA of ;e =orld and ;erefore OlZdNBarO ;ad o !end OrI! J K0nlV o ?o and !e ;in?! ri?; and Bain ain order. I i! o be ob!er$ed fur ;er ;a OrI! J K0nlV ;a! al=aA!@ froB ;e earlie! @ been ;e one uni$er!allA re:o?ni!ed all o$er Yorubaland a! ;e ar:;0di$ini A of ;e <an ;eon. )e i! BKbX00&(;e #a ;er&@ Ba7 nlV 00&Grea #a ;er&@ Ba7 7 orI! J K00&#a ;er of ;e di$ini ie!&. OdNd\=K ;a! no ;in? near ;i! uni$er!al :ul i: re:o?ni ion. #or all Yoruba@ OrI! J K0nlV i! ;e !u<reBe di$ini A. % RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er -@ <<. 4% ff. 0+50

. OlZdNBarO00(;e 'aBe A! =e fo:u! our a en ion :lo!er u<on ;e Yoruba :on:e< of ;e Dei A in order o >no= =;a ;eA ;in> and belie$e abou )i! e ernal God;ead and a ribu e!@ i =ill be =ell for

u! on:e a?ain o eB<;a!i!e ;e fa: ;a God ;a! ne$er lef )iB!elf =i ;ou =i ne!! anA=;ere in )i! =orld. (;i! eB<;a!i! i! ne:e!!arA be:au!e of ;e Bi!:on:e< ion! =;i:; in ;e <a! and u< o ;e <re!en ;a$e a ended :er ain ! udie! on ;i! fundaBen al i!!ue. Dr. Ed=in W. *Bi ; rela e! an en:oun er =;i:; ;e ;ad =i ; ;e eBinen bio?ra<;er@ EBil Lud=i?. % Lud=i? =a! :uriou! abou =;a =a! ;e bu!ine!! of ;e Bi!!ionarie! in Afri:a. W;ereu<on Ed=in *Bi ; inforBed ;iB abou C;ri! ian =or> and ;o= ;e Afri:an! =ere ?i$en ;e !a$in? >no=led?e of ;e &li$in?@ <re!en @ lo$in? God&. Lud=i? =a! <lainlA <uSSled and eF<re!!ed ;i! <er<leFi A =i ; ;e Cue! ion@ &)o= :an ;e un u ored Afri:an :on:ei$e God8& . . . &)o= :an ;i! be8 Dei A i! a <;ilo!o<;i:al :on:e< =;i:; !a$a?e! Gi ali:! BineH are in:a<able of fraBin?.& Lud=i? and <eo<le =;o ;in> li>e ;iB in ;i! Ba er BaA be en i led o ;eir o<inion ;a onlA a rained <;ilo!o<;er :an >no= God. Bu one i! :oB<elled o a!> ;e Cue! ion@ &W;a i! Lud=i?7! defini ion of 7Dei A78& If ;e Bean! bA &Dei A& an ab! ra: @ in elle: ual :on:e< @ a ;in? o be a ained bA ra io:ina ion@ ;en i Bi?; indeed be ;a Lud=i?7! !a$a?e! :ould no fraBe i . Bu !in:e ;e Dei A of reli?ion and ;uBan eF<erien:e i! no an ab! ra: ion bu a Reali A@ a Bein?@ Lud=i?7! <reBi!e i! <a en lA =ron?@ and ;i! :on:lu!ion ine$i ablA dooBed o :oBe o ?rief. In anA :a!e@ i =ould !eeB ;a @ under ;e :o$era?e of ;i! ;i?;!oundin? <;ra!eolo?A@ ;ere lie! ;e bare no ion ;a ;ere are <eo<le! !oBe=;ere in ;e =orld o =;oB & ;e ;i?; and lof A One ;a in;abi e ; e erni A& =ould no ! oo< !o lo= a! o re$eal )iB!elf@ <eo<le! =;o :ould RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % Afri:an Idea! of God@ edi ed bA E. W. *Bi ; G London@ Edinbur?; )ou!e %521H@ <. %. 0,10

no a ain o ;e >no=led?e of ;e li$in? God and ;e a!!uran:e of )i! bein?@ Eu! be:au!e ;eA ;a<<en o ;a$e been born in !oBe <ar i:ular ?eo?ra<;i:al lo:a ion and brou?; u< in ;eir o=n na i$e :ul ural a Bo!<;ere. One :anno ;el< feelin?@ =;en one ;a! ;eard ;e <re!uB< uou!lA !=ee<in? ;in?! =;i:; ;a$e been !aid on ;i! $i al i!!ue@

;a ;o!e =;o ;in> and !<ea> in ;i! =aA ei ;er do no >no= God !uffi:ien lA o a<<re:ia e )i! di$ine na ure a! <er!onal@ ri?; eou!@ and lo$in?D or ;a ;rou?; a !ub le in elle: ual <ride ;eA ;a$e arri$ed a ;e ";ari!ai:al ! a?e of ;in>in?@ &If I =ere God@ I =ould no ;a$e anA ;in? o do =i ; ;o!e !a$a?e!&Q (;e =;ole Ba er@ a<ar froB ;e defini ion of &Dei A&@ <i$o ! round ;e $eFed Cue! ion of =;e ;er ;e re$ela ion of God i! re! ri: ed o anA <ar i:ular ra:e or :reed@ or =;e ;er indeed &bA di$er! <or ion! and in di$er! Banner!& God ;a! !<o>en froB ;e $erA be?innin? o e$erA ;ear of all ;e <eo<le! of ;e ear ;00all ;e <eo<le! =;oB )e ;a! Bade and !e in ;eir <la:e! on ;e fa:e of ;e ear ;00in ;e =aA =;i:; ea:; under! and!D =;e ;er all reli?ion! in =;i:; God i! no a Bere ab! ra: ion bu a <er!onal@ <re!en @ li$in?@ a: i$e and a: in?@ !u::ourin? Reali A are no ea:; in i ! o=n =aA a :on!eCuen:e of ;e di$ine a: i$i A of ;e lo$in? God W;o i! !ee>in? Ban@ and of Ban7! re!<on!i$e !oul rea:;in? ou G;o=e$er feeblA and un:er ainlAH for )iB@ ea:; a::ordin? o i ! na i$e :a<abili A. % (;i! i! no a <la:e in =;i:; o laun:; ou in o an ar?uBen on ;i! Cue! ion. *uffi:e i o ob!er$e ;a @ !urelA@ God i! One@ no BanAD and ;a o ;e one God belon?! ;e ear ; and all i ! fullne!!. I i! ;i! God@ ;erefore@ W;o re$eal! )iB!elf o e$erA <eo<le on ear ; and W;oB ;eA ;a$e a<<re;ended a::ordin? o ;e de?ree of ;eir !<iri ual <er:e< ion@ eF<re!!in? ;eir >no=led?e of )iB@ if no a! rained <;ilo!o<;er! or edu:a ed ;eolo?ian!@ :er ainlA a! ;o!e =;o ;a$e ;ad !oBe <ra: i:al eF<erien:e of )iB. I =ould be loo>in? a fa: ! ;rou?; ;e !<e: a:le! of :ul ural <ride and affe: ed !u<eriori A o denA ;i!D i =ould be bla!<;eBou! o !aA ;a =;ile ;e lo$in? God :ared for a <ar i:ular !e: ion of )i! =orld@ )e ;ad no ;in? in a :lear@ unBi! a>able =aA@ o !aA o@ or do =i ; ;e re! . )o=e$er@ in ;e =ord! of Ed=in *Bi ;@ &#ir! and foreBo! =e Bu! !ee> a fa: ual an!=er o ;e Cue! ion.& + (;ere i! li le <oin in ;eori!in? on a Ba er on =;i:; aB<le <roof! abound@ eF:e< <er;a<! ;a ;a Bi?; be a !our:e of lei!urelA and :oBfor able in elle: ual eFer:i!e for RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee &Edi orial CoBBen !& in London Tuar erlA and )olborn Re$ie=! G London@ E<=or ; "re!!@ JanuarA %525H. + O<. :i . 0,%0

!oBe A<e! of Bind. (;e =aA o ru ; in a Ba er of ;i! na ure@ a! =e ;a$e ob!er$ed alreadA@ % i! o le ;e <eo<le !aA for ;eB!el$e! =;a ;eA ;eB!el$e! ;in> and belie$eD and =;a ;eA re$eal o u! !;ould be ;e final an!=er o ;e Cue! ion if =e =an o be ;one! . (;i! doe! no ! o< u! froB eFer:i!in? Eud?Ben in !if in? e$iden:e and

in er<re in? =;ere ne:e!!arA@ a! lon? a! =e are rue o our Ba erial and no =or>in? onlA in ;e !er$i:e of our o=n ;eorA. We >no=@ of :our!e@ ;a =i ; ?ro= ; and Ba uri A@ a <eo<le7! idea of God ine$i ablA under?oe! Bodifi:a ion bA =aA of enri:;Ben and :orre: ion@ if ;e ?ro= ; i! in ;e ri?; dire: ionD or re ro?rada ion@ if ;e ?ro= ; i! in ;e =ron? dire: ion. (;i! i!@ ;o=e$er@ differen froB !aAin? ;a God ;a! ne$er !<o>en or re$ealed )iB!elf o ;o!e <eo<le a all. We !;all no= be?in o loo> Bore :lo!elA a ;e =aA! in =;i:; ;e Yoruba ;a$e ob ained and in er<re ed ;e re$ela ion =;i:; ;a! been $ou:;!afed o ;eB bA ;e Dei A )iB!elf. In ;e la! :;a< er@ one naBe ! and! abo$e e$erA o ;er naBe. (;a i! OlZdNBarO@ + ;e naBe of ;e Dei A. In our a::oun of ;e :rea ion@ =e ;a$e Be )iB a! ;e "riBe Mo$er of ;in?!@ bA W;oB ;e ori?in of our in;abi ed ear ; =a! :oBBi!!ioned. We !;all do =ell o loo> Bore :lo!elA a )iB@ fir! bA eFaBinin? ;e Beanin? and iB<li:a ion! of )i! naBe. Our ?uidin? Cue! ion i!@ &W;a do ;e Yoruba Bean =;en ;eA <ronoun:e ;e naBe OlZdNBarO8 W;a idea doe! ;e naBe :onno e o ;eB8 A ;i! <oin @ i =ill be $erA re=ardin? for u! o <au!e a=;ile and learn brieflA ;e <re?nan !i?nifi:an:e of Yoruba naBe! in ?eneral. (;a =ould Ba>e a $erA illuBina in? ! udA in i !elf@ bu =e :an onlA Ben ion ;e !ubEe: ;ere bA =aA of in rodu: ion o our ;eBe. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % C;a< er %@ <<. % ff. + *ee Yoruba )ea ;eni!B@ bA Bi!;o< JaBe! Jo;n!on G En?land@ JaBe! (o=n!end@ %-55H@ <. -. (;e Yoruba0*<ea>in? "eo<le!@ bA *ir A. B. Elli! G C;a<Ban and )all@ %-5.H <. ,4. (;e Reli?ion of ;e Yoruba@ bA Dr. J. O. Lu:a! G La?o!@ C.M.*.@ %5.-H <. .-. Of ;e eF<lana ion! offered bA ;e abo$e au ;or! =i ; re?ard o ;e naBe OlZdNBarO@ ;a of Bi!;o< JaBe! Jo;n!on alone i! ba!ed on =;a ;e Yoruba ;eB!el$e! ;in> and belie$eD ;e one bA Dr. Lu:a! i! ra ;er far0fe :;edD =;ile *ir A. B. Elli! i! <a en lA in error. OlZdNBarO i! u!ed in ;e Yoruba ran!la ion of ;e Bible for ;e =ord! &alBi?; A&@ &oBni<o en &D :f. Gene!i! %4L%D Job 2L%4D "!alB 5%L%D + Cor. 3.%-D Re$. +%L++. (;e naBe indeed ! ron?lA iB<lie! &alBi?; ine!!& and &oBni<o en:e&D bu i i! no Eu! a de!:ri< i$e i le of ;e Dei A. I i! ;e real Yoruba naBe for )iB. 0,+0 E$erA Yoruba naBe ;a! a :;ara: er and a !i?nifi:an:e of i ! o=n. 'o :;ild i! ?i$en a naBe =i ;ou a :au!eD and ;a :au!e i! no ;e bare@ ine$i able one ;a a :;ild Bu! be born before i :an re:ei$e a naBeQ E$erA one of ;e naBe! i! alBo! in$ariablA a !en en:e@ or a :lau!e@ or an abbre$ia ion of a !en en:e@ =;i:; :an be bro>en in o :oB<onen <ar !. Be!ide!@ ;e naBe Bu! ell !oBe :lear ! orA@ =;e ;er i be of ;e

:ir:uB! an:e! !urroundin? ;e :;ild7! bir ;@ ;e ! a e of ;e <aren !7 or faBilA affair! =;en i i! born@ or a reBar>able e$en in ;e o=n or ;e ?eneral =orld in o =;i:; i i! born. Al!o@ =i ; ;e Yoruba@ naBe re<re!en ! :;ara: er and ;e e!!en:e of <er!onali A@ a! aBon? ;e )ebre=!. I i! ?enerallA belie$ed ;a if a <er!on7! real naBe i! >no=n i =ill be ea!A o ble!! ;e <er!on@ or ;arB ;iB bA Ba?i:. Le u! a>e ;e naBe (V i=P@ for eFaB<le. (;a naBe i!@ in full@ E J ni Y0Z0=V0 Z J aiAW0=P00&)e =;o :aBe o a! e ;e =orld&. (;a i! ;e naBe ?i$en o ;e fir! :;ild of =in!. And ;i! i! ;e ! orA be;ind i in Yoruba ;in>in?. (;e !e:ond :;ild i! ;e !enior one. W;en ;e iBe :oBe! for ;e =o o :oBe in o ;e =orld@ ;e !enior one !aA! o ;e Eunior@ &You fir! ?o in o ;e =orld@ a! e i L if i i! !=ee @ ?i$e Be a !;ou @ and I =ill :oBe do=n&Q I i! belie$ed ;a if on bein? born ;e fir! :;ild for anA rea!on doe! no :rA@ i =ill be reallA diffi:ul o ?e ;e !e:ond one o follo=. In ?eneral@ e$erA Yoruba naBe !;ould be !iBilarlA !elfeF<lana orA. Unfor una elA@ ;o=e$er@ ;e naBe OlZdNBarO i! no a! fullA !elfeF<lana orA a! =e BaA ;a$e been led o eF<e: L i i! onlA <ar lA !o. (;i! i! be:au!e OlZdNBarO i! an an:ien @ uniCue naBe@ ;e e ABolo?A of ;e !e:ond <ar of =;i:; ;a! been a !ubEe: of Bu:; ?ue!!0=or> and deba e. Bu i !;ould be :lear o u! =;a ;e !i?nifi:an:e of ;e naBe i!@ if no fullA e ABolo?i:allA@ a lea! ;eolo?i:allA and bA :onno a ion. (;e naBe i! Bade u< of =o =ord!@ =i ; a <refiF@ ;u!L OL0ODMAR. (;e <refiF Ol re!ul ! froB ;e elli!ion of ;e $o=el &i& froB OnY@ =;i:; Bean! &o=ner of&@ &lord of&@ or &one =;o deal! in& OnY@ in one or o ;er of i ! Bodified forB!@ i! a <refiF =;i:; o::ur! freCuen lA in Yoruba o deno e o=ner!;i< or one =;o deal! in a rade or <rofe!!ion. #or eFaB<le@ =e ;a$e ;e =ord! OlZ>o GOl0Z>oH Beanin? & ;e o=ner of ;e farB&@ OnYbodO GOn70YbodOHL &one =;o >ee<! ;e o=n7! ?a e&@ or Oni?bVn!oJ00 Gon70i?bV0n!oJHL &one =;o Bend! bro>en :alaba!;e!&. (;i! <refiF ;a! al!o o ;er :;ara: eri! i:! =;i:; BaA be Ben ionedL bu ;i! i! no a boo> on Yoruba GraBBarQ Of ;e =o Bain :oB<onen ! of ;e naBe OlZdNBarO@ ;e >eA one i! ODU. W;a =ord ;e ;ree le er! !i?nifA de<end! on =;i:; one 0,,0

Bar>! are <la:ed u<on i ! $o=el!. (;u! i BaA be OdN =;i:; i! a !ub! an i$e Beanin? &a Bain ;eadin? or :;a< er& a! in ;e :or<u! of IfV re:i al!@ &:;ief ;ead& or &:;ief& a! in ;e i le OdN?bO J de J =;i:; Bean! &(;e C;ief of ;e !Bi ;!&@ &!:e< re&@ or &au ;ori A&. Or i BaA be /dN@ al!o a !ub! an i$e Beanin? &$erA lar?e and dee< <o G:on ainerH&@ & ;e full :ell in ;e board of aAP& % froB ;e analo?A of =;i:; i i! !aid of

a <er!on dN rO J >\n00&)i! /dN i! full&@ Beanin? ;a &)e ;a! ble!!in? in abundan:e&@ &#or une !Bile! on ;iB&. /dN i! al!o u!ed a! an adEe: i$e =i ; ;e Beanin? &$erA lar?e&@ &$erA eF en!i$e&@ &$erA full&@ &of !u<erla i$e Cuali A and =or ;&. (;u! =e !<ea>@ for eFaB<le@ of PdN P J AK00&a $erA lar?e ?ra!!0:u er&@ PdN aAP00& ;e full :ell in ;e board of aAP&@ PdN a! J oJ00&a :lo ; of !u<erla i$e Cuali A and =or ;&. )en:e PdN al!o Bean! &!u<erla i$e in ?rea ne!!@ !iSe@ or Cuali A and =or ;.& (;ere i!@ ;o=e$er@ no =aA of >no=in? bA ;e one Bar>! =;e ;er ;e :oB<onen a! i ! and! in ;e full naBe of ;e Dei A i! odN or PdN a! ;ere i! onlA one radi ional =aA of <ronoun:in? OlZdNBarO@ ;e one Bar>! on ;e $o=el! of =;i:; are no affe: ed =;i:;e$er of ;e =o =ord! i BaA :on$eA. Odu a>en o?e ;er =i ; ;e <refiF in ei ;er :a!e i! ;erefore OlZdN and Bean! ;a ;e naBe indi:a e! ei ;er !oBeone =;o i! a !u<reBe ;ead@ one =;o <o!!e!!e! ;e !:e< re or au ;ori AD or one =;o &:on ain!& ;e fullne!! of eF:ellen a ribu e!@ one =;o i! !u<erla i$e and <erfe: in ?rea ne!!@ !iSe@ Cuali A and =or ;. 'o= =e :oBe o ;e diffi:ul <ar of our a!>. (;e :oB<onen 0BarO in OlZdNBarO :onfron ! u! =i ; !oBe e ABolo?i:al diffi:ul A@ and =e :an do no Bore@ a ;e BoBen @ ;an loo> a !oBe eF<lana orA a eB< ! on ;e Ba er@ and ;en dra= our o=n :on:lu!ion. (;e =ord i! !aid o be a :on ra: ion of ;e <;ra!e0naBe OlZdN0oJBoJOrO00&OlZdN@ ;e off!<rin? of ;e boa&. (;i! !u??e! ion i! ba!ed u<on a BA ; =;i:; deri$e! froB ;e na ural <;enoBenon of ;e rainbo=. (;e Yoruba belie$e@ ?enerallA@ ;a ;e rainbo= i! <rodu:ed bA a $erA lar?e boaL ;e re< ile di!:;ar?e! froB i ! in!ide ;e !ul<;ureou! Ba er =;i:; !e ! all i ! !urroundin?! a?lo= and :au!e! a refle: ion@ =;i:; i! ;e rainbo= GO! J NBarOH@ in ;e !>A. (;e Ba er =;i:; i! !o di!:;ar?ed i! >no=n a! IBi O! J NBarO G&rainbo=0eF:reBen &H and i! :on!idered $erA RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % AAP i! a Yoruba ?aBe Bade u< of a board =i ; =el$e :ell!@ !iF on ea:; !ide@ and ea:; :ell :on ainin? four !eed :oun er! o be?in =i ;. I i! <laAed bA =o <eo<le !i in? o<<o!i e ea:; o ;er on ei ;er !ide of ;e board. *ee Reli?ion and Ar in A!;an i@ bA R. *. Ra raA G O.U.".@ %5+4H@ <<. ,-+0,51. 0,.0

$aluable for Ba>in? <eo<le =eal ;A and <ro!<erou!. I i! ;e Yoruba eCui$alen of ;e &<;ilo!o<;er7! ! one&Q W;o!oe$er :ould laA ;old of i =ould ne$er =an for Ba erial <o!!e!!ion!. I i!@ ;o=e$er@ $erA rarelA ob ained@ in !<i e of ;e fa: ;a i i! !o Bu:; earne! lA !ou?; af er@ one rea!on bein? ;a anAone =;o a<<roa:;ed ;e !<o a ;e BoBen =;en i i! on ;e ?round =ould be :on!uBed for ;=i ;D and ano ;er ;a ;e

re< ile i !elf ;a! ;e Bi!erlA ;abi of !=allo=in? i all u< a?ain =;en ;e ri ual i! o$erQ RuBour! abound ;a !oBe ! ran?e indi$idual! do :oBe bA bi ! of i o::a!ionallA bu !u:; ruBour! ;a$e reallA ne$er :oBe o anA ;in? Bore ;an ;e !=indler7! bai Q 'o=@ =;a ;a! ;i! ?o o do =i ; ;e Dei A8 I i! ;i!. (;e BA ; ;a! i ;a ;e naBe of ;i! <er!ona?e =;o i! abo$e =a! ori?inallA OlZdN. )e =a! ;e off!<rin? of ;e lar?e <riBordial boa@ and =a! a <rodi?A froB bir ;. 6erA earlA ;e a:Cuired a re<u a ion for <ro=e!! and ?oodne!!. #or !oBe rea!on@ ;e ear ; :ould no lon?er :on ain ;iB@ and !o ;e =en o d=ell in ;ea$en. (;ere ;e eF:eedin?lA in:rea!ed in all ?ood and di$ine Cuali ie!. Bu before ;e =en u<@ bo ; ;e and ;i! <aren ;ad en ered in o a :o$enan ;a ;eA =ould al=aA! reBeBber@ and froB iBe o iBe :oBBuni:a e =i ;@ ea:; o ;er. (;e rainbo= =;i:; o::ur! in ;e !>A i! ;e !i?n of ;a a?e0lon? :o$enan and :oBBunion be =een OlZdN and ;e boa@ a !i?n ;a ;e :o$enan reBain! for e$er. (;i! BA ;@ bA ;e =aA@ BaA ea!ilA be ;e Yoruba =aA of eF<re!!in? ;e !aBe :on:e< ion a! ;e one in ;e Bibli:al ! orA =;i:; ;a! i ;a God !e ;e rainbo= in ;e !>A a! a !i?n of ;e :o$enan =;i:; )e Bade =i ; ;e =orld. % AnA=aA@ i a<<ear! o be ;e Yoruba =aA of eF<lainin? ;e rainbo= ra ;er ;an eF<lainin? OlZdNBarO. (;e real ru ; en!;rined in ;i! i! ;e fa: of e ernal !i?nifi:an:e ;a ;ere i! :oBBunion be =een ;ea$en and ear ;. *e:ondlA 0BarO BaA be reallA =o =ord! =;i:; forB ;e iB<era i$e MV rO. (;i! iB<era i$e Bean! &Do no ?o&@ &Do no <ro:eed&. (;e <;ra!e BaA al!o be a de!:ri< i$e adEe: i$e Beanin? & ;a doe! no ?o&@ & ;a doe! no Bo$e or =ander&@ & ;a reBain!&@ & ;a :on inue!&. If i :oBbine! bo ; !en!e! in OlZdN0BarO@ ;e iB<li:a ion i! ;a OlZdNBarO@ ;e Dei A@ =;o <o!!e!!e! !u<erla i$e Cuali ie! ;a! al!o ;e added a ribu e of reBainin? ! able@ un:;an?in?@ :on! an @ <erBanen @ reliable. (;irdlA@ ;e naBe BaA be a>en a! Ol0odN0B7VrO@ =;i:; =ri en in full@ i! Ol0OdN0BZ J 0AreO00&One =;o :oBbine! OdN =i ; ArO&00Ol0OdN:uB0ArO. ArO i! ;e !ABbol of uniCuene!! fiFed on ;e ori?inal :ro=n RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % Gene!i! 5L-0%4. 0,20

=orn bA ;e fir! >in? of Yorubaland and !oBe ;in? of =;i:; ;a! been in:luded in ;e :ro=n =orn bA ea:; !u::e!!i$e h J ni G>in?H of Ile0IfO J o eB<;a!i!e ;i! !u::e!!ion o ;e !<iri ual ;ead!;i< o$er ;e Yoruba <eo<le. 'o o ;er >in? of Yorubaland BaA =ear ;e !aBe >ind of :ro=n@ a! i i! a !i?n of !u<reBe ;ead!;i<. OlZdNBarO ;u! de!:ribe! ;e Dei A a! one =;o <o!!e!!e!@ in addi ion o ;e !:e< re@ ;e uniCue Cro=n =;i:; no

one el!e BaA =ear. (;a i!@ )e i! )ead and O$erlord of all in ;ea$en and on ear ;D indi!<u ablA@ ab!olu elA uniCue and beAond :oB<ari!on in BaEe! A and fullne!! of a ribu e!. #our ;lA@ ;e naBe BaA be ori?inallA Ol0odN0>KrI. cKrI i! Bore of en ;an no u!ed o de!:ribe ;e <erfe: lA full :ell in ;e board of ;e aAP ?aBe. W;en =e !<ea> of OduN0 >KrI@ =e Bean ;a ;e :ell ;a! rea:;ed i ! <erfe: fullne!!D if ;en anA one :oun er i! added o i @ ;e <erfe: ne!! i! !<oil . OlZdN0>KrI@ a! ;e naBe of ;e Dei A@ Bean! ;a )e i! One =;o i! ab!olu elA <erfe: in !u<erla i$e Cuali ie!. 'o=@ ;e Cue! ion i!@ =;i:; of ;e!e !;all =e a::e< a! ;e eF<lana ion of ;e naBe OlZdNBarO8 Our an!=er i!@ all o?e ;er. We ;a$e arri$ed a ;i! :on:lu!ion@ no onlA bA loo>in? a ;e naBe alone@ bu al!o bA a :areful ! udA of ;e li ur?ie! and ;e OdN :or<u! in <ar i:ular@ and ;e oral radi ion! in ?eneral. % W;a ;e Yoruba ;a$e in Bind =;en ;eA !<ea> ;e naBe OlZdNBarO@ :all u<on ;e Dei A in <raAer!@ or a<<roa:; )iB in =or!;i<@ i! eF<re!!ed bA all ;e de!:ri< ion! a>en o?e ;er. (;e naBe OlZdNBarO ;a! al=aA! :arried =i ; i ;e idea of One =i ; W;oB Ban BaA en er in o :o$enan or :oBBunion in anA <la:e and a anA iBe@ one =;o i! !u<reBe@ !u<erla i$elA ?rea @ in:oB<arable and un!ur<a!!able in BaEe! A@ eF:ellen in a ribu e!@ ! able@ un:;an?in?@ :on! an @ reliable. A! =e :lo!e ;i! :;a< er@ =e Bu! Ben ion =o o ;er $erA iB<or an naBe! bA =;i:; OlZdNBarO i! >no=n. (;e!e are Z J fin0 run and lZ J run. Z J fin0 run o::ur! freCuen lA in ;e li ur?ie! and in ;e OdN :or<u! ei ;er a! a i le added@ or a! an al erna i$e@ o OlZdNBarO I !i?nifie! ;e ;i?; offi:e of OlZdNBarO a! ;e *u<reBe *o$erei?n Ruler W;o i! in ;ea$en. *oBe iBe!@ i i! u!ed in :on ra! o UJ++-lZ J fin0AiAW00&(;e !u<reBe ruler on ear ;&00=;i:;@ a::ordin? o Yoruba belief@ =a! ;e i le of ;e fir! <rie! 0>in? froB =;oB ;e i le ;a! <a!!ed on o ;e !u::e!!i$e h J ni of Ile0IfO J . (;ere i! ;e !i?nifi:an Yoruba !aAin?@ O;un i lZ J fin0AiA_ ba =i ni lZ J fin0 run n?ba00&W;a e$er i! !aid bA ;e !o$erei?n ruler on ear ;@ ;a ;e *o$erei?n Ruler in ;ea$en =ill a::e< .& (;i! naBe RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er %@ <<. 3 ff. 0,30

a<<ear! o be a! old a! OlZdNBarO@ a::ordin? o Yoruba li ur?ie! and ;e OdN :or<u!. (;e naBe lZ J run i! ;e one :oBBonlA u!ed in <o<ular lan?ua?e. I a<<ear! o ;a$e ?ained i ! <redoBina in? :urren:A in :on!eCuen:e of C;ri! ian and Mo!leB iB<a:

u<on Yoruba ;ou?; L i i! ;e naBe u!ed Bo! lA in e$an?eli! i: =or> and in li era ure. I o::ur! al!o freCuen lA in eEa:ula orA <raAer! li>e lZ J run@ ?bK Bi oQ00&Deli$er Be@ O lZ J runQ&@ or in an!=er o !alu a ion!@ e.?. E J P Ei 7re bi8 A d\< Ee J l7 oJ=Z J lZ J run0&)a$e Aou ri!en =ell G ;i! Bornin?H8& &I Gor WeH ;an> lZ J run.& lZ J run i! !elf0eF<lana orA. I i! :oB<o!ed of ;e <refiF Ol GoniH@ and run00&;ea$en&. (;e naBe ;u! Bean! &(;e O=ner or Lord of )ea$en&. I BaA al!o be ;e !;or ened forB of Olu0run00&(;e C;ief or Ruler of )ea$en&@ or a :on ra: ion of lZ J fin0 run@ =;i:; BaA ;a$e dro<<ed ;e !uffiF 0fin in lZ J fin and !o be:oBe :on ra: ed o lZ J run. (;e ;ree naBe! OlZdNBarO@ lZ J fin@ and lZ J run are !oBe iBe! run o?e ;er in ur?en eEa:ula ionL L7oE\ OlZdNBarOQ L7oE\ lZ J finQ L7oE\ lZ J runQ00In ;e <re!en:e of OlZdNBarOQ In ;e <re!en:e of lZ J finQ In ;e <re!en:e of lZ J runQ00 ;e one Dei A i! ;u! :alled bA a ;reefold naBe o eF<re!! in en!e eBo ion or ur?en a<<eal. 0,40

2 OlZdNBarO00)i! A ribu e! In ;e la! :;a< er =e ;a$e :on!idered ;e e ABolo?i:al !i?nifi:an:e of ;e naBe of ;e Dei A. We ;a$e@ in ;a =aA@ learn ;a ;e Yoruba ;in> of )iB a! One =;o <o!!e!!e! !u<erla i$e ?rea ne!! and fullne!! of all eF:ellen a ribu e!. BA :allin? )iB OlZdNBarO@ ;e Yoruba a:>no=led?e )iB o be uniCue in ;ea$en and on ear ;@ !u<reBe o$er all.

We ob!er$ed@ ;o=e$er@ ;a =e :anno de<end u<on ;e e ABolo?A of ;e naBe onlA for a de ailed >no=led?e of )i! e!!en ial a ribu e!. And@ for una elA@ =e ;a$e o ;er !our:e! % =;i:; ?i$e aB<le :onfirBa ion o =;a =e ;a$e learn ;rou?; ;e ! udA of ;e naBe@ and =;i:; =ill ?i$e u! a ?rea deal Bore. Wi ; ;e!e !our:e!@ =e !;all find our fee on !urer ?round@ be:au!e ;eA brin? u! in o a: ual :on a: =i ; ;e Yoruba in ;e bu!ine!! of dailA li$in? a! ;eA ;in>@ =or!;i<@ and eF<re!! ;eir belief!. We !;all learn@ e!<e:iallA@ ;a ;e Dei A i!@ af er all@ no a! di! an froB Ban7! dailA life and ;ou?; a! !oBe =ould lead u! o ;in>. + Le u!@ ;erefore@ ;ear =;a ;o!e !our:e! ;a$e o !aA on ;e !ubEe: . A Cue! ion of fir! iB<or an:e i!@ &W;o or =;a i! OlZdNBarO8& (;e Yoruba :on:e< ion of ;e na ure of ;e Dei A i! na urallA an ;ro<oBor<;i:. Bu =;a =or!;i<<in? <eo<le :an =;ollA di$e! ;eir ;ou?; ! of an ;ro<oBor<;i!B in a Ba er !u:; a! ;i!8 We >no= ;o= diffi:ul i be:oBe! in ;e Bore &de$elo<ed& reli?ion!@ and in C;ri! iani A@ o Ba>e )iB :oB<re;en!ible in ab! ra: erB! o ;e =or!;i<<in? and <raAin? Bind. We no e =i ; in ere! ;e <raAer of ;e Indian !a?e *an>ara , L O Lord@ <ardon BA ;ree !in!. I ;a$e in :on eB<la ion :lo ;ed in forB (;ee W;o ar forBle!!L I ;a$e in <rai!e de!:ribed (;ee W;o ar ineffableL And in $i!i in? eB<le! I ;a$e i?nored (;ine oBni<re!en:e. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er %@ <<. 4 ff. + *ee C;a< er %%@ <<. %.+ f. , CoB<ara i$e Reli?ion@ bA A. C. BouCue G "en?uin@ %5.2H@ <. %5. 0,-0

Bu Man reallA find! li le !a i!fa: ion eF:e< in a Dei A =;o li$e!@ =;o ;a! a ;ear @ =;o !<ea>!@ =;o ;ear!. Cen urie! of Be a<;A!i:al ;in>in? ;a$e no !u::eeded@ and BaA ne$er !u::eed@ in :urin? Ban of an ;ro<oBor<;i!B in ;i! <ri$a e ;ou?; abou )iB. )e =ill e$er <roEe: !oBe ;in? of ;iB!elf in o ;i! ;ou?; of )iB in order o Ba>e ;e Un>no=n in elli?ible bA analo?A froB ;a =;i:; i! >no=n. %

(;e Yoruba do li le ab! ra: ;in>in?. (;eir <i: ure of OlZdNBarO i!@ ;erefore@ of a "er!ona?e@ $enerable and BaEe! i:@ a?ed bu no a?ein?@ =i ; a ?reAne!! =;i:; :oBBand! a=e and re$eren:e. )e !<ea>!D )e :oBBand!D )e a: !D )e rule!D )e Eud?e!D )e doe! all ;a a "er!on of ;e ;i?;e! au ;ori A@ in =;o!e :on rol e$erA ;in? i!@ =ill do. (;a i! =;a =e !;all !ee :learlA a! =e eFaBine ;e de ail of )i! a ribu e!. )e i! ;e Crea orL In our a::oun of Yoruba ;eo?onA and :o!Bo?onA@ + =e ;a$e learn ;a ;e di$ini ie! =ere brou?; in o bein? bA OlZdNBarO and ;a ;e =or> of :rea in? ;e ear ; =a! :oBBi!!ioned bA )iB. E$erA ;in? in ;ea$en and on ear ; o=e! i ! ori?in o )iB. In )i! :a<a:i A a! Crea or )e i! >no=n a! E J l Ee J dX00&(;e Crea or&@ &(;e Ma>er&. )e i! ;e Ori?in and Gi$er of life@ and in ;a :a<a:i A )e i! :alled E J l Ee J B[0&(;e O=ner of ;e !<iri &@ or &(;e O=ner of life&. )e Bade ;e rain o =a er ;e ear ; and o ?i$e drin> o all. W;en ;e !olid ear ; =a! :rea ed@ onlA ;e Eui:e of ;e ree! =;i:; )e fir! ?a$e =a! u!ed a! =a er. *oon@ Bore =a er =a! needed@ and i =a! o )iB ;a OrI! J K0nlV a<<ealedD ;e re<lied bA !endin? rain. (;i! fa: i! fullA a:>no=led?ed =;en =e !aA@ lZ J run ba ni 7=oJn 7foJn eEi i=Z J rZ J 0i=Z J rZ J 0&I i! lZ J run@ ;e cin?@ =;o <our! do=n ;e rain in re?ular flo=&. (iBe! and !ea!on! o=e ;eir ori?in o )iB. )e i! ;e Au ;or of daA and ni?; . (;erefore@ )e i! >no=n a! lZ J EZ J 0Pni00&(;e O=ner of ;i! daA&. We al!o !aA in ;i! :onne: ion@ /ni@ oJBoJ lZ J finD P J la@ oJBoJ lZ J fin@ oJ Nnla@ oJBoJ lZ J finD irOni@ oJBoJ lZ J fin.00&(odaA i! ;e off!<rin? of lZ J finD oBorro= i! ;e off!<rin? of lZ J finD ;e daA af er oBorro= i! ;e off!<rin? of lZ J finD ;e four ; daA ;en:e i! ;e off!<rin? of lZ J finD ;e fif ; daA , ;en:e i! ;e off!<rin? of lZ J fin&. (;e =or>! of OlZdNBarO are Bi?; A and =ondrou!. One ;ear! $erA freCuen lA ;e Yoruba !aAin?@ I Ee J lZ J run Zbi00&lZ J run7! =or>! are RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er 4@ <<. 3. ff. + *ee C;a< er ,. , *ee C;a< er! ,@ <. +1D and 5@ <. %%+. 0,50

Bi?; A&@ =;i:; i! an eF<re!!ion of a=e@ of =onder@ of <rai!e@ in :on!eCuen:e of !oBe Banife! a ion! of )i! ?rea ne!! a! ;e Au ;or of ;in?! and e$en !. runBIlK f7 O J ;In I@ o =i Y YL o ni@ O J nAin OrP P>un@ nAin OrP P J !K@ nE Ee J O J nAin P BP J =i<e i Ee J OlZdNBarO obi800& runBIlK leaned ba:>@ and ?aSed :on eB<la i$elAL ;en ;e !aid@ 7You =;o ra$el bA !ea@ and Aou =;o ra$el bA ;e la?oon@ !urelA Aou <er:ei$e ;a ;e =or>! of OlZdNBarO are Bi?; A87& *o@ ;e Yoruba@ li>e ;e "!alBi! @ >no= ;a ;e ?rea =a er! and ;e dee< de:lare ;e ?lorA of ;e ?rea Crea or7! =or>. %

)e i! cin?L (o ;e Yoruba@ OlZdNBarO i! (;e cin? =i ; uniCue and in:oB<arable BaEe! A. + )e i! o$er and abo$e all di$ini ie! and Ben. , )e i! ;e cin? =;o!e ;abi a ion i! in ;ea$en abo$e@ and !o i! :alled ba0run00&(;e cin? W;o d=ell! in ;e ;ea$en!&. )i! BaEe! A@ =;i:; i! uniCue and !ur<a!!e! all o ;er!@ Ba>e! )iB@ ?X0P?o00&(;e Ma! er in re!<lenden:e.& . )i! re!<lenden BaEe! A i! of !u:; diBen!ion o ;e Yoruba ;a ;eA eCua e ;e =;ole !<read of ;e !>A@ =;i:; ;eA !oBe iBe! de!:ribe al!o a! ;e Ba on =;i:; ;e i! !i in?@ =i ; ;e eF en of )i! ?rea and &=ide0!<read& Bein?. (;e <erBanen :ano<A of ;ea$en belon?! o )iB and Banife! ! )iB o ;e en ire =orld. *o )e i! A Ee J re J re J 0>70ViAe@ EJl Ee J nY K0 Ee J 07>a00&)e W;o!e Bein? !<read! o$er ;e =;ole eF en of ;e ear ;@ ;e O=ner of a Ba ;a i! ne$er folded u<&. 2 A! ;e Grea cin?@ )e ;a! full <rero?a i$e and eFer:i!e! i o$er all. )i! =ill i! ab!olu e. (;u! )e i! :alled &ba i dandan rO J >I 7!W 7lO J 0&(;e cin? =;o!e be;e! ! ne$er re urn $oid&@ AlVbXlVe J @ ba dNBKrO00&(;e "ro<o!er W;o =ield! ;e *:e< re@ cin? of *u<erla i$e A ribu e! &. )e i! OBni<o en L (;e Yoruba belie$e ;a OlZdNBarO i! Bo! <o=erful in ;ea$en and on ear ;. )e i! able o do all ;in?!D )e i! ;e Enabler of all =;o a:;ie$e anA end!. (;in?! are <o!!ible onlA =;en and be:au!e ;eA are ordered bA )iBD ;eA are iB<o!!ible =;en )e doe! no <erBi ;eB or ?i$e )i! aid. (;i! i! =;a =e Bean =;en =e !aA@ A0dNn07e J e bY o;un Y RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % Cf. "!alB %14L +, ff. + C;a< er .@ <<. ,+ ff. , *ee C;a< er 3. . &(;e Mo! )i?;& i! ran!la ed ?X0P?o in ;e Yoruba Bible00:f. "!alB 5%L% 00and i i! Cui e a<<ro<ria e. 2 Cf. I!aia; .1L+1. 0.10

OlZdNBarO eL a0Pro07!Je bi o;un i lZ J run >P l7 oJ=Z J !i00&Ea!A o do a! ;a =;i:; OlZdNBarO <erforB!D diffi:ul o do a! ;a =;i:; lZ J run enable! no &. I i! )e alone W;o :an !<ea> and brin? )i! =ord o <a!! =i ;ou anA <o!!ibili A of failure. )e i! ;erefore de!:ribed a! AlW=alO!Je00&)e =;o alone :an !<ea> and a::oB<li!; )i! =ord!&00ab!olu e fia belon?! o )iB. )e i! 0!JO0>an0BV0>N00&(;e cin? W;o!e =or>! are done o <erfe: ion&@ be:au!e i i! )e alone =;o i! :a<able of brin?in? )i! =or>! o a <erfe: fini!;.

)e i! ;e One =;o !e ;e Ba:;inerA of ;e uni$er!e in Bo ion. )e :an brin? i @ in <ar or a! a =;ole@ o a ! and! ill@ and !e i ?oin? a?ain@ if need be. )e did ;a @ for eFaB<le@ =;en ;e di$ini ie! on:e fooli!;lA Cue! ioned ;e ab!olu ene!! of )i! !u<reBa:A. % )e i! All0=i!e@ All0>no=in?@ All0!eein?L lZ J run ni>an l7 Z ?boJn00&OnlA lZ J run i! =i!e& i! a :oBBon Yoruba !aAin?. (;a i!@ )e Alone i! <erfe: in =i!doB and i! infallible. (;e di$ini ie! :an Ba>e Bi! a>e!. Men@ a! a Ba er of :our!e@ ne$er :oBe anA=;ere near o <erfe: ion in =i!doB. Bu OlZdNBarO :an ne$er Ba>e Bi! a>e!. I i! of )i! o=n =i!doB ;a )e ?i$e! o bo ; di$ini ie! and Ben. OlZdNBarW >no=! all ;in?!. 'o !e:re ! are ;id froB )iB. )e >no=! all ;in?! be:au!e )e !ee all. (;e Yoruba :all ;e eF en!i$e !>A OEN lZ J run00&(;e fa:e GiB<lAin? ;e eAe!H of lZ J run&. + W;en i li?; en!@ ;eA of en !aA@ lZ J run n!JO J 7Eu00& lZ J run i! =in>in?&. )e i! :alled Ar7inu0r7ode@ OlNBP J oJ>Kn00& )e W;o !ee! bo ; ;e in!ide and ou !ide Gof BanH@ ;e Di!:erner of ;ear !&. 'o ;in? <a!!e! unob!er$ed bA )iB. W;en OrY!JK0nlV <lanned o !<A on )iB a )i! !e:re =or> of <u in? life in o Ban@ )e >ne= ;i! :raf A de!i?n and fore! alled ;iB. , )o=e$er Bu:; a <er!on BaA rA o :on:eal ;i! deed!@ i i! all >no=n o )iB. We !aA ;erefore@ A0B70`>Nn7 olO@ bi oEN Pba aiAe >P ri i@ i ba run n=P o00&)e =;o ! eal! under :on:ealBen @ e$en ;ou?; ;e of )ea$en are loo>in? a ;iB&. A line of a <o<ular !on? =;i:; ?i$e! eF<re!!ion o ;i! !aBe :on:e< ion! run! ;u!L cil7 e J ne ni be J >NlN 7 oEN lZ J run P o80&W;a e$er do Aou do in :on:ealBen ;a lZ J run7! eAe! do no rea:;8& "eo<le of en ;and an offender o$er o )iB for Eud?Ben bA !aAin? lZ J run rY i or H+++-lZ J run ri oJ00& YlZ J run !ee! ;iB& or & lZ J run !ee! AouQ& RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % C;a< er 3@ <<. 2. f. + Bu !ee C;a< er 5@ <. %+4 , C;a< er ,@ <<. +% f. 0.%0

)e i! Jud?eL In ;e Yoruba :on:e< ion of &(;e La! (;in?!&@ % OlZdNBarO i! ;e final Di!<o!er of all ;in?!. )e i! ;e Jud?e. )e :on rol! Ban7! de! inA@ and ea:; =ill re:ei$e froB a! ;e de!er$e!. Bu ;ere on ear ;@ Eud?Ben ;a! alreadA be?un for e$erA Ban a::ordin? o ;i! :;ara: er. I i! belie$ed ;a ;e di$ini ie! <uni!; Ben for anA brea:; of abu or for ri ual offen:e!D bu i i! OlZdNBarO =;o Eud?e! Ban7! :;ara: er. +

)e i! Jud?e o$er all. In ;e BA ;!@ ;e di$ini ie! are of en re<re!en ed a! brin?in? ;eir di!<u e! before )iB for Eud?Ben or !e leBen . #or eFaB<le@ runBIlK =a! on:e brou?; before ;iB on an a::u!a ion bA all ;e o ;er di$ini ie!. OlZdNBarO i! <or raAed a! !i in? in Eud?Ben L ;e di$ini ie! a! <lain iff ! a ed ;eir :a!eD runBYlK defended ;iB!elfD OlZdNBarO ;eard bo ; !ide!D ;en )e <ronoun:ed )i! $erdi: @ bA =;i:; runBiIlK =a! a:Cui ed. (;e =or> and deed! of ea:; di$ini A are under re?ular in!<e: ion@ and re<or ! are Bade o )iB froB iBe o iBe. (o ;i! end =a! N , a<<oin ed ;e In!<e: or0?eneral. (;erefore all di$ini ie! =al> :ir:uB!<e: lA in fear of N@ and of ;e Eud?Ben of OlZdNBarO. (;e Eud?Ben of Ban7! :;ara: er i! in )i! ;and. (;e >no=led?e of ;i! i! one of ;e iB<or an fa: ! =;i:; Ba>e! )iB a :on:re e reali A o ;e Yoruba. Be:au!e ;e i! All0 =i!e@ All0>no=in? !in:e )e i! All0!eein?@ )i! Eud?Ben i! iB<ar ial. We of en ;ear ;e eF<re!!ion lZ J run Bu u0&)e i! under ;e Eud?Ben of lZ J run&@ or O =Kl7 ab_J <KXn OlZdNBarO 00&)e i! under ;e la!;e! of OlPdNarO&@ =;en a Bi!for une befall! a <er!on =;o i! >no=n o be a Boral offender. OlZdNBarO i! of en :alled ba@ AdV> Ee J 0 dV07EZ J 00&(;e >in? W;o d=ell! abo$e@ W;o eFe:u e! Eud?Ben in !ilen:e&. (;i! refer! o )i! Eud?Ben u<on ;e deed! of Ben ;ere on ear ;D al ;ou?; )e doe! no arrai?n e$il0doer! before a $i!ible Eud?Ben 0!ea @ )i! Eud?Ben i! ne$er ;ele!! !ure and ine!:a<able. )e i! IBBor alL IBBor ali A i! an a ribu e =;i:; ! and! ou $erA <roBinen lA in ;e Yoruba :on:e< ion of ;e Dei A. (;i! i! eB<;a!i!ed in e$erA =aA <o!!ible. In a !en!e@ ;i! i! a :oBfor and en:oura?eBen o ;e =or!;i<<in? !oul. I i! ne:e!!arA o >no= ;a ;e Dei A i! ali$e for e$erBore@ ;a )e i! un:;an?in? in ;e Bid! of all ;e :;an?e! and de:aA =;i:; ;a$e RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er %.@ <<. %54 ff. + *ee C;a< er %+@ <<@ %.- f. , C;a< er -@ <<. -1 ff. 0.+0

been ;e :on! an eF<erien:e of Ban@ if reli?ion and life are o ;a$e anA ul iBa e Beanin?. )o=e$er Bu:; OlZdNBarW Bi?; a<<ear o be reBo e in :on!eCuen:e of )i! BanA a?en ! =;o fill a lar?e !<a:e be =een )iB and Ban@ i i! :er ain ;a ;e Yoruba :ould no ;in> of anA ;in? reBainin? if )e :ea!ed o be. (;e bo oB =ould dro< ou of all ;in?!. (;u! =e find ;e fa: of )i! &e$er0li$in?0ne!!& $erA doBinan in ;eir ;ou?; ! of )iB. (;i! ;eA eF<re!! in BA ;!@ !on?!@ e<i?raB!@ and bA !e$eral o ;er Bedia. OlZdNBarW i! :alled /AY?YAi?I@ a AI>\00&(;e Mi?; A@ IBBo$able Ro:> ;a ne$er die!&. (;i! a<<ella ion Ba>e! a ! ron?@ ;reefold :on:e< of ;e idea! of )i! !u<erla i$e

?rea ne!!@ )i! ! eadfa! ne!!@ and )i! &e$er0li$in?0ne!!&. (;e fi?ure u!ed i! of a lar?e@ $erA eF en!i$e Boun ain of $erA ;ard ro:> =;i:; :anno be !<anned or Bea!ured bA anA :on:ei$able Bean!. And@ of :our!e@ o Bo$e !u:; a Boun ain i! beAond ;e =ilde! <robabili AD =;ere i i!@ ;ere i reBain! for e$er. A <o<ular !on? !aA!@ #e J re J >\fe@ a >Y 7?bZ J 7>\ OlZdNBarW00&#e J re J >\fe@ % one ne$er ;ear! of ;e dea ; of O lZdNBarW&. I i! a ;in? =;i:; ne$er ;a<<en!. Le u! no= loo> a ;ree OdN re:i al! + =;i:; !<ea> in !u<<or of ;e fa: L GaH O?bO YO J >jL cPrPfo@ A=o dEK0Ile J @ L7 Z d7 ifV fun OlZdNBarW@ (7 o !oJ =i<e n=oJn P ni 7?bZ J i>N rO J laYlaY cPrPfo@ ;e Cul of Under?round@ I! ;e one =;i:; :on!ul ed ;e ora:le abou OlZdNBarW And de:lared ;a )i! dea ; =ould ne$er be ;eard of. (;e &Cul of Under?round& =a!@ a<<aren lA@ a !:;ool of di$ina ion. I i! no :lear =;A ;e :on!ul a ion =a! Bade in ;i! :a!e. I a<<ear! ;a a Cue! ion aro!e :on:ernin? ;e dura ion of OlZdNBarW7! life. "eo<le =an ed o >no= in order o Ba>e !ureD and a !ure =aA of doin? ;a =a! o refer ;e Ba er o ;i! iB<or an Cul . In our $er!e@ ;e Cul i! Cuo ed a! a ru! ed au ;ori A in !u<<or of ;e do: rine of ;e iBBor ali A of OlZdNBarW. GbH O?bO YO J >jL OlZdNBarW !k11E1 7AO J @ UJ >N B J g D Gbo?bo orY nfun <uru0<NrN0<uru. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % (;i! i! onoBa o<eia for ;e !ound of a flu e. + C;a< er I@ <<. 4 f. 0.,0

OldNBarW ;a! rubbed )i! ;ead =i ; bar0=ood du! GiAO J 0 irP!NnH@ )e ne$er =ill dieD G)i!H =;ole ;ead i! be:oBe eF:eedin?lA ;oarA. In ;e BA ; :onne: ed =i ; ;i! $er!e@ i i! OlZdNBarW )iB!elf =;o i! re<re!en ed a! de!irin? iBBor ali A and !ee>in? ;e ?uidan:e of ;e ora:le. (;e ora:le de:lared ;a =;a )e !ou?; =a! a ainableD bu )e Bu! offer a !a:rifi:e and <erforB a :er ain ri e. (;e Bain <ar of ;e ri e =a! ;a )e !;ould rub )i! ;ead =i ; bar0=ood du! . )e did ;a D )i! ;ead be:aBe eF:eedin?lA =;i e and )e be:aBe iBBor al.

)ere@ <ar lA@ =e find ;e Yoruba !<ea>in? in !ABboli: erB!D =;i e ;air i! ;e ?lorA of old a?e and :oBBand! re!<e: and !oBe ;in? a>in o a=e in e$erAone. OlZdNBarW@ a! ;e E$erla! in? Olde! @ i! <i: ured@ ;erefore@ a! =earin? ;e Bar> and ?lorA of old a?e. Bu Bore abou ;i! BA ; belo=. G:H >KnrKn0!L doJBoJdW >i 7?bZ J 7>\ aoJL Y Ee J A Ee J A Ee J l7 aoJ 7?bZD A?bKlV?bK >i 7?bZ 7>u aoJL Y Ee J A Ee J A Ee J l7 aoJ 7?bZD doJBoJdW >i 7?bZ J 7>u OlZdNBarOL Y Ee J A Ee J A Ee J l7 aoJ 7?bZD A?bKlV?bK >i 7?b 7>u OlZdNBarWL Y Ee J A Ee J A Ee J l7 aoJ,,, 7?bZ. (;e Youn? ne$er ;ear ;a :lo ; i! deadL Clo ; onlA =ear! old o !;red!D (;e old ne$er ;ear ;a :lo ; i! deadL Clo ; onlA =ear! old o !;red!D (;e Youn? ne$er ;ear ;a OlZdNBarW i! deadL Clo ; onlA =ear! old o !;red!D (;e old ne$er ;ear ;a OlZdNBarO i! deadL Clo ; onlA =ear! old o !;red!. (;e BA ; :onne: ed =i ; ;i! $er!e al!o ;a! i ;a i =a! OlZdNBarO )iB!elf =;o !ou?; ;e Bean! of iBBor ali A. In :on!eCuen:e@ )e =a! old o Ba>e !oBe !a:rifi:e and o <ro$ide )iB!elf =i ; a lar?e <ie:e of =;i e :lo ;. W;en ;e ne:e!!arA ri e! ;ad been <erforBed@ ;e =;i e :lo ; =a! !<read o$er )iB !o ;a )e =a! :oB<le elA :o$ered. #roB ;a iBe@ )e be:aBe iBBor al. )e al!o be:aBe in$ei!ible. "eo<le :an 0..0

onlA ;ear of )iB@ and of )i! ?rea ne!! and BaEe! A. (;u!@ na urallA@ )e :aBe o be ;eld in ;onour@ a=e@ and re$eren:e. Be:au!e OlZdNBarW add! ;e a ribu e of in$i!ibili A o )i! iBBor ali A@ )e i! >no=n o ;e Yoruba a! ba AIra00&(;e cin? In$i!ible&L ba A=aBaridi00&(;e cin? =;o :anno be found ou bA !ear:;in?&. I Bu! ;a$e be:oBe e$iden ;a in ;e la! =o BA ;! in ;i! !e: ion@ ;ere are a fe= ;in?! BiFed u<D and ;a ;erefore ;e BA ;! rai!e one or =o iB<or an Cue! ion! for reli?ion. (;e Cue! ion! are@ fir! @ did OlZdNBarW be:oBe iBBor al and in$i!ible@ or ;a! )e al=aA! been !o8 And@ !e:ondlA@ if ;o!e ri e! =ere <erforBed and ;e !a:rifi:e!

offered@ o =;oB =ere ;eA offered@ and =;o <erforBed ;e ri e! for )iB8 In an!=er@ =e :an onlA re<ea in !uBBarA ;ere a li le of =;a =e ;a$e !aid on ;e oral radi ion! in ?eneral. % #ir! @ =e need o reBeBber ;a ;e BA ;! do no !e ou o be lo?i:al a::oun ! of ;in?!. Li>e Bo! illu! ra ion!@ ;eA are no o be <re!!ed on all <oin !. (;e Bain ea:;in? of ;e BA ;!@ in ;i! :a!e@ i! ;a OlZdNBarW i! iBBor al and in$i!ible. (;e Yoruba >no= and a::e< ;i! a! a ?i$en fa: . Bu ;eir eF<lorin? Bind! =ould@ ne$er ;ele!!@ find !oBe !u<<or in? eF<lana ion for ;e eFi! en:e of an a::e< ed fa: @ and ;en:e !u:; BA ;!. *e:ondlA@ =e need al!o o reBeBber ;a =;ile ;e!e OdN BA ;! en!;rine ;e ;eolo?i:al and <;ilo!o<;i:al ;ou?; ! of ;e Yoruba@ ;eir <riBarA <ur<o!e i! o an!=er ;e Cue! ion! of ;e de$ou enCuirer! and !u<<lian ! =;o ?o before ;e ora:le. #or eFaB<leL if a <er!on ?oe! o a Baba7lV=o in Cue! of lon?e$i A@ ;e di$iner a>e! ;i! ool! of di$ina ion and Bani<ula e! ;eB un il ;e ?e ! ;e !ui able OdN. + Under ;i! ;ead@ ;e !ele: ! a $er!e =;i:; =ill be a<<ro<ria e o ;e o::a!ion. A a:;ed o ;i! $er!e@ a! =e ;a$e ob!er$ed@ =ill be a ! orA ellin? of an ori?inal or !oBe <roBinen :;ara: er0u!uallA a di$ini A or ;e Dei A )iB!elf00=;o on:e ;ad de!ire! !iBilar o ;o!e of ;e <re!en !u<<lian and =a! !u::e!!ful in ;i! Cue! bA $ir ue of a :er ain <re!:ribed ri e =;i:; ;e fulfilled. )e ;en in! ru: ! ;e !u<<lian o do eFa: lA =;a =a! done bA ;a :;ara: er in ;e ! orA@ a! ;en ;e =a! !ure o ?ain ;i! end. We :an !ee ;o= iB<re!!i$e a BA ; in =;i:; ;e naBe of OlZdNBarW o::ur! =ould be. I i! an indi!<u able fa: ;a OlZdNBarW ;a! a <erBanen lon?e$i AD ;e i! $erA &old&@ Ae iBBor al. (;e :lien =ill :er ainlA =an o do =;a ;e ora:le@ ;rou?; ;e di$iner@ <re!:ribe! in ;a =aA. And !o =e :on:lude ;a ;e real <oin ! of our =o BA ;! are@ fir! @ RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % C;a< er %@ <<. 3 f. + C;a< er %@ <<. 4 ff. 0.20

an eB<;a!i!ed ! a eBen of ;e fa: ;a OlZdNBarW i! bo ; IBBor al and In$i!ibleD and@ !e:ondlA@ a belief in@ and <ra: i:e of@ &!AB<a ;e i: Ba?i:& a! !een in ;e !a:rifi:e! and ;e =;i e :lo ; o be !<read o$er ;e !u<<lian !o ;a ;e e$il eAe or ;e eAe of dea ; BaA no :a :; ;iBQ (;i! i! a !ui able <la:e o loo> a ;e Cue! ion of ;e E erni A of ;e Dei A. In Yoruba ;eolo?A@ ;i! i! a :on:e< ion =;i:; i! no :learlA ! a ed. We :an onlA deri$e =;a =e >no= of i lar?elA froB ;e ea:;in? on )i! iBBor ali A. I i! :er ainlA :lear ;a )e ;a! been before all ;in?! a! ;eA :aBe in o bein? be:au!e )e Bade ;eB or :oBBanded ;eB o be Bade. % I i! al!o :learlA ! a ed ;a no one >no=! )i! an e:eden or

be?innin?. A ! orA ?i$e! ;e =arnin? eFaB<le of one (O J lKIrP>P =;o Bade ;e fu ile a eB< o in$e! i?a e and <ro$e )i! an e:eden . (;i! :;ara: er =a! branded a! a ;ere i: and a liar o all ?enera ion!. Abou ;iB :aBe ;i! OdN under AO>j0l70O?bOL &E J P BoJ iA@ c7 e J nAin Z Ba jn !\rW <urZ J BZ J D EJP BoJ BKb@ c7 e J nAin o Ba \n !\rW UJ7 O>W BZ J D EJP BoJ iA@ e J P BoJ bKb OlZdNBarO.& Ai l7o d7 ifV fNn (O J lK0IrP>P (7 o !oJ =i<e on nrO 7>i OlZdNBarO@ ba a0 70e J ni0 an f7 orY ?b7 eEi. &You do no >no= ;e Bo ;er@ * o< Aour iB<e uou! lAin?D You do no >no= ;e fa ;erD * o< Aour iB<e uou! lAin?D You do no >no= ;e Bo ;er@ Aou do no >no= ;e fa ;er of OlZdNBarW.& (;i! i! ;e ora:le7! $erdi: a?ain! (O J lK0]rP>P W;o <ro<o!ed o naBe ;e ori?in of OlZdNBarW@ (;e cin? W;o !<read! ;e Ba @ bu Ae eF<o!e! )i! ;ead o ;e rain! + )e i! )olAL )ere =e Bu! ?o =arilA. =;a :an be ?a ;ered froB our !our:e! abou ;e ;oline!! of OlZdNBarW i! onlA bA inferen:e. (;e idea of RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % C;a< er ,. + (;e Yoruba <i: ure )iB a! !i in? on o< of ;e !<read !>A@ =;ile ;e i! eF<o!ed o ;e eleBen ! in an un!;el ered <o!i ion. 0.30

;oline!! in ;e !en!e of &!e<ara e0ne!!& i! alreadA iB<lied in ;e eB<;a!i!ed uniCuene!! of ;i! e!!en ial Cuali ie!. )e i! ran!:enden D !o ran!:enden i! )e ;a ;e fa: of )i! iBBanen:e ;a! re:ei$ed li le eB<;a!i!ed eF:e< @ of :our!e@ in ;e iB<li: under! andin? ;a )e i! ;ere all ;e iBe@ in :on rol of ;e =;ole :our!e of na ure@ and a$ailable o Ban =;ene$er or =;ere$er )e i! :alled u<on. Bu ;e :lear idea of &(;e )olA& in ;e !en!e of ;e a: i$e@ !=if @ :on!uBin? &nuBinou!& % i! la:>in? in ;e Yoruba :on:e< ion of ;e Dei A )iB!elf. (;i! ;a! been ran!ferred o !oBe of ;e di$ini ie!@ <ar i:ularlA JK>\ a@ ;e ;under di$ini A@ and <P J nV@ ;e !Ball<oF di$ini A. + (;e!e =o are <roBinen aBon? ;e di$ini ie! a! ;e a?en ! of &(;e Wra ;&. In ;in>in? of OlZdNBarW )iB!elf@ ;e Yoruba eB<;a!i!e )i! bene$olen:e@ ;e &?oodne!!& ra ;er ;an ;e &!e$eri A& of )i! :;ara: er.

(;ere i! no doub @ ;o=e$er@ ;a ;e Yoruba ;in> of )iB a! bo ; ri uallA and e ;i:allA ;olA. (;eA ;a$e ne$er ;ou?; of )iB eF:e< a! ab!olu elA :lean and <ure. )e i! ne$er !<o>en of a! bein? in$ol$ed in anA ;in? iBBoral. (;erefore )e i! >no=n a! ba MiBoJ00&(;e "ure cin?&@ ba i >P l7 lri00& (;e cin? W;o i! =i ;ou bleBi!;&@ AlalKfunfun0P>O00&(;e One :lo ;ed in W;i e Robe!@ W;o d=ell! abo$e&@ dlK0 i0>P0l7oJ nK i>in0n7 ifin00&W;i ene!! =i ;ou <a ern! Gab!olu elA =;i eH@ e!!en iallA =;i e obEe: .& We ;a$e alreadA !een )iB in ;i! :;a< er a! ;e Jud?e of Ban7! :;ara: er. We !;all Bee )iB la er on , a! ;e Di!<o!er *u<reBe of Ban7final de! inA. And all ;e!e be:au!e )e i! ran!:enden @ e!!en iallA <ure@ and ri?; eou!. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % (;e Idea of (;e )olA@ bA Rudolf O o G London@ OFford Uni$er!i A "re!!@ %5.,H. + C;a< er -@ <<. -5 ff. , C;a< er %.@ <<. %54 ff. 0.40

3 OlZdNBarW00)i! * a u! )i ;er o@ !o Bu:; ;a! been re$ealed o u! abou OlZdNBarO ;a =e !;ould be able o infer ea!ilA =;a ;e Yoruba belie$e and ;in> =i ; re?ard o )i! rela ion!;i< o ;e di$ini ie! in <ar i:ular@ and ;e uni$er!e in ?eneral. Our !our:e!@ ;o=e$er@ en:oura?e u! o !ear:; fur ;er@ dan?lin? before our eAe! ;e :on:re e@ irre!i! ible <roBi!e of a =eal ; of Ba erial =;i:; =ill <u ;e Ba er beAond di!<u e. (;ere ;a$e been a fe= ;in?! =ri en on ;i! ;eBe@ % all of =;i:; a?ree in Ba>in? )iB of li le a::oun in ;e reli?iou! life of ;e Yoruba. Bu @ a! =e de$elo< ;i! ;e!i!@ =e !;all !oon di!:o$er ;a ;e au ;or! of ;i! :on:e< ion of )iB ;a$e erredD and ;eA ;a$e

erred in ;a =aA be:au!e ;eA ;a$e been i?noran of ;a =;i:; forB! ;e real :ore of ;e reli?ion =;i:; ;eA endea$our o ! udA. A<<earan:e ;a! been !uffi:ien for ;eB a! ;e :ri erion of Eud?Ben . (rulA@ o ;e :ur!orA ob!er$er@ ;e &?od! BanA and lord! BanA& =;i:; forB ;e Yoruba <an ;eon are@ o all in en ! and <ur<o!e!@ !uffi:ien for ;e need! of ;e <eo<leL o ;e!e ;e Yoruba addre!! ;eir =or!;i< and <raAer! a! a ?eneral rule. I !eeB!@ ;erefore@ ;a OlZdNBarO i! a reBo e Dei A =;o :ould be ;ou?; of or :alled u<on $erA o::a!ionallA. Bu =e ;a$e o a?ree ;a ;e ru ; in a Ba er of ;i! na ure :on!i! ! no in =;a ;e ou !ide ob!er$er ;in>!@ bu in =;a ;e Yuruba ;eB!el$e! ;in> and belie$e abou ;e Dei A. In order o !ee :learlA ;o= ;e :on:e< ion of ;e Yoruba =i ; re?ard o ;e ! a u! of ;e Dei A ! and!@ =e !;all do =ell o :on!ider one or =o illu! ra ion!. #ir! le u! a>e an ear ;lA ?o$ernBen al !A! eB. (;in> in <ar i:ular of a ?o$ernBen =;i:; i! a Monar:;A. In !u:; a ! a e@ ;e fun: ion of ;e ?o$ernBen i! <or ioned ou o a ;ierar:;A of offi:ial! a ;e ;ead of ;e =;i:; i! ;e >in?. (;e :i iSen! >no= ;a ;eA ;a$e a cin?D bu ea:; of ;eB :on en ! ;iB!elf =i ; ;e <ar i:ular !e: ion of ;e ?o$ernBen @ and ;e ;ead of ;e de<ar Ben in ;a !e: ion@ =;i:; an!=er ;i! iBBedia e need!. A! a Ba er of fa: @ ;e <robablA doe! no RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er II@ <<. %.1 f. 0.-0

bo ;er o ;in>@ eF:e< =;en need be@ of ;e !u<reBe ;ead of ;e >in?doB@ !o lon? a! ;e feel! ;a ;i! need! are an!=ered. 6erA of en@ a ;ead of a de<ar Ben =i ;in ;e ?o$ernBen BaA arro?a e o ;iB!elf an &alBi?; ine!!&@ bA =;i:; ;e be:oBe! o$erbearin?@ =;i:; Ba>e! <eo<le fear and re?ard ;iB a! one ;a$in? a <o=er of life and dea ; o$er ;eB. and@ indeed@ ;ere are ;ead! of de<ar Ben ! of ;e ?o$ernBen =;o !u:; :;ar?ed =i ; !u:; au ;ori A a! <erBi ! ;eB o a>e far0rea:;in?@ eFe:u i$e a: ion =i ; referen:e o ;e affair! of ;e :i iSen!. Bu ;ere o::ur al!o o::a!ion! =;en a :i iSen feel! :oB<elled o ;in> ;a ;e ;ead of ;e de<ar Ben @ =;o o all in en ! and <ur<o!e! i! &alBi?; A&@ i! ;iB!elf@ af er all@ a Ban under au ;ori A. (;o!e are@ for eFaB<le@ o::a!ion! =;en ;e feel! ;a ;e Bu! Ba>e an a<<eal a?ain! an a: ion on ;e <ar of ;i! ;ead of de<ar Ben @ or =;en ;e ;ead of de<ar Ben for !oBe rea!on :oBe! under di!:i<line. A! lon? a! ;in?! ?o on !Boo ;lA o ;e !a i!fa: ion or a:Cuie!:en:e of

all :on:erned@ ;e ordinarA :i iSen doe! no !eeB bo ;ered a! o =;a a: ual <ar ;e cin? i! <laAin? in ;e ?o$ernBen of ;e >in?doB. I =ill be =ron?@ ;o=e$er@ o ;in>@ for ;a rea!on@ ;a ;e i! no ali$e o ;e fa: ;a ;e ;a! a cin?. a! a Ba er of fa: @ i i! ;i! $erA ali$e0ne!! o ;e fa: ;a ;e ;a! a cin? ;a ?i$e! ;iB ;e :oBfor and :onfiden:e of :i iSen!;i<. (;e cin? o ;iB Bu! be a !ABbol of order@ of <ro$i!ion for ;i! =ell0bein?@ and of na ional :o;e!ion. We !;all ?o fur ;er and Ba>e a referen:e o ;e <a ern of !o:ie A aBon? ;e Yoruba. )ere ;e ;ierar:;i:al <a ern i! $erA <ronoun:ed. In ea:; de<ar Ben of life@ reli?iou! or :i$il@ :oBBunal or faBilA@ bo ; :u! oB and :on$en ion <la:e ea:; <er!on in ;i! o=n ?rade and laA do=n =;a !;ould be ;e Banner of a<<roa:; be =een one ?rade and ano ;er. % I i! in ;e li?; of ;e abo$e eF<lana orA illu! ra ion! ;a =e :an ;e be er under! and ;e &a i ude& of ;e Yoruba o=ard! ;e Dei A. We !;all ;a$e Bore o !aA on ;i! =;en =e :oBe o ;e :;a< er on ;e Cul of OlZdNBarO. + Le i !uffi:e ;ere o !aA ;a ;e Yoruba are Cui e :on$in:ed ;a ;e =orld and all ;a i! in i o=e ;eir eFi! en:e o )iB. (;eA belie$e@ ne$er ;ele!!@ ;a )e ;a! <or ioned ou ;e ;eo:ra i: adBini! ra ion of ;e =orld aBon? ;e di$ini ie! =;oB )e brou?; in o bein? and ordained o ;eir !e$eral offi:e!. BA ;e fun: ion! of ;e!e di$ini ie!@ and ;e au ;ori A :onffered u<on ;eB@ ;eA are &alBi?; A& =i ;in :er ain liBi !. Bu ;eir &alBi?; ine!!& i! liBi ed and en irelA !ubEe: o ;e ab!olu e au ;ori A of ;e Crea or )iB!elf. (;ere i! a RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % C;a< er II. + O<. :i . 0.50

?rea nuBber of ;eBD and ;e <roBinen <ar =;i:; ;eA <laA in ;e dailA life of ;e Yoruba ?i$e! ;e iB<re!!ion ;a ;eA ;a$e ab!olu elA di!<la:e OlZdNBarO a! a fa: or o be !eriou!lA a>en in o a::oun in ;e de$o ional life of ;e <eo<le. #or eFaB<le@ i i! ! ron?lA belie$ed bA ;e Yoruba@ and ;e belief affe: ! ;eir reli?iou! a i ude@ ;a OrIK0nlV % :a<able of Ba>in? Ban of =;a e$er !;a<e or :olour ;e =ill!D ;a N + i! :a<able of <roBo in? ?ood or e$il =i ; =;a a<<ear! o be unre! rained li:en:e. All ;e!e are o be eF<e: ed =;ere di$ini ie! are belie$ed o ;a$e been :;ar?ed =i ; ?i?an i: eFe:u i$e <o=er! in ;eir adBini! ra ion of ;e =orld@ <er;a<! =i ;ou ;a$in? o refer ;e Ba er o ;e Dei A )iB!elf ea:; iBe. We !;all no= ?o on o !;o= ;a ;e Yoruba >no=!@ in !<i e of all ;i! ;ea$A ! ru: ure of ;eo:ra i:@ ?o$ernBen al arran?eBen !@ ;a a ;e ;ead of all@ and :on rollin? all i!

OlZdNBarO@ and ;a ;ere i! no iBe@ reallA@ =;en )e i! far a=aA froB ;eB@ or =;en ;eA >ee< )iB ab!olu elA ou of ;eir Bind!. (;eA BaA a<<ear o li$e ;eir li$e! in ab!olu e de$o ion o ;e di$ini ie!@ bu undernea ; all ;eir a: ! of =or!;i< i! ;e dee< :on:iou!ne!! ;a OlZdNBarO i! abo$e all and ul iBa elA :on rol! all i!!ue!. In Yoruba ;eolo?A@ OlZdNBarO ;a! al=aA! been <la:ed fir! and far abo$e ;e di$ini ie!@ and all el!e. )e i! o$er all. In ;e follo=in? lAri: )e i! bein? !un? a! One =;o!e au ;ori A i! a!!er ed on:e and for all on ear ;L IlO J nEK on lZ J runL lZ J run l7 On l7 K?bKD IlO J l7 on l7 O J ?bZ J nD '7 ori e>u O J BZ J >an@ OEP >P J >P rP BZ J @ Iu <7 e J Ain >P a@ A?bKdo a 7<O J >P ?bZ@ Gbo?bo e J iAe >\ Vn 7 o>oD I?Nn n?b7 e J boJ r7 P J run. Ear ; ;a! a :on en ion =i ; lZ J runL lZ J run :laiB! o be !eniorD Ear ; :laiB! o be olderD On a::oun of one e J BZ J Gbro=nH ra @ Rain :ea!e! and fall! no Bore@ RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % C;a< er -@ <<. 4% ff. + C;a< er -@ <<. -1 ff. 0210

YaB! !<rou bu do no de$elo<@ (;e ear! of :orn fill@ bu do no ri<en@ All bird! in ;e fore! are <eri!;in?D 6ul ure i! :arrAin? !a:rifi:e! o ;ea$en. (;e lAri: i!!ue! froB a BA ;L OlZdNBarO and Ear ; =en ou o ;un . Be =een ;eB@ ;eA :au?; onlA one ra . On ;eir re urn@ ;eA arri$ed a ;e <ar in? of ;e =aA! =;ere ;eA =ere fa:ed =i ; ;e <robleB of =;a o do =i ; ;e one ra . OlZdNBarO :laiBed i a! )i! ri?; be:au!e )e =a! !eniorD bu Ear ; <ro e! ed and :laiBed o be older@ and ;a ;erefore !;e i =a! =;o Bu! a>e ;e ra a=aA. OlZdNBarO ;ereu<on le Ear ; ;a$e ;e ra bu =en ba:> o ;ea$en de erBined o !;o= Ear ; ;o= Bu:; !;e =a! Bi! a>en.

(;e u<!;o =a! ;a =;en )e arri$ed in ;ea$en@ )e iBBedia elA &!=i :;ed off& ;in?!@ =i ; ;e re!ul ;a all ;e benefi ! =;i:; Ear ; u!ed o re:ei$e froB ;ea$en =ere no lon?er ob ainableL ;ere =ere no Bore rain!D ;e :ro<! failed on ;e farB!D and all li$in? ;in?! =ere <eri!;in?. Ear ; be:aBe =orried. *;e oo> :oun!el of ;e ora:le@ and =a! ad$i!ed o !end ;e ra =i ; a<olo?ie! o OlZdNBarO. (;e =aA o do ;a =a! o Ba>e a !a:rifi:e of i . *;e Bade ;e !a:rifi:eD bu a fir! !;e :ould find no one o a>e i u< o OlZdNBarO. In ;e end@ ;o=e$er@ ;e $ul ure $olun eered. W;en OlZdNBarO ;ad re:ei$ed ;e <ro<i ia ion@ )e ?a$e a !Ball ?ourd o ;e $ul ure and old ;iB o !Ba!; i on rea:;in? ear ;7! ?a e!. (;e $ul ure@ o$er:oBe bA :urio!i A@ !Ba!;ed ;e ?ourd oo !oon af er ;e lef ;e <re!en:e of OlZdNBarO. (;e re!ul =a! ;a i iBBedia elA be?an o rain in orren ! on ear ;. E$erA li$in? :rea ure oo> !;el er and barred ;e en ran:e. (;e $ul ure :ould find no=;ere for !;el er be:au!e ;e =a! dri<<in? =e 0a ea:; a eB< o en er anA !;el er@ ;e =a! !e$erelA <e:>ed on ;e ;ead. *o ;e ;ad o :on en ;iB!elf =i ; ! aAin? ou in ;e o<en ill ;e rain ;ad ! o<<ed. )en:e ;e baldne!! of ;e $ul ure7! ;ead@ and ;i! <erBanen !;abbA a<<earan:eQ (;e Bain <oin of ;i! BA ; i! o eB<;a!i!e ;e !u<reBa:A of OlZdNBarOD )e i! ;e One W;o ;a! ;e fir! ri?; o@ and ;e final !aA abou @ all ;in?!. OlZdNBarO i! ;e )ead. (;e OdN :or<u! re<ea edlA <or raA! )iB a! ;e )ead C;ief o =;oB all Ba er! are referred for !an: ion@ Eud?Ben @ or !e leBen . (;e di$ini ie! $erA of en ?o o )iB for ;e Eud?Ben or !e leBen of ;eir di!<u e!. In ;e <ure Yoruba <a ern of !o:ie A@ anAone in ;i! <o!i ion i! ;e ;ead or :;ief of ;i! <eo<le. Con! an lA in ;e BA ;!@ =e ;a$e a <i: ure of OlZdNBarO a! ;e One before =;oB final a<<eal! ?o. )ere i! an illu! ra i$e $er!e under EI0O?bO. 02%0

mfYn Y nY 7<7 e J rN@ <O nY 7<7 olO IlO J dYdK ni 7<7 P J rO J AlVEoJbY ni 7<a 7AO>an. O dV fun P J >Kn0le0n70irin=o Ir\nBalO J 'i 7EZ J i n=oJn nEK 7re oJdoJOlZdNBarO. I I I I i! ale0bearin? ;a >ill! ;e !la$eD i! :ur!e! ;a >ill ;e ;iefD i! :o$enan 0brea>in? ;a >ill! ;e friendD i! :on!an?uini A ;a >ill! ;e Ba ernal0rela i$e.

(;i! i! ;e ora:le7! re!<on!e o ;e one ;ou!and !e$en ;undred di$ini ie!. On ;e daA ;eA =ere ?oin? o OlZdNBarO in :on!eCuen:e of a Cuarrel. OlZdNBarO i! ;e Di!<o!er *u<reBe o =;oB belon?! ;e ul iBa e !an: ion of anA ;in? <ro<o!ed@ ;e a::e< an:e of anA a: of =or!;i<@ ;e ble!!in? of anA en er<ri!e@ and ;e :redi for ;e !u::e!! of anA <rie! 7! Bedia ion or <erforBan:e. )en:e ;e !aAin?@ '=oJ n Ain baba7lV=o@ baba7lV=o Ain fV@ IfV Ain OlZdNBarO00& "eo<le <rai!e ;e baba7lV=o@ ;e baba7lV=o ?i$e! ;e <rai!e o IfV@ % and IfV ?i$e! ;e <rai!e o OlZdNBarO&. Af er ea:; a: of =or!;i< before anA one of ;e di$ini ie!@ <eo<le :on:lude bA !aAin? ci OlZdNBarO ?bK a o00&MaA OlZdNBarO a::e< i &D or OlZdNBarOa ?bK a o00&OlZdNBarO =ill a::e< i &D or OlZdNBarOa rVn rere !i i o00&MaA OlZdNBarO !end ble!!in? u<on i &. (;i! Bean! ;a all i! in $ain unle!! ;eA Bee ;i! a<<ro$al and a::e< an:e. (;i! i! !oBe ;in? of =;i:; e$erA <rie! i! a=are and =;i:; e$erA =or!;i<<er >no=!. I i! one iB<or an rea!on =;A N@ + OlZdNBarO7! in!<e: or0?eneral@ i! ?rea lA o be feared bA bo ; di$ini ie! and Ben. I i! belie$ed ;a N in!<e: ! ;e de ail! of e$erA a: of =or!;i< and Ba>e! due re<or ! re?ularlA o )iB@ and ;a no a: of =or!;i< ;a! a:;ie$ed i ! end un il )e ;a! ?i$en )i! !an: ion o i . (;erefore@ i i! in ;e :on!:iou!ne!! of e$erA =or!;i<<er ;a de J d7 oJ=Z J OlZdNBarO@ KZ J d7 oJ=OJM J Baba00& *an: ion belon?! o OlZdNBarO@ !an: ion i! in ;e ;and! of ;e #a ;er&. (;a i! =;A a ;e end of RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % C;a< er -@ <<. 44 f. + C;a< er -@ <<. -1 ff. 02+0

ea:; <e i ion or ble!!in?@ =;en <eo<le an!=er de J 00&MaA i be@ !an: ioned&@ or &*o le i be&@ ;eA ;a$e in Bind ;e :oB<le e <;ra!e@ de J o@ OlZdNBarO00& MaA i be !an: ioned@ O OlZdNBarO&@ or &*o le i be@ OlZdNBarO&. OlZdNBarO i! ;u! >no=n a! AlVblVe J ba dNBVrO00&(;e "ro<o!er W;o =ield! ;e *:e< re@ cin? of *u<erla i$e A ribu e!&. OlZdNBarO i! ;e #oun ain of all benefi !. )e i! ;e Au ;or and Gi$er of all ;e ?ood ;in?! ;a Ban :an <o!!e!!00:;ildren@ =eal ;@ <o!!e!!ion!@ ?ood li$in?@ ?ood :;ara: er@ e$erA ;in? ;a eFi! ! for ;e benefi of Ban. I i! a ! ron? belief of ;e Yoruba ;a bo ; di$ini ie! and Ben dra= froB )i! ineF;au! ible <ro$iden:e. (;ere are !e$eral illu! ra i$e BA ;! on ;i! <oin . I =ill be !uffi:ien for u! o Cuo e Eu! one froB ;e OdN

:or<u!L W;en ;e ear ; ;ad been e! abli!;ed and i ! ra<<in?! arran?ed@ a <er!ona?e :alled d?Knrara :aBe :lo=n o $i!i i @ and =a! no !a i!fied =i ; ;e :ondi ion of ;e in;abi an !. (;ere =a! <o$er AD ;ere =a! !ufferin?D ;ere =a! no ;a<<ine!!. )e re urned and old OlZdNBarO abou i @ a<<ealin? o )iB ;a !oBe ;in? !;ould be done o iB<ro$e :ondi ion!. In re<lA o ;i! a<<eal@ OlZdNBarO ?a$e ;iB I?bV ]D=K0&(;e Ca!>e of Well0bein?&. Ou of ;i!@ ;e =a! in! ru: ed o di! ribu e o <eo<le a::ordin? o ;eir need!. (;u! d?Knrara be:aBe a Bini! er of OlZdNBarO for ;e di! ribu ion of ;in?! =;i:; =ould Ba>e for Ben7! =ell0bein?. )en:e ;e !aAin? in =nnrYn MWEIL 'E Ee J o=Z i a nY ni 7P Z ni8 d?Knrara@ i=oJ l7 a=o ilW OlZdNBarOD 'E Ee J BoJ i a bY ni 7P Z ni d?Knrara@ i=oJ l7 a=o ilW OlZdNBarO. I! i ;e BoneA =e ;a$e ;a i! no enou?;8 d?Knrara@ ;ou ar ;e Bini! er of OlZdNBarO7! abodeD I! i ;e :;ildren =e ;a$e ;a are no enou?;8 d?Knrara@ ;ou ar ;e Bini! er of OlZdNBarO7! abode. OlZdNBarO i! ;e Au ;or and Di!<o!er of Ban7! de! inA. % Man7! life i! in )i! :on rolD ;e li$e! and Bo$e! be:au!e )e <erBi ! i . )e i! >no=n a! E J lW J Bo00&(;e O=ner of !<iri or life&. W;en ;e Yoruba Ba>e a <roBi!e or arran?eBen ! for ;e fu ure@ i i! u!ual for ;eB o iB<o!e ;e :ondi ion@ Bi E J lW J Bo >P ba ?bK a00& If ;e O=ner of life doe! no =i ;dra= i &D ;a i!@ &If bA ;e <erBi!!ion of ;e O=ner of BA life@ I aB ! ill ali$e&. (;e Yoruba belie$e ;a e$erA a: of Ban RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % C;a< er %,@ <<. %54 ff. 02,0

i! a! OlZdNBarO ordain!. An OdN BA ; !<ea>! of one AlV?e J BoJ Ee J r Ee J U J J11AD >an?UJ11E =;o :aBe in o ;e =orld o !e le and =or>. Bu ;e Be =i ; o<<o!i ion and <er!e:u ion. *o ;e <leaded =i ; ;i! <er!e:u or!@ E J E Ee J 7 Bi Ei!O J i OlZdNBarO rVn Bi00&Le Be fulfil ;e Bi!!ion =;i:; OlZdNBarO :oBBi ed o Be.& (;i! e:;oe! ;e belief ;a OlZdNBarO i! ;e One =;o :oBBi ! o ea:; <er!on ;e Bi!!ion =;i:; ;e :oBe! o fulfil on ear ;. OlZdNBarO :on rol! ;e !ea!on! and ;e :our!e of e$en !. )e i! ;erefore >no=n a! lZ J EZ J Pn^ J 00& (;e O=ner of ;i! daA&@ ;a i!@ ea:; daA o=e! i ! bein? o )iB. )e i! !u<reBe o$er all in an ab!olu e !en!eD and )i! au ;ori A :anno be Cue! ioned bA anA one of ;e di$ini ie!@ or bA all of ;eB o?e ;er. )e i! in full :on rol of all i!!ue!D and ;e di$ini ie! ;a$e eFe:u i$e <o=er! onlA in !o far a! )e <erBi ! ;eB. )ere a?ain@

;e oral radi ion! ?i$e u! abundan Ba erial ou of =;i:; =e :an dra= illu! ra ion!L An OdN re:i al :alled pP!Nn OZ ell! of ;o= ;e di$ini ie!00one ;ou!and !e$en ;undred % ! ron?00on:e :on!<ired a?ain! OlZdNBarO. (;e Ba er in di!<u e :on:erned ;e ab!olu ene!! of )i! au ;ori A and :on rol o$er all. (;eA :o$e ed )i! ! a u! and Cue! ioned )i! ri?; o i D and !o ;eA =en o )iB and deBanded ;a )e !;ould re ire froB )i! ;i?; offi:e. )e !;ould do ;a a lea! for !iF een Aear! in ;e fir! in! an:e@ =;ile ;eA =ould a>e full@ un:on rolled :;ar?e of ;e affair! of ;e ear ;. OlZdNBarO >ne= ;eir follA@ bu old ;eB ;a )e a?reed o ;eir <ro<o!alD onlA@ )e =ould <erBi ;eB o rA fir! an ea!ier eF<eriBen . W;a if ;eA oo> :;ar?e of ;e ear ; a! ;eA <ro<o!ed for a rial <eriod of !iF een daA!8 (o ;i! ;eA all readilA a?reedD !o !ure =ere ;eA of ;eir :olle: i$e abili A. C;eerfullA@ ;eA lef ;e <re!en:e of OlZdNBarO o addre!! ;eB!el$e! o ;eir ne= re!<on!ibili A. 'o !ooner ;ad ;eA lef @ ;o=e$er@ ;an )e !=i :;ed off ;e Ba:;inerA of ;e uni$er!e and brou?; e$erA ;in? o a ! and! ill. Before ei?; daA! ;ad <a!!ed@ ;e di$ini ie! found ;eB!el$e! in rouble@ and =ere fa:ed =i ; u er :onfu!ion. (;eA de$i!ed e$erA Bean! ;eA :ould ;in> of o >ee< ;in?! ?oin? bu Bade no ;ead=aAD ;eA ado< ed all ;e a: i:! ;eA >ne= bu failedD ;e ;ea$en =i ;;eld i ! rain!@ ri$er! :ea!ed o flo=D ri$ule ! be:aBe ?lu ed =i ; dead lea$e!D AaB! !<rou ed bu did no de$elo<D ;e ear! of :orn filled bu did no ri<enD ;e Eui:e of ree! =a! bein? li:>ed o Cuen:; ;ir! D runBYlK + =a! :on!ul ed bu ;i! ora:le =a! duBb and ;e a<<lian:e! of di$ina ion refu!ed o =or>D ;e dailA fea! in? in ;e ;ou!e! of ;e di$ini ie! ! o<<edD ;e =;ole ear ; =a! RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er 4@ <<. 34 f. + C;a< er 4@ <<. 42 f . 02.0

:er ainlA ?oin? o <eri!;Q (;e di$ini ie! ;u! found ;eB!el$e! a ;eir =i !7 end. (;ere =a! no ;in? el!e ;eA :ould do bu ?o ba:> o OlZdNBarO And !o@ in !;aBe@ and =i ; droo<in? ;ead!@ ;eA =en ba:> o )iB and :onfe!!ed ;eir follA@ a:>no=led?in? )i! ab!olu e !o$erei?n A and !u<reBa:A o$er all@ and <leadin? for Ber:A. (;e Bene$olen #a ;er lau?;ed a ;eir fooli!;ne!! and for?a$e ;eB. (;en )e !=i :;ed on a?ain ;e Ba:;inerA of ;e uni$er!e and i iBBedia elA re!uBed norBal runnin?. (;e di$ini ie! =en a=aA !in?in?L 'EW J Ee J K bV f7 UJ%EB"?un 7lW ! J e 7?bOEe@ c7 V f7 orI! J K o J EK ! J 7 e J ?bO J fK@ OrI^qK bi OlZdNBarO >P !Y BZ J L OlZdNBarO BK l7 rJ ba <K K>I

'EW J e J EZ J a =Y i!O J AY@ dNBKrO l7 o EKre o@ dNBKrO. Be ;ere one ;ou!and four ;undred di$ini ie! of ;e ;oBeD Be ;ere one ;ou!and =o ;undred di$ini ie! of ;e Bar>e 0<la:e@ Ye ;ere i! no one di$ini A o :oB<are =i ; OlZdNBarOL OlZdNBarO i! ;e cin? UniCue. In our re:en di!<u e@ dNBKrO % i i! =;o =on@ Ye!@ dNBKrO. A! ;e )ead o$er all@ OlZdNBarO Bu! be a::orded )i! due. I i! belie$ed ;a ;e one ;ou!and !e$en ;undred di$ini ie! render o )iB annual ribu e! of ;eir !ub! an:e in a:>no=led?Ben of )i! Lord!;i< o$er ;eB. (;i! i! :er ainlA a !uffi:ien <roof of )i! !u<reBa:A. In ;e OdN :or<u! =e ;a$e BanA !aAin?! o !u<<or ;i!. )ere i! one froB ]rP!Nn P J !bL OlZrY l7 a 7f7 orY fNnL L7 o dV f\n O J r\nlZ J Eo J orI! J K'i?bK i n=o J n n>Z O J !in oJ dNn re J d J OlZdNBarO. &(;e )ead !;ould be a::orded )i! due&L (;i! i! ;e ora:le7! :;ar?e o ;e one ;ou!and !e$en ;undred di$ini ie! W;o Bu! render annual ribu e! o OlZdNBarO. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % dNBKrO i! ;e u!ual abbre$ia ion of OlZdNBarO. 0220

Yoruba ;eolo?A eB<;a!i!e! ;e uniCue ! a u! of OlZdNBarO. )e i! !u<reBe o$er all on ear ; and in ;ea$en@ a:>no=led?ed bA all ;e di$ini ie! a! ;e )ead o =;oB all au ;ori A belon?! and all alle?ian:e i! due. )e i! no one aBon? BanAD no e$en &OlZdNBarO0in0:oun:il&. )i! ! a u! of *u<reBa:A i! ab!olu e. (;in?! ;a<<en =;en )e a<<ro$e!D ;in?! do no :oBe o <a!! if )e di!a<<ro$e!. In =or!;i<@ ;e Yoruba ;old! )iB ul iBa elA #ir! and La! D in Ban7! dailA life@ ;e ;a! ;e ul iBa e <re0eBinen:e. 0230

4 (;e Mini! er! of OlZdNBarO In ;e earlier :;a< er!@ =e ;a$e referred o :er ain bein?! =;oB =e de!i?na ed a! di$ini ie!. (;e!e@ a::ordin? o ;e indi?enou! belief of ;e Yoruba@ !er$e ;e =ill of OlZdNBarO in ;e :rea ion and ;eo:ra i: ?o$ernBen of ;e =orld. We !;all no= ?i$e a :lo!er a en ion o ;eB and :on!ider ;eir fun: ion! in !oBe de ail. (;e <robleB =i ; =;i:; =e are o deal ;ere i! a deli:a e one. I i! ;a of re!ol$in? ;e a?e0lon? riddle =i ; re?ard o &?od! BanA and lord! BanA& in reli?ion. (;e !ubEe: a<<ear! o be <erennial@ ina!Bu:; a! i belon?! o ;e $erA eFi! en:e of Ban in ;i! dealin?! =i ; a =orld =;i:;@ a be! @ ;e :an onlA !ee dar>lA00ra ;er dar>lA@ a! in a Birror@ =;ile ;e reBain! in ;i! &na i$e !<;ere&.

Bu @ ;a ;e <robleB ari!e! !o <er!i! en lA and deBand! o be eFaBined !o :on! an lA i! a <roof ;a i i! real. I <re!en ! i !elf under !e$eral Cue! ion!00)a$e ;e ?od! :oBe in o bein? in :on!eCuen:e of ;e &re rea & of ;e Dei A froB ;e daA0 o0daA life of Ban8 Are ;e ?od! af er all no ;in? Bore ;an a re!ul of ;e in elle: ual fra?Ben a ion of ;e one Dei A8 Or@ are ;eA indeed :ele! ial o$erlord! aBon? =;oB ;e uni$er!e ;a! been <ar i ioned8 (o a fe= a!<e: ! of ;i! <robleB =e !;all ?i$e Bore a en ion belo=. Le u! loo> no= a !oBe of ;e a eB< ! =;i:; ;a$e been Bade o deal =i ; i . Jo;n OBan % !uBBari!e! ;e =ell0>no=n o<inion of Andre= Lan? on ;e o<i:. (o Lan?@ ;e !orrA !i ua ion ;ad been :au!ed BainlA bA ;e ad$an:e of :ul ureL ;e Boral <re0eBinen:e of a God =;o :ould no be bribed <ro$ed oo Bu:; a ;andi:a< in :oB<e i ion =i ; ;e ra$enou! bu !er$i:eable ?;o! ! or ?;o! 0?od!@ and !;ade! of an:e! or!D add o ;a ;e ri!e of au o:ra i: in! i u ion!@ and Aou ;a$e arri$ed a ;e rea!on =;A & ;e old !u<reBe Bein? =a! ob!:ured or !u<erannua ed or a be! en ;roned a! EB<eror0God&. In dealin? =i ; ;i! Cue! ion@ Jo;n OBan ;iB!elf !aid@ &"olA ;ei!B i! far froB bein? ;e !iB<le! RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % (;e 'a ural and ;e *u<erna ural G CaBbrid?e Uni$er!i A "re!!@ %5,%H@ <<. .-2 f. 0240

of all ! a?e! of reli?ion o under! and. W;A did Ban ;u! brea> u< =;a ;e Bu! al=aA! ;a$e >no=n o be in !oBe !en!e one eF<erien:e8 And ;i! i! ;e ?rea er diffi:ul A ;a @ ;o=e$er =e eF<lain i @ a lea! "olA ;ei!B "ro<er ;a! al=aA! ?one =i ; ?rea <ro?re!! in Ba erial :i$iliSa ion and =i ; $erA reBar>able ad$an:e in Ben al :ul ure.& % In %5.+@ ;e CaBbrid?e eF<er in CoB<ara i$e Reli?ion@ Dr. A. C. BouCue @ Bade a :on:i!e and adBirable !ur$eA of ;e =;ole field of reli?ion and ?a$e due <la:e o ;i! Cue! ion. In ;i! boo>@ CoB<ara i$e Reli?ion G"eli:anH@ + ;e i! of ;e o<inion ;a ;ere i! !oBe ;in? in;eren in ;uBan na ure =;i:; Ba>e! <lurali!B Bore !a i!fAin? o ;iB ;an a uni arA :on:e< ion of Reali A. (;i!@ ;e !aA!@ i! no ne:e!!arilA a Ba er of ra:e bu of radi ional :ul ure. ABon? ;i! illu! ra ion! ;e Cuo e! no onlA Afri:an or *uBerian =or!;i<<er!@ bu al!o BanA RoBan Ca ;oli:! &=;o <refer o addre!! ;eir de$o ion! o a $arie A of !ain ! and o ere: in ;eir :;ur:;e! a Bul i<li:i A of al ar!@ ra ;er ;an o

ado< ;e :en rali!ed !iB<li:i A of "ro e! an ReforBa ion&. )e !ee! <lurali!B <ar lA a! ;e <rodu: of ;e ri:; di$er!i A of life@ :oBin? e!<e:iallA =i ; ;e de$elo<Ben of ;e :oBBuni ie!. WilliaB JaBe! a<<roa:;e! ;e Ba er in a <ra: i:al =aA =;en ;e =a! ?ra<<lin? =i ; ;e <robleB of ;e eFi! en:e of e$il in ;e =orld. )e ob!er$ed ;a &. . . <ra: i:al <olA ;ei!B . . . ;a! e$er been Bore or le!! fran>lA <lurali! i: . . . and !;o=n i !elf =ell !a i!fied =i ; a uni$er!e :oB<o!ed of BanA ori?inal <rin:i<le!@ <ro$ided =e be allo=ed o belie$e ;a ;e di$ine <rin:i<le reBain! !u<reBe@ and ;a o ;er! are !ubordina e. , AlBo! !iBul aneou!lA@ in %5.3 o be <re:i!e@ A >in!on Lee found &ae! ;e i: iB<ul!e& in ;e forefron of ;e iB<ellin? Bo i$e! o <olA ;ei!B@ addin? o ;i! ;e !e:ondarA Bo i$e of &a :er ain fa!:ina ion o Bo! Bind! abou Bere nuBber! of ;in?!&. . We ;a$e Cuo ed ;e!e fe= re<re!en a i$e ;in>er! o !;o= ;o= ;e <robleB ;a! all alon? eFer:i!ed Ban7! Bind. We need o <oin ou ;ere ;a &<olA ;ei!B&@ e!<e:iallA &<ro<er <olA ;ei!B&@ doe! no a<<lA o ;e Reli?ion of ;e Yoruba a! =e !;all aB<lA <ro$e in ;i! :;a< er and el!e=;ere in ;i! boo>. 2 I =ill be be! for u! no= o :on:en ra e on ;e fa: ! a! re$ealed bA our field of ! udA and infer froB ;eB ;e real <ur<o!e of ;e di$ini ie!. Af er all@ &fa: ! are no o be an!=ered bA ar?uBen !&. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % O<. :i .@ <. ,35. + *ee C;a< er 2. , (;e 6arie ie! of Reli?iou! EF<erien:e G London@ Lon?Ban!@ %5.2H@ <. %+5. . Ground=or> of ;e ";ilo!o<;A of Reli?ion G London@ Du:>=or ;H@ <. +%2. 2 *ee e!<e:iallA C;a< er! %% and %2. 02-0

(;e Yoruba de!i?na e ;e di$ini ie! bA ;e ?eneri: naBe of OrI! J K. (;i! i! a naBe ;e e ABolo?A of =;i:; i! ra ;er ob!:ure. (;ere ;a$e been a eB< !@ of :our!e@ o find ou ;o= i i! deri$ed@ % and i i! aBon? !u:; a eB< ! ;a =e Bu! :la!! ;e follo=in? BA ;. A! ;e BA ; ;a! i @ ;e naBe OrI! J K =a! fir! u!ed in de!i?na in? ;e ar:;0di$ini A of Yorubaland. (;e ar:;0di$ini A and P J runBIlK ;ad de!:ended in o ;e =orld o fulfil ;e fun: ion! allo ed o ;eB bA OlZdNBarO@ + and ;e affair! of ;e =orld ;ad been runnin? !Boo ;lA for !oBe iBe =;en@ for !oBe rea!on@ ;e ar:;0di$ini A de:ided ;a ;e =an ed a !la$e. )e ;erefore =en o ;e !la$e0Bar>e a EBNrW and bou?; ;iB!elf one. (;e naBe of ;a !la$e =a! d o J =Z J dV G(;a 0=;i:;one0brin?!0u<on0one7!0o=n0 ;eadH. d o J =Z J dV <ro$ed $erA !er$i:eable a ;e be?innin? and !o ?a$e ;i! Ba! er

Bu:; !a i!fa: ion. On ;e ;ird daA af er ;e =a! bou?; @ ;e a!>ed if ;i! Ba! er =ould >indlA le ;iB ;a$e a <ie:e of land for :ul i$a ion. (o ;i! reCue! ;e ar:;0di$ini A readilA ?a$e ;i! :on!en and allo:a ed o ;iB a <ie:e of land on ;e !ide of a ;ill !i ua ed no far froB ;i! ;oBe. In =o daA!@ d o J =Z J dV ;ad :leared ;e land@ Bade a farB@ and buil a ;u . (;i! iB<re!!ed ;i! Ba! er ;e Bore@ !o Bu:; !o ;a ;e re<o!ed e$erA :onfiden:e in ;i! a<<aren lA ?ood !la$e. Bu d o J =Z J dV =a! no ?ood a ;ear D for ;e !oBe;o= de$elo<ed ;e de!ire o Burder ;i! Ba! er. )e =a! onlA bidin? ;i! iBe@ ;in>in? of ;e be! =aA! and Bean! of :arrAin? ou ;i! <ur<o!e. )e !oon found a =aA. (;ere =ere lar?e ! one! eBbedded in ;e !oil of ;i! farB@ and ;e di!:o$ered ;a bA loo!enin? ;e !oil under one of ;o!e ! one!@ ;e :ould ea!ilA !e i rollin? do=n;ill o :ru!; ;i! un=arA Ba! er anA iBe ;e la er =a! :liBbin? u< ;e ;ill o <aA one of ;i! =on ed $i!i ! o ;e farB. (;erefore@ ;e :arefullA !ele: ed ;i! ! one and !e o =or> iBBedia elA. *oon ;e =a! able o ?e i readAL ;ere i laA <re:ariou!lA@ =ai in? for ;e li le <u!; ;a =ould !end i :areerin? do=n;ill on i ! errand of Burder. One or =o Bornin?! la er@ ;e ar:;di$ini A ! ar ed on ;i! =aA o $i!i ;e farB. #roB ;e o< of ;e ;ill@ d o J =Z J dV =a :;ed ;iB00;i! ;abi ual =;i e :lo ;in? , Bar>ed ;iB ou :learlA. W;en d o J =Z J dV =a! !ure ;a ;ere :ould be no e!:a<e for ;iB@ ;e !uddenlA ?a$e ;e ! one a <u!;D ;e ! one Bade ! rai?; for ;e ar:;di$ini AD ;e ar:;0di$ini A@ <aralA!ed =i ; a! oni!;Ben and error@ :ould no e!:a<eD ;e =a! :ru!;ed o bi ! and !:a ered. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee #ai ;@ #an:ie! and #e i:;@ bA *. *. #arro= G London@ *.".C.c.@ %5+3H@ <<. ,. f. (;e Reli?ion of ;e Yoruba!@ bA J. OluBide Lu:a! G La?o!@ C.M.*. Boo>!;o<@ %5.-H@ <<. 2- ff. + *ee C;a< er ,. , *ee C;a< er -@ <. 4,. 0250

(;e re<or of ;e di!a! er !oon rea:;ed P J runBIlK =;o =en o ;e !:ene iBBedia elA. Af er a !;or iBe !<en in laBen in? ;e fa e of ;iB <oor leader@ ;e <erforBed a :er ain ri e =;i:; Bade i <o!!ible for and o find all ;e !:a ered <ie:e!. (;e!e ;e :olle: ed in a :alaba!; and :arried o IrKnEe@ ;e :i A of ;e ar:;0di$ini A. (;ere ;e de<o!i ed a <or ion of ;e <ie:e! and ;en di! ribu ed ;e re! &all o$er ;e =orld& a! O;un0 Y0a0rY0! J K00&W;a =a! found and ?a ;ered& of ;e ar:; di$ini A. )en:e ;e naBe OrI! J K@ =;i:; i! a :on ra: ion of O;un0 Y0a0rY0! J K (;u! be?an ;e :ul of ;e ar:;0di$ini A &all o$er ;e =orld&. W;en ;e o ;er di$ini ie! deri$ed ;i! naBe froB ;e ar:;0di$ini A ;en i be:aBe ne:e!!arA o CualifA ;e naBe a! a<<lied o ;iB. *o@ ;e ?o ;e Bodified naBe of OrI! J

K0nlV00&(;e ar:;0@ or ?rea @ di$ini A& I i! !aid ;a i =a! ;e ar:;0di$ini A =;o ?a$e ;e naBe OrI! J K o ;i! &:;ildren&00 ;e di$ini ie!. (;e !i?nifi:an:e of ;i! BA ; lie! in i ! !u??e! ion ;a OrI! J K =a! ori?inallA a uni AD ;a ;i! i! ;e Yoruba =aA of ?i$in? re:o?ni ion o ;e <ro:e!! of &fra?Ben a ion& =;i:; :oBe! a! a re!ul of ?i$in? :on:re e !;a<e! in ;e Bind o :er ain ou ! andin? a ribu e! of ;e Dei A or of ;a renaBin?@ due o :ir:uB! an:e!@ bA =;i:; one and ;e !aBe di$ini A be:oBe! a<<aren lA !e$eral di$ini ie!. I doe! no reallA an!=er ;e Cue! ion abou ;e Beanin? and deri$a ion of ;e naBe OrI! J K (;erefore@ =e ;a$e o loo> el!e=;ere for i ! real deri$a ion. I aB $erA in:lined o ;e $ie= ;a ;e naBe OrI! JK i! a :orru< ion of an ori?inal naBe Ori! J O J GOrY0! J O J H00&)ead0*our:e&. OrY i! &;ead&. I i! ;e naBe for Ban7! <;A!i:al ;ead. I Bean! al!o@ ;o=e$er Gand@ I ;in>@ <riBarilAH@ ;e e!!en:e of <er!onali A@ ;e e?o. % C J in Yoruba i! a $erb Beanin? & o ori?ina e&@ & o be?in&@ & o deri$e or !<rin? GfroBH&. (;e naBe OrY0! J O J ;en =ould be an elli<!i! of Ibi i0orY0 i0! J O J 00&(;e Ori?in or *our:e of OrY&. 'o=@ =;a i! ;i! Ori?in@ or &)ead0*our:e&8 I i! ;e Dei A )iB!elf@ ;e Grea OrY froB =;oB all orY deri$e@ ina!Bu:; a! )e i! ;e *our:e and Gi$er of ea:; of ;eB. I aB ! ren? ;ened in ;i! $ie= of ;e deri$a ion of ;e naBe bA ;e analo?A of ;e I?bo C;i. In a ?eneral !en!e@ :;i i! ;e e!!en:e of <er!onali A@ or ;e <er!onali A0!oul. (;e ?eneri: naBe for ;e di$ini ie! i! al!o :;i. All :;i@ Ban7! or ;e :;i =;i:; i! ;e di$ini A@ deri$e froB C;iU>u@ ;e Grea C;i =;i:; i! ;e Dei A. *o ;a ei ;er ;e Yoruba orY or ;e I?bo :;i Bean!@ in ;e ?eneral !en!e@ ;a e!!en:e =;i:; deri$e froB ;e )ead0 *our:e@ ;e Grea *our:e of all life and bein?@ ;e *our:e froB =;i:; all a>e ;eir ori?in. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % C;a< er %,@ <<. %41 f. 0310

In Yoruba@ ;e naBe orY! J O J G ;e ori?inal forBH@ ;en@ refer! ori?inallA o OlZdNBarO. (;i! i! borne ou bA ;e fa: ;a ;e naBe orI! J K i! a<<lied o )iB in !oBe <ar ! of Yorubaland@ e$en ;ou?; )e i! indi!<u ablA no one aBon? ;e di$ini ie!. % (;e ori?inal Ori! J O J UJ1, i! )i! :oBBon naBe in P J = J and di! ri: @ and aBon? ;e I !e>iri and We! ern IEa=. We Bu! a>e a::oun al!o of ;e fa: ;a OrI! J O J 0nlV and !oBe of ;e earlier di$ini ie! are of en !<o>en of a! ;e off!<rin? of OlZdNBarO@ in ;e !en!e ;a ;eA all deri$ed froB )iB. (;a @ in fa: @ i! =;A ;eA are en i led o ;e ?eneri: naBe of di$ini ie!. (;u!@ ;e di$ini ie! =ould be ;e !Ball Ori! J O J UJ1,@ a>in? ;eir naBe a! ;eir ori?in froB Ori! J O J UJ1,@ OlZdNBarO )iB!elf. orI! J K i! onlA a :orru< ion of orY! J O J .

(;e naBe orI! J K i! u!ed eF:lu!i$elA for ;e di$ini ie!@ and ne$er for anA ordinarA !<iri !. W;en i i! a<<lied o Ban00u!uallA a >in?00i :arrie! ;e :onno a ion ;a ;e deri$e! ;i! au ;ori A o rule froB ;e di$ini ie! and ul iBa elA froB ;e Dei A@ and ;a ;e i! a $i!ible@ :on:re e !ABbol of ;e ;eo:ra i: ?o$ernBen of ;e =orld. More of en ;an no @ ;o=e$er@ ;e i le u!ed for Ban i! IbI>eEI orI! J K00&De<u A orI! J K&. BA :onno a ion@ orI! J K brin?! o ;e Bind ;e iBa?e of bein?! =i ; <er!onal@ if no <;A!i:al@ :er ainlA an ;ro<oBor<;ou!@ Cuali ie! =;i:; Ba>e ;eB indi$idual reali ie! o ;eir =or!;i<<er! and CualifA ;eB for ;eir fun: ion! in ;e =orld of Ben. (;e :on:e< ion of ;eir an ;ro<oBor<;ou! Cuali ie! i! =ell !ub! an ia ed in !oBe of ;e BA ;! =;i:; re<re!en a ?ood BanA of ;eB a! :ul<ablA oo Bu:; li>e ;uBan bein?! in =aA=ardne!!Q (;ere are a fe= o ;er ?eneri: naBe! bA =;i:; ;e Yoruba de!i?na e ;e di$ini ie!. A :oBBon one@ neF o orI! J K@ i! IBalO J . (;i! i! le!! freCuen ;an orI! J K@ al ;ou?; i i! no= a! uni$er!allA eB<loAed and ;a! i ! <la:e in ;e oral radi ion!. I i! al!o in er:;an?eable =i ; orI! J K a!@ for <ra: i:al <ur<o!e!@ ;e =o ;a$e be:oBe !AnonABou!. We are a?ain in diffi:ul A =;en =e :oBe o ;e deri$a ion of IBalO J . I =ould !eeB ;a @ earlier on@ ;e naBe =a! u!ed in a re! ri: ed !en!e of di$ini ie! or !<iri ! =;i:; =ere :onne: ed in a !<e:ifi: =aA =i ; ;e ear ;. In :on!eCuen:e of BA di!:u!!ion on ;e !ubEe: =i ; !oBe elder! and friend!@ I ;a$e ado< ed ;e en a i$e :on:lu!ion ;a ;e naBe i! a :on ra: ion of sB J 0 Y0Bbe J 0n7 ilO J 00&(;e !u<ernorBal bein?! of ;e ear ;&. (;e naBe =ould ;u! :onno e di$ini ie! =;o =ere of a differen !u<ernorBal order froB ;e orI! J K. I !u??e! ! a=e!oBene!!@ eerine!!@ ;e BA! eriuB reBenduB@ + =;erea! orI! J K i! !oBe=;a <ro!ai: and ;oBelA. (;erefore@ i RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee belo=@ <. 3+. + (;e Idea of ;e )olA@ bA Rudolf O o G London@ OFford Uni$er!i A "re!!@ %5.,H. 03%0

=ould !eeB ;a =;ile ort! J K =a! ori?inallA u!ed for ;e di$ini ie! =;o =ere in a =aA &faBiliar& and =ere an e!!en ial <ar of Ban7! life@ iBalO J U1,+5 =a! ;e de!i?na ion for ;e dreadful one! =;o!e ;abi a ion! =ere ;e ;i:>@ dar> ?ro$e! and unu!ual <la:e!D ;o!e =;o =al> ;e =orld of Ben a ni?; and <ro=l ;e <la:e a noondaAD ;e $erA ;ou?; of =;oB =a! ;air0rai!in?D o <a!! bA =;o!e ?ro$e! =a! blood0:urdlin?D =i ; =;oB Ban feel! :oB<elled o Ba>e erB! for ;i! o=n !afe AD Bore <ro<i ia ed ou of fear ;an =or!;i<<ed in re$eren:e. *in:e iBalO J ;a! be:oBe Bore loo!elA u!ed@ ;o=e$er@ i ;a! lo! !oBe ;in? of i ! :onno a ion of dread.

A::ordin? o Yoruba ;eolo?A@ ;e orI! J K =ere brou?; for ; bA OlZdNBarO. We do no >no= bA =;a Be ;od ;eA =ere <rodu:edD bu ;e ! ron? !u??e! ion of our oral radi ion! i! ;a ;eA =ere ei ;er en?endered bA )iB or ;a ;eA eBana ed froB )iB. % orI! J K0nlV@ =;o i! ;e olde! aBon? ;e di$ini ie! and froB =;o!e &!:a ered <ie:e!& a nuBber of ;eB are belie$ed o ;a$e been :on! i u ed@ i! defini elA :alled )i! off!<rin? in ;e !en!e ;a ;e deri$ed dire: lA froB )iB. AnA=aA@ ;eA are bein?! of a ;i?;er order ;an Ban in :on!eCuen:e of ;eir na ure and fun: ion!. (;eA ;a$e been eB<loAed@ froB ;e $erA be?innin?@ in du ie! :onne: ed =i ; ;e ear ; and i ! fullne!!. + (;u!@ ;eA are ;e Bini! er! of OlZdNBarO@ loo>in? af er ;e affair! of )i! uni$er!e and a: in? a! in erBediarie! be =een )iB and ;e =orld of Ben. (o ea:; of ;eB i! a!!i?ned a de<ar Ben o$er =;i:; ;e i! ruler and ?o$ernor. All o?e ;er@ ;e orI! J K forB ;e Yoruba <an ;eon. OlZdNBarO i! no one aBon? ;eB. )e i! &=;ollA o ;er& ;an ;eA. Bu ;eA are under )i! :on! an $i?ilan:e and :on rol@ and o )iB ;eA o=e ab!olu e feal A. , Ari!in? ou of ;e Cue! ion@ &W;o are ;e di$ini ie!8& i! ano ;er deli:a e Cue! ion froB =;i:; =e Bu! no run a=aA. I i! ;i!L &Are ;e!e di$ini ie! obEe: i$elA real8 or Are ;eA no Bore ;an $i$id :on:e< uali!a ion! of !oBe ou ! andin? a ribu e! and ;e <o=er of OlZdNBarO a! Banife! ed in na ural <;enoBena or di!:erned bA eF<erien:e8 Could i no be ;a i i! iBa?ina ion ;a . . . bodie! for ; (;e forB! of ;in?! un>no=n . . . . . . and ?i$e! o airA no ;in? A lo:al ;abi a ion and a naBe&8 RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee abo$e@ <. 31 f. + *ee C;a< er ,. , *ee C;a< er! 2 and 3 for a de ailed ! udA of ;e rela ion!;i< be =een OlZdNBarO and ;e di$ini ie!. 03+0

In an!=erin? ;i! Cue! ion@ i =ill be rele$an fir! o Cuo e a dialo?ue =;i:; Ri:;ard Garne % <u in o ;e Bou ;! of ;e OlAB<ian "roBe ;eu! and ;e Gree> ?irl Elen>oL &I! Man@ ;en@ ;e Ma>er of ;e Dei A8& !;e a!>ed. &Can ;e !our:e of ;i! bein? ori?ina e in ;iB!elf8& a!>ed "roBe ;eu!. &(o a!!er ;i! =ere !elf0:on radi: ion@ and <ride infla ed o Badne!!. Bu of ;e Bore eFal ed bein?! =;o ;a$e li>e ;iB eBana ed froB ;e :oBBon <rin:i<le of all eFi! en:e@ Man@ !in:e ;i! ad$en on ;e ear ;@ ;ou?; no ;e :rea or@ i! ;e <re!er$er or ;e de! roAer. )e loo>! u< o ;eB@ and ;eA areD ;e ou ?ro=! ;eB@ and ;eA are no . . . .&

(;i!@ in <ar @ i! $erA Bu:; li>e ;e !aAin? of our elder! ;a Ibi i eniK >Z !Y@ >Z !Y iBalO J 00&W;ere ;ere i! no Ban@ ;ere i! no di$ini A&. We Bu! ;a$e !een@ ;o=e$er@ ;a ;e!e =o Cuo a ion! are onlA a eB< ! o an!=er a !ub le Be a<;A!i:al Cue! ion abou =;i:; i i! no ea!A o be <o!i i$e. W;a =e Bu! a<<re:ia e ;ere i! ;a =i ; ;i! Cue! ion before u!@ =e are on ;e fron ier of a !<iri ual <ro$in:e in o =;i:; =e :anno reallA en er unle!! =e :arrA ;e reCui!i e <a!!<or ! of eF<erien:e. We Bu! a::e< a! indi!<u able ;e fa: ;a o ;e belie$in?@ =or!;i<<in? Bind!@ ;e di$ini ie! are realD a! real a! are ;o!e Bini! erin? an?el! =;o all do=n ;e a?e! ;a$e been :on! an !our:e! of !<iri ual :oBfor o ;o!e =;o belie$e in ;eir eFi! en:e. (;e di$ini ie! are@ in fa: @ !o real o ;e =or!;i<<er! ;a ;eA ;a$e@ for <ra: i:al <ur<o!e!@ alBo! be:oBe end! in ;eB!el$e!@ in! ead of ;e Bean! o an end =;i:;@ e:;ni:allA@ ;eA are a::ordin? o Yoruba ;eolo?A. (;i! i! a fa: of eF<erien:e =;i:; i! no o be an!=ered bA <!A:;olo?i:al ar?uBen !. *o Bu:; ;en :an be !aid in an!=er o ;e Cue! ionL We adBi ;a ;e !u<er!en!ible =orld i! beAond u!L our na ural $i!ion i! oo liBi ed o <ene ra e i ! !e:re !D ne$er ;ele!!@ =e ;a$e ;e no ion ;a ;ere are aBon? ;e di$ini ie! ;o!e =;o :an be no Bore ;an :on:e< uali!a ion! of !oBe a ribu e! of OlZdNBarO or $aried :;ara: eri!a ion! + of !oBe of ;e fe= <rin:i<al di$ini ie!D o ;o!e =;o =or!;i< ;e di$ini ie! and deri$e !u::our froB belief in ;eir eFi! en:e@ o !u:; ;eA are realL bu o ;o!e =;o ;a$e ou ?ro=n ;eB@ all reali A i! :on:en ra ed in ;e Dei A. I =ill be <ro<er@ a ;i! <oin @ o di!:u!! ;e eBbleB! of Yoruba di$ini ie!. Ea:; one of ;eB ;a! ;i! o=n eBbleB! a::ordin? o <eo<le7! :on:e< ion of ;iB. , (o an ou !ider@ ;e!e eBbleB! =ould a<<ear RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % (;e (=ili?; of (;e God! G "en?uin Boo>!@ %5.4H@ <. %+. + *ee abo$e@ <<. 25 ff. and belo= <<. 3- ff. , *ee C;a< er -. 03,0

:rude@ Beanin?le!!@ or ab!urd. 'o a fe= in$e! i?a or! ;a$e ri<<ed u< ;ere@ be:au!e ;eA ;a$e been ! ru:> bA ;e :on!<i:uou! <la:e a!!i?ned o ;e eBbleB! in ;e reli?ion of ;e Yoruba and iB<ul!i$elA arri$ed a ;e :on:lu!ion ;a ;e Yoruba are =or!;i<<er! of &=ood and ! one&. #or Cui e a =;ile e$erA one of ;o!e in$e! i?a or! belie$ed firBlA ;a In $ain =i ; la$i!; >indne!! (;e ?if ! of God are ! re=nD (;e ;ea ;en in ;i! blindne!! Bo=! do=n o =ood and ! one.

A! a re!ul @ ;e erB! fe i:;i!B and EuEu =ere brou?; in o bein? a! adeCua elA de!:ri< i$e of ;e reli?ion of ;e Yoruba. BA no=@ i i! be:oBin? a::e< ed in !oBe Cuar er!@ a! =e ;a$e ob!er$ed@ ;a ;e!e erB! =ere@ in fa: @ born of error! of Eud?Ben . (;e Yoruba di$ini ie! are no & ;in?! Bade& bA ;and@ nor are ;eA & oA!&. % (;ou?; ;e Yoruba bo= do=n before ;e eBbleB! of ;eir di$ini ie!@ =;i:; BaA be & ;in?! Bade&@ ;in?! of =ood and ! one@ Ae ;eA do no bo= do=n o =ood and ! one. In ;e ;i! orA of reli?ion@ !ABboli: re<re!en a ion! ;a$e <laAed a $erA iB<or an <ar . I i! a =aA of Ba>in? ;e !<iri ual <er:e< ible ;rou?; ;e Ba erial. Bu i i! a Bi!in er<re a ion no o !ee beAond ;e !ABbol o i ! Beanin?. BA ;e a::uBula ed e$iden:e =;i:; ;a! :oBe do=n o u!@ ;e Be ;od of !ABboli!in? ;e un!een be?an =i ; !oBe rou?;0and0readA obEe: !00a ! one@ a <lan @ or a <ie:e of =ood00 o Bar> ou !a:red !<o ! or o !e <la:e! a<ar a! e$iden:e! of ;e <re!en:e of ;e Dei A. #ollo=in? ;i! =a! ;e <eriod of <la! i: ar =;en Ban ;ad be?un o ;in> of ;i! di$ini ie! a! bein?! endo=ed =i ; li$in? :;ara: eri! i:! in :on!eCuen:e of =;i:; ;e ?a$e ;eB ;e !;a<e! of :rea ure! in =or>ed ! one or ?ra$en iBa?e! of =ood or Be al. + (;e <ur<o!e ;u! !er$ed i! o <re!en $i!ible and an?ible e$iden:e of ;e in$i!ible@ in an?ible@ and !<iri ual en i A. (;eA are onlA Bean! o an end@ ;ereforeD a Bean! =;i:;@ for ;e non:e@ Ban find! ne:e!!arA and adeCua e for ;e a<<re;en!ion of ;in?! =;i:; are !u<er!en!ible. #or !oBe rea!on =;i:; =e :anno Ae fullA :oB<re;end@ ;e !u<er!en!ible =orld in =;i:; =e are en:oB<a!!ed :laiB! o be under! ood@ and ;a in a =aA =;i:; i! irre!i! iblA :oB<ul!i$e Ae !oBe=;a elu!i$e RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % C;a< er %@ <. + + *ee Reli?ion of An:ien Gree:e bA Jane Ellen )arri!on G London@ A. Con! able u Co. L d.H@ <<. ,2 f. 03.0

and alBo! an ali!in?. #or@ no =i ;! andin? ;e :oB<ul!i$e <re!!ure =;i:; i <la:e! u<on u!@ =e :on inue o find ;a ;e !u<er!en!ible =orld i! beAond our >enD ;a our na ural fa:ul A i! oo <oor an in! ruBen o !ear:; =;a lie! =i ;in i . We ;erefore :an do no Bore ;an a>e ;a =;i:; i! &re$ealed& o our feeble@ oo0of en0errin?@ $i!ion. Ea:; Wi ; )i! O=n Bru!; i! ;e i le of a :olle: ion of =or>! of ar % in =;i:; are re<re!en ed ;e =aA in =;i:; ea:; na ion of ;e C;ri! ian =orld ;a! a<<re;ended !oBe !alien ru ;! of C;ri! iani A. A! i i! =i ; ;i! :olle: ion@ !o i ;a! al=aA! been =i ; ;e Bore ?eneral and broader field of ;e a<<re;en!ion of !<iri ual ;in?!. I i! o ea:; a::ordin? o ;i! o=n abili A. (o ;e refle: i$e@ :on eB<la i$e or !<e:ula i$e@ ;e Be ;od of ab! ra: ion BaA lead o ;e ?oal of !<iri ual !a i!fa: ion. Bu ;eA are a Binori A. (o

;e reBainin? BaEori A@ fundaBen al ru ;! :an onlA be ?ra!<ed =;en ;eA are <re!en ed in de!:ri< i$e <a ern!00in <i: ure!D in !oBe ;in? :on:re e@ a lea! <al<able00in ;e forB of a Bodelled fi?ure BaAbe@ or ;e :on:e< ion of a ladder =;i:; rea:;e! u< o ;ea$en@ =i ; ;e an?el! of God a!:endin? and de!:endin? bA i . + #or ;e =o :la!!e! ;ere i! a :oBBon ?round@ ;o=e$erL ea:; in i ! o=n =aA i! laAin? :laiB o O =orld in$i!ible@ =e $ie= ;ee@ O =orld in an?ible@ =e ou:; ;ee@ O =orld un>no=able@ =e >no= ;ee@ Ina<<re;en!ible@ =e :lu :; ;eeQ (;i! i! ;e ba!i: Bo if of Yoruba :ul i: ar D for ;a i! =;A ;eA !aA ;a ;e ;oBe of ;e di$ini A i! in ;ea$enD and ;a i! ;e rele$an:e of in$o:a ion a ;e be?innin? of =or!;i<. (;ere ;a!@ of :our!e@ been a ?ra$e ri!> a endin? ;e u!e of iBa?e! and !ABbol! in =or!;i<. W;a i! de!i?ned o be a Bean! o an end :ould ea!ilA be:oBe an end in i !elf. We >no= oo =ell ;o= ;e!e eBbleB! :an be:oBe ;ea$A =ei?; ! ied o ;e =in?! of ;e !oul@ ;u! Ba>in? ear ;0bound a ;in? Bean for ;ea$en. (;i! i! =;ere idola rA :oBe! inD and anAone =;o de!:ribe! a reli?ion =;i:; ;a! be:oBe idola rA a! fe i:;i!B i! fullA Eu! ified. #or i i! Cui e <o!!ible and doe! ;a<<en@ ;a Ben :an be:oBe &fool!& =;o a: uallA eF:;an?e ;e ?lorA of ;e li$in? God for ;e iBa?e! of Bor al Ban@ =;o a: uallA bo= do=n o =ood and ! one. (;i! i! a !in =;i:; in i ! :rude or refined forB :on! an lA be!e ! reli?ion a e$erA ! a?e of i ! de$elo<Ben . I i! in ;e RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % BA Daniel J. #leBin? G #riend!;i<@ %52+H. + Gene!i! +-L %+D :f. Jo;n %L2%. 0320

li?; of ;i! ;a =e !;ould under! and =;A ;e Old (e! aBen <ro<;e ! :alled idol! &$ani A& or &nonen i A&@ and roundlA :ondeBned idola rA. I ;a<<ened !oBe iBe a?o ;a =;en ;e ar:;0<rie! of a <rin:i<al di$ini A in Ile0IfO J =a! a!>ed ;e Cue! ion@ &MaA I !ee ;e eBbleB of Ori! J O J UJ1,K0nlV8& ;e urned o ;i! a!!i! an and !aid in a Ba er0of0fa: =aA@ &(;i! i! one of our !on!D ;e =i!;e! o !ee our fa ;er.& (;e eBbleB! ;eB!el$e! are u!uallA referred o loo!elA a! orI! J K. A! a rule@ ;e Yoruba doe! no ?o in o ;e analA i:al rouble of !aAin?@ &(;e!e are ;e 7eBbleB!7 or 7iBa?e!7 of BA orI! J K.& )e onlA !aA! in a !=ee<in? =aA@ &(;i! i! BA orI! J K@& al ;ou?; if ;e Cue! ion i! <u o ;iB =;e ;er ;e eBbleB! =ere in reali A ;e orI! J K@ ;i! <roB< an!=er =ill be &'o@ ;e!e are onlA iBa?e!00Ore00of ;e orI! J K.& (;e ri!> of a>in? ;e Bean! for ;e end Ba eriali!e! Bore ea!ilA =;ere !oBe ! a ue! are belie$ed o be ;e a: ual <;A!i:al

&bodA& of an an:e! or =;o in! ead of dAin? in ;e norBal =aA ;ad Be aBor<;o!ed ;iB!elf in o ! one. % W;en all ;i! ;a! been !aid and adBi ed@ ;ere i! ! ill ;e <riBarA Cue! ion of in er<re a ionL =e ;a$e o Ba>e ;e :orre: Eud?Ben and :all ;in?! bA ;eir <ro<er naBe!. W;a e$er BaA be ;e BoBen arA a i ude of ;e Yoruba o ;e eBbleB! of ;eir di$ini ie!@ if ;e Cue! ion i! <u o ;eB =;e ;er ;o!e =ere in reali A ;e di$ini ie! or no @ ;eir an!=er =ill be an eB<;a i: ne?a i$e@ be:au!e & ;e ;oBe of ;e di$ini A i! in ;ea$en&. (;e fa: ;a @ in ;e final analA!i!@ ;e!e eBbleB! are no Bore ;an iBa?e! or !ABbol! i! <ro$ed bA ;e fa: ;a ;eA :an be abandoned and re<la:ed@ if need be@ =i ;ou anA !en!e of lo!!. *oBe iBe a?o@ an old ! a ue re<re!en in? a faBou! u elarA ! J UN + in IlKrW J =ard of Ile0IfO J =a! re<la:ed bA a ne= one. U<on enCuirA@ i =a! re$ealed ;a ;e old@ &$enerable& one@ ;ad :ruBbled a=aA Gi =a! a ;in? of =oodQH and ;ad ;erefore been re<la:ed bA a ne= one. (;ere :an be no doub ;a a! Ban ad$an:e! in >no=led?e and a ain! :learer !<iri ual $i!ion@ ;e :ould ?ro= abo$e ;i! >ind of Ba erial aid o ;i! belief!. ABon? ;e Yoruba@ ;e :rude or ab!urd eBbleB! =ill :er ainlA <a!! a=aA =i ; ;e <a!!a?e of iBe. AlreadA@ :ul ural de$elo<Ben i! Ba>in? e$en !oBe of ;e be! iBa?e! of ;e land Bu!euB <ie:e!@ o ;e ;orror of our :on!er$a i$e elder! =;o a<<ear o be loo>in? for=ard =i ; !an?uine ;o<e and !adi! i: an i:i<a ion o ;e !e$ere $en?ean:e of ;ea$en u<on all ;o!e =;o are <ar ie! o ;e !a:rile?iou! eF<o!ure of !a:red ;in?!. 'e$er ;ele!!@ i =ill be a <i A indeed if ;e a<<re;en!ion of reali A and beau A =;i:; i! eF<re!!ed in <la! i: ar in reli?ion !;ould al!o <a!! a=aA. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er +@ <. %,. + C;a< er -@ <<. -1 ff. 0330

Bu i !eeB! ;a Man :an loo> af er ;iB!elf in ;i! Ba er. In !<i e of all :;an?e! in ;e eF ernal =orld@ ;e =ill of en !nea> ba:>@ in ;e <ra: i:al bu!ine!! of dailA li$in?@ in o !oBe ea!ier =aA of Ba>in? :on a: =i ; ;e un!een ;rou?; ;a =;i:; :an be !een or ou:;edL ;i! Bind i! a Cueer in! ruBen and ;a! ;e alBo! in:orri?ible ;abi of re$er in? o A<e. 'o one >no=! =;A Garne !o ! ron?lA !u!<e: ! ;a "lo inu! =a! >ee<in? a $erA re<ul!i$e !er<en =;i:; ;e :alled ;i! u elarA daeBon % D bu i i! :er ain ;a one :ould de<end u<on ;e !<iri ual in?enui A of Man o find !oBe forB of BediuB or <ro< o !u! ain ;i! fai ;. We :an loo> ;rou?; ;e !e 0u< in !oBe :;ur:;e!@ if =e li>e. (rA a! i BaA@ i:ono:la!B ;a! of en !u::eeded@ bA !oBe Bi!:arria?e of <ur<o!e@ onlA in :learin? ;e ;ou!e for ne=@ <er;a<! Bore !ub le or Bore ab!urd@ iBa?e!. (;i! ! a e of ;in?! :an onlA be !e o ri?; ! =;en ;ere a>e! <la:e in e$erA ;ear an &eF<ul!i$e

<o=er& of ;e !<iri of God@ bA W;o!e aid onlA ;in?! !<iri ual :an be !<iri uallA di!:erned. 'o=@ o our !e:ond Cue! ion00&)o= BanA are ;e di$ini ie!8& (;i! i! ano ;er diffi:ul Cue! ion. I ;a$e been $ariou!lA inforBed bA Yoruba elder! and <rie! ! on ;e Ba er. In Ile0IfO J @ =e are old ;a ;ere =ere ori?inallA =o ;undred and one of ;eB re<re!en ed in ;e <ala:e of ;e h J ni@ ;e h J ni ;iB!elf bein? ;e =o0;undred0 andfir! Q (;e OdN :or<u! ?i$e! a :onfu!in? iB<re!!ion of ;e :en!u! of ;e <an ;eonL !oBe iBe! ;eA !<ea> of J r\nlZ E orI! J K00&One ;ou!and !e$en ;undred di$ini ie!&D of en ;eA !<ea> of P J >Kn0lW0n70irYn=Z iBalO J 00&#our ;undred and one di$ini ie!&. We are old al!o ;a ;ere are I?ba07BalO J oEN> J \n@ i?ba07BalO J oEN>P!I00&(=o ;undred di$ini ie! of ;e ri?; ;and@ and =o ;undred di$ini ie! of ;e lef ;and&@ Ba>in? four ;undred. Durin? in$o:a ion! =e !oBe iBe! ;ear IbK irun07Bale J oEN> J \nD IbK i?ba07BalO J oEN>P!ID lbK J K0lW0n70ir\n Ir\n07 BalO J (i Z EV K KrY J nK J run ?ban?ba. Wor!;i< o ;e four ;undred di$ini ie! of ;e ri?; ;andD Wor!;i< o ;e =o ;undred di$ini ie! of ;e lef ;andD Wor!;i< o ;e four ;undred and !iF A di$ini ie! W;o a: uallA line u< ;e $erA road of ;ea$en. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % (;e (=ili?; of (;e God! G "en?uin Boo>!@ %5.4H@ <. 35. Garne Ba>e! "lo inu! !aA a ;e a<<earan:e of ;e !er<en in ;i! rooB &MA ?uardian@ BA u elarA daeBon@ . . . $i!ible Banife! a ion of Ae!:ula<iu!. (;en I aB no for!a>en bA ;e iBBor al ?od!.& 0340

)ere =e ;a$e a !u??e! ion ;a ;ere are one ;ou!and and !iF A. (;ere are ! ill /EI0lW0 l7W?bOEe ir\nBalO J i n=Z n nlu e J dan f\n@ i n=Z J n nlu I=o f\n0&(;e one ;ou!and four ;undred and for A di$ini ie! for =;oB Be al rod! are !ounded@ for =;oB ;orn! are bea en&. In eEa:ula orA u eran:e! =e ?a ;er ;e iB<re!!ion ;a ;ere are !iF ;undred of ;eB. We of en ;ear Irun07BalO J Q I?ba0iBalO J Q &O four ;undred di$ini ie!Q O =o ;undred di$ini ie!Q& . . . 'o=@ =;a do =e Ba>e of ;e!e fi?ure!8 I i! onlA ;i!L =e >no= ;a ;e naBe of ;e orI! J K i! le?ion@ for ;eA are BanA. (;e eFa: :en!u! of ;e <an ;eon no one i! no= able o ell. W;a e$er ;e ori?inal !i?nifi:an:e of ;e fi?ure!@ ;erefore@ ;eA ;a$e no=

:oBe o be no Bore ;an !ABboli: a ;e !aBe iBe of ;e <lurali A of ;e orI! J K and ;e indefini ene!! of ;eir nuBber!. *o@ o Cuo e anA of ;e fi?ure! i! no= onlA &a Banner of !<ea>in?&. )a$in? !aid ;a @ =e ! ill ;a$e o fa:e ;e Cue! ion =;e ;er ;e Yoruba <an ;eon ;a! al=aA! been a! :ro=ded a! i no= a<<ear! o be. (o ;a our an!=er i! ;a in earlier iBe!@ ;e di$ini ie! =ere Bu:; fe=er. Yoruba ;eo?onA !;o=! ;a @ o be?in =i ;@ ;ere =ere onlA a fe= of ;eB. (;erefore ;eir <re!en nuBber Bu! be due o :er ain <ro:e!!e! =;i:; la er !e in and :au!ed ;eB o in:rea!e and Bul i<lA. One iB<or an fa: or =;i:; Bade for !u:; in:rea!e =a! ;e fu!ion of :lan!. W;ere$er ;a ;a<<ened@ i u!uallA re!ul ed in ;e fu!ion of :ul ure! a! =ell. (;e :ul ! =;i:; ea:; <ar A brou?; in o ;e fu!ion =ould al!o be in$ol$ed. A! a re!ul @ adEu! Ben ! =ould a>e <la:e ;rou?; !An:re i!B or ;Abridi!a ion. Bu in !<i e of !u:; adEu! Ben !@ ;ere =ould be di$ini ie! =;o ! ubbornlA Bain ained ;eir iden i ie! and !o :oun ed a! !e<ara e indi$idual!@ ;u! Ba>in? addi ion! in ;e eFi! in? <an ;eon. (;ere =ould be o ;er di$ini ie!@ oo@ =;o be:aBe du<li:a ed ;rou?; ado< ion bA o ;er :lan!. *u:; di$ini ie!@ on bein? ado< ed@ did no re ain ;eir ori?inal naBe! bu oo> on ne= or Bodified naBe! =;i:; =ere !u??e! ed bA ;eir ne= en$ironBen ! and :ir:uB! an:e!@ in :on!eCuen:e of =;i:; ;eA are a::e< ed a! differen froB =;a ;eA =ere in ;eir earlier ;oBe!. *o ;a @ in Yorubaland odaA@ one and ;e !aBe di$ini A i! =or!;i<<ed under !e$eral naBe! and Gbe:au!e <eo<le ;a$e ei ;er for?o en or do no >no= ;i! ;i! orA and :ir:uB! an:e!H ;e !e$eral naBe! ;a$e be:oBe !e$eral indi$idual di$ini ie!. (;i! i! !o@ e$en in !<i e of ;e fa: ;a ;e de ail! of ;e :ul u! of ;e !e$eral indi$idual di$ini ie! BaA be <ra: i:allA ;e !aBe. In Ile0IfO J @ for eFaB<le@ orI! J K0nlV i! =or!;i<<ed under ;ree differen naBe! and@ in :on!eCuen:e of ;i!@ ;ree di! in: i$e di$ini ie! ;a$e :oBe in o bein? 03-0

ou of ;e oneL ;e i! orI! J K IdO J a@ orI! J K A>irO@ orI! J K IEN?bO J @ a::ordin? o ;e Cuar er or ;ou!e;old =;i:; ;a! :u! odA of ;e :ul u!. (;e in ere! in? ;in? abou ;i! i! ;a ;ere are ;ree !e<ara e order! of <rie! ;ood and !e<ara e :ul u!@ e$en ;ou?; ;e ri ual! and abu are <ra: i:allA iden i:al. (;e !aBe :;an?e of en$ironBen ! and :ir:uB! an:e! =a! re!<on!ible for ;e eBer?en:e of ;e Yoruba :on:e< ion of & ;e Wra ;& of OlZdNBarO a! Bore ;an one di$ini AL =e ;a$e JK>v a =;o =a! ;e ori?inal Yoruba ;under di$ini A@ C J Kn?w =;o a ra: ed ;e a ribu e! of JK>v a and en ered ;e <an ;eon on ;a ! ren? ;@ and P J rKBfO J =;i:; i! ;e IfO J naBe for ;e !aBe :on:e< uali!a ion. %

(;e <rie! ! Bu! ;a$e :on ribu ed a ?rea deal o ;e e! abli!;Ben of no a fe= di$ini ie!. (;e ! ron?er ;e :;ara: er of ;e <rie! @ ;e Bore influen ial ;e =a! in ;e :oBBuni AD ;e Bore !ub le ;e :ould be@ ;e ea!ier i =ould be for ;iB o :a< ure ;e Bind! of !iB<le fol> and lead ;eB o a::e< :er ain belief!. W;ere ;e <rie! :ould =in ;e :o0o<era ion of <eo<le of ;e !aBe <er!ua!ion a! ;iB!elf@ ;i! =or> i! Bade ;e Bore effe: i$e. *oBe of our elder!@ in ;eir u!ual ;one! A@ =ill no ;e!i a e o !aA ;a !oBe of ;e ra<<in?! of ;e reli?ion of ;e Yoruba =ere fir! &in$en ed& o !er$e :er ain eBer?en:ie!D bu !in:e ;eA =ere found u!eful and ?ood for reli?ion@ <ruden:e ;a! de:reed ;a ;eA !;ould be allo=ed o ! aA on@ and ;ere ;eA are odaA. )ero0=or!;i< i! one Bore iB<or an fa: or =;i:; :er ainlA =or>ed for in:rea!e in ;e nuBber of ;e di$ini ie!. 'a urallA@ ;e an:e! or! =;o li$e in ;e Af er0Life + are in:rea!in? dailA. A! a rule@ ;e Yoruba Ba>e a :areful di! in: ion be =een ;e di$ini ie! and ;e an:e! or!. * ri: lA@ ;e di$ini ie! are e!!en iallA &of ;e ;ea$en!&D bu :er ain an:e! or! ;a$e found ;eir =aA in o ;e <an ;eon@ u!uallA bA be:oBin? iden ified =i ; !oBe earlier di$ini ie!. In ;i! :a e?orA@ =e ;a$e OdNd\=K , and C J Kn?w for eFaB<le. *oBe ;a$e ?o ;ere ;rou?; eF:e!!i$e $enera ion bA ;e <eo<le. )ere =e BaA a>e bKlNf J n . a! our eFaB<le. I i! in :on!eCuen:e of ;e!e in! an:e! ;a !oBe in$e! i?a or! ;a$e :on:luded ;a ;e reli?ion of ;e Yoruba i! all an:e! or0=or!;i<. 2 We :anno :lo!e ;i! :;a< er =i ;ou loo>in? a Ae one Bore Cue! ionL &W;i:; are ;e <rin:i<al di$ini ie! and in =;a order do ;eA :oBe8& )ere@ a?ain@ =e ;a$e o be :areful. W;ile a nuBber of ;e di$ini ie! :er ainlA ;a$e re:o?ni ion all o$er Yorubaland in :on!eCuen:e of ;eir RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % C;a< er -@ <<. -5 ff. + *ee C;a< er %.@ <<. %53 f. , *ee C;a< er ,@ <<. ++ f. . bKlNf J n i! one of ;e di$ini ie! =or!;i<<ed in Ile0IfO J and all o$er Yorubaland. Bu ;e be?an bA bein? an an:e! or. 2 Cf. 'i?erian * udie!@ bA R. E. Denne G Ma:Billan@ %5%1H@ <. 2-. 0350

<la:e! in ;e <an ;eon@ ;ere i! no doub ;a ea:; of ;eB ;a! <ar i:ular lo:ali ie! in =;i:; ;e i! ;e :;ief di$ini A =;ile in o ;er! ;e BaA be@ for all <ra: i:al <ur<o!e!@ of ra ;er !e:ondarA ! a u!. 'o a fe= of ;eB belon? o $illa?e! or ;aBle ! beAond =;i:; li le ;ou?; i! ?i$en o ;eB. (;e Cue! ion :anno be !e led@ ;erefore@ bA ;e Bere eF ernal a<<earan:e of ;in?!. Bu our diffi:ul A i! :on!iderablA BiniBi!ed =;en =e urn o ;e oral radi ion!. (;e!e !our:e! re$eal =;i:; di$ini ie! belon? o ;e earlie! iBe! and =ere :lo!e! o OlZdNBarO froB ;e be?innin? in :rea i$e and eFe:u i$e fun: ion!. #roB ;e ! udA of our !our:e!@ ;erefore@ =e :an fiF ;e ! a u! and order of ;e!e <rin:i<al di$ini ie! =i ;

re?ard o ;eir rela ion!;i< o OlZdNBarO. (;u! =e find ;a orI! J K0nlV@ P J runBIlK@ /?vn@ ! J N@ C J Kn?w G P J rKBfO J @ JK>v aH@ C J J < J nV@ =ill !a i!fA our Cue! ion. % (;e!e are <roBinen di$ini ie!@ belie$ed o be :;ar?ed =i ; $i al fun: ion!@ uni$er!allA re:o?ni!ed and =or!;i<<ed bA ;e Yoruba. We !;all no= <ro:eed o loo> a ;e!e re<re!en a i$e di$ini ie! Bore :lo!elA. (;ere i! Ae one BoreL J lK i! ;i! naBe. )i! <la:e i! no $erA :learlA defined in ;e !A! eBD bu ;e i! of $i al iB<or an:e ne$er ;ele!!. I i! reallA ;i! elu!i$e Ae :oB<ellin? :;ara: er ;a :a :;e! our a en ion. In J lK@ i a<<ear! ;a =e BaA di!:ern a !<iri ual <rin:i<le@ ;e full a<<re:ia ion of =;i:; !;ould re$olu ioni!e ;e under! andin? of ;e reli?ion of ;e Yoruba. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % Bu :f. #ai ;@ #an:ie!@ and #e i:;@ bA *. *. #arro= G *.".C.c.@ %5+3H@ <. 5.. (;e "eo<le! of *ou ;ern 'i?eria@ bA ". A. (albo G OFford Uni$er!i A "re!!@ %5+3H@ <<. ,1 f. (;e Reli?ion of ;e Yoruba!@ bA J. OluBide Lu:a! G La?o!@ C.M.*. Boo>!;o<@ %5.-H@ <<. .50%%2. 0410

(;e Mini! er! of OlZdNBarO :on inued OR]C J d0'Lm orI! J K0nlV i! ;e !u<reBe di$ini A of Yorubaland. A! ;i! naBe iB<lie!@ ;e i! ;e ?rea or ar:;0di$ini A. I i! !oBe iBe! !aid ;a ;e i! ;e fa ;er of all ;e orI! J K of Yorubaland and ;a i =a! ;e =;o ?a$e ea:; one of ;eB ;e naBe orI! J K@ ;u! naBin? ;eB af er ;iB!elf. (;u!@ ;e i le &fa ;er& ;ere deno e! ;i! rela ion!;i< o ;e o ;er di$ini ie! a! =ell a! !u??e! ! ;a ;e =a! ;e ori?inal di$ini A froB =;oB a lea! a nuBber of ;eB deri$ed. )e i! au oBa i:allA ;e !enior and ;ead of ;eB all. )e i! al!o :alled bK VlV@ ;e naBe =;i:; ;a! been $ariou!lA in er<re ed a! ba0 Y0Z0 nla00&(;e >in? =;o i! ?rea &D or ba0 i0KlK0&cin? in =;i e :lo ;in?&.

A::ordin? o our oral radi ion!@ orI! J K0nlV i! $erA an:ien . )e =a! ;e $erA fir! o re:ei$e a defini e :;ara: eri!a ion@ % and ;a =ill eF<lain =;A ;e i! de!:ribed bA !oBe of our elder! a! ;e iBa?e or !ABbol of OlZdNBarO on ear ;. Yoruba ;eolo?A al!o :all! ;iB ;e off0!<rin? of OlZdNBarO in ;e !en!e ;a ;e deri$ed iBBedia elA froB ;iB and ;a ;e a ribu e! of OlZdNBarO are re$ealed ;rou?; ;iB. (;e oral radi ion! ?i$e Bu:; eB<;a!i! o ;e ea:;in? ;a ;e a>e! af er OlZdNBarO in BanA e!!en ial a ribu e!L ;e i! :alled bA !oBe of OlZdNBarO7! $erA !i?nifi:an a<<ella ion!. #or eFaB<le@ ;e i! >no=n a! A0 W J 0re J re J 0>70ViAe00&)e =;o !<read! o$er ;e =;ole eF en of ;e ear ;&D ;e i! :alled e J lW J dX00&Ba>er&@ !in:e OlZdNBarO ;a! :oBBi ed o ;iB ;e :rea ion of ;e <;A!i:al <ar of Ban@ a! al!o ;e :rea ion of ear ; and ;e arran?eBen of i ! ra<<in?!. + )e i! ;e !:ul< or0di$ini A =;o ;a! been ?i$en ;e <rero?a i$e o :rea e a! ;e :;oo!e!@ !o ;a ;e Ba>e! Ban of !;a<elA or deforBed fea ure!. (;e ;un:;ba:>@ ;e :ri<<le@ ;e albino@ are re?arded o be !<e:ial Bar>! of ;i! <rero?a i$e@ ei ;er !i?nifAin? ;i! di!<lea!ure a ;e brea:; of !oBe abu@ or o !;o= ;a ;e RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er 4@ <<. 25 f. + *ee C;a< er ,@ <<. %5 ff. 04%0

:ould do a! ;e li>e!. (;e &defe: i$e& in ;i! :a e?orA are :alled E J ni orI! J K00&(;e $o arie! of ;e orI! J K&@ and !;ould ob!er$e :er ain re! ri: ion! in re!<e: of food and drin>. (;e albino! are in a Bore !<e:ial =aA E J ni OrY! J K and ;a$e ;e ;ea$ier burden of abu o bear. Con! i u ionallA ;eA =ill ea!ilA brea> ou in di!?u! in? !<o !@ i i! belie$ed@ if ;eA are no :areful abou =;a ;eA ea or drin>Q orI! J K0nlV i! :alled AlVB J rere0&(;e one =;o deal! in :;oi:e :laA&00 ;e :laA =i ; =;i:; ;e Bould! Ban. We ;a$e ;e !aAin?L ci7 ! J e e J EZ J elWAYn ?an0n0?anD orI! J K l7Z ! J e e@ i >P fi a=o J bP o00&(;e <er!on =i ; <roBinen ee ; i! no o blaBeL i i! ;e orI! J K =;o Bade ;eB and did no <ro$ide !uffi:ien :o$erin? for ;eB&. And =;en a =oBan i! <re?nan @ i i! of en ;e :u! oBarA <raAer in !oBe <ar ! of Yorubaland o !aAL ci orI! J K Aa 7nK 7re

>o ni o00&MaA ;e orI! J K fa!;ion for u! a ?ood =or> of ar &. I i! belie$ed ;a =;en orI! J K0nlV ;a! fini!;ed ;e Bouldin? of Ban7! bodA and OlZdNBarO ;a! <u in o ;iB ;e $i al <rin:i<le@ ;e a>e! :;ar?e a?ain and !end! Ban on ;i! =aA in o ;e =orld@ ! ill >ee<in? an eAe on ;iB and ?uidin? ;iB a! ;e fulfil! ;i! de! inA. *o ;e Yoruba !in?L E J ni ! J 7 oE\@ ! J e 7B\L orI! J K ni Ba !InD A0dV07ni b7 Z i rYL orI! J K ni Ba !InD E J ni rVn Bi =VL orI! J K ni Ba !InD )e =;o Ba>e! eAe!@ Ba>e! no!eL I i! ;e orI! J K I =ill !er$eD )e =;o :rea e! a! ;e :;oo!e!L I i! ;e orI! J K I =ill !er$eD )e =;o !end! Be ;ereL I i! ;e orI! J K I =ill !er$e. (;e orI! J K i! al!o :alled AlVbXlVe J 00&(;e <ro<o!er =;o =ield! ;e !:e< re&. (;i! i le belon?! o OlZdNBarO. Bu our oral radi ion! !aA ;a =;en orI! J K0nlV =a! :oBin? do=n o ;e =orld@ OlZdNBarO in$e! ed ;iB =i ; !oBe ;in? of ;i! a ribu e in order o fi ;iB for ;i! =or> of :rea ion and orderin? of ;e ear ;7! ra<<in?!. W;a ;e ?a$e ;iB i! :alled OdN. % In ;i! :a!e i Bean! an endo=ed a ribu e of !u<reBe au ;ori A o !<ea> and a: and be iB<li:i lA obeAed. (;i! odN in$ol$e! K! J e J 00&(;e !:e< re&. (;erefore@ ;e h J ni of Ile0IfO J @ a ;i! in! alla ion@ RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee abo$e@ <. ,.. 04+0

Bu! ?o before orI! J K0nlV o re:ei$e ;e !:e< re of offi:e@ ;u! deri$a i$elA be:oBin? a di$ine ruler. )e i! :alled and >no=n a! IbI>eEI dNBKrO00&De<u A OlZdNBarO&. Yoruba ;eo?onA@ be!ide! eB<;a!i!in? ;a orI! J K0nlV i! ;e off!<rin? of OlZdNBarO@ :laiB! al!o ;a ;e i! OlZdNBarO7! $i:e?eren ;ere on ear ;. orI! J K0nlV re<re!en ! o ;e Yoruba ;e idea of ri ual and e ;i:al <uri A@ and ;erefore ;e deBand! and !an: ion! of ;i?; Borali A. IBBa:ula e =;i ene!! i! of en a!!o:ia ed =i ; ;iB00 ;i! !ABboli!e! &;oline!!& and <uri A. )e i! of en <i: ured a! an an:ien :lo ;ed in =;i e and bede:>ed =i ; =;i e ornaBen !. )i! eB<le@ e!<e:iallA on ;e

in!ide@ i! =a!;ed =;i eD ;i! eBbleB! are o be >e< in =;i e :on ainer! and :on!i! aBon? o ;er ;in?! of =;i e :;al> and =;i e bead!D ;i! <rie! ! and <rie! e!!e! are robed in =;i e and =ear =;i e ornaBen !. #or ;i! !a:rifi:ial Beal!@ ;e norBal ;in? i! ;e bloodle!! !nail :oo>ed in !;ea0bu er@ al ;ou?; ;e <rie! ! a>e :are ;a fo=l! and e$en aniBal! are no infreCuen aBon? ;e offerin?!Q (;e =a er in ;i! !;rine !;ould be :;an?ed dailA =i ; ;e :leane! @ :leare! @ =a er dra=n $erA earlA in ;e Bornin? froB a !<rin?. (;e <er!on =;o dra=! ;e =a er Bu! do !o before anAone el!e ;a! been ;ere o di! urb ;e !<rin?. In ;e old daA!@ ;e =a er0bearer Bu! be ei ;er a $ir?in of uniB<ea:;able $ir ue or a =oBan =;o ;a! <a!!ed ;e a?e of :;ild0bearin? and ;a! ;erefore :ea!ed froB !eFual ;abi !@ and i! of eF:ellen re<u a ion. All ;e =aA o and froB ;e !<rin?@ ;e =a er0bearer Bu! >ee< rin?in? a bell@ o !;o= ;a !;e i! on a !a:red errand and Bu! no !<ea> or be !<o>en o. I i! enEoined u<on ;e =or!;i<<er! of orI! J K0nlV ;a ;eA Bu! be u<ri?; and rueL ;eA Bu! be :lear in ;eir ;ear ! and be;a$iour li>e =a er dra=n earlA in ;e Bornin? froB a !<rin? ;a ;a! no been <re$iou!lA di! urbed. (;u! ;eir li$e! =ould be a! :lear a! !u:; =a er00AiAW =o J n a PrP bY oBi V0f07`r J 0<o J n00&(;eir li$e! =ill be :lear and <ure li>e =a er dra=n earlA in ;e Bornin?&. orI! J K0nlV enEoin! Bono?aBA. A! our oral radi ion! ;a$e i @ ;e ;iB!elf i! a Bono?aBi! . On:e i =a! brou?; o ;i! no i:e ;a ;e =orld =a! in a bad ! a e be:au!e Ben =ere no ?e in? on =ell =i ; ;eir =or> and ;ere =a! ?eneral un;a<<ine!!. U<on enCuirA@ ;e found ou ;a ;e rea!on for ;a ! a e of affair! =a! ;e noi!e! and Cuarrel! of ;e Ben7! !e$eral =i$e!. *o ;e <ronoun:edL A P lO ?bW xrYn PEI enIK >7 y J qni Z BV ! J I =Y. orI! J K0nlV rY on7 i?ba aiAa n7 ly J q >7 Z ` f7 o J =o J B\ YeBP= nI>anD a P lO ?be aiAe Ol\7fy J q >7 Z J rNn >7 ViAa Ey J q>7 Z J nV ?\n00&I i! !;eer iB<o!!ibili A o li$e aBon? for A <er!on! G=i$e!H and a$oid !aAin? ;e =ron? ;in?!. orI! J K0nlV !ee! ;e <o!!ibili A of BarrAin? =o ;undred =i$e! and Ae 04,0

:lea$e! o YeBP= aloneD one =;o bear! ;e re!<on!ibili A of ruler!;i< o$er ;e :i$i: life of Ify J q :anno eF<e: o !u::eed if a ;e !aBe iBe ;e ;a! o :o<e =i ; a Bul i<li:i A of =i$e!. In :on!eCuen:e of ;i! :rea i$e <o=er and ;e odN =i ; =;i:; ;e =a! in$e! ed@ ;e ;a! ;e <o=er o Ba>e ;i! =or!;i<<er! ?rea @ o <ro!<er ;eB bA Ba>in? ;eB in:rea!e and Bul i<lA@ and bA :onferrin? Ba erial ble!!in? u<on ;eB. )en:e ;e i! :alled AdIB\lK00&One =;o i! ;eld for !afe A&. I i! ;erefore !aid of ;iB O ?be o J Bo J ry J q@ Z !o J Z J d7 aEWDZ ni >Y n=o J r75 J r1n@ n=o J n r75 J rU1%D1n00&)e ! and! bA ;i! :;ildren and Ba>e! ;eB Ba eriallA <ro!<erou!D ;e ?i$e! ;eB :au!e for lau?; er@ and ;eA lau?;&. On a::oun of ;a al!o@ <eo<le <raA o ;iB !aAin?L

I>\ i 7bV 7ni ?bW 7lW Y 7f7 o J lV ran niQ AlVze J Q /0!o J 0e J nI>an0! J o! J o0d70i?ba0OniKQ *o J BY d7 irun@ *o J BY d7 i?ba@ *o J BY d7 J K0lW0l70W?bOEe OniK. O Dea ;@ % You =;o doBi:ile =i ; a <er!on and iBbue ;iB =i ; nobili AQ O *:e< re0WielderQ O You =;o Bul i<lA onlA one in o =o ;undred <er!on!Q Mul i<lA Be in o four ;undred@ Mul i<lA Be in o =o ;undred@ Mul i<lA Be in o one ;ou!and four ;undred and !iF A <er!on!. (;e Yoruba ;in> of ;iB a! a $erA an:ien <er!on of $erA $enerable a!<e: in =;oB ?rea ne!! :oBbine! =i ; !<lendourD >indlA@ bu ;olA and au ;ori a i$e. orI! J KQ U11.2 J IQ E J ni o J lVQ A0fi0> J < J E> J < J 0?bo?bo0 ZbiD O Zbi@ >P ! J e 7?bWD BKn K0ban a n7nu KlKQ O !Nn n7nu KlK@ O EY n7nu KlK@ O 7 in\ KlK dIde. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % I>\00&Dea ;&00i! a de!i?na ion of en u!ed for a bein? or <er!on of ;i?; au ;ori A =;o i! belie$ed o ;a$e ;e <o=er of life and dea ;. 04.0

Ba7 nlVQ o J >o J YeBP=ZQ orI! J K =N BY ni 7bNdZD Ibi 7re l7 orI! J K >a 7ly J q. orI! J KQ (;e IBBo$ableQ (;e 'oble OneQ )e0=;o0li$e!0dailA0in0?or?eou!0?rea ne!!D )e i! !o Bi?; A ;a ;e :anno be lif edD IBBen!e in =;i e robe!Q )e !lee<! in =;i e :lo ;e!@ )e =a>e! in =;i e :lo ;e!@

)e ri!e! in =;i e :lo ;e!. 6enerable #a ;erQ YeBo=o7! :on!or Q orI! J K deli?; ! Be a! ;e i! in ! a eD I i! a dele: able <la:e =;ere orI! J K i! en ;roned. (radi ion fiFe! ;e ori?inal ear ;lA ;oBe of orI! J K0nlV a I?bP. )e i! de!:ribed a! E J ni Y n=o J n bi l7 Zde I?bP i o rO 7E7 o J ba l7 ZdeIrKnEe00&)e =;o =a! born in I?bP o=n and =en o be >in? a IrKnEe&. )e i! orI! J K0nlV@ ! J y J qry J q BK?bP00&orI! J K0nlV@ di$ini A of I?bP&. )i! =or!;i< :er ainlA be:aBe firBlA e! abli!;ed a IrKnEe =;i:; i! :alled ;i! :i A@ and a ;e !aBe iBe !<read all o$er Yorubaland =;ere ;e i! >no=n and =or!;i<<ed uni$er!allA under one naBe or ano ;er. (;ere are BanA <la:e! =;i:; :laiB ;iB a! ;eir !<e:ial u elarA di$ini A. % In Ile0Ify J q alone@ ;e i! =or!;i<<ed under a lea! ;ree naBe!. + A IfZ J n@ =;ere one radi ion !aA! ;a ;i! Bo ;er =a! born@ ;e i! >no=n a! Ol\fZ J nD a IEKAO@ ;e i! orI! J K IEKAOD a O=u@ ;e i! orI! J K0rP=uD a P J bK Gnear A>\r5 J H@ ;e i! :alled orI! J K0 lZ J bK , L and !o one :ould ?o onQ P J RU'M]Ld I i! ;e belief of ;e Yoruba ;a =;ile orI! J K0nlV i! ;e de<u A of OlZdNBarO on ear ; in ;i! :rea i$e and eFe:u i$e fun: ion!@ P J runBIlK i! )i! de<u A in Ba er! <er ainin? o oBni!:ien:e and =i!doB. (;e naBe P J runBIlK i! a :on ra: ion ei ;er of P J run0 l70o0Bo J 0K0 i0lK00&OnlA )ea$en >no=! ;e Bean! of !al$a ion& or P J run0Bo J0 `lK00&OnlA )ea$en :an effe: deli$eran:e&. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee fC;a< er 4@ <<. 3- f. + O<. :i .@ <. 35. , *ee C;a< er +@ <<. %2 ff. 0420

P J runBIlK i! ;e ora:le di$ini A. A::ordin? o our oral radi ion!@ ;e fir! :aBe in o ;i! =orld =;en ;e =a! !en bA OlZdNBarO o a::oB<anA and ad$i!e orI! J K0nlV in ;e Ba er of arran?in? ;e ear ;7! ra<<in?!. % We ;a$e e$iden:e in ;e oral radi ion! ;a ;e =a! one of ;e earlie! <rodu: ! of OlZdNBarO and ;a i =a! ;i! !<e:ial <ri$ile?e o >no= abou ;e be?innin?! of Bo! ;in?!@ in:ludin? ;e ori?in! of Bo! of ;e di$ini ie! and@ of :our!e@ Ban. (;ere are ! ill o ;er BA ;! of ;i! ori?inL We are old ;a ;e ;ad <aren ! =;o =ere in ;ea$en and ne$er $i!i ed ;i! ear ;00;i! fa ;er7! naBe bein? /ro>P@ and ;i! Bo ;er7! AlVEOrN. Ile0Ify J q@ on ;e =;ole@ i! of ;e o<inion ;a ;i! fa ;er a: uallA li$ed in Ile0Ify J q@ a O>e0I?y J q i@ + and ;a ;e fa ;er7! naBe =a! A?bo J nnIrO?\n. , I i! al!o !aid ;a ;e a: ual o::a!ion of ;i! :oBin? in o ;e =orld =a! =;en ;e =a! !en bA OlZdNBarO o ?o and !e a di!ordered =orld ri?; and !u<er$i!e Ba er! in re!<e: of <re?nan:A@ bir ;!@ :;ildbearin?@ :;ild0rearin?@ !i:>ne!!e!@ ;e u!e of ;erb!@ and ;e ?eneral run of ;in?!. A::ordin? o ;e OdN !our:e!@ =;en ;e lef

;ea$en@ ;i! fir! ! o<<in? <la:e =a! U! J I in >I IlandD ;e de:ided@ ;o=e$er@ no o Ba>e U! J I ;i! <erBanen abode on ear ;@ in !<i e of <re!!in? in$i a ion froB ;e in;abi an ! ;a ;e !;ould abide =i ; ;eB. )e onlA e! abli!;ed ;i! :ul ;ere and Bo$ed on. 'eF @ ;e ! o<<ed a AdZ and =i ; eFa: lA ;e !aBe re!ul . (;e ;ird <la:e =a! IEO! J K0ObP>un GIle! J KH =;ere Ae ;e =ould no abide <erBanen lA and a?ain onlA re<ea ed =;a ;e did in ;e fir! and !e:ond ! o<<in? <la:e!. Bu =;en ;e arri$ed a Ile0Ify J q@ ;e =a! !a i!fied ;a ;e ;ad found a ;oBeL ;ere ;e !e ledD bu no un il ;e ;ad Bade i >no=n ;a ;e belon?ed o & ;e =;ole =orld& and =ould a all iBe! and in all <la:e! be a$ailable if ;e =a! =an ed or :alled u<on. BA ;e =aA ;e i! !alu ed@ ;e a<<eared o be in iBa elA :onne: ed al!o =i ; P J = J a! =ell a! BeninL ;e i! :alled Ara U! J ID Ara AdZD Ara IEO! J K0ObP>unD Ara P J = JD Ara IbYnY00Indi?ene of U! J ID Indi?ene of AdZD Indi?ene of IEO! J K0ObP>unD Indi?ene of P J = J D Indi?ene of Benin. (;ere i! no doub ;a P J runBIlK i! uni$er!allA =or!;i<<ed in Yorubaland. )i! :ul i! found e$erA=;ere. (;erefore ;i! <rie! ! =ould :laiB ;a ;e i! a uni$er!al >in?. (;e !ub! an:e of ;i! :laiB i! ;a ;e Yoruba ;a$e iB<li:i fai ; in P J runBIlK a! ;e ora:le di$ini A. (radi ionallA@ ;e Yoruba belie$e ;a OlZdNBarO ;a! endo=ed P J runBIlK RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er ,@ <. +1. + O>e0I?y J q i i! ;e naBe of a =ard in Ile0Ify J q. (;e naBe i! al!o u!ed o de!i?na e ;e ;ea$en o =;i:; a ?ood de$o ee of P J runBIlK ?oe! af er dea ;. , (;e naBe A?bo J nnIrO?\n i! of en u!ed a! an addi ional naBe of P J runBIlK ;iB!elf. 0430

=i ; !<e:ial =i!doB and fore>no=led?e o ;e end ;a ;e BaA be )i! a::redi ed re<re!en a i$e on ear ; in Ba er! rela in? o Ban7! de! inA. % In !u<<or of ;i! belief@ ;ere i! a ! orA =;i:; ;a! i ;a OlZdNBarO )iB!elf =a! on:e <er<leFed o$er a $erA iB<or an Ba er. All ;e o ;er di$ini ie! ried bu failed o ell )iB ;e rea!on for )i! <er<leFi AD onlA P J runBIlK !u::eeded in <u in? ;i! fin?er on ;e !our:e of ;e roubleL and ;a i!@ OlZdNBarO needed on ear ; !oBeone =;o !;ould a: a! ;i! de<u A00 o =;oB ;e di$ini ie! and Ben :ould urn for :oun!el and ?uidan:e. (;ere and ;en@ OlZdNBarO a<<oin ed P J runBIlK o be ;e de<u AD and !in:e ;en ;e ;a! been ;e ?rea &:on!ul an & for all on ear ;. Ob$iou!lA@ ;i! i! a ! orA forBula ed o en;an:e ;e iB<or an:e of P J runBIlK =i ;ou anA reali!a ion ;a i Bi?; de ra: froB OlZdNBarO7 ! a ribu e of &all0=i!e0ne!!&. (;e oral radi ion! eB<;a!i!e ;e <ar <laAed bA P J runBIlK in ?uidin? ;e de! inie! bo ; of ;e di$ini ie! and of Ben. One rea!on ?i$en for ;i! in iBa e >no=led?e of

Ba er! affe: in? Ban7! de! inA i! ;a ;e i! <re!en =;en Ban i! :rea ed and ;i! de! inA !ealed. (;erefore ;e >no=! all ;e !e:re ! of Ban7! bein?. (;u! ;e :an <redi: =;a i! :oBin? o <a!! or <re!:ribe reBedie! a?ain! anA e$en uali A. )e i! :alled El J U11,5 J r{ I<{n00&(;e =i ne!!@ or ad$o:a e@ of de! inA or lo &. (;i! refer! o ;e =o0fold :on:e< ion of ;iB a! =i ne!! of all ;e !e:re ! :onne: ed =i ; Ban7! bein? and a! one =;o i! in a <o!i ion o <lead =i ; OlZdNBarO on be;alf of Ban !o ;a un;a<<A i!!ue! BaA be a$er ed or re: ified. In fa: @ ;e rea!on =;A a Ban !;ould ado< P J runBIlK a! ;i! di$ini A i! ei ;er o Ba>e !ure ;a ;i! ;a<<A lo i! <re!er$ed or in order ;a an un;a<<A lo BaA be re: ified. One of ;i! a<<ella ion! i! />Y YbIr{@ a0<a0o J EZ J 0i>u0 dK0&(;e ?rea :;an?er@ =;o al er! ;e da e of dea ;&. Conne: ed =i ; ;e :ul of P J runBIlK i! ;e ?eoBan i: forB of di$ina ion >no=n a! IfV. + IfV i! $erA <o<ular in Yorubaland. (;e Yoruba are ra ;er iB<a ien lA :uriou! abou ;e fu ure or =;a ;e ou :oBe of an en er<ri!e BaA beD and ;eA re?ard IfV a! a !ure and unfailin? !our:e of :oBfor L ;eir fai ; in i i! :oB<le e. (;e rea!on for ;i! i! ;a ;e Yoruba belie$e ;a P J runBIlK a! ;e ora:le0di$ini A i! ;e one =;o ;rou?; ;e <rie! re:ei$e! ;e Cue! ion! and <e i ion! of de$ou enCuirer! and !u<<lian ! and $ou:;!afe! ;e re$ela ion! =;i:; ;e <rie! de:lare!. I !eeB! ab!olu elA iB<o!!ible for a Yoruba =;o!e !oul i! ! ill fe ered o ;i! radi ional belief o a eB< anA ;in? a all =i ;ou :on!ul in? ;e ora:le bA IfV. I ;a! al=aA! been ;rou?;ou ;e ;i! orA of ;e Yoruba a !ine Cua non o life. Before a be ro ;al@ before a Barria?e@ RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er %,@ <<. %43 ff. + *ee C;a< er %@ <<. 4 ff. 0440

before a :;ild i! born@ a ;e bir ; of a :;ild@ a !u::e!!i$e ! a?e! in Ban7! life@ before a >in? i! a<<oin ed@ before a :;ief i! Bade@ before anAone i! a<<oin ed o a :i$i: offi:e@ before a EourneA i! Bade@ in iBe! of :ri!i!@ in iBe! of !i:>ne!!@ a anA and all iBe!@ IfV i! :on!ul ed for ?uidan:e and a!!uran:e. A! ;e !aAin? ?oe!@ /n{ a rY@ a P r7 Z J la@ on nibaba7lV=o@ ! J e nd7 IfV l7 Z J rO J M J r\n00&I i! odaA =e !ee@ =e do no !ee oBorro=@ ;en:e ;e baba7lV=o + :on!ul ! ;e ora:le e$erA fif ; daA&. % P J runBIlK i! !aid o be a lin?ui! and o under! and e$erA lan?ua?e !<o>en on ear ;. *o i i! ea!A for ;iB o under! and and ?i$e :oun!el o all. (;e :or<u! of oral re:i al! :onne: ed =i ; IfV :on ain! ;e ! orie! of Bo! @ if no all@ of ;e di$ini ie!D ;en:e i i! !aid ;a ;ere i! no ;in? ;a P J runBIlK doe! no >no= abou ;eB. Be!ide!@ ;e :or<u! :on ain! al!o Bu:; ;i! ori:al Ba er =;i:; i! a=ai in? :areful !if in?. P J runBIlK i! belie$ed o be &alBi?; A& o <roBo e !u::e!! and ;a<<ine!!. Ble!!ed i! ;e one =;o i! fa$oured bA P J runBIlK. An I=PrI0MeEI re:i al !aA!@ in <ar L

IfV e J 7E\ BZ J Bi >i o =P BY 7reL Bi o bV e J 7E\ BZ J 7ni lK 7l7 o=o l7 o J =o J L Bi o bV e J 7Eu BZ J 7ni lK 7ri 7re. IfV@ fiF Aour eAe! u<on Be and loo> a Be =ellL I i! =;en Aou fiF Aour eAe! u<on a <er!on ;a ;e i! ri:;D I i! =;en Aou fiF Aour eAe! u<on a <er!on ;a ;e <ro!<er!. )e i! re<u ed o be a ?rea do: or. (;erefore@ e$erA Cualified baba7lV=o Bu! >no=@ no onlA ;o= o <ra: i!e di$ina ion@ bu al!o ;e elabora e !e of ;erbal reBedie! :onne: ed =i ; ;e OdN :or<u!. (;e baba7lV=o :laiB ;a !VnAIn@ ;e do: or7! di$ini A@ i! ;i! Aoun?er bro ;er@ o$er =;oB ;e i! !enior bA one ;ou!and four ;undred and !iF A Aear!Q (;e oral radi ion! !;o= ;a ;ere i! a :lo!e rela ion!;i< be =een OrI! J U J11E10nlV and P J runBIlK. orI! J K0nlV i! ;i! !enior and leader. We ;a$e ;eard ;a ;e =a! !en o ;el< and ad$i!e orI! J K0nlV abou ;e ear ;7! ra<<in?!D =e ;a$e al!o been old =;a ;e did =;en d o J =Z J dV :ru!;ed orI! J K0nlV =i ; a ! oneQ + One oral radi ion ell! u! ;a e$en ;ou?; P J runBIlK =a! $erA fond of <alB0=ine@ ;e =ould refrain froB i o <lea!e orI! J K0nlV. (;i! radi ion ;a! i ;a on:e durin? a fe! i$al orI! J K0nlV <aid P J runBIlK a $i!i . On ;i! o::a!ion@ P J runBIlK =an ed o drin> <alB0=ine@ a! ;e :u! oB =a!@ !o ;e ;ad o buA =o ne= drin>in? RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er! ,@ <. +1@ and 5@ <. %%+. + C;a< er 4@ <<. 25 ff. + C;a< er 4@ <<. 25 ff. 04-0

:alaba!;e!@ one for orI! J K0nlV o u!e for drin>in? ;i! =on ed =a er@ =;ile ;e o ;er one ;e ;iB!elf u!ed for <alB0=ine. (;e fa: i!@ ;i! oral radi ion eB<;a!i!e!@ P J runBIlK :ould no refrain froB <alB0=ine for oo lon?@ be:au!e ;e =a! brou?; u< on <alB0 =ine@ =;i:; =a! ;e Bil> of ;i! Bo ;er7! brea! . % *aid ;e in ;i! :onne: ion@ '=o J n P bi iA| Bi ni 7lW IfZ J nD + '=on P bi bKb| Bi ni rIn?b J nD '7nu J <e J ni Bo Ee J @ n7nu J <U1132 J ni Bo Bu@ MKrI=P Z J <e J ni Bo i rIn ?bo J nran0?bo J nran =V 7nu aiAeD }n\ ba7 nla@ ba7 7 orI! J K ni Bo ! J e (i Bi P Bu e J Bu. MA Bo ;er =a! no born a IfZ J nD MA fa ;er =a! no born a rIn?b J nD Of ;e <alB0 ree do I ea @ of ;e <alB0 ree do I drin>@

"alB0frond! forBed ;e dire: <a ; ;rou?; =;i:; I =al>ed in o ;e =orldD I i! ou of :oB<a!!ion for ;e $enerable fa ;er@ ;e fa ;er of di$ini ie!@ (;a I refrained froB drin>in? <alB0=ine. A! orI! J K0nlV enEoin! Bono?aBA on ;i! &:;ildren&@ !o al!o i! i reCuired of a baba7lV=o ;a ;e !;ould be a ;u!band of one =ife. An OdN re:i al !aA! ;a i =a! laid u<on P J runBIlK ;a ;e !;ould be a Bono?aBi! . Bu @ bA ;e loo> of ;in?!@ ;e :ould no li$e u< o ;e idealQ In P J runBIlK@ =e Bee a?ain ano ;er eleBen of ;e deBand! and !an: ion! of Borali A in ;e reli?ion of ;e Yoruba. I i! laid do=n ;a a baba7lV=o Bu! no abu!e ;i! offi:e in anA =aAL if ;e doe!@ ;e =ill ne$er be re:ei$ed in o ;ea$en. (;erefore no baba7lV=o !;ould u!e ;i! <o!i ion o enri:; ;iB!elf in anA =aAD ;e Bu! no refu!e anAbodA ;i! !er$i:e on a::oun of BoneA00if anA <er!on i! oo <oor o <aA ;e :u! oBarA <i an:e for di$ina ion@ ;e baba7lV=o Bu! di$ine for ;iB free of :;ar?eD or if ;e <er!on :anno afford ;e <re!:ribed !a:rifi:e@ ;e baba7lV=o Bu! a>e =;a e$er ;e :an afford and ran!la e ;e =ill for ;e deed. I !eeB!@ in fa: @ ;a ;e baba7lV=o i! under a $o= of <o$er A@ o !<end ;iB!elf in ;e !er$i:e of ;e :oBBuni A@ Ba>in? Eu! enou?; o >ee< ;iB!elf@ RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % (;e <alB0 ree i! :onne: ed =i ; ;e :ul of P J runBIlK be:au!e <alB0>ernel! are u!ed a! ;e in! ruBen ! of di$ina ion. + IZ J fn i! an iB<or an :en re of ;e :ul of orI! J K0nlV. 0450

;i! real re=ard bein? in ;e !er$i:e of P J runBIlK. 'o= ;a Ba eriali!B i! ;e order of ;e daA@ ;o=e$er@ ;i! !a:red inEun: ion i! lar?elA di!re?arded@ and ;ere are BanA =;o a<<ear no o >no= i a all. C;arla an! abound. (;e !;rine of P J runBIlK i! u!uallA in ;e ;ou!e. (;e eBbleB!@ =;i:; :on!i! BainlA of <alB0>ernel! G!iF een a lea! H ;eld in a bo=l or di!; =i ; a lid@ !oBe ?ra$en <ie:e! of ele<;an 7! u!>@ and !oBe :o=rie!@ are <la:ed u<on an ele$a ion ei ;er in a :orner or in ;e :en re of ;e rooB. (;e baba7lV=o !;ould =ear ! rin?! of !<e:ial bead! round ;i! =ri! ! and ;old an aniBal7! !=i :; in one ;and and a di$inin? rod Bade of ele<;an 7! u!> in ano ;er a! ;e in!i?nia of ;i! offi:e. #or ;e :ereBonA of re:ei$in? a !u<<lian a! a de$o ee of P J runBIlK@ a ?ro$e i! u!ed. * In Yoruba ;eolo?A@ !N i! de<i: ed a! !o $er!a ile a :;ara: er ;a one Bu! be =arA of =;a one !aA! abou ;iB. )e ;a! of en been !=ee<in?lA :alled ei ;er ;e &De$il& or

&*a an&. % )e i! :er ainlA no ;e De$il of our 'e= (e! aBen a:Cuain an:e@ =;o i! an ou and ou e$il <o=er in o<<o!i ion o ;e <lan of God7! !al$a ion of Ban. On ;e =;ole@ i =ould be near ;e ru ; o <arallel ;iB =i ; *a an in ;e Boo> of Job@ + =;ere ;e *a an i! one of ;e Bini! er! of God and ;a! ;e offi:e of rAin? Ben7! !in:eri A and <u in? ;eir reli?ion o ;e <roof. W;a =e ?a ;er froB our !our:e! i! ;a !N i! <riBarilA a &!<e:ial rela ion! offi:er& be =een ;ea$en and ear ;@ ;e in!<e: or0?eneral =;o re<or ! re?ularlA o OlZdNBarO on ;e deed! of ;e di$ini ie! and Ben@ and :;e:>! and Ba>e! re<or ! on ;e :orre: ne!! of =or!;i< in ?eneral and !a:rifi:e! in <ar i:ular. (;e baba7lV=o u!uallA ;old ;e $ie= ;a !N =a! :rea ed o be ;e ri?; 0;and di$ini A o PrunBIlK. I i! ;i! du A o run errand! for PrunBIlKD ;e Bu! be al=aA! in a endan:e u<on ;iB and a: under ;i! order!. (o PrunBIlK i! a!!i?ned ;e du A of ;earin? ;e $oi:e of OlZdNBarO and de:larin? )i! =ill o ;e =orldD bu =;ere$er PrunBIlK7! de:lara ion i! no ;eeded@ i i! ;e du A of !N o brin? !oBe :alaBi A bA =aA of <uni!;Ben u<on ;e re:al:i ran . In re urn for ;e !er$i:e =;i:; !N ?i$e! o PrunBNlK@ PrunBIlK feed! ;iB. Bu =;ene$er ;e i! no !a i!fied =i ; ;e feedin?@ ;e a>e! i u<on ;iB!elf o !<oil ;e =or>! of PrunBIlK. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % (;i! i! ;e naBe u!ed in ;e Bible o ran!la e ;e!e =o =ord! in o Yoruba. + Job %L3 ff. 0-10

BA =;a =e ?a ;er of ;e :;ara: er of !N froB ;e oral radi ion!@ ;o=e$er@ i i! diffi:ul o a::e< a! :orre: ;e ! a u! in o =;i:; ;e baba7lV=o are rAin? o <la:e ;iB. )e i! :er ainlA !u:; a! :anno a::e< a !ubordina e <o!i ion o anA di$ini A in ;a =aA@ e!<e:iallA ;a of an obedien boA o orunBIlK. (;ere i! no doub a all ;a ;e radi ion! !;o= ;a ;ere i! a $erA :lo!e lin> be =een !N and PrunBIlKD e$en ;ou?; a Bi!under! andin? of ;e rela ion! BaA ea!ilA lead o an error of Eud?Ben in fa$our of one or ;e o ;er. (;eA are lin>ed o?e ;er in :on!eCuen:e of ;e :onne: ion =;i:; ;ere i! be =een ;eir re!<e: i$e fun: ion!. !N i! ubiCui ou! be:au!e ;e Bu! al=aA! be abou ;i! bu!ine!! of in!<e: ion. )i! <or folio in:lude!@ aBon? o ;er ;in?!@ ;e in!<e: ion of =or!;i< and !a:rifi:e!. PrunBIlK al!o belon?! e$erA=;ere and i! ;e ?rea &:on!ul an &D ;i! fun: ion! in:lude ;e <re!:ri< ion of !a:rifi:e! or ri ual a: !. I i! al!o belie$ed ;a be =een PrunBIlK and Dea ; % ;ere i! a <a: =;i:; =a! brou?; abou be:au!e !N on:e o$er:aBe Dea ; in a. :oBba and de<ri$ed ;iB of ;i! :lub and i =a! PrunBIlK =;o ;el<ed Dea ; o ?e ;i! :lub ba:>.

W;ene$er anAbodA ?e ! in o rouble ;rou?; ;e a?en:A of !N@ PrunBIlK :an al=aA! be relied u<on o !;o= ;e =aA ou of ;e diffi:ul A. (;a i! =;A i u!uallA ;a<<en! ;a =;ere$er ;ere i! a :ul of orunBIlK@ ;a of !N i! !e u< al!o@ on ;o=e$er !Ball a !:ale. (;e =o of ;eB of en =or> in :ollabora ion. !N a! ;e a<<ro$er and bearer of !a:rifi:e! o ;ea$en i! >no=n o ;e baba7lV=o a! P!ee erV. On ;e =;ole i a<<ear! ;a i i! PrunBIlK =;o i! al=aA! <la:ed under obli?a ion o !N ra ;er ;an ;e o ;er =aA round. I i! an a:>no=led?ed belief ;a !N :an !<oil ;e =or>! of PrunBIlK =;ene$er ;e find! :au!e o do !o. )e al!o ;el<! ;iB ou of diffi:ul A on o::a!ion. On:e =;en all ;e o ;er di$ini ie! :on!<ired a?ain! PrunBIlK and oo> ;iB in a::u!a ion before OlZdNBarO@ i =a! !N =;o defended ;iB and =;o!e !ubBi!!ion OlZdNBarO a::e< ed. (;e a i ude of ;e Yoruba o !N i! ?enerallA one of dread. I i! belie$ed ;a ;e i! ;eld in :on! an dread al!o bA ;e o ;er di$ini ie!. (;i! i! be:au!e@ bA $ir ue of ;i! offi:e@ ;e ;old! ;e <o=er of life and dea ; o$er ;eB a! <ro!<eri A or :alaBi A for ;eB de<end! u<on =;a re<or ! ;e :arrie! o OlZdNBarO. E$erAbodA !ee>! ;erefore o be on ?ood erB! =i ; ;iB. We ;ear ;e =arnin?@ Bi V bV r\bo@ >i V B\ 7 !N >uro00&W;en !a:rifi:e! are offered@ ;e <or ion =;i:; belon?! o !N !;ould be !e a!ide for ;iB&. )e i! feared al!o be:au!e@ in:iden allA@ ;e i! Bali:iou! and a Bi!:;ief0Ba>er@ Cui e :a<able of :au!in? :onfu!ion@ RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er %.@ <<. %-- f. 0-%0

brin?in? abou :oB<li:a ed !i ua ion! or <roBo in? Bali:e aBon? <eo<le. BA ;i! ?uile ;e =ould Ba>e eneBie! of $erA :lo!e friend!@ :au!e ;u!band and =ife o Cuarrel@ and Ba>e an a?oni! ! of fa ;er and :;ildren. (;ere are !e$eral BA ;! =;i:; illu! ra e ;iB a! ;e ri:>! er or ;e Bi!:;ief0Ba>er. )ere i! one. (;ere =a! a Ban =;o ;ad =o =i$e!@ bo ; of =;oB ;e lo$ed eCuallA and =;o =ere on ;e be! of erB!. *o <ea:eful =a! ;e ;ou!e in =;i:; ;eA li$ed ;a ;eA be:aBe o ;eir nei?;bour! Bodel! of :onEu?al ;arBonA@ and <eo<le ;ou?; ;a no ;in? :ould di! urb ;e ;a<<A rela ion! =;i:; eFi! ed aBon? ;eB all. !N >ne= abou ;i! and did no li>e i . *o ;e laid a ra< for ;eB in one of ;i! u!ual@ :raf A =aA!. )e Bade a $erA beau iful :a<@ urned ;iB!elf o a rader@ and =en and di!<laAed i for !ale in ;e Bar>e . Bu ;e oo> :are no o !ell i o anAone el!e un il one of ;e =o =i$e! :aBe o ;e Bar>e and =a! a ra: ed bA i !o Bu:; ;a !;e iBBedia elA bou?; i . JoAfullA !;e oo> i ;oBe and <re!en ed i o ;er ;u!band. (;e ;u!band =a! !o <lea!an lA !ur<ri!ed ;a ;e un=i in?lA !;o=ed ;i! a<<re:ia ion and ?ra i ude in a =aA

=;i:; Bade ;e o ;er =ife !u!<i:iou! and Eealou!. Bu !;e !aid no ;in?. *;e a=ai ed =i ; Boun in? unea!ine!! ;e neF Bar>e daAD =;en ;e daA arri$ed@ !;e =en $erA earlA o ;e Bar>e in !ear:; of a ?if 00a Bu:; be er one a all :o! !0for ;er ;u!band@ !N =a! readA =i ; ano ;er :a< :oB<ared =i ; =;i:; ;e fir! one <aled in o in!i?nifi:an:e. (riuB<;an lA@ ;e !e:ond =ife bou?; ;i! ne= :a< and :arried i ;oBe for ;er ;u!band. (;e effe: =a! Ba?i:al. (;e !e:ond =ife be:aBe ;e fa$ouri e for ;e iBe bein?. And !o ;e ! a?e =a! !e for >een ri$alrA be =een ;e =o =i$e!@ ea:; ! ri$in? o ou 0do ;e o ;er in ;e dan?erou! ?aBe of =innin? ;e ;u!band7! lo$e@ !N :oBin? o ;e aid of ea:; one in ;er urn of ;e ?aBe@ and ;e ;u!band7! Bood =a$erin? o ;e ri?; or lef =i ; ;e arri$al of ea:; ! ill0Bore0beau iful ?if . W;en !N =a! !a i!fied ;a ;e Bine! ;ad been !uffi:ien lA laid and ;a ;e di!a! rou! eF<lo!ion =ould ine$i ablA a>e <la:e@ ;e abru< lA :ea!ed ?oin? o ;e Bar>e . (;e neF =ife o $i!i ;e Bar>e =a! fru! ra edL !;e re urned ;oBe in a ?rea ra?e. (;in?! ;en Eu! needed a li le ou:;in?0off and ;e doBe! i: :a a! ro<;e o=ard! =;i:; !N ;ad been =or>in? en!ued. Our oral radi ion! eB<;a!i!e ;a !N :er ainlA i! al!o dreaded bA ;e di$ini ie!L ;e !eeB! o <o!!e!! a <o=er =;i:; none eF:e< OlZdNBarO :an :urb. I =a! !aid ;a on:e *Kn?o =a! Ba>in? a boa! ;a ;ere =a! no orI!K =;oB ;e :ould no !ubdue. !N <roB< lA :;allen?ed ;iB@ RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee belo=@ <<. -5 ff. 0-+0

&Doe! ;a in:lude Be8& (o =;i:; *Kn?o iBBedia elA re<lied a<olo?e i:allA@ &Bu =;A@ !urelA@ Aou :ould no ;a$e been in:luded8& I =a! !aid ;a PrunBIlK on:e bou?; a !la$e =i ;ou fir! of all :on!ui in? !N abou i . !N be:aBe offendedD and one ni?; @ ;e ! ran?led ;e !la$eQ We of en ;ear ;e eF<re!!ion@ !N@ V orI!K00&!N@ ;e ad$er!arA of ;e di$ini ie! &00an eF<re!!ion born of ;i! Bi!:;ie$ou! dealin?! =i ; ;eB. (;ere i! an unBi! a>able eleBen of e$il in ! J N and for ;a rea!on ;e ;a! been <redoBinan lA a!!o:ia ed =i ; ;in?! e$il. (;ere are ;o!e =;o !aA ;a ;e <riBarA fun: ion of ! J N in ;i! =orld i! o !<oil ;in?!. Bu e$en !o@ =e :anno :all ;iB ;e De$il00no in ;e 'e= (e! aBen !en!e of ;a naBe. % W;a eleBen of &e$il& ;ere i! in ! J N :an be found al!o o !oBe de?ree in Bo! of ;e o ;er di$ini ie!. (;e Bo! ;a =e :an ?a ;er froB ;e e$iden:e! of our oral radi ion! i! ;a ;e a>e! Bi!:;iefBa>in? a! ;i! &;obbA&@ Eu! a! anA <er!on :orru< ed bA <o=er =;i:; !eeB! un:on rolled BaA find !adi! i: reli!; in ;ro=in? ;i! =ei?; abou in un!AB<a ;e i:@ :allou! =aA!. )e i! no ;e <er!onal eBbodiBen of e$il ! andin? in o<<o!i ion o ?oodne!!.

Bu =;en all ;i! ;a! been adBi ed@ i i! Cui e :lear ! ill ;a ;e Yoruba <u alBo! e$erA e$il enden:A and <ra: i:e in Ban do=n o ;i! a?en:A. W;en a <er!on :oBBi ! anA deed =;i:; re!ul ! in un<lea!an ne!! or ;arB o ;iB!elf or ;i! nei?;bour@ ;e Yoruba iBBedia elA !aA@ !N l7 Z I Y00&I i! !N =;o ! irred ;iB&. (;e unrulA@ ;e ;ead! ron?@ ;e one ?i$en o e$ildoin? or =i:>edne!!@ are all oBo !\ in ;e !en!e of ;e Bibili:al &*on! of Belial&. + I i! u!uallA !aid of anA !u:;@ !N l7 o n !e W00&I i! !N =;o i! Bo$in? ;iB&. And <eo<le of en <raA <ro<i ia in?lA@ ci a BV !e !N00&(;a =e BaA no eF<erien:e ;e ba le of !N&D or !N@ BV !e BY@ oBo elPBYI ni >i o !e00&!N@ do no Bo$e BeD i i! ano ;er <er!on7! :;ild Aou !;ould Bo$e&. (;ere i! al!o a ! ron? belief ;a ! J N :ould be eB<loAed a?ain! an eneBA. One ri ual Be ;od of eB<loAin? ;iB in ;a =aA i! a! follo=!L (;e !u<<lian ?oe! before ;e eBbleB of ! J N@ a>in? =i ; ;iB <alB0oil and <alB0>ernel oil. I i! !aid ;a ! J N deli?; ! in drin>in? <alB0oil@ =;ile <alB0>ernel oil i! abu o ;iB. (;e !u<<lian ;erefore <our! ;e <alB0oil on ;e eBbleB !aAin?@ &(;i! i! <alB0oil@ O ! J NL I >no= ;a RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee abo$e@ <. -1. + Cf. Jud?e! %5L++. &*on! of Belial& in ;e ;i! ori:al boo>! of ;e Old (e! aBen i! a erB freCuen lA u!ed for &di!re<u able :;ara: er!&. In ;e <o! bibli:al Je=i!; li era ure Belial of en o::ur! a! ;e naBe for *a an. *ee I and II *aBuel G (;e Cen urA Bible@ edi ed bA A. R. A. cennedAH@ <. .1. 0-,0

i i! Aour food@ and !o I ;a$e :oBe o ?i$e i o Aou. Gran Be Aour fa$our and <ro e: ion.& (;en ;e a>e! ;e <alB0>ernel oil and !aA!@ &O ! J N@ ;i! i! <alB0>ernel oilD I >no= ;a i i! no Aour food and I dare no ?i$e i o Aou. Bu !o0and0!o G;ere ;e naBe! ;e eneBAH ;a! a!>ed Be o ?i$e i o Aou e$en ;ou?; ;e >no=! ;a i i! no Aour food@ and ;ere G;e <our! ;e <alB0>ernel oil on ;e eBbleBH I ?i$e i o Aou in ;i! naBe. Go no= and a$en?e Aour!elf.& I i! belie$ed ;a iBBedia elA af er ;e ri ual i! :oB<le ed@ ! J N =ill ru!; off o deal ;e eneBA a blo=@ or ! ir ;iB o !oBe a: ion =;i:; =ill brin? u<on ;iB a :alaBi ou! :on!eCuen:e. (;e !u<<lian Bu! ob!er$e :er ain <re:au ion!@ ;o=e$er. )e Bu! no ?o o !lee< un il ;e ;a! Bade !ure ;a ! J N ;a! :oB<le ed ;i! errand. (;ere are =o =aA! of Ba>in? !ure of ;a . )e Bu! <re<are a & i<& readA for =;en ! J N re urn! froB ;i! errand. (;i! ;e =ill >no= bA a :er ain !i?n. I i! =;en ! J N ;a! re urned and re:ei$ed ;i! & i<& ;a ;e a! ;e !u<<lian i! free o ?i$e ;i! a en ion o anA ;in? el!e. Bu !u<<o!in? ;e eneBA i! ! ron?er and ;a! <ro e: ed ;iB!elf a?ain! ;e !u<<lian 7! <robable de!i?n! =i ; !oBe Ba?i: =;i:; BaA =ard off ! J u@ or !oBe <ro<i ia orA reBedA =;i:; BaA :;an?e ;e =ra ; of ! J N in o fa$our o=ard! ;iB8 (;en@ !in:e ;e :ud?el of ! J N on:e rai!ed Bu! no be lo=ered unu!ed@ ! J N =ill re urn o deBand =;A ;e !u<<lian ;ad !en ;iB ou on a frui le!! <ur!ui @ and ;a Bean! ;a ;e blo= =ill no= be deal a ;iB. (;e !u<<lian ;erefore !;ould an i:i<a e ;e <robabili A of ;i! ;a<<enin? and <re<are an a::e< able

!ub! i u ionarA $i: iB00a fo=l or an aniBal00readA in a !ui able <la:e for ;e blo=. A?ain@ ;e Bu! learn o >no= bA !oBe !i?n =;en i i! all o$erQ W;en ! J N i! eB<loAed in ;i! =aA@ ;e i! :alled *I?IdI or ElW?bVra. 'e$er ;ele!!@ !N i! =or!;i<<ed al!o be:au!e ;e Yoruba ;a$e fai ; in ;i! <ro e: i$e and bene$olen :a<abili ie!. In fa: @ o ;i! =or!;i<<er!@ ;e o::u<ie! a u elarA <o!i ion. I i! in ;i! :a<a:i A ;a ;e i! re<re!en ed bA ;i! eBbleB =;i:; ! and! in ;e :en re of ;e o=n@ $illa?e@ or :oB<ound. *u:; an eBbleB i! of en in!ide ;e ;ou!e. "eo<le addre!! ;iB =or!;i<fullA bu al!o =i ; a no e =;i:; indi:a e! fa ;er0:;ildren rela ion!. )e i! :alled BKbb00&#a ;er&. (;ere are <eo<le :alled !\bYAIY00&*:ion of !N&@ !\?bKAi00&One =;o i! :laiBed bA !N&. (;ere are <la:e! =;ere annual fe! i$al! are ;eld in ;i! naBe. In IlO qOl\EIY@ for eFaB<le@ ;e fe! i$al :oBe! in #ebruarA@ and i i! o Bar> ;e be?innin? of ;e annual :ul i$a ion of ;e land. (;e fe! i$al i! <riBarilA o a!> for ;e ble!!in? of !N on farBin?@ and in:iden allA of :our!e@ o <ro<i ia e ;iB ;a all BaA be =ell =i ; ;e farBer7! =or> ;rou?;ou ;e Aear. 0-.0

I =ould !eeB@ on ;e =;ole@ ;a =;a !N doe! de<end! lar?elA on ;o= Bu:; Ban :an be on ;e ri?; !ide of ;iB. And ;a i! ;e real diffi:ul A. #roB all a::oun ! ;e i! no onlA a be=ilderin?lA $er!a ile :;ara: er bu al!o eF reBelA :a<ri:iou!. I i! belie$ed ;a !N ;a! =o ;undred naBe!@ bA =;i:; i i! Bean ;a ;e i! an elu!i$e@ !li<<erA :;ara: er =;oB i i! no ea!A o fiF. )e i! :alled LZ?eBo runD A0nla0>V0lN\D "X<V0 =KrKD A0 \>V0Ba0!eW07!a00&(;e indul?en :;ild of ;ea$enD )e =;o!e ?rea ne!! i! Banife! ed all o$er ;e <la:eD ;e ;urrAin?@ !udden oneD )e =;o brea>! in o fra?Ben ! and :anno be ?a ;ered o?e ;erQ& #roB ;e oral radi ion!@ i !eeB! ;a ;i! earlie! ;oBe in Yorubaland =a! PfK G ;e ori?inal PfK H al ;ou?; i i! !oBe iBe! !u??e! ed ;a i =a! cW u. )i! =or!;i< <redoBina e! odaA in ~rin@ near IlobN\. Bu ;e i! undoub edlA one of ;e <rin:i<al Yoruba di$ini ie!. (;ere i! no a <la:e =;ere ;e i! no =or!;i<<ed and <ro<i ia ed. )i! !;rine :an be anA=;ere00in ;e :en re of ;e o=n or $illa?e@ :oB<ound or ;ou!e;oldD :ro!!0road! or a ?ro$eD ;e en ran:e! o a ;ou!e@ a :oB<ound@ a $illa?e@ or a o=n. !N7! eBbleB! are $ariou!. I :an be a <ie:e of la eri e or ro:>L ;i! i! u!uallA ! u:> in ;e ?round or on a Bound of ear ;D i :an be a ?ra$en iBa?e of :laA or =oodL ;i! BaA be =i ; or =i ;ou a >nife in one ;and and a :lub in ;e o ;erD i :an be an ear ;en=are <o urned u<!ide do=n@ =i ; a ;ole in i ! BiddleD or i :an be a <ie:e of ;ard ro:> in an ear ;en=are di!;D ;i! ;a! oil <oured re?ularlA u<on i .

/G' Indi!<u ablA@ /?U1%D.n i! ano ;er one =;o ran>! ;i?; in ! a u! aBon? ;e di$ini ie! of Yorubaland. )e i! uni$er!allA a:>no=led?ed in ;e indi?enou! belief of ;e Yoruba a! a Bo! indi!<en!able di$ini A@ ina!Bu:; a! all iron and ! eel belon? o ;iB. A::ordin? o ;e oral radi ion!@ ;e i! one of ;e earlie! di$ini ie!. )e =a! a ;un erD and before ;e ear ; =a! founded@ ;e u!ed o de!:end bA a !<ider7! ;read u<on ;e <riBordial Bar!;A =a! e for ;e <ur<o!e of ;un in?. + W;en ;e ear ; ;ad been founded and i ! furni ure arran?ed@ ;e and a nuBber of o ;er di$ini ie! !e ou o <o!!e!! ;e ear ; and a>e u< ;eir allo ed offi:e!. Bu ;eA ;ad o :oBe o a ;al a a <la:e of &no0 road&. orI! J K0nlV ried o :u a =aA ;rou?;@ bu ;i! Ba:;e e ben be:au!e i =a! of lead. Of all ;e di$ini ie! i =a! onlA /?U1%D.n =;o RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % (;i! i! :alled P J fK0IlW@ and =a! ;e ori?inal ;oBe froB =;i:; ;e <re!en abori?ine! of P J fK Bo$ed. + *ee C;a< er ,@ ". %5. 0-20

<o!!e!!ed ;e iB<leBen =;i:; =a! adeCua e for ;e a!>. /?en ;erefore under oo> o Ba>e a =aA@ bu no before ;e ;ad Bade ;e o ;er di$ini ie! <roBi!e ;iB a =or ;A re=ard =;en ;e a!> ;ad been a::oB<li!;ed. (;i! ;e di$ini ie! did. In no iBe@ /?en ;ad :u a =aA bA =;i:; ;e di$ini ie! arri$ed on ear ;. W;en ;eA arri$ed a Ile0Ify J q@ =;i:; =a! ;e &;eadCuar er!&@ ;eA re=arded /?U1%D.n =i ; ;e onlA :ro=n ;eA brou?; =i ; ;eB. *o /?en re:ei$ed ;e i le of ! J InIBaly J q00&C;ief aBon? ;e di$ini ie!&. (;ere are <rie! ! of /?U1%D.n =;o Bain ain ;a bA $ir ue of ;e <o=er and ! a u! of /?U1%D.n@ ;e !;ould ;a$e been ;e &;ead& of all ;e di$ini ie!@ bu for ;e fa: ;a ;e did no :are for ;e <o! . )o=e$er@ /?U1%D.n@ bein? a $erA fero:iou! bein? =;o =a! addi: ed o ;e !a$a?e !<or ! of ;un in? and :arna?e@ did no find i ea!A o adEu! ;iB!elf o :oBBuni A lifeD and !o ;e ;ad o ?o and li$e in !oli ude a a <la:e :alled OrY0/>O00&(;e (o< of ;e )ill&. (;en:e ;e =en abou ;un in? and o ;i! =ar! and :onCue! !@ =;e ;er on be;alf of ;e di$ini ie! or o ?ra ifA ;i! o=n inna e <ro<en!i A. Af er a =;ile@ ;o=e$er@ ;e be:aBe ired of ;i! !e:lu!ion and !o !ou?; ;e !e led life =;i:; ;e ;ad on:e reEe: ed. A fir! @ ;i! fier:e and forbiddin? a<<earan:e Bade i iB<o!!ible for ;iB o find a ;oBe in anA :oBBuni A. EZ J i /?U1%D.nn i OrY0/>O bP J @ a! J o J inV l7 o BN bo 7ra@ y J q=N U1%%5 J qEU1%%5 J q l7 o = J 00&(;e daA /?en

=a! de!:endin? froB OriY0/>O@ ;e =a! :lo ;ed in fire and =ore a ?arBen of blood.& )e ;erefore =en and borro=ed :lo ;e! froB ;e <alB0 reeQ A ired no= in fre!; <alB0 frond!@ % ;e en ered IrO and =a! iBBedia elA <ro:laiBed >in?. *in:e ;en@ ;e ;a! be:oBe /?en@ On7IrO00&/?en@ ;e Lord of IrO&. I i! a ! ron? belief of ;e Yoruba ;a /?en i! ;e <ioneer di$ini A0<ioneer in ;e li eral !en!e of one =;o ?oe! in ad$an:e o <re<are ;e road for o ;er!. I i! belie$ed ;a i ;a! been ;i! Bain fun: ion froB ;e be?innin? o <re<are ;e =aA for ;e o ;er di$ini ie!. (;i! :arrie! al!o a Be a<;ori:al Beanin? be:au!e i i! belie$ed al!o ;a /?en Ba>e! ;e =aA !Boo ; for ;e di$ini ie! in ;eir !<iri ual en:oun er! =i ; ;e =orld of Ben and ;a ;e al!o o<en! ;e =aA of Ba erial and !<iri ual <ro!<eri A for ;i! =or!;i<<er!. )e i! :alled /?enAlVdU1%CE BeEIL o nfi J >an ! J V 7>o@ o nfi J >an Ay J q 7na00&/?en@ ;e <o!!e!!or of =o Ba:;e e!L =i ; one ;e <re<are! ;e farB@ and =i ; ;e o ;er ;e :lear! ;e road&. )en:e a ;e a<<roa:; o ;e ?ro$e or eB<le of e$erA <rin:i<al di$ini A in Ile0Ify J q and in o ;er <la:e! =;ere ;i! belief i! !uffi0 RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % "alB0frond! are !a:red o !e$eral di$ini ie! and are u!ed o de:ora e ;eir !;rine!. (;eA are :alled & ;e :lo ;e! of /?en.& 0-30

:ien lA ! ron?@ ;ere i! ! a ioned an eBbleB of /?en in :on!<i:uou! and loud <ro:laBa ion of ;e belief ;a =i ;ou /?en@ ;ere i! no &=aA& for or o ;e di$ini A. )e i! al!o <rai!ed a! /?en@ on7 ilW o=Z@ o J lZ J nK o J lK@ on7 ilW >Vn?un>Kn?un i Bbe J l7 Z J run00&/?en@ ;e o=ner of ;e ;ou!e of BoneA@ ;e o=ner of ;e ;ou!e of ri:;e!@ ;e o=ner of ;e innuBerable ;ou!e! of ;ea$en&. % )e i! al!o A0=Z J 0l70y J qAin07EN@ O?bO l7 e J ;in o J Bo J PrNn>Kn@ on7 ile >Kn?un0>Vn?un i Bbe J l7 Z J run00&One =;o!e eAe0ball!0are0rare G o be;oldH@ + !u<<or be;ind ;e or<;an@ ;e o=ner of ;e innuBerable ;ou!e! of ;ea$en&. ?U1%D.n i! belie$ed o be ;e di$ini A o =;oB belon? iron and ! eel and ;erefore anA iB<leBen ! and ool! Bade froB ;eB. All =;o Ba>e u!e of ;e!e ool! and iB<leBen ! ;erefore de<end u<on ;iB and o=e ;iB !oBe ribu e@ be ;a in forB of be:oBin? ;i! re?ular =or!;i<<er! or Ba>in? offerin?! o ;iB a! o::a!ion deBand!. In ;i!@ ;e di$ini ie! are no eF:e< ed. I i! !aid ;a orI! J K i o =i<e 7 /?U1%D.n>P Z n>an@ a f7 o J =Z J Ee J 7! J u 7UJ11%5 J q n7 i?bK aIBoAe00&W;i:;e$er di$ini A re?ard! /?U1%D.n a! of no :on!eCuen:e =ill ea ;i! AaB! =i ; ;and! G=i ;ou a >nifeH iBe! =i ;ou nuBber&. A! ;e Ba! er0ar i! @ i i! /?en =;o ?i$e! ;e fini!;in? ou:; o ;e :rea i$e =or> of orI! J K0nlV. W;en orI! J K0nlV ;a! fini!;ed ;e Bouldin? of ;e <;A!i:al Ban@ i i! lef o

/?en o a>e :;ar?e of ;e =or> of :ir:uB:i!ion@ ribal Bar>in?@ a ooin?@ or anA !ur?i:al o<era ion! ;a BaA be ne:e!!arA o >ee< Ban in ?ood ;eal ;. (;i! :on:e< ion ! eB! froB ;e belief ;a all iron and ! eel ool! belon? o /?en and all =;o u!e ;eB do !o under ;i! au ;ori A and :on rol. I i! in :on!eCuen:e of ;i! belief in ;i! lord!;i< o$er iron and ! eel ;a ;e i! a:>no=led?ed a! ;e di$ini A of =ar and =arrior!D of ;un er! and ;e :;a!eD of all ar i!an!00!Bi ;!@ en?ineer!@ Be:;ani:!@ all en?ine dri$er! and Ba:;ine Binder!D and@ in fa: @ all =;o deal in anA ;in? Bade of iron or ! eel. *u:; <eo<le are !aid o be under obli?a ion o =or!;i< or <ro<i ia e ;iB@ e!<e:iallA before under a>in? anA ne= =or> li>e ;e o<enin? of a !Bi ;A or a ;un in? eF<edi ionD or in ;an>!?i$in? af er an e!:a<e froB !u:; a di!a! er a! a Bo or or ?un a::iden . Be:au!e /?en i! ubiCui ou! and ;a! ;i! ;and in e$erA <ie@ ;e i! re?arded a! a <re!idin? di$ini A o$er oa ;! and :o$enan 0Ba>in? or ;e :eBen in? of <a: !. In our :our !@ <eo<le =;o are nei ;er C;ri! ian! nor Mo!leB! a>e ;eir oa ;! o &!<ea> ;e ru ; and no ;in? RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % (;i! i! ! ron?lA !iBilar o Jo;n %.L+. + (;i! a ribu e i! be:au!e ;i! eAe! are !aid o be li>e flaBe! of fire. 0-40

bu ;e ru ;& bA >i!!in? a <ie:e of iron00a Ba:;e e u!uallA. (;e <a: or :on$enan Bade before /?en i! :on!idered Bo! bindin?. (=o ri$al =i$e!@ =;en !u!<e: ed of e$il in en ion! a?ain! ea:; o ;er@ are u!uallA Bade o !=ear before /?en in order o <re$en ;eB froB ;arBin? ea:; o ;er in bodA@ Bind@ or e! a e. (=o friend!@ or a nuBber of <eo<le@ =;o =an o en er in o a :o$enan on a !eriou! Ba er =ill al!o ?o before /?en o do !o. (;ere are $ariou! Be ;od! of !=earin? or Ba>in? a <a: in ;i! =aA. One Be ;od i! o <u a $al$e of >ola0nu on a <ie:e of iron and =;en ea:; <er!on ;a! Bade ;e reCui!i e under a>in? in a <re!:ribed ! a eBen @ one a>e! ;e $al$e of >ola0nu and bi e! off and ea ! a <or ion of i @ ;en re<la:e! i on ;e eBbleB of /?enD ;e o ;er <er!on a>e! ;e reBainder and ea ! i . #or !e$eral <eo<le ;ere BaA be !e$eral $al$e! of >ola0nu !. Or@ ;e :o$enan 0Ba>er! BaA <ar a>e of ;e =a er in o =;i:; a red0;o iron froB ;e !Bi ;A fire ;a! been dro<<ed@ or one in =;i:; an eBbleB of /?en ;a! been =a!;ed. I i! belie$ed ;a anAone =;o !=ear! fal!elA bA /?en@ or brea>! an oa ; or :o$enan Bade before /?en@ =ill :oBe under ;i! !e$ere Eud?Ben L ;e =ill die or be Bu ila ed or deforBed ;rou?; a ?un0!;o @ a Ba:;e e@ or an en?ine or Ba:;ine a::iden . (;e Yoruba are of en reBinded@ Bi o J Bo J dW ba da07ly J q@ >i o BV da /?en@ J r J /?enl7 _=P J 00&If one brea>! :o$enan a all@ i Bu! no be =i ; /e@ ;e Ba er i! ! ri: lA abu =;ere /e i! :on:erned.&

/e i! Bore e!<e:iallA >no=n a! /eOn7IrO be:au!e ;e i! belie$ed o be ;e &Lord of IrO&. IlWK@ w@ and IlV>L J >Z al!o :all for !<e:ial Ben ion a! <la:e! =;ere ;i! :ul i! in !<e:ial <roBinen:e. Bu @ a! =e ;a$e ob!er$ed@ ;e i! >no=n and =or!;i<<ed all o$er Yorubaland. A Yoruba ballad ?i$e! ;e !u??e! ion ;a /e ;a! !e$en de!i?na ion!@ a::ordin? o ;e <la:e! =;ere ;e i! ;e <roBinen di$ini A@ or !oBe fun: ion! :onne: ed =i ; ;iB@ or !oBe :elebra ed <rie! ! of ;i!. In ;i! !e in?@ =e are old ;e food! uff! on =;i:; ;e feed!. /e BWEe l7 /e BiD /e AlVrV ni7 ?b7 aEVD /e OnirO a ?b7 K?bPD /e I> J lK a ?bK 7?bonD (7 l5 J Bo J nK ni7 ?b7 5 J !un07u. /e A>YrIn a ?ba i=o K?bPD /e ?bUJ 11,5 J nK0?bUJ 11,5 J nK@ yran a;un l7 o Bx Ey. /e MV>indW i /e l7 y;In odi00 Bi on >P bV ?ba (V<K@ a ?b7 dbZ>Y. A ?ba >N0\>N@ a ?ba cWBbWrY. 0--0

(;ere are !e$en /e =;o belon? o BeL % /e of AlVrV i i! =;o a>e! do?D /e of OnirO ;abi uallA a>e! raBD /e of !ur?erA ;abi uallA a>e! !nailD (;a of l5 J Bo J nK i i! =;o a>e! roa! ed AaB. /e of A>YrIn ;abi uallA a>e! raB7! ;orn G raBHD /e of ;e ar i!an!@ i i! ;e fle!; of or oi!e ;a ;e ea !. /e of MV>indW@ =;i:; i! /e ou !ide ;e :i A =all00 )e ei ;er a>e! a (V<K@ or a>e! an dbZ>Y@ Or a>e! an >N0\>N@ or a>e! a cWBbWri + In <ran>! and Bi!:;ief0Ba>in?@ /e i! neF o ! J N. , Bu =;ile UJ 114, J +5N BerelA deri$e! !adi! i: <lea!ure in =i:>edne!! and &!u<erflui A of nau?; ine!!&@ /e i! bA na ure ;ard@ fier:e@ and errible. )i! rue na ure i! de<i: ed in ;e !aAin? 'Ybo l7 a i <KdW r5 J 8 A <KdW r5 J n7 ibi IEKD A <KdW r5 J n7 ibi I aD A <KdW r5 J n7 ibi J ?bKrV 5 J E5 J GbW ndV 7 ni l7 o J 1,+5run bi oBi x?o. W;ere doe! one Bee ;iB8 One Bee ! ;iB in ;e <la:e of ba leD One Bee ! ;iB in ;e <la:e of =ran?lin?D

One Bee ! ;iB in ;e <la:e =;ere orren ! of blood #ill! =i ; lon?in? a! a :u< of =a er doe! ;e ;ir! A. Ye e$il i! no a!!o:ia ed =i ; ;iBD ra ;er@ i i! ! ron?lA belie$ed ;a ;e deBand! Eu! i:e@ fair <laA@ and re: i ude. (;e eBbleB! of /e are $ariou!. (;eA BaA be Be al00!:ra<!@ =rou?; @ or ?ra$enD a <lan :alled <OrO?\n00Dra:aena #ra?ra$e!D a ro:> or a <ie:e of ro:>D ;e u!> or ail of an ele<;an . C J d'G We ;a$e been led bA !;eer for:e of :ir:uB! an:e! o :;oo!e ;e naBe of ! J Kn?w for ;e Yoruba :on:e< ion of ;e Banife! a ion of &(;e Wra ;& of OlZdNBarO. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % (;a i!@ ;e ;a! !e$en de!i?na ion!. + (;e!e are de!i?na ion! =;i:; ;e Yoruba ?i$e o !oBe :lan! of '. 'i?eria. Bu ;eA Bean no ;in? Bore ;ere ;an ;a ;uBan bein?! are offered o ;iB. *ee C;a< er 5@ <<. %%5 ff. , *ee <<. -1 ff. 0-50

C J Kn?w =a! ;e naBe of an ;i! ori:al fi?ure@ one =;o =a! indi!<u ablA a Ban aBon? Ben. *aBuel Jo;n!on ell! u! ;a ;e =a! ;e four ; Alxfin of P J A % .) e =a! a Ban@ Cui e di! in: froB ;e di$ini ie! =;o are &of ;e ;ea$en!&. (;e in ere! in? ! orA of ;i! a<o ;eo!i! :an onlA be re:on! ru: ed froB $ariou! le?endarA $er!ion!. )e =a! a ! ron? BanD a <o=erful ;un erD bo ; of =;i:; Bean <riBarilA ;a ;e =a! $er!ed in $ariou! Ba?i:al ar !. Bu ;e =a! al!o !elf0=illed@ :ruel and Aranni:al@ and <a!!iona elA de$o ed o :arna?e. A! a >in? of P J A ; @e ruled =i ; a rod of iron and !ou?; o >ee< e$erAbodA under ;i! ;uBb. In ;e end@ ;o=e$er@ <eo<le be:aBe ired of ;i! ArannAL ;i! au ;ori A =a! :;allen?ed and ;i! <ur<o!e ;=ar ed bA =o of ;i! :our ier!. W;en ;e!e =o :our ier! =ere be:oBin? oo Bu:; for ;iB@ ;e :raf ilA !e ;eB one a?ain! ;e o ;er and one of ;eB =a! >illed a! a re!ul . Bu ;e !ur$i$in? one !e af er ;iB@ and ;e onlA =aA lef for ;iB o &<laA ;e Ban& =a! o :oBBi !ui:ide. (;i! ;e did bA ;an?in? ;iB!elf on an KAKn ree. )i! o<<onen ! ;en aun ed ;i! follo=er! ;a ;eir >in? ;ad ;an?ed ;iB!elf. (;i! led ;i! follo=er! o !ee> ;e Bean! of !a$in? ;eir fa:e!L ;eA =en o IbKrIbX and <ro:ured !oBe <re<ara ion bA =;i:; li?; nin? :ould be a ra: ed. (;eA !e o =or> =i ; ;i!@ =i ; ;e re!ul ;a li?; nin? be:aBe freCuen in and around P J A L ;e :oB<ound! and ;ou!e! =ere of en in :onfla?ra ion!@ and ;ere =ere lo!!e! of li$e! and <ro<er A. "eo<le be:aBe <ani:0 ! ri:>en and !o =ere <re<ared for ;e neF Bo$e bA ;e follo=er! of C J Kn?w =;o ;en

:aBe ou =i ; ;e ! orA ;a C J Kn?w did no ;an? ;iB!elfD ;e onlA a!:ended o ;ea$enD ;e li?; nin? and ;e re!ul in? :alaBi ie! =ere ;e $en?ean:e =;i:; C J Kn?w !en u<on ;o!e =;o !landered ;iB bA !aAin? ;a ;e ;ad ;an?ed ;iB!elfD le all froB no= :onfe!! ;a C J Kn?w did no ;an? ;iB!elf and =or!;i< ;iBD ;e ar i:le of fai ; o be re<ea ed ;en:efor ; !;ould be ba >P !o00&(;e >in? did no ;an? ;iB!elf&. (;u! be?an ;e =or!;i< of C J Kn?w in P J A . I be?an =i ; ;i! a: of :onfe!!ion and !ubBi!!ion@ and ;e <aABen bA ;e eneBie! of <ro<i ia orA fine! in ;e forB of oFen@ raB!@ !;ee<@ fo=l!@ >ola0nu !@ and <alB0oil. (;en a !;rine@ and la er on a eB<le@ :aBe in o bein? for ;i! =or!;i< on ;e radi ional !<o =;ere ;e =a! !aid o ;a$e ;an?ed ;iB!elf@ =;i:; =a! renaBed cP!o G&)e0did0no 0;an?&H. #roB ;ere ;i! :ul !<read all o$er Yorubaland. (;e ! orA a! re:on! ru: ed abo$e =ill no be a::e< able o ;e <rie! lA ;ou!e of cP!o in P J A . (;ere ;e or ;odoF ! orA i! BainlA a! follo=!L =o of C J Kn?w7! =i$e! =ere $erA Cuarrel!oBeD and ;ere =ere al!o a fe= RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % (;e )i! orA of ;e Yoruba! G La?o!@ C.M.*.@ %5,4H@ <. .,. 0510

:oB<lain ! froB ;e !ubEe: ! of C J Kn?w :on:ernin? ;i! ArannA. C J Kn?w be:aBe an?rA =i ; e$erAbodA@ Boun ed ;i! ;or!e@ and =en in o ;e fore! . #or a lon? iBe ;e =a! eF<e: ed ba:>@ bu in $ain. W;en ;e did no re urn@ <eo<le feared ;a ;e ;ad ?one in a fi of eB<er o ;an? ;iB!elf. *o ;eA =en in !ear:; of ;iBD ;e =a! no found@ bu ;i! ;or!e =a!. (;e !ear:;er! ;erefore :alled ou @ &W;ere are Aou@ O >in?8 )a$e Aou ;an?ed Aour!elf8& (o =;i:; ;e re<lied froB a lon? di! an:e@ &'o@ I ;a$e no ;an?ed BA!elfQ&&(;en@ :oBe ba:> o u!@ =e =an Aou@& ;eA :alled ba:>. Bu ;e re<lied@ &'o@ !in:e ;ere ;a! been !o Bu:; rouble in ;e :oB<ound and !o BanA :oB<lain ! a?ain! Be froB Aou all@ I =ill no :oBe ba:> o AouD I =ill no= rule Aou un!een.& *o ;e a!:ended o ;ea$en bA a :;ain =;i:; !<ran? froB an KAKn ree. #roB ;ea$en ;e ;a! !in:e ;en Banife! ed ;i! >in?!;i< bA li?; nin? and ;under. One :an under! and =;A ;e <rie! lA ;ou!e of cP!o ! i:>! o ;i! &or ;odoF& $er!ion of ;e a::oun of ;e a<o ;eo!i! of C J Kn?wQ W;a e$er $er!ion of ;e ! orA i! old@ ;e iB<or an ;in? i! ;a <eo<le be:aBe :on$in:ed ;a C J Kn?w a!:ended o ;ea$enD and ;a ;e be:aBe ;erebA ;e au ;or of li?; nin? and ;under. In ;e a< =ord! of Leo #robeniu!@ ;e be:aBe &(;e )urler of ;underbol !@ ;e Lord of ;e * orB@ ;e God =;o burn! do=n :oB<ound! and :i ie!@ ;e Render of ree! and !laAer of BenD :ruel and !a$a?e. . . .& %

C J Kn?w e$iden lA ;a! &a ;el< Bee for ;iB& in ;i! =ife@ ;e ?odde!! Aa. *;e i! de!:ribed a! a fier:e@ bearded ABaSon =;o i! ab!olu elA indi!<en!able o ;er ;u!band in e$erA =aA. I i! !aid ;a =i ;ou Aa@ ;ere i! no ;in? ;a C J Kn?w :an a::oB<li!;. Aa i! ObI>in 7 o 7 orY o?un dV 7rNn?b J n !Y00&(;e =oBan =;o ?ro=! a beard on a::oun of =ar&D J fNfNl5 J l5 J i 7dV 7?i l7 o>O0l70o>O00&(;e ru!;in? =ind ;a ear! do=n ree! froB ;e o<&D A0! J u07EP Ba r J 00&One =;o :au!e! a ;ea$A@ dar> :loud bu brin?! no rain&. )er fa:e i! !o errible ;a none dare be;old i @ ;er =ra ; !o de$a! a in? ;a i Bu! be ab!olu elA a$oided. 'e$er ;ele!!@ !;e i! all@ :oBelA@ and :an be ?ra:eful. In fa: @ ;ere =ere !iF een ri$al ?odde!!e! =;o =ere :oB<e in? o ;a$e C J Kn?w for a ;u!bandL Aa =on ;e ;u!band froB ;eB all ;rou?; ;er :;arB of <er!onali A@ ;er ?ra:e and ele?an:e of Bo$eBen 00 orI! J K By07n0di0l7o?\n ni Bb5 J l7 o J 1,+5do J 1,+5 C J Kn?w@ ni 7bi >7 ! ! J Vn 7<V@ ni 7bi >7 a Aan@ l7 Aa fi ?b7 o J 1,+5>o J 1,+5 l7 o J 1,+5=Z J =o J 1,+5n. W;ene$er anA ;ou!e or <ro<er A i! daBa?ed bA li?; nin?@ ;e <rie! ! RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % (;e 6oi:e of Afri:a G London@ )u :;in!on@ %5%,H@ 6ol. %@ <. +12. 05%0

of C J Kn?w Ba>e for ;e <la:e@ !aAin? ;a ;eA are ?oin? o find ;e ;underbol L and ;eA in$ariablA brin? ou froB ;e <la:e a :el =;i:; ;eA :laiB o ;a$e found. Wi ; ;e findin? of ;e &bol & ?oe! Bu:; ri uali! i: <lunder in ;e naBe of C J Kn?w. (;e bodA of a li?; nin? $i: iB i! :laiBed bA ;e <rie! !@ and@ radi ionallA@ i i! onlA ;eA =;o <erforB ;e burial offi:e! a a reBendou! :o! o ;e rela i$e!D and for a $i: iB onlA Ae ! ru:> un:on!:iou!@ ;e <rie! ! ;a$e o Ba>e u< ;eir Bind! Cui:>lA be =een :oB<le in? ;e =or> =;i:; C J Kn?w ;a! !o iB<erfe: lA done@ or a::e< in? a ;i?; ran!oB in ;e naBe of a <ro<i ia orA !er$i:e. Leo #robeniu! ;a! rai!ed a $erA iB<or an <oin abou C J Kn?w. )e ;in>! ;a ;ere =ere =o C J Kn?w@ one froB 'u<e and ;e o ;er froB Bor?u. (;a @ ;e :laiB!@ i! re!<on!ible for ;e :oBBand o do ?ood a! :onne: ed =i ; C J Kn?w@ =;i:; :oBBand@ ;e =ron?lA a!!er !@ i! &unne?ro&. % #robeniu! i! :onfu!ed a ;i! <oin D bu ;i! :onfu!ion i! under! andable. (;ere i! no doub ;a ;ere are eleBen ! in ;e Boral a<<li:a ion of ;e do: rine :onne: ed =i ; C J Kn?w =;i:; :er ainlA :ould no ;a$e re:ei$ed ;eir ori?in froB ;e life of ;e Ban C J Kn?w. We BaA ;a$e !oBe li?; on ;e !ubEe: if =e loo> a i in ;i! =aA. (;e oral radi ion! ell u! ;a C J Kn?w =a! a !on of rXnAKn00 ;e <o=erful =arrior !on of OdNdN=K@ + =;o led an eF<edi ion a! far a! 'u<eland and ;e 'or ; of ;e Ri$er 'i?er. In ;e :our!e of ;e eF<edi ion@ ;e Be and Barried ;e 'u<e =oBan =;o be:aBe ;e

Bo ;er of C J Kn?w. (;u!@ C J Kn?w =ould be of I#5 J and 'u<e <aren a?e. Bu ;e Ban =;o be:aBe >no=n a! OdNdN=K =a! ;iB!elf no ori?inallA of ;i! landD !o al!o =a! ;e le?endarA rXnAKn <robablA no ;i! !on bu one of ;i! able lieu enan !. (;u!@ i i! no unli>elA ;a C J Kn?w7! rela ion!;i< :ould be ra:ed a! far a! 'or ;ern 'i?eria@ or e$en beAond. Our <eo<le ! ill !aA ;a i =a! Aa@ ;e =ife of C J Kn?w@ =;o be:aBe ;e ri$er =;i:; i! no= >no=n a! ;e 'i?erD and ;a eB<;a!i!e! ! ill ;a C J Kn?w Bu! be rela ed o ;a <ar of 'i?eria. And if ;i! i! !o@ ;e naBe of C J Kn?w@ =;o ;a! be:oBe a <o<ular ;ero and a :ul obEe: @ =ould no be un>no=n and unre$ered in ;o!e <ar ! =;i:; :ould <roudlA e! abli!; !oBe blood rela ion!;i< =i ; ;iB. Bu ;e real <oin of #robeniu!7! :onfu!ion i! no e$en in ;i! ;i! ori:al <robabili A. I i! ra ;er in ;i!L ;ere are a ribu e! =;i:; are :laiBed for@ or affiFed o@ C J Kn?w odaA =;i:; ori?inallA did no belon? o ;iB. )e i! !aid o forbid lAin?@ ! ealin?@ and <oi!onin?@ =;i:; offen:e! RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % O<. :i .@ <. +%1. + *ee C;a< er! +@ <<. %2 f.@ %- ff.@ and ,@ <<. ++ ff. 05+0

are a?ain! <roBinen :oBBandBen ! in ;e Yoruba e ;i:al !A! eB. % BA all ;a =e >no= of ;e Ban C J Kn?w@ ;e ;ad no :laiB o !u:; a ;i?; ! andard of Borali A. )e =a! ou ! andin?lA ?uil A of infra: ion! of all !u:; :oBBandBen !. And i =a! ;e diffi:ul A of re:on:ilin? ;e <er!onal :;ara: er of C J Kn?w =i ; ;e ;i?; Boral a ribu e! =;i:; are a!!i?ned o ;iB ;a led #robeniu! a! raA. (;e ru ; i!@ ;ere ;a! been an earlier Yoruba !olar di$ini A@ o =;oB li?; nin? and ;under ;a$e been a ribu ed. )i! naBe i! JK>e a@ =;i:; Bean! &One =;o fi?; ! =i ; ! one!&@ or &One =;o ;url! ! one!&. In Bo! of Yorubaland odaA@ <eo<le are no Cui e !ure =;e ;er o !aA ;a i =a! JK>e a =;o =a! ;e fa ;er of C J Kn?w or o <u i ;e o ;er =aA round. *o Bu:; ;a$e <eo<le be:oBe :onfu!ed bA ;i! for:eful in ru!ion =;i:; i! C J Kn?w. (;ere i! ;e fa: @ ;o=e$er@ ;a i :anno be !aid@ a! i :an be !aid in ;e :a!e of C J Kn?w@ ;a JK>e a ;a! e$er been a ;uBan bein?. And ;e :oBBandBen ! a?ain! ! ealin?@ fal!e;ood@ and <oi!onin? belon? ori?inallA o JK>e a. JK>e a =a! ;e Yoruba =aA of :on:e< uali!in? &(;e Wra ;& of OlZdNBarO a?ain! all forB! of =i:>edne!!. In (;e fla!;in? of ;e li?; nin? free (;e =;irlin? =ind7! eB<e! uou! !;o:>!@ ;e Yoruba !ee ;e re$ela ion of &(;e Wra ;&D ;eA eF<erien:e in a <al<able =aA ;e &nuBinou! a=e& in reli?ion. Bu ;i! &Wra ;& ;eA :anno re:on:ile =i ; ;e na ure of

OlZdNBarO )iB!elf a! )e i! >no=n o ;eBD !o ;eA ran!fer i o JK>e a and one or =o o ;er! of ;e di$ini ie!. (;e Yoruba ;a$e a >een !en!e of &(;e Wra ;&@ !o ;a =;en i li?; en! or ;under!@ <eo<le00e!<e:iallA ;o!e =;o are no !ure of ;eir :;ara: er!00 reBble. (;eA !alu e &(;e Wra ;& a! /?YrY?iriI@ E J >Nn a0C J 07 O>W00&(;e errible@ ruBblin? One@ ;e Leo<ard ;a de$our! ;e liar&. I i! !aid =;en i li?; en! On70iBu nC J 7 iBu@ O>W n!V00&(;e o=ner of ;e no!e urn! u< ;e no!e@ ;e liar reBble!&. (;i! i! all o !aA ;a &(;e Wra ;& i! e$er0<re!en and readA o Banife! i !elf u<on ;e :;ildren of di!obedien:e. JK>e a ;a! re<re!en ed i froB ;e earlA iBe!D and i =a! bA a :le$er ! ro>e ;a ;e iden ifi:a ion be =een JK>e a and C J Kn?w =a! re?i! ered in !u:; a =aA ;a C J Kn?w <ra: i:allA u!ur<ed ;e <la:e of JK>e a in ;e <an ;eon. *oBe <rie! ! of ! ron?@ iB<o!in? :;ara: er@ <er;a<! !oBeone =;o found a :;an:e of re<la:in? an indi?enou! di$ini A =i ; an iB<eriali! i: one@ RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % C;a< er %+. 05,0

Bu! ;a$e been =or>in? u<on ;e :reduli A of ;e <eo<le. (odaA@ ;e !a:red daA of JK>e a i! ! ill ob!er$ed re?ularlA bA ;e <rie! ! of C J Kn?w in P J A @al ;ou?; ;i! i! done in :onne: ion =i ; ;e =or!;i< of C J Kn?w. (;e <rie! ! onlA >no= ;a ;eA Bu! =or!;i< JK>e afor C J Kn?w. W;A ;eA do i @ ;eA do no !eeB o >no=. Bu i i! :er ain ;a if ;i! !ub le ;Abridi!a ion ;ad no ;a<<ened@ C J Kn?w =ould ;a$e been no Bore ;an an an:e! or in ;e !aBe :a e?orA a! ;e o ;er an:e! ral >in?!@ <er;a<! a li le Bore <ro<i ia ed be:au!e of ;i! ! ron? :;ara: er. A be! @ ;e =ould ;a$e reBained a li le doBe! i: di$ini A of P J A . E$en no=@ ;e <rie! ! of C J Kn?w are Bo! lA P J A or of P J A ori?in. We ! ill Bu! ?o a li le fur ;er and :on!ider@ in ;i! :onne: ion@ P J rKBfO J of Ile0I#5 J. )e i! ;e a::e< ed !olar di$ini A aBon? ;e I#5 J @ and i =a! ;e I#5 J =;o ?a$e ;iB o ;e w. (;e naBe <robablA :on ra: ed froB ni i0Z0ra0I#5 J 0>a70l5 J 00&)e =;o redeeBed ;e I#5 J &@ a! !oBe elder! !aAD al ;ou?; =e Bu! no for?e ;a ;ere are ;o!e =;o ;in> ;a i ;a! referen:e o an E?A< ian di$ini A froB =;i:; ;i! one deri$e!. % (;i! i! one of ;e di$ini ie! =;o are &of ;e ;ea$en!& be:au!e ;e I#5 J =ill !aA eB<;a i:allA ;a ;e nei ;er :aBe o li$e on ear ; nor ;a! anA iBa?e! ;ere. (;e o::a!ion of ;i! fir! $i!i o ;i! ear ; =a! a dan?erou! Cuarrel =;i:; bro>e ou be =een orI! J K0nlV and OdNdN=K o$er !oBe Cue! ion of au ;ori A. (;e Cuarrel =a! ?oin? o !<ell :a a! ro<;e for ;e =orld a!@ for a fri?; ful BoBen @ i a<<eared ;a all =a! ?oin? o be lo! in ;e burnin? =ra ; of =o iB<la:able di$ini ie!. U<! air! in ;ea$en@ ;o=e$er@ no i:e of ;e !i ua ion ;ad been re:ei$ed and P J rKBfO J =a! de!<a :;ed o

?o and effe: a !e leBen . (;i! ;e be?an o do =i ; a roarin?@ eB<e! uou! $oi:e =;i:; a on:e =on ;e a en ion of e$erAbodA and :alled ;e :oBba an ! o order. (;en ;e ?a$e ;i! in! ru: ion! a! froB one =;o Bu! be obeAed@ old ;eB ;o= ;in?! Bu! be arran?ed@ and !o ended ;e Cuarrel. I i! ;ou?; ;a JK>e a and P J rKBfO J are di! in: one froB ano ;er. Bu undoub edlA ;eA re<re!en one and ;e !aBe :on:e< ion00&(;e Wra ;&. Our !our:e! di!:lo!e ;a ;eA bo ; ;a$e <ra: i:allA ;e !aBe :ul u!@ <ar i:ularlA =i ; re?ard o ri ual!00a :ir:le of a!;e! in ;e o<en@ &bi er >ola& Goro?boH@ and an a: of =or!;i< dire: ed o=ard! ;ea$en + are ;e e!!en ial!. Bo ; ;a$e no iBa?e! on ear ;@ ;a i!@ ;eA are no re<re!en ed in ?ra$en iBa?e!D and in ;eir <rai!e0naBe!@ ;e iden i A :an be !een Cui e :on$in:in?lA. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % (;e Reli?ion of ;e Yoruba!@ bA J. OluBide Lu:a! G La?o!@ C.M.*. Boo>!;o<@ %5.-H@ <a!!iB@ for anA =ord =i ; &ra& in i . + *ee C;a< er %%@ <<. %.+ f. 05.0

(;e follo=in? are aBon? ;e <rai!e0naBe! of P J rKBfO J @ and !;o= ;a fundaBen allA ;e and JK>e a G C J Kn?wH are oneL On70ilW inaQ A dV 7ni nY 7EIQ InV PJ!XnQInV ?un orY ilW f5J 7E\QbI I rW fYrY CJe ?bIQ (;e Lord of ;e ;ou!e of fireQ One =;o :au!e! !udden dreadQ 'oondaA fireQ #ire ;a Boun ! ;e roof and be:oBe! ?larin? flaBeQ (;e Burderou! =ei?; ;a ! ri>e! ;e ?round =i ; a re!oundin? for:eQ CJPJ"PJ'm CJ<JnV i! a dreadful reali A o ;e Yoruba. In Ile0I#5 J @ i i! belie$ed ;a ;e i! one of ;e four di$ini ie! =;oB OlZdNBarO in$e! ed =i ; OdN. % )i! o=n doBain !eeB! o be &ear ;&. )e bear! in a =aA =;i:; a<<ear! eF:lu!i$e ;e naBe OlN=7aiAO G OlN=a AiAWH or OlN=a00&Lord of ;e Ear ;& or &Lord&D Oba07lu7aiAe00&cin? =;o i! Lord of ;e ear ;&D OlZde00&(;e Lord of ;e O<en&. (;e Ear ;@ =;i:; :oB<ri!e! ;e ?round on =;i:; Ban read!@ build!@ and =;i:; ;e :ul i$a e!@ ;e o<en !<a:e!@ i! ;i! Euri!di: ion =;ere i i!

belie$ed ;a ;e ;old! ab!olu e !=aA. W;e ;er a! &cin?& ;e i! ;ead of a <an ;eon of ;i! o=n@ our oral radi ion! do no ! a eD nor do =e ;a$e anA ;in? o ell u! =;e ;er or no ;e o ;er di$ini ie! <aA ;iB ribu e in anA forB in :on!eCuen:e of ;eir u!e of ;e ear ;. (;ere i! a $a?ue indi:a ion in :er ain !aAin?! and ri ual a: ! of a ?eneral :;ara: er ;a ;i! lord!;i< of ear ; i! a:>no=led?ed. #or eFaB<le@ =;en ;e Yoruba ;ro= ou =a er froB in!ide ;e ;ou!e@ ;eA u!uallA !aA@ A?P o@ OlZde00&EF:u!e Be@ O OlZde&. Or@ RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er! ,@ <<. +2 ff.@ and -@ <<. 4+ f. 0520

of en@ =;en <eo<le ?a ;er o?e ;er in ;e o<en for a :ereBonA or a Bu!i:al en er ainBen @ i i! ;e :u! oB fir! o <aA re!<e: o OlZde and Ba>e !ure of ;i! ;o!<i ali A. (;o!e =;o <laA a?bO % be?in bA !in?in?L EeJ7 n? b7 on70il 5J lrO@ Bi EeJ a EZD EeJ7 n? b7 on70il5J lrO@ Bi EWJ a EZ. Le Be ob ain ;e landlord7! <erBi!!ion@ If ;e =ill <erBi u! o dan:eD Le Be ob ain ;e landlord7! <erBi!!ion@ If ;e =ill <erBi u! o dan:e. or ;i!L OlZ>o a AJ CJ@ OlZ>o a AJ CJ@ /=e 7I 7lK c7 in\ Z b7 ZlZ>o oL OlZ>o a AJ CJ D d=a 7I 7lN@ c7 ing Z b7 lZde o OlZde a AJ CJ .

(;e farBer !;ould be eF:eedin?lA <lea!ed@ (;e farBer !;ould be eF:eedin?lA <lea!edD (;e :o on doe! no bur! And di!<lea!e ;e farBerL (;e farBer !;ould be eF:eedin?lA <lea!edD We do no <laA ;e in! ruBen ! And di!<lea!e OlZdeL OlZde !;ould be eF:eedin?lA <lea!ed. CJ<JnV i!@ in ;e belief of ;e Yoruba@ & ;e de! ru: ion ;a =a! e ; a noondaA&. )e i! >no=n a! ;e di$ini A =;o!e Bain !:our?e i! !Ball<oF. Bu !Ball<oF Gor :;i:>en<oFH@ dreadful a! i i!@ a<<ear! o be no Bore ;an ;e Bo! obEe: i$e !AB< oB of ;e fa: ;a ;e &=ra ;& of ;e di$ini A i! u<on ;e $i: iB@ or u<on ;e :oBBuni A@ Bore of en. AnA ;i?; eB<era ure in a <a ien @ e!<e:iallA =;en ;a i! a::oB<anied bA re! le!!ne!! or deliriuB@ i! <u do=n a on:e o ;e RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % A?bO i! a !e of Bu!i:al in! ruBen ! :on!i! in? BainlA of :alaba!; druB! of ?raded !iSe!@ !oBe of =;i:; are ! run? =i ; :o=rie! or !eed!@ and a fe= ?on?!. 0530

di$ini AD a :arbun:le@ a <ar i:ularlA rouble!oBe boil@ Bali?nan ra!;@ are all re?arded a! Bar>! of ;e =ra ; of CJ<JnV. W;en <eo<le ;a$e rea!on o ;in> ;a CJ<JnV i! &fi?; in?& in anA of ;e!e =aA!@ ;e i! Bore of en ;an no de!:ribed a! Il5J 7?bZnV00&)o 0ear ;&. (;a i!@ ;e ear ; on =;i:; <eo<le read be:oBe! !o &;o & ;a i affe: ! ;eB ad$er!elA. % Be:au!e CJ<JnV i! :alled Il5J7?bZnV@ ;e Yoruba radi ionallA do no !aA Il5J ?bZnV00&(;e ?round i! ;o & =;en ;e ?round i! indeed ;o . (;eA eB<loA a eu<;eBi!B and !aA eFa: lA ;e o<<o!i e of =;a ;eA Bean00IleJ u N00&(;e ?round i! :old&. W;en a <er!on ;a! !Ball<oF or !uffer! anA of ;e affli: ion! belie$ed o be :au!ed bA CJ<JnV@ ;e Yoruba de!:ribe ;e !i ua ion in erB! of dee< re!<e: for ;e di$ini A. (;eA !aA@ n!in o J 1,+5ba00&)e i! under bonda?e o ;e >in?&D Il5J7?bZnV B\ u or IleJ7?bZnV nbV a EK00&)o 0ear ; ;a! laid ;and on ;iB& or &)o 0ear ; i! affli: in? ;iB&D O ?b7 UJ113JfK@ or fK bK a00&)e fall! a $i: iB o ;e arro=0!;o &@ or &)e i! ! ru:> bA ;e arro=&. CJ<JnV i! de!:ribed ;erefore al!o a! AlV<Z00&One =;o bear! ;e Cui$er&. And =;en a <er!on die! a! a re!ul of anA of ;e affli: ion!@ i i! u!uallA !aid of ;iB no >\00&)e die!& or &)e i! dead& in ;e norBal =aA@ bu ;a ba B\ u loJ00&(;e >in? ;a! reBo$ed ;iB&D or Il5J7?bZnV ?bW e loJ00 &)o 0ear ; ;a! :arried ;iB a=aA&. (;e Yoruba belie$e ;a CJ<JnV i! ;e &>in?& =;o!e =ill@ =;a e$er ;e i!!ue BaA be@ Bu! be a::e< ed@ no onlA =i ; re!i?na ion bu =i ; Banife! <lea!ure and ?ra i ude. #or eFaB<le@ ;e rela i$e! of a de:ea!ed !Ball<oF $i: iB Bu! no Bourn or !;o= in anA =aA ;a ;eA re?re ;e dea ;. Ra ;er@ ;eA Bu! <u on a fe! i$e and :;eerful a<<earan:e and !;o= ;a ;eA are ;a<<ilA ;an>ful for =;a ;e &>in?& ;a! done for

;eBQ If no @ ;eA are a!>in? for Bore of ;e &>in?7!& !:our?eQ *o@ CJ<JnV i! >no=n a! AlV<a0d\<WJ00&One =;o >ill! and i! ;an>ed for i &. CJ<JnV i! an a=ful dread o ;e YorubaL ra ;er ;an :all ;iB bA ;a naBe@ ;eA =ould eB<loA one of ;i! adula orA a<<ella ion!. )e i! of en de<i: ed a! <ro=lin? abou =;en ;e !un i! ;o @ robed in !:arle . "eo<le are ;erefore u!uallA =arned no o ?o abou =earin? red or anA ;in? =i ; a &loud& :olour or <a ern le! ;eA !;ould a<<ear o be in!ul in? ;iB =i ; ;eir BiBi:rA@ ;e :on!eCuen:e of =;i:; :ould be !eriou!. Care Bu! be a>en@ e!<e:iallA durin? ;e drA !ea!on@ no o do anA ;in? ;a =ould offend ;iB. And ;i! i! under! andable be:au!e !Ball<oF !<read! Bore ea!ilA and i! u!uallA <re$alen durin? ;e ;o @ drA !ea!on. Be:au!e ;e i! belie$ed o be <ar i:ularlA a: i$e durin? ;e RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee Da;oBeA@ bA M. J. )er!>o$i ! G 'e= Yor>@ J. J. Au?u! in@ %5,-H@ 6ol. II@ <<. %,3 ff. 0540

drA !ea!on@ ;e i! :alled A0CJPro07<O0l7J rNn00&One =;o!e naBe i i! no <ro<i iou! o :all durin? ;e drA !ea!on&. )e i! :on!idered fier:e and alBo! iB<la:ableD !o ;e =;ole offi:e of ;i! =or!;i< end! BainlA o ;e <ro<i ia ion of ;iB !o ;a ;e BaA lea$e <eo<le alone. (;e reBedA u!ed o ;eal !Ball<oF or anA ailBen ! =;i:; are :al:ula ed o be due o ;i! a?en:A i! :alled ~JrJ00&(;a =;i:; !of en! G CJ<JnVH or ea!e! G ;e re! le!! a?onA of ;e !uffererH&D or &(;a =;i:; !oo ;e! G ;e furiou! na ure of CJ<JnVH&D i i! al!o :alled ~Jb5J00&(;a =;i:; <ro<i ia e! or a<<ea!e!&. A! anAone =;o die! of !Ball<oF i! :on!idered a>en a=aA bA ;e &>in?&@ ;i! bodA i! no buried in ;e ;ou!e in ;e :u! oBarA =aAD i i! buried in ;e bu!;. And ;e funeral offi:e! are ;e re!<on!ibili A of ;e <rie! ! of CJ<JnV or anA !<e:ial under a>er =;o!e Cualifi:a ion i! ;i! <o!!e!!ion of ;e reCui!i e <re$en i$e and <ro<i ia orA Bedi:ine. A! a re!ul of ;e funeral offi:e!@ ;e under a>er! :laiB all ;e ar i:le! u!ed bA ;e <a ien before ;e died@ and !oBe iBe! e$en all ;i! belon?in?!@ <lu! a ;i?; fee froB ;e rela i$e!. (;ere i! no doub ;a ;e eF:lu!i$e ri?; of !<e:ial under a>er! o !u:; funeral offi:e!@ and ;e reBo$al e!<e:iallA of all ar i:le! u!ed bA ;e <a ien before ;i! dea ;@ are a re!ul of ;e earlA eF<erien:e of ;e Yoruba abou ;e die0;ard na ure of ;e ?erB! of ;e di!ea!e. "ar of =;a i! done bA ;o!e under a>er!@ ;erefore@ i! o a>e ;A?ieni: Bea!ure! o <re$en ;e !<read of ;e di!ea!e. (;a ;e ?erB! of !Ball<oF belon? o ;e :la!! of ?erB! =;i:; do no a! a rule die =i ; ;e dea ; of ;e $i: iB@ ;e Yoruba ;a$e learn bA eF<erien:e.

(;i! >no=led?e of ;e die0;ard na ure of ;e di!ea!e ?erB! ;a! of en been eF<loi ed =i ; di!a! rou! :on!eCuen:e! bA un!:ru<ulou! <eo<le. W;en ;e <rie! ! or de$o ee! of CJ<JnV ;rea en o &fi?; & anAbodA or anA :oBBuni A@ =;a ;eA Bean i! ;a ;eA <o!!e!! ;e Bean! of !<readin? ;e di!ea!e and =ill do !o if <ro$o>ed o ;e <oin . And =;en ;eA a: uallA <u u< ;e &fi?; &@ ;i! i! =;a ;a<<en!L ;eA u!uallA ;a$e in ;eir <o!!e!!ion !oBe $irulen <re<ara ion! Bade u< of <o=dered !:ab! or <ar ! of ;e !>in of a !Ball<oF $i: iB@ or i BaA be fluid =;i:; ;eA ob ain ;rou?; ;e a: ion of ;e =ea ;er and <u refa: ion froB ;e :or<!e of a $i: iB. Ei ;er of ;e!e ;eA ;ro= ou in an o<en <la:e or a ;e door! e< of a ;ou!e@ or e$en in a ;ou!e. BA ;e a: ion of ;e =ind@ or $ariou! o ;er a?en:ie!@ ;e ?erB! are :arried abou and ;e di!ea!e !<read. In one o=n !oBe Aear! a?o@ ;ere =a! an e<ideBi: of !Ball<oF =;i:; be?an in a $erA !Ball =aA bu !<read Cui:>lA and ;rea ened o be 05-0

ne$er0endin?@ :laiBin? BanA li$e! and Bu:; <ro<er A. (;ere =a! a $erA <rofi:ien under a>er =;o =a! in ?rea and ur?en deBand all o$er ;e <la:e. Af er ;e e<ideBi: ;ad ra?ed for !oBe fri?; ful iBe and ;ere =a! no !i?n of i ! aba eBen @ ;e elder! >ne= bA eF<erien:e ;a ;ere Bu! be !oBe !ini! er eF<lana ion for ;e =;ole !i ua ion. *o ;ere be?an a !e:re enCuirA =;i:; !oon re$ealed ;a ;e =i:>ed@ in;uBan a?en of ;e :on inuou! e<ideBi: =a! ;e $erA under a>er =;o ;ad ;i ;er o !;o=n ;iB!elf a! ;e benefa: or of ;i! <eo<le. And ;o= did ;e a:;ie$e ;i! diaboli: end8 I =a! in ;i! =aA. Mo! of ;e bodie! ;e :laiBed o ;a$e buried and for =;i:; ;e ;ad re:ei$ed $erA ;i?; fee! ;ad@ in fa: @ no been buried bu ied bA ;e ne:> o ;e bran:;e! of ree! in ;e fore! @ =i ; ;e =;ole bodA ;an?in?. Under ea:; bodA ;e <la:ed a lar?e <o for ;e <ur<o!e of :olle: in? ;e fluid =;i:; ;e =ea ;er and <u refa: ion :au!ed o i!!ue froB i . (;i! fluid ;e ;re=@ in ;e Biddle of ;e ni?; @ all o$er ;e o=n. And ;e re!ul =a! ;a ;e di!ea!e !<read ineForablA. (;e Ban =a! :au?; and eFiledD bu ;a =a! no before Bu:; irre<arable ;a$o: ;ad been done. % (;ere are a fe= fa: ! for =;i:; =e ;a$e no adeCua e eF<lana ion Ae abou CJ<JnV. )e i! :alled A0ru07BoJ0l70`?Nn0i>K0dKnN00&One =;o :au!e! o be ;ro=n a=aA Bedi:ine! de!i?ned for =i:>ed end!&. (;i! i! be:au!e i i! belie$ed ;a !u:; are abu o ;iB@ and if ;e &en er!& anA ;ou!e GbA =aA of affli: ionH and ;ere i! found anA Bedi:ine of ;a na ure@ ;en ;e <la:e Bu! be :leared of i a on:e@ or ;e =;ole ;ou!e or :oBBuni A =ill <aA a !e$ere <enal A for i . Bu ;e ;iB!elf i! de<i: ed a! arBed =i ; a Cui$er of <oi!onou! arro=! and nuBberle!! !Ball ?ourd!. (;e Yoruba u!e ;i! A<e of !Ball ?ourd a! :on ainer! for ei ;er :ura i$e or <re$en i$e Bedi:ine a! =ell a! for

<oi!on. Could one iBa?ine ;a ;e ?ourd! in <o!!e!!ion of CJ<JnV :on ain onlA ?ood Bedi:ine8 Or doe! ;e forbid ;e &bad& Bedi:ine be:au!e ;e :ould no broo> anA ri$al in ;a field8 (;e la er rea!on a<<ear! o be Bore <robable. Bu =;en =e reali!e ;a ;e re<re!en ! & ;e Wra ;& o ;e Yoruba@ =e !ee ;a ;e real rea!on for ;i! :on:e< ion of ;iB i! ;eir ba!i: belief ;a ;e fro=n! u<on =i:>edne!! and <uni!;e! ;e =i:>ed !e$erelA. *oBe elder! !aA al!o ;a CJ<JnV and C J Kn?w are bro ;er!@ born of ;e !aBe <aren !@ and ;a ;e forBer i! ;e Aoun?er. *o ! ron? i! ;i! belief ;a ;e =or!;i<<er! of C J Kn?w :oun ;eB!el$e! iBBune froB Bole! a ion bA CJ<JnV@ and $i:e $er!a. (;e !aAin? =;i:; eF<re!!e! ;e RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee (;e Reli?ion of ;e Yoruba!@ bA J. OluBide Lu:a! G La?o!@ C.M.*. Boo>!;o<@ %5.-H@ <<. %,% f.@ for ;e re$ela ion Bade bA ;e la e Dr. O?un oJla CJa<ara. 0550

belief i!@ cP !Y o;un i 5J?bJn BK fY oJBoJ Kb\rP CJe00&(;ere i! no ;arB ;a ;e !enior bro ;er =ill infli: u<on ;e :;ildren of ;i! Eunior&. W;a i! ;e <oin of ;i! :onne: ion8 (rulA@ a::ordin? o ;e oral radi ion!@ ;e =o are no unfaBiliar o ea:; o ;erD !o faBiliar are ;eA ;a CJ<JnV of en Ba>e! fun of C J Kn?w. )e ;in>! ;a C J Kn?w li>e! o !;o= off bA ;i! daSSlin?@ ruBblin?@ and :la<<in? fu!!ine!!D =;en ;e i! ?oin? o >ill onlA one <er!on@ ;e <ro:laiB! i fla!;in?lA and loudlA o ;e =;ole uni$er!e@ =;erea! ;e G CJ<JnVH =ill >ill ;undred! and <eo<le =ill >no= abou i onlA af er ;e ;a! laid ;i! ;and u<on ;i! $i: iB!. Our elder! of en !aA ;a CJ<JnV i! o be feared Bore ;an C J Kn?w. (;e real ba!i! of ;e :onne: ion a<<ear!@ ;o=e$er@ o be ;eir !u??e! ed :oBBon rela ion!;i< o ;e 'or ;. We ;a$e a ! ron? iB<re!!ion of ;a froB ;e oral radi ion!@ e!<e:iallA froB ;e e<i:! in =;i:; ;eir <rai!e! are !un?. CJ<JnV i! de!:ribed a! BKbX Bi@ GKBbKra@ oJBoJ >P0?b70edO00&MA fa ;er@ GKBbKra@ =;o i!!ued froB ;e barbarian! Gli erallA@ ;o!e =;o do no under! and ;e lan?ua?e00 YorubaH&D or GKBbKra@ >N0\>N@ ArV AlV\!V@ ArV (a<K00& GKBbKra@ >N0\>N@ % indi?ene of )au!aland@ indi?ene of 'u<eland. )e i! al!o de!i?ned ElWB<e00&(;e o=ner or >in? of 'u<eland7. We ;a$e referred o ;e <aren a?e of C J Kn?w a! <ar lA 'u<e a lea! . + )e i! al!o :alled rP AfPJnEV00&IBBi?ran froB AbuEa&. ,

CJ<JnV i! :onne: ed =i ; I!laB@ !o i! C J Kn?w. . W;en a :;ild i! de:lared bA ;e ora:le on ;e ;ird daA af er i ! bir ; o belon? o CJ<JnV@ i i! u!uallA naBed a::ordin? o ;e Mo!leB ri e and anA $i: iB !lau?; ered durin? ;e :ereBonA i! !lau?; ered bA a Mo!leBD and ;e :;ild BaA la er be ei ;er a $o arA of CJ<JnV or a Mo!leBD CJ<JnV i! :alled On70IBKle@ ba n7 MfJgVlVCJY00&(;e Mo!leB@ >in? of ;e Mo!Cue&. )e i! al!o de!:ribed a! AlV?bVdV 2 00&One =;o =ear! ;e $oluBinou! ?arBen &@ and a! one ?i$en o Mo!leB ablu ion!. C J Kn?w ;a! ;e a<<ella ion! of A0>7e=\0?b70eJr\D A0>70W=\0?b70eJYn@ A0C J 70alN=KlV n7 ibi oJfK ?bW nrJ 7EP.00&One !o $er!ed in Arabi: readin? RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % GKBbKra or >N0\>N are ?eneri: erB! u!ed o de!:ribe Bo! of ;e 'or ;ern <eo<le!. + *ee abo$e@ <. 5+. , AfPJnEV a<<ear! o be a Yoruba :orru< ion of AbuEaD a!@ o ;er=i!e@ i i! a <er!on7! naBe. . Bu ;i! BaA !i?nifA no Bore ;an ;a ;eA are rela ed o ;e 'or ;. (o our <eo<le@ ;ere i! ;e ! ron? illu!ion ;a all 'or ;erner! are Mo!leB!. 2 (;e $oluBinou!@ flo=in? ?arBen i! u!uallA :onne: ed =i ; I!laB in !u:; a :a!e. 0%11

a! o =in !la$e! bA i D One !o $er!ed in Arabi: readin? a! o =in ;or!e! bA i D One =;o <erforB! ablu ion! under a rain of arro=!Q& In Yorubaland@ ;e 'u<e iBBi?ran ! are ;e :u! odian! of ;e Gunnu :ul @ % and are no oriou! for bein? :a<able of ! ar in? and !<readin? an e<ideBi: of !Ball<oF@ ;e !:our?e of CJ<JnV. )ere@ ;en@ i a<<ear! ;a =e ;a$e a lin> be =een ;e :ul ure and reli?ion of ;e Yoruba and ;a of ;e 'or ;@ a Ba er =;i:; :all! for Bore a::ura e in$e! i?a ion. On ;e =;ole@ <eo<le =ould <refer ;e !;rine of CJ<JnV o be ou !ide ;e ;ou!e or :oBBuni A@ !oBe=;ere in ;e bu!;@ al ;ou?; i :ould be in ;ou!e! or =i ;in ;e $illa?e or o=n. Would ;i! be !o be:au!e of ;e fier:e na ure of ;e &cin?& or =ould i be be:au!e !in:e ;ere i! alreadA a ;uBan ;ead a<<oin ed for ;e :oBBuni A@ ;i! &cin?&0a lar?e :ould no broo> anA forB of ri$alrA and =ould ra ;er ! aA a=aA froB ;e :oBBuni A8 (;e forBer i! ;e rea!on ?enerallA a::e< ed bA our <eo<le. + #or &W;o :an a<<roa:; :on!uBin? flaBe&8 ~JLd (;ere i! !oBe ;in? an ali!in?lA elu!i$e abou ;i! &:;ara: er& :alled ~JlK. (;e oral radi ion! ?i$e ;e feelin? ;a ;e i! ;e &near0in:arna ion& of a !<iri ual <rin:i<le =;i:; =a! ! ru??lin? for eF<re!!ion bu did no Cui e !u::eed in doin? !o before i =a!

o$er=;elBed bA ;e in:rea!in? nuBber! of ;e &?od! BanA and lord! BanA& of Yorubaland. (;e re!ul i! ;a ;i! en i A i! no :learlA defined. I i! no =onder@ ;en@ ;a ~JlK ;a! been !een in a :onfu!ed li?; . (;ere are ;o!e =;o =ould no ;e!i a e o !aA ;a ;e naBe &i! one of ;e BanA a ribu i$e naBe! bA =;i:; IfV G PJrunBIlKH i! de!:ribed@ and a <rin:i<al one aBon? ;eB&. , Bu i i! doub ful if a reallA >no=led?eable Yoruba <rie! =ould !aA ;i!. Ra ;er@ ;e =ould :on:ede ;a ~JlK i! an indi$idual en i A. (;e bafflin? Cue! ion i! &)o= indi$idual i! ;e8& (o ;i! ;e oral radi ion! !aA ;a ;e i! a belo$ed !on of PJrunBIlK00~JlK oJB oJ0bYbY in\ d?b oJ nnIrO?\n00&~J lK@ ;e $erA off!<rin? of d?boJnnIrO?\n&D ;a ;e i! a ru! ed !er$an of PJrunBIlKD or ;a ;e i! ;i! bo!oB friend. *oBe ?o fur ;er and iden ifA ;iB a! ;e !on of Ol\ioro?bo. . RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % 'u<e Reli?ion@ bA *. #. 'adel G Rou led?e u ce?an "aul@ %52.H@ <. 44ff. + Bu !ee Da;oBeA@ ibid. , Yoruba )ea ;eni!B@ bA Bi!;o< JaBe! Jo;n!on G En?land@ JaBe! (o=n!end@ %-55H@ <. +5. . *ee belo=@ <<. %12 f. 0%1%

lK i! Ben ioned freCuen lA in ;e OdN :or<u!. (;ere a<<ear! o be indeed !oBe :lo!e rela ion!;i< be =een ;iB and PJrunBIlK. PJrunBIlK ;a! !oBe ri ual :onne: ion =i ; ;e <alB0 reeD !o doe! ~JlK. A ;e annual fe! i$al of ~JlK ;e ri ual i! <erforBed a ;e foo of a <alB0 ree !iF een daA! <rior o ;e annual fe! i$al of PJrunBIlK. (;u! ;e fe! i$al of ~JlK u!;er! in ;a of PJrunBIlK@ a>e! <re:eden:e of i G ;ou?; ;e la er i! Bu:; louder and Bore elabora eH@ and a<<ear! o be a $i al <rereCui!i e o i . (;eA are al!o bo ; di$ini ie! of di$ina ionD bu =;ere <alB0>ernel! are eB<loAed a! a ool of di$ina ion =;en PJrunBIlK i! :on!ul ed@ <ie:e! of i$orA are u!ed in :a!e of ~JlK. 'e$er ;ele!!@ ;e =o !e ! of ool! are of en >e< o?e ;er in ;e !aBe re:e< a:le. I ;a! been reBar>ed ;a PJrunBIlK =a! !en in o ;e =orld for ;e <ur<o!e of !e in? ;in?! ri?; . ~JlK i! :alled AlV en! J e AiAW00&One =;o !e ! ;e =orld ri?; &. #roB ;e :on:e< ion of ;i! :lo!e rela ion!;i< be =een ;e =o@ :ould i be :on:luded ;a one of ;eB i! a de$elo<Ben froB ;e o ;er8 And if !o@ =;i:; i! older8 (;i! i! a diffi:ul Cue! ion. Our !our:e!@ on ;e =;ole@ =ould end o ;e $ie= ;a PJrunBIlK i! ;e older of ;e =oD if ;a i! a::e< ed@ and if one ;a! de$elo<ed froB ;e o ;er@ ;en i Bu! be ~JlK =;o ;a! a>en ;i! ori?in froB PJrunBIlK. Bu no one =;o ;a! Bade a $erA :lo!e and :ri i:al ! udA of our oral radi ion! =ill be :oBfor able =i ; ;a :on:lu!ion@ ;o=e$er in$i in? i BaA be a! a line of lea! re!i! an:e. We are ! ron?lA of ;e o<inion@ ;erefore@ ;a ~JlK a! ;e !<iri ual <rin:i<le i! :er ainlA older ;an PJ runBIlKD and ;a PJrunBIlK i! a &Ba eriali!ed& de$elo<Ben of ~JlK. We are !u<<or ed in ;i! bA ;e fa: ;a ;ere are ! ron? radi ion! =;i:; !aA ;a PJrunBIlK ;ad <aren ! and =a! born bA <;A!i:al ?enera ion@ =;ile ;e e erni A of ~JlK a! one =;o i! ;e

off!<rin? of OlZdNBarO i! unCue! ioned. Bu =e are =or>in? ;ere on ;e a!!uB< ion ;a one of ;eB de$elo<ed froB ;e o ;er@ =;i:; Ba er i! li le Bore ;an a =ea> ;A<o ;e!i!. *;all =e no= <ro:eed o loo> a ~JlK a! ;e ! and! bA ;iB!elf8 (;e fir! ;in? of iB<or an:e abou ;iB i! ;a ;e i! :alled ~JlK@ oJBoJ In0&~JlK ;e off!<rin? of ! J In&. W;o i! ! J In8 In Yoruba@ ;e =ord ! J In i! ei ;er a <er!on7! naBe@ or a i le. A! a i le i Bean! &ruler& or &:;ief&. Our !our:e! lea$e u! in no doub ;a ! J In ;ere refer! o ;e Ruler of ruler! and C;ief of :;ief!@ OlZdNiBarO and !in:e ;i! i! !o@ ~JlK !<ran? froB OlZdNBarOD and i i! in ere! in? o >no= ;a ;e i! ;e onlA one !o !<e:ifi:allA de!i?na ed aBon? ;e di$ini ie!. )e i! de!:ribed a! &e ernal& or@ o be <re:i!e@ &e$er?reen &. (;ere i! an e$er?reen ;erb =;i:; i! :alled ~JlK and abou =;i:; i i! !aid ~JlK >i 0%1+

7bV e=W o>o 7roJ00& ~JlK doe! no =i ;er =;en o ;er <lan ! in ;e fore! do&. (;i! ;erb i! u!ed freCuen lA for :ura i$e Bedi:ine or <re$en i$e :;arB!D i i! of en <lan ed in ?arden! or on ;e roof! of ;ou!e! be:au!e i i! belie$ed o ;a$e a ;oBoeo<a ;i: <ro<er A. W;ile@ a::ordin? o our oral radi ion!@ i =a! PJrunBIlK =;o :aBe do=n =i ; orI! J K0 nlV o arran?e ear ;7! ra<<in?!@ =e ;a$e al!o ;e eF<li:i ! a eBen ;a i =a! ~JlK =;o or?ani!ed ear ;7! affair! and !e ;in?! in ;eir <ro<er <la:e!. )e i! e$en de!:ribed a! ;e one =;o Bade all ;in?!@ in ;e !en!e ;a i =a! ;rou?; ;i! a?en:A ;a all ;in?! ;a$e ;eir bein?. (o ;iB i! :redi ed ;e Bain fun: ion! of <ea:e0Ba>in? and of re:on:ilia ion =;ere$er ;ere i! di!:ord@ and ;e re! ora ion of order =;ere$er ;ere i! :;ao!. ~JlK i! de!:ribed a! one =;o re?enera e!. I i! !aid ;a ;e re: ifie! un;a<<A de! inie!. On li Z n \n orY i >P !un=Jn CJe00&I i! ;e =;o reBedie! un;a<<A lo !&. % )e i! de<i: ed a! a deli$erer. )e deli$er! froB !JN@ froB e$il Ba:;ina ion!@ and froB unfa$ourable i!!ue!. We reBeBber ;a PJrunBIlK i! al!o a deli$erer in ;a ;e <re!:ribe! !a:rifi:e! and !;o=! <eo<le =;a o do in :ri i:al !i ua ion!@ <re!en or o :oBe. PJrunBIlK e$en :ollabora e! =i ; !JN or li$e! in liai!on =i ; ;iB. Bu ~JlK i! defini elA o<<o!ed o ;e e$il =or>! of !JN and en?a?e! ;iB!elf in ob! ru: in? ;iB or undoin? ;i! e$il deed! in ;e =aA a !u<erior =ould. In ;i! !e in?@ ~JlK a<<ear! a! ;e

one =;o ;a! <o=er o$er !JN and i! able o o$er:oBe or !ubdue ;iB. ~JlK deli$er! =;ole :oBBuni ie! froB iB<endin? :alaBi ie!. A::ordin? o di ]D=PrI in ;e OdN :or<u!@ ~JlK i! ;e !<iri of ru ;@ ri?; ne!!@ and aBi:able li$in?@ =or>in? on ear ; o :rea e and <roBo e order@ ;a<<ine!!@ and under! andin? aBon? ;e in;abi an ! of ;e ear ;. )en:e in ;i! OdN =e ;a$e ;e re:i al@ ~JlK I=PrI + ni >I 7EWJ>Y aiAW ra 7E\D 'i?bK Y aiAW ba07luf5J dKre@ ~JlK I=PrI l7 o bV a \n aiAW r5J !JeD 'i?bK Y a=oJn oJ0dK07l5J Il\ A>ilK ba aiAW Ilu =oJn EWJ@ ~JlK I=PrI l7 o ba =oJn \n u !JeD 'i?bK Y J!Vn d7 Pru ni ilN PJU1,+5>5Jr5J>5J@ , RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee abo$e@ <. 44@ and C;a< er %,@ <<. %43 ff. + I=PrI i! one of ;e Bain ;eadin?! in ;e di$i!ion! of ;e OdN :or<u!. ~JlK i! freCuen lA Ben ioned in ;e re:i al! under ;i! ;eadin?. , (;ere i! a !u??e! ion ;a PJU1,+5>5Jr5J>5J Bean! E?A< and ;a ;e referen:e ;ere i! o ;e E?A< ian Dar>ne!! :onne: ed =i ; ;e ! orA of ;e EFodu! in ;e Bible. 0%1,

(i aiAW Il\ nx di r\durNdu@ (i a=oJn a=o ib5J bK a I@ ~JlK I=PrI l7 o ba Ol\AoJrY ba ib5J \n u !JeL 'i?bK Y l?bVra % bV nf5J !7 orY aiAW >7 odP@ ~JlK I=PrI nY 7Ba dNbe JnK r5JD ~JlK I=PrI >I 7?b7 o=Z@ ~JlK I=PrI >I 7?b7 obI@ On l7 Z !I n \n orI i >P !un=JJn !Je. + ~JlK I=PrI i i! =;o !a$e! ;e =orld froB ruinL W;en ;e =orld of ba7luf5J be:aBe :onfu!ed@ ~JlK I=PrI i =a! =;o re! ored order in o i D W;en ;e :o$enan 0brea>er! of A>ilK !<oil ;e o=n@ ~JlK I=PrI i =a! =;o <u ;in?! ri?; for ;e <eo<leD W;en daA urned in o ni?; in ;e o=n of PJ>5Jr5J>5J@ And ;e !a?e! of ;e <la:e =ere baffled@ ~JlK I=PrI i =a! =;o :aBe o ;e aid of Ol\AJrY@ i ! >in?@ =i ; a reBedAD W;ene$er lUJ1E5J?bVra <lan! o urn ;e =orld u<!ide do=n@ ~JlK I=PrI i i! =;o ob! ru: ! ;iBD ~JlK I=PrI re:ei$e! no BoneA Ga! reBunera ionH@ ~JlK I=PrI re:ei$e! no >ola0nu !@ Ye ;e i i! =;o re: ifie! un;a<<A de! inie!.

~JlK i! freCuen lA in$o>ed durin? =or!;i< o :oBe and ble!! offerin?! and Ba>e ;eB a::e< able. )e i! al!o addre!!ed a! ;e !<iri =;i:; in!<ire! a::e< able !a:rifi:e a! =ell a! ;e life0?i$in? !a:rifi:e. (;u! ;e i! ;e !<iri =;i:; in!<ire! :orre: =or!;i<D and i! one =;o!e life ;a! been offered. (;e oral radi ion! ell u! ;a ~JlK :aBe in o ;i! =orld and =a! full of ?ood =or>!@ labourin? !elfle!!lA and a!>in? for no re=ardD bu ;e be:aBe oo Bu:; for ;e in;abi an ! of ;e =orld bA rea!on of ;i! ?oodne!!L ;e =a! ;erefore Bali?ned and rea:;erou!lA a::u!ed of ;inderin? ;e !Boo ; runnin? of ;e =orld. )e be:aBe offended and a!:ended o ;ea$en bA Bean! of a ro<e. I =a! onlA ;en ;a ;e in;abi an ! of ;e =orld found ou ;a i i! iB<o!!ible reallA o li$e =i ;ou ~JlKD and !o !in:e ;en ;eA ;a$e been <raAin? ;a ;e !;ould de!:end and ble!! ;eB. (;u! =e ;a$e i fur ;er in di ]D=PrI ;a RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % l5J?bVra i! ano ;er naBe for !JN. + I!J5Jdal5J Yoruba@ bA E. A. ceJnAoJ G La?o!@ %52,H@ <. +3. 0%1.

~JlK !J7 o?bZ@ ~JlK !J7 a J@ !J7 a J@ O f7 J d\nd\n !J7 ba e=W@ O f7 ]rP!Nn !J7 J run ry J qD O f7 />un !J7 ba oBi O f7 P J !K !J7 J run r!JD A0!70y J q;In0=a@ a0!70y J q;In0b J @ '=o J n nY ~ J lK >P !J7 aiAW 7reD ~JlK b7 inu@ o a 7>Nn@ o r7 J runD Bo J ar70ViAW \n =V n>Y?beL ~JlK dy J qdy J qry J q l7 Z Bx !P J >aly J q =a ?b7 Nre@ ~JlK dy J qdy J qry J q. % ~JlK indeed Bade old a?eD ~JlK indeed Bade lon? lifeD )e Bade P J d\nd\n + >in? of lea$e!@ )e Bade ]DrP!Nn ;i! <rie! D )e Bade ;e O:ean >in? of =a er!@ )e Bade ;e La?oon ;i! <rie! D Af er all@ and in ;e end@ (;eA <ronoun:ed ;a ~JlK ;ad no :ondu: ed ;e =orld in ;e ri?; =aAD ~JlK =a! offendedD ;e ! re :;ed ou a ro<e and a!:ended in o ;ea$enD

(;e in;abi an ! of ;e =orld :;an?ed une and ;a$e !in:e been :allin? ou L ~JlK@ de!:endin?@ Bu! :oBe ba:> o ble!!@ ~JlK@ de!:endin?. ~JlK i! !oBe iBe! :alled Bo J Ol\oro?bo , 00&(;e off!<rin? of Ol\oro?bo&@ =;ile ;ere are ;o!e =;o =ould iden ifA ;iB =i ; Ol\oro?bo. . )ere a?ain =e Bu! ?o :arefullA. Ol\oro?bo a<<ear! o be a la e arri$al aBon? ;e di$ini ie! of Yorubaland@ and i i! Cui e <o!!ible ;a ;e a ra: ed !oBe of ;e a ribu e! of ~JlK. Mo! of ;e deed! and fun: ion! RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % I!edale Yoruba@ bA E. A. cenAo G La?o!@ %52,H. + R. C. Abra;aB@ in Di: ionarA of Modern Yoruba@ find! for P J d\nd\n ;e bo ani:al naBe of calan:;oe GCra!!ula:eaeH and for ]DrP!Nn Ba<;ia 'i ida G"a<ilona:eaeH. , *ee C;a< er %2@ <<. +1. ff for fur ;er di!:u!!ion on Ol\oro?bo. . (;e )i! orA of ;e Yoruba!@ bA *aBuel Jo;n!on G La?o!@ C.M.*.@ %5,4H@ <. %.4. 0%120

a ribu ed o bo ; of ;eB are iden i:al. (;e oral radi ion! ;a$e i ;a Ol\ro?bo =a! ;e !on of Mo J rOBi@ ;e ?rea ;eroine of I#5 J =;o offered ;iB a! a !a:rifi:e in <aABen of a $o=D bu ;eA ?i$e al!o ;e :lear ! a eBen =;i:; !u??e! ! ;a Ol\oro?bo =a! ;e one =;o oo> ;e ini ia i$e in deli$erin? ;e =orld froB di!a! er and :a a! ro<;eL O >\ ?W J ?W J@ >N ?y J q?y J q@ >i aiAW Z AbKE_J@'i Ol\oro?bo =V \n aiAW ! J e. I =a! bu a ! e< and a :a a! ro<;e =ould ;a$e befallen ;e =orldD (;en Ol\oro?bo :aBe and re: ified ;e =orld. In ;i! :onne: ion@ i i! in ere! in? ;a in Ile0 I#5 J @ ;e fe! i$al of Ol\oro?bo i! inde<enden of ;a of Mo J rOBi. In fa: Ol\oro?bo and Mo J rOBi ;a$e no :ul i: :onne: ion. W;en =e :oB<are ;e abo$e Cuo a ion =i ; ;e fir! $er!e alreadA Cuo ed abou ~JlK@ =e !ee ;a ;eA bo ; refer o ;e !aBe e$en or@ a lea! @ iden i:al e$en !. ~JlK i! :alled IrYE\ OlZdNBarOD AlK en! J e AiAW0&(;e "riBe Mini! er of OlZdNBarW&D &One =;o!e fun: ion i i! o !e ;e =orld ri?; &. Ol\oro?bo i! al!o :alled ;e #ir! Mini! er of Ol\dNBarO and ;e *a$iour of ;e =orld. ~JlK i! belie$ed o be in ;ea$en@ bu dire: in? ;e bu!ine!! of ;e =orld@ bein? in! ruBen al e!<e:iallA in ;e Ba er of !<iri ual :on a: be =een OlZdNBarW and ;e =orld. Ol\oro?bo i! :alled I> J AEKlViAW I> J AEKl J run00&(;e C;ief Me!!en?er0Lin> be =een ;e >in? of ear ; and ;e cin? of ;ea$en&.

~ J lK i! ;u! a &:;ara: er& abou =;i:; =e Bu! no rea:; a :on:lu!ion in a ;urrA@ e!<e:iallA a! for BanA Aear! <a! ;e Yoruba@ =i ; ;e full !u<<or of I#5 J <rie! !@ ;a$e Bade iden ifi:a ion be =een OlNoro?bo and Je!u! C;ri! . % (;e ;i?; !<iri ual Cuali A and a ribu e! of ~JlK are :er ainlA a Ba er for Bore re!ear:; =or> and :areful ;ou?; . (;e naBe ~JlK Bean! &*afe A& or &One =;o >ee<! in !afe A&D &"re!er$a ion& or &"re!er$er&D &*al$a ion& or &*a$iour7. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er %2@ <<. +1. ff. 0%130

5 (;e Cul of ;e Di$ini ie! WOR*)I" (o ;e :a!ual ob!er$er@ ;e obEe: i$e <;enoBena in ;e reli?ion of ;e Yoruba are ;e di$ini ie! and ;e :ul ! a a:;ed o ;eB. I =ill be =or ;=;ile@ ;erefore@ o ?i$e a en ion o ;e!e :ul !D and o do ;a @ =e !;all be?in =i ; ;e fundaBen al !ubEe: of =or!;i<. Wor!;i< i! an iB<era i$e ur?e in Ban. I ! be?innin? BaA be ra:ed ba:> o ;e ba!i: &in! in: & =;i:; =a! e$o>ed in Ban bA ;e $erA fa: of ;i! :onfron a ion =i ; ;e &nuBinou!&. % Man <er:ei$ed ;a ;ere =a! a "o=er o ;er and ?rea er ;an ;iB!elf@ a "o=er =;i:; doBina ed and :on rolled ;e un!een =orld in =;i:; ;e fel ;iB!elf en$elo<edD a "o=er =;i:; ;e ;erefore Bade ou bA in ui ion o be ;e &ul iBa e De erBiner of De! inA&. + &Ye =or!;i< ;a =;i:; Ae >no= no & BaA be <redi:a ed of Ban7! ri ual a: ! in ;e be?innin?. W;a ;a<<ened o ;iB =a! ;a ;e ur?en @ a=e!oBe iBBanen:e of ;e &=;ollA o ;er& iB<re!!ed i !elf u<on ;iB in !u:; a :oB<ul!i$e =aA ;a ;e rea: ed =i ;ou <au!in? o ;in> =;A. (;u! =or!;i< in i ! rudiBen arA forB ori?ina ed in ;e !<on aneou! and eF eB<ore eF<re!!ion of Ban7! rea: ion a! ;e found ;iB!elf :onfron ed =i ; ;e re$ela ion =;i:; e$o>ed in ;iB an a: i$e re!<on!e. Wi ; ;e ?ro= ; of !<iri ual <er:e< ion@ belief ?raduallA be:aBe forBula edD ;a forBula ion re!ul ed in !oBe <a ern! of =or!;i< =;i:;@ =i ; ;e <a!!a?e of iBe@ e$ol$ed in o !e order!. A ;i! ! a?e@ =or!;i< ;ad a ained a !o:ial ! a u! =;erein ;e for:e of ;abi born of freCuen re<e i ion! re!ul ed in a deBand for :onforBi A o a<<ro$ed :ul !. *u:;@ rou?;lA@ =a! ;e ba!i: <ro:e!! =;i:; <rodu:ed all ;e forB! of =or!;i< =;i:; =e ;a$e odaA.

In ;e life of ;e Yoruba@ =or!;i< a! an iB<era i$e fa: or ! and! ou <roBinen lA. A! a dee<lA reli?iou! <eo<le@ =or!;i< for ;eB be?in!@ RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % Cf. Gene!i! +-L%4D ESe>iel %L+-. + (;e Reli?iou! Con!:iou!ne!!@ bA J. ". "ra G 'e= Yor>@ (;e Ma:Billan Co.@ %5.3H. C;a< er! % and + are $erA illuBina in? on ;i! !ubEe: . 0%140

:on rol!@ and end! all ;e affair! of life. A Yoruba feel! ;a ;e i! in ;e <re!en:e of ;i! di$ini A =;ere$er ;e i! and =;a e$er ;e doe!. (;e a: i$e eFi! en:e of ;e di$ini A i! ;i! :on rollin? ;ou?; @ =;e ;er ;a Bean! for ;iB a :on! an !our:e of !u<er! i iou! dread@ or a !en!e of !e:uri A =;i:; fill! ;iB =i ; in=ard <ea:e. In all under a>in?!@ ;o=e$er ri$ial or $i al@ ;e <u ! ;i! di$ini A fir! and :all! u<on ;iB for ble!!in?@ !u<<or @ and !u::our. Wor!;i< in ;e reli?ion of ;e Yoruba i! e!!en iallA ri uali! i: and li ur?i:al. (;e ri ual! follo= !e @ fiFed@ and radi ional <a ern!. &(;e =aA i i! done& i! ;e ?uidin? <rin:i<le =;e ;er =or!;i< i! <ubli: or <ri$a e. (;e!e radi ional <a ern! are :arefullA <re!er$ed and !A! eBa i:allA follo=ed. E!<e:iallA i! ;i! !o be:au!e ;eA ;a$e a:Cuired Ba?i:al $ir ue! in :on!eCuen:e of =;i:; i i! belie$ed ;a ;eA :an onlA be effi:a:iou! =;en ;eA are :orre: lA :ondu: ed. I i! rele$an a ;i! <oin o reBar> on ;e <er!onal :ondi ion! =;i:; CualifA a Yoruba for =or!;i<. )e Bu! be :ereBoniallA :lean. (;i! i! iB<or an bo ; for ;o!e =;o under a>e ;e :ondu: of =or!;i< a! i i! for all =or!;i<<er! in ?eneral. Ri ual defileBen BaA be in:urred in !e$eral =aA!@ de<endin? on =;a are abu o ;e <ar i:ular di$ini A =;o i! bein? =or!;i<<ed. I i! belie$ed@ ;o=e$er@ ;a !eFual in er:our!e iBBedia elA before =or!;i<@ or =;en i ! &! ain& ;a! no been reBo$ed bA ;orou?; =a!;in?@ i! a ;in? forbidden bA all ;e di$ini ie!. *o al!o i! i abu for a =or!;i<<er o :arrA bad Bedi:ine on ;i! <er!on. (;e ?rea e! ob! a:le o effi:a:iou! =or!;i< i! iB<uri A of ;ear . (;u! Boral and ri ual :leanne!! ;a$e froB iBe iBBeBorial been a::e< ed a! a <rereCui!i e of Yoruba =or!;i<. 'o= le u! ?i$e !oBe de ail! abou =or!;i<. (;e dailA Bornin? =or!;i< i! !iB<le and u!uallA <ri$a e in ;a i i!@ Bore of en ;an no @ ;e doin? of one <er!on. I a>e! ;e

forB of !aAin? &Good Mornin?& o ;e orI! J K and of reaffirBin? Ban7! a:>no=led?Ben of ;iB o be ;e :on roller of de! inA@ on ;e <lea!ure and ble!!in? of =;oB de<end! ;e =or!;i<<er7! ?ood for une for ;e daA and for ;e fu ure. #or ;i! !iB<le =or!;i<@ ;e =or!;i<<er <ro$ide! ;iB!elf =i ; =a er and >ola0nu !. (;e =or!;i<<er ! and! before ;e !;rine and be?in! ;e =or!;i< =i ; ;e in$o:a ion =;erein ;e :all! ;e orI! J K bA ;i! naBe! and a<<ella ion! and in$i e! ;iB Ber:ifullA o ?i$e a en ion o ;i! &:;ild&. % Durin? ;e in$o:a ion a ra le BaA be !ounded a! if ;e be er o a ra: ;e a en ion RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % Wor!;i<<er! of a di$ini A are u!uallA de!:ribed a! ;i! &:;ildren&D :;ildren are naBed af er !u:; a di$ini A bA ;i! =or!;i<<er!@ e.?. ! J NbiAi00&*:ion of ! J N&L *ee C;a< er -@ <. -.. 0%1-0

of ;e di$ini A@ and ;e liba ion i! <oured ei ;er on ;e ?round or on ;e !;rine. (;en ;e =or!;i<<er ! a e! ;e rea!on =;A ;e i! ;ere a ;e !;rineL ;i! :oB<ri!e! a ! a eBen of ;e ble!!in?! =;i:; ;e de!ire!@ and i doe! no eF:lude :ur!e! u<on ;i! eneBie!. Af er ;i!@ ;e >ola0nu % i! !<li @ and no= :oBe! an anFiou! BoBen L for ;e =or!;i<<er eF<e: ! bA ;e oBen of ;e >ola0nu o >no= =;e ;er ;i! =or!;i< ;a! been a::e< ed or reEe: ed@ =;e ;er ;e Bee ! =i ; ;e <lea!ure of ;e orI! J K or no @ =;e ;er all =ill be =ell for ;e daA and in ;e fu ure or no . W;en ;e ;a! ob ained a <ro<i iou! oBen@ ;e EoAfullA :on:lude! ;e =or!;i< bA <la:in? a $al$e or =o of ;e >ola0nu on ;e !;rine and ea in? ;e re! . )e BaA@ if need be@ ! ore u< !oBe of ;e >ola0nu o be ?i$en o !ui able $i!i or!@ or ;e BaA a!> anAbodA =;o ;a<<en! o be around o <ar a>e of i . On ;e !a:red daA of ;e orI! J K@ =or!;i< Bore elabora e and u!uallA in$ol$e! a :oBBuni A of =or!;i<<er!. (;e a: ual ri ual follo=! <ra: i:allA ;e !aBe <a ern a! ;e dailA one@ bu ;ere are iB<or an de ail! =;i:; ?i$e i di! in: ion. (;e =or!;i<<er! are dre!!ed u< for ;e o::a!ion@ and ;ere are ?if ! of food and drin> and <aABen of $o=! + a>en o ;e orI! J K. (;ere Bu! be a! BanA >ola0nu ! a! ;ere are =or!;i<<er!@ and e$en addi ional one! for ;o!e =;o for !oBe rea!on are no <re!en . (;e =or!;i<<er! are <re!en ed !e$erallA o ;e orI! J K. On ;e <re!en a ion of a =or!;i<<er@ ;e >neel! before ;e !;rineD =;en ;e <rie! ;a! :on:luded ;e <re!en a ion@ ;e =or!;i<<er ! a e! ;i! rea!on! for :oBin? o ;e orI! J K on ;i! !a:red daAD ;e <rie! a>e! o$er a?ain and re! a e! =;a ;e =or!;i<<er ;a! !aid@ no= Ba>in? i a <e i ion o ;e orI! J K. (;e !<li in? and :a! in? of ;e =or!;i<<er7! >ola0nu i! done@ and ;i! offerin? Gif anAH i! Bade. If all i! =ell bA ;e oBen@ ;e ! re :;e! ou bo ; ;and! and ;e <rie! laA! on ;eB

;e <or ion! of ;e >ola0nu =;i:; are ;i! !;are@ durin? ;e :our!e of =;i:; ;e <rie! ?i$e! ;iB ;e final ble!!in? froB ;e orI! J K. *oBe iBe!@ a! a <ar of ;i! final ble!!in?@ ;e <rie! <la:e! an eBbleB of ;e orI! J K on ;e ou ! re :;ed ;and! of ;e =or!;i<<er@ and ;e =or!;i<<er ou:;e! ;i! fore;ead and brea! =i ; i and re urn! i @ ;u! a::e< in? ;e benedi: orA ou:; of ;e di$ini A. W;ere ;i! i! done@ i i! af er i ;a ;e >ola0nu <ie:e! =ill be ;anded o ;e =or!;i<<er =i ; ;e final =ord! of ble!!in?. (;e Bain differen:e be =een =or!;i< on ;e !a:red daA and =or!;i< durin? ;e annual fe! i$al i! ;e Bore elabora e <ro?raBBe :onne: ed =i ; annual :elebra ion!. (;i! i! an o::a!ion for reEoi:in? and ;an>!?i$in?D <eo<le :oBe ou in ;eir be! and ?i$e of ;eir be! . (;e offerin?! RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er %1@ <. %,2. + *ee belo=@ <<. %+% ff. 0%150

are Bo! lA ;an>offerin?!@ % and ;e Beal! + :on! i u e an o<<or uni A of :oBBunion be =een ;e di$ini A and ;i! &:;ildren& on ;e one ;and@ and ;en aBon? ;e &:;ildren& ;eB!el$e! on ;e o ;er. I i! a iBe for !<e:ial rene=al of :o$enan !. Moreo$er@ ;e annual fe! i$al! of ;e <rin:i<al di$ini ie! are u!uallA ;e :on:ern of ;e =;ole :oBBuni A. )ere ;e ;ead of ;e :oBBuni A i! <ar i:ularlA in$ol$ed. E$en ;ou?; ea:; orI! J K ;a! ;i! o=n ;i?; <rie! @ ;e ;ead of ;e :oBBuni A i! a::orded ;e ;onour of ;e <on ifeF BaFiBu! , and i i! ;e =;o i! ul iBa elA re!<on!ible for all ;a ;a<<en! durin? ;e fe! i$al. )e al!o ;a! a !<e:ial ri ual =;i:;@ <er!onallA or bA <roFA@ ;e Bu! <erforB durin? ea:; fe! i$al. Durin? ;i! annual fe! i$al@ =or!;i< i! arran?ed <ri$a elA in ;oBe!@ or !eBi0<ubli:lA in !;rine! belon?in? o :oB<ound! or Cuar er!. A ;e!e !;rine!@ <eo<le a>e ;e o<<or uni A of ;e annual fe! i$al of ;e di$ini A o Ba>e offerin?! o ;e an:e! or! =;o ;ad been in ;e <a! :onne: ed =i ; ;e =or!;i< of ;e di$ini A and are in a !<iri ual =aA ! ill in :oBBuni:a ion and :oBBunion =i ; ;e li$in?. (;ere are no !e<ara e annual fe! i$al! for ;e an:e! or! eF:e< =;ere ;eA ;a$e been deified. (;e Bo! !i?nifi:an annual =or!;i< a>e! <la:e in ;e :en ral !;rine of ;e u elarA di$ini A of ;e :oBBuni A. )ere ;e ;ead of ;e :oBBuni A i! <re!en or re<re!en ed. )e i! ;e fir! o be <re!en ed o ;e orI! J K and ;i! o=n >ola0nu i! ;e fir! o be !<li and :a! . Af er ;iB :oBe ;e o ;er =or!;i<<er! =i ; ;eir >ola0nu !@ a::ordin? o ;eir ran> and ! a u! in ;e :oBBuni A.

Le u! no= =a :; a A<i:al a: of =or!;i<. We :;oo!e ;a of /e. (;e <er!on on be;alf of =;oB ;e =or!;i< ;a! been arran?ed :oBe! in =i ; a :o$ered :alaba!; :on ainin? >ola0nu !. *;e a>e! alon? al!o a !a:rifi:ial $i: iB00a do?@ and a roa! ed AaB@ a bo le of <alB0oil@ and a ?ourd of <alB0=ine. (;e <rie! ! and! u< and fa:e! ;e !;rine. )e <our! a liba ion of =a er or <alB0=ine and@ a>in? an all0Be al ;aBBer froB ;e !;rine@ ;e ;old! i bA ;e ;ead and ! ri>e! ;e ;andle on ;e eBbleB! of ;e di$ini A@ ;u! Ba>in? !oBe rin?in? no e!. W;ile ;e doe! ;i!@ ;e Ba>e! ;e in$o:a ion in ;e!e =ord!@ /e@ >i o Bx ?bf J g o@ A=@ LV>VaiAW@ P J !In IBaly J qD A=o J n0l70e J Ain07E\@ O?bO l7 ! J ;In o J Bo J orNn>Kn@ on70ilW >Vn?un>Kn?un Y Bbe J l7 o J run00 &A end o u!@ O /e@ A=@ )e0=;o0i!in0:on rol0all0o$er0 ;e0=orld@ C;ief of ;e di$ini ie!@ )e0=;o!e0eAeball!0are0 rare G o !eeH@ *u<<or be;ind ;e or<;an@ ;e O=ner of ;e innuBerable ;ou!e! of ;ea$en.& (;en ;e urn! o ;e =or!;i<<er =;o a a :ue ! a e! ;e rea!on =;A !;e :oBe! o /eD ;e a>e! o$er a?ain =i ; RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee belo=@ <. %+%. + *ee belo=@ ibid. , *ee C;a< er %1@ <. %,+. 0%%10

;e!e =ord!@ LV?\nE\ o J Bo J r! J =a !i J d J r! J @ o ni PbI@ o ni e<o@ o ni ! J Bu@ o ni y J q!un 7! J u@ o ni aEV@ o ni >i a B\ n f\n o J @ LV?\nE\ n| l Z Bbe J ni=VE\ re J AiL V?Vn l7 o AV i 7Z ri Go J Bo J H bY@ e J >\n o J Bo J l7 o n!un@ K=y J q aIrY0?bWdVnY l7 o n?bKD /e@ Ee J >7 Z r7 o J Bo J bi. . . . &LV?\nE\@ Aour :;ild@ i! :oBe before Aou@ !;e brin?! o Aou >ola0nu !@ !;e brin?! <alB0oil@ !;e brin?! <alB0=ine@ !;e brin?! roa! ed AaB@ !;e brin?! a do?L !;e a!>! ;a ;eA be <re!en ed o Aou. (;i! i! ;e LV?\nE\ before AouL barren !;e i! and ;a! no i!!ueD !;e i! in ear! be:au!e !;e ;a! no :;ildrenD !;e i! fa! in? be:au!e !;e ;a! none o :arrA in ;er arB!D /e@ ?ran ;a !;e BaA ;a$e :;ildren. . . .& )e ;en <our! ;e <alB0oil and <alB0=ine on or before ;e !;rine@ and :a! ! ;e >ola0nu . If ;e oBen i! <ro<i iou!@ ;e <la:e! a <or ion of ;e nu on ;e !;rine. (;en follo=! ;e !laAin? of ;e do?L an a endan i! ;anded a !:iBi ar bA ;e <rie! D =o o ;er a endan ! ;old ;e do? a o<<o!i e end! and <ull i !o ;a ;e ne:> ! re :;e! ou au . (;e a endan =;o ;old! ;e !:iBi ar lif ! i and !;ou ! ;e ri ual =ord! ;ri:e@ =;ile all ;o!e =;o are <re!en !;ou ba:> ;e a<<ro<ria e re!<on!e. BA ;e end of ;e re!<on!e ;e ;ird iBe@ ;e brin?! do=n ;e !:iBi ar =i ; full for:e and be;ead! ;e do? a one ! ro>e. % (;e =o <ar ! of ;e do? are no= lif ed dri<<in? blood and ;e =;ole !;rine i! !Beared and rubbed =i ; ;e blood. (;e <rie! :u ! off i ! eF reBi ie! and <la:e! ;eB on ;e !;rine. )e :u ! ;e AaB o <ie:e! and laA! !oBe of i u<on ;e !;rine@ <la:in? ;e re! in a :alaba!; o be !;ared bA ;e <eo<le =;o are Eoinin? in ;e =or!;i<. La! lA@ ;e ! ri>e! ;e eBbleB! a?ain a! ;e did durin? ;e in$o:a ion and !aA!@ /e l7 o?bZ@ o l7 a Z J@ o l7 aI>\@ o l7 aIr\n@ o n7 a>Z>P ireD o Bu f\n o J 00&/e ;a! old a?e@ ;e ;a! lon?e$i A@ ;e ;a! iBBor ali A@ ;e ;a! non0:orru< ion@ ;e ;a! iBe of ble!!in?D ;e ?i$e! ;eB o Aou&. )e ;en ! re :;e! ou ;e ;aBBer o ;e !u<<lian @ =;o a>e! i in ;er ou ! re :;ed ;and!@ ou:;e! ;er fore;ead and brea! =i ; i @ !aAin?@ O 7 ara Bi o00&I G ;e ble!!in?H

re! ! u<on Be&00and re urn! i o ;e <rie! . * ill >neelin? =i ; ou ! re :;ed ;and!@ !;e re:ei$e! ;er o=n <or ion of ;e >ola0nu =i ; ;e final =ord! of ble!!in? froB ;e <rie! L and !o end! ;e =or!;i<. #reCuen:A of Wor!;i< A! =e ;a$e ob!er$ed@ =or!;i< a>e! <la:e re?ularlA e$erA Bornin? a ;e !;rine!. U!uallA@ i a>e! <la:e before ;e =or!;i<<er !<ea>! o anA <er!on. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % (;e ri ual deBand i! ;a ;e :u in? Bu! be a one ! ro>eD ;e !a:rifi:e i! Barred =;ere ;i! i! no !u::e!!ful. (;en a bri:> i! fir! :u a!under before ano ;er a eB< i! Bade a ;e $i: iB. 0%%%0

(;ere i! al!o re?ular =or!;i< on ;e !a:red daA! of ;e di$ini ie!. I a<<ear! ;a @ ori?inallA@ ;e !a:red daA of ea:; di$ini A :aBe round e$erA fif ; daA@ and i i! <o!!ible ;a ;e !aBe !a:red daA =a! ob!er$ed for ;eB all. (;i! =ould be ba!ed on ;e belief ;a ;e :rea ion of ;e ear ; =a! :oB<le ed in four daA!. % (;ere i! a !aAin? ;a IfV l7 o l7 Pna IfV l7 o l7 J la@ IfV l7 o l7 J enla@ IfV l7 o ni 7Eo J BW J rin orI! J K dV7lW aiAW00&(o IfV belon?! odaA@ o IfV belon?! oBorro=@ o IfV belon?! ;e daA af er oBorro=@ o IfV belon?! ;e four daA! in =;i:; ;e orI! J K :rea ed ;e ear ;&. *oBe of ;e <rin:i<al di$ini ie! ! ill ;a$e ;eir !a:red daA! e$erA fif ; daA. (;i! i! !o@ for eFaB<le@ =i ; orI! J K0nlV and P J runBIlK. Bu =i ; ;e be=ilderin? Bul i<li:a ion of ;e di$ini ie!@ i be:aBe Cui e iB<o!!ible o fi e$erA one of ;eB in o ;a <a ernD and !o =;ile ;ere are ;o!e =;o ;a$e ;e <ri$ile?e of ;e ori?inal radi ion@ ;ere are ;o!e =;o ;a$e ;eir !a:red daA! on e$erA !e$en ; or nin ; daA@ or e$en e$erA !e$en een ; daA. W;a ;a<<ened o ;e !a:red daA fiF ure! ;a<<ened al!o <robablA o ;e annual fe! i$al!. A :areful :alendar ;a! been =or>ed ou !o ;a ;e fe! i$al! of ;e di$ini ie! in ea:; lo:ali A do no :la!;. (;i! i! ne:e!!arA a! ;e ;ead of ;e :oBBuni A i! !<e:iallA :on:erned@ and ;e =;ole :oBBuni A in ere! ed@ in ea:; of ;e <rin:i<al fe! i$al!. Gbo?bo o J d\n ni o J d\n ba00&All fe! i$al! belon? o ;e >in?&. (;e )ead of ;e :oBBuni A naBe! ;e da e of ea:; fe! i$al@ or ;e da e i! fiFed in ;i! naBe@ a! ;e fe! i$al a<<roa:;e!. In !oBe <la:e! ;e da e on =;i:; ;e fe! i$al be?in! i! fiFed !e$en een daA! before@ and in o ;er! nine daA!. (;e da e na urallA $arie! !li?; lA froB Aear o Aear be:au!e ;e Yoruba re:>on bA ;e a<<earan:e! of ;e ne= Boon.

(;e nuBber of ;e di$ini ie! i! !u:; ;a bA ;e iBe e$erAone of ;eB ;a! a>en a !a:red daA and a da e for ;e annual fe! i$al ;e =;ole :A:le of ;e Bon ;! and ;e Aear !;ould ;a$e been :o$ered. (;u!@ in !oBe dee<lA reli?iou! :oBBuni ie!@ ;ere i! !ure o be !oBe ri ual :elebra ion ?oin? on alBo! all ;e iBe. A<ar froB ;e re?ular dailA or !ea!onal =or!;i<@ ;ere are !<e:ial arran?eBen ! Bade for =or!;i< a::ordin? o ;e need! of ;e :oBBuni A. (;i! >ind of !<e:iallA arran?ed =or!;i< i! $erA freCuen be:au!e@ a! =e ;a$e ob!er$ed@ ;e Yoruba are ?enerallA in:a<able of be?innin? anA $en ure =i ;ou :on!ul in? ;e ora:leD and ;e ora:le u!uallA dire: ! ;a one di$ini A or ;e o ;er@ or an an:e! or@ !;ould be =or!;i<<ed or <ro<i ia ed. Al!o@ <eo<le of en a!> for =or!;i< o be arran?ed in order o Ba>e a $o i$e offerin?@ <re!en a ;an>offerin?@ or a!!ure ;eB!el$e! of ;e :on inued ble!!in? of ;e di$ini A. Of en al!o@ RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % C;a< er ,@ <. +1. 0%%+0

<eo<le :oBe before ;e di$ini ie! a! !u<<lian ! a!>in? for !<e:ial ble!!in?!0:;ildren@ <ro!<eri A@ $i: orA o$er eneBie!@ or anA of ;e Banifold ;in?! of ;i! life of =;i:; ;eA feel in need for ;eir !<iri @ bodA@ or e! a e. #or all ;e!e ;e <eo<le in :;ar?e of ;e :ul ! of ;e di$ini ie! :a er and ;u! >ee< ;e a endan:e! a ;e !;rine! ?oin? all ;e iBe. )o= !iB<le or elabora e ;i! >ind of =or!;i< i! =ill de<end on ;e <re!:ri< ion bA ;e ora:le or ;e <ur!e of ;e =or!;i<<er. Mu!i: Mu!i: find! an iB<or an <la:e in =or!;i< in ;e reli?ion of ;e Yoruba. (;e Bu!i: BaA be Cuie @ loud@ or noi!AD ;a de<end! on ;e >ind of =or!;i< in =;i:; i o::ur!. I BaA be Eu! !in?in?D i BaA be !in?in? a::oB<anied bA :la<<in?D or !in?in? a::oB<anied bA in! ruBen !. A?ain@ ;e >ind of =or!;i< de:ide! ;o= full ;e in! ruBen al a::oB<aniBen !;ould be. (;e in! ruBen ! BaA be =o <ie:e! of baBboo@ ! i:>!@ or Be al@ ;eld bA ea:; BeBber of ;e :on?re?a ionD i BaA be a druBD > BaA be a ! i:> and a ?on?@ or ! i:>! and ?on?!D i BaA be all of ;e!e o?e ;er. In ;e Cuie @ dailA Bornin? =or!;i<@ Buri: rarelA o::ur! be:au!e ;e =or!;i<<er i! Bore of en ;an no ;e <rie! alone@ or ;e <rie! and one a endan or =o. Bu on ;e !a:red daA! of ;e di$ini ie!@ ;ere i! u!uallA !in?in? in ;e !e order of =or!;i< and !u:; !in?in? i! of en a::oB<anied =i ; in! ruBen !. )o= full or loud ;e in! ruBen al a::oB<aniBen i! =ill de<end on ;e ran> or ! a u! of ;e <ar i:ular di$ini A :on:erned. On ;e o::a!ion of an annual fe! i$al@ ;o=e$er@ ;e !e order of =or!;i< deBand! a full a::oB<aniBen of in! ruBen !.

(;e li ur?i:al na ure of Yoruba ri ual! Ba>e! ;eir lan?ua?e re:i a i$eD and Yoruba !<ee:; i! !o onal ;a ;e Cui:>@ r;A ;Bi:al re:i al of ri ual =ord! a>e! on ;e na ure of :;an in?. (;ere i! no doub @ ;o=e$er@ ;a ;ere i! delibera e in ona ion =;en i i! !aid ;a '=o J n n>i orI! J K00&(;eA :;an ;e <rai!e of ;e di$ini A&. (;i! i! of ;e na ure of an e<i:D bu i :an be lon? dra=n0ou @ de<endin? on ;o= Bu:; ;ere i! o !aA abou a <ar i:ular di$ini A. E$erA di$ini A ;a! a !e of <rai!e0naBe! =i ; ! orie! =;i:; are re:i ed abou ;iB in :oBBeBora ion of ;i! ori?in@ ?rea ne!!@ <a! deed!@ abili A and :a<abili A. )ABn! o::ur of en in :oBBunal =or!;i<. Ea:; di$ini A ;a! ;i! o=n !e ;ABn! =;i:; are :onne: ed =i ; ;i! :ul . (;e!e are !un? a! o::a!ion deBand!00!oBe onlA durin? ;e !a:red daA =or!;i<@ and o ;er! durin? ;e annual =or!;i<D !oBe in iBe! of :ri!i! or a funeral!. In ;e !e order! of =or!;i<@ =;ere ;eA are ! ri: lA follo=ed@ ;ere are 0%%,0

a<<ro<ria e radi ional <oin ! a =;i:; ;ABn! are !un?. W;en !u:; a <la:e i! rea:;ed@ ;e ;ABn i! ! ru:> u< bA ;e offi:ian or bA one of ;i! a endan !D or i BaA be !un? an i<;onallA bA a nuBber of offi:ian !@ ;e :on?re?a ion Eoinin? in ;e :;oru!. (;e radi ional nuBber of ;e ;ABn! and ;e <oin ! a =;i:; ;eA are !un? $arA =i ; ea:; li ur?AD in !oBe ;ere BaA be an in$o:a orA !on?@ a ;ABn of :all o =or!;i<@ a ;ABn of adora ion@ a ;ABn of <raAer :oBBi in? ;e =or!;i<<er! o ;e :are of ;e di$ini A@ and a <ar in? ;ABn@ all !e a in er$al! =i ;in ;e order of =or!;i<. In o ;er! ;ere BaA be a !e of u< o !e$en ;ABn! :oBin? o?e ;er a ;e end of ;e ri ual.Be!ide! ;e!e ;ABn!@ li?; er !on?! BaA o::ur durin? ;e ri ual. (;i! i! of en !o durin? ;e annual =or!;i< =;en ;eA BaA be ! ru:> u< !<on aneou!lA bA anA =or!;i<<er af er a !u::e!!ful :a! in? of ;e >ola0nu L ;e!e are !on?! of reEoi:in? ;a offerin?! ;a$e been a::e< ed.Le u! Cuo e a fe= eFaB<le! of Yoruba ;ABn! and !on?!. A. )ere i! a ;ABn of adora ion in <rai!e of orI! J K0nlVL eni ! J 7 oE\@ ! J e 7Bu@ orI! J K ni Ba !InD A dV 7ni b7 Z i rY@ orI! J K ni Ba !InD nY rVn Bi =V@ orI! J K ni Ba !In. )e =;o Ba>e! eAe!@ Ba>e! no!e@ I i! ;e orI! J K I =ill !er$eD )e =;o Ba>e! one a! ;e :;oo!e!@ I i! ;e orI! J K I =ill !er$eD

)e =;o !end! Be ;ere@ I i! ;e orI! J K I =ill !er$e. B. A ;ABn of <raAer@ :oBBi in? ;e =or!;i<<er! o ;e :are of ;e di$ini A. Baba o J Bo J @ C J 7 o?Nn?Nn f7 o J Bo J o@ Bo J l7 o?Nn?Nn. #a ;er of :;ildrenQ "re<are Bedi:ine for ;e :;ildrenL (;e :;ildren ;a$e no Bedi:ine % RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % (;i! iB<lie! ;a ;eA are en irelA de<enden u<on ;iB. 0%%.0

A. A !on? of reEoi:in? =;i:; !i?nifie! an a!!uran:e of :er ain ble!!in?L Mo B7 ! J iA! J r\ 7bo J @ Mo B7 ! J iAe J r\ 7bo J @ rKn Bi d7 y J qAy J q0y J qA! J % Mo B7 e J iA_J ru 7bo J . I Ba>e !a:rifi:e of a birdL I Ba>e !a:rifi:e of a birdL MA affair! be:oBe $erA <ro!<erou!@ I Ba>e !a:rifi:e of a bird. B. A <ar in? ;ABn a ;e :lo!e of ;e annual =or!;i<L A!JI Bx rY 7ra l7 l J BYrIn@ dhJd\n l7 rY AeB! J I. We !;all Bee a?ain neF !ea!on@ AnnuallA ;abi uallA a<<ear! AeBe J I. + Mu!i: durin? ;e !oleBn ri ual! a ;e !;rine! doe! no @ a! a rule@ e$o>e dan:in?. Bu ;ere i! a <la:e for dan:in? in ;e ri ual!@ e!<e:iallA durin? ;e !a:red daA =or!;i< and :er ainlA durin? ;e annual fe! i$al :elebra ion!. 'o=@ ri ual dan:e! of ;i! >ind are no Bere randoB Bo$eBen ! or Bere eBo ional re!<on!e! o ;e r;A ;B of Bu!i:. (;eA are !ABboli: and of en re0ena: Ben ! of !oBe ;in? !a:red@ ;e ;i! orA of =;i:; BaA ! ill be

reBeBbered or BaA ;a$e been for?o en. , Mo! of ;e dan:e!@ eF:e< =;ere ;eA are onlA eF<re!!ion! of reli?iou! :on$i$iali A@ are of fiFed <a ern! and Bu! be done :orre: lA00=;i:; foo ?oe! for=ard fir! @ =;i:; Bo$eBen ! of ;e ;and! and bodA a::oB<anA i @ =;i:; urn! are a>en neF @ and ;o= BanA iBe! ea:; :oB<onen of ;e <a ern i! o be re<ea ed00all ;e!e Bu! be :arefullA ob!er$ed. (;i! :orre: ne!! i! Bore ;an a Ba er of forB@ a! =e ;a$e Ben ionedD i i! a !a:red obli?a ion ;e defaul in =;i:;@ ;e Yoruba belie$e@ BaA be ruinou! o ;e effi:a:iou!ne!! of ;e ri ual. (;e &!<ee:;& of ;e Bu!i:al in! ruBen ! i! of en de!i?ned o ?uide ;e dan:er! in ;eir Bo$eBen !. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % )ere i! a <laA on ;e Yoruba =ord! e J iAe J GbirdH and y J q A! J G<ro!<eri AH =;i:; :anno be re<rodu:ed in En?li!;. (;e <laA on =ord! bear! a ;oBoeo<a ;i: :onno a ion. + YeBe J I i! an in!e: found annuallA on ;e :o on <lan . )ere a?ain i! a ;oBoeo<a ;i: :onno a ion. , *ee ar i:le bA ). U. Beier in 'i?eria G'o. 2+@ %523H@ <<. %1 ff. 0%%20

"raAer! (;e ;ear and :en re of <raAer! in ;e reli?ion of ;e Yoruba i! <e i ion. A! =e ;a$e ob!er$ed@ =;en ;e =or!;i< i! :on?re?a ional@ ;e =or!;i<<er! !e$erallA <re!en ;eir reCue! ! o ;e di$ini A ;rou?; ;e <rie! . W;ere ;e =or!;i< i! <ri$a e@ ;e =or!;i<<er doe! !o iBBedia elA. (;e <e i ion! are lar?elA for =;a BaA be de!:ribed e:;ni:allA a! Ba erial ble!!in?!. (;eA :on!i! u!uallA of a!>in? for <ro e: ion froB !i:>ne!!e! and dea ;@ ?if ! of lon?e$i A@ :;ildren@ <ro!<eri A in en er<ri!e!@ $i: orA o$er eneBie!@ <ro e: ion froB e$il !<iri ! and of rela i$e! near and di! an @ re: ifi:a ion of un;a<<A de! inie!@ and abundan <ro$i!ion of Ba erial ;in?!D ble!!in? on all =ell0=i!;er! and daBna ion on all ill0 =i!;er!. Be:au!e of ;i! obEe: i$e <e i ionarA :;ara: er of <raAer! in ;e reli?ion of ;e Yoruba@ ;e ;a! A a!!er ion ;a! been Bade ;a ;e Yoruba do no Ae >no= ;e e!!en ial Beanin? of <raAer a! :oBBunion. Le u! be :areful ;ere. We Bu! learn o under! and our erB!. Ba!i:allA@ <raAer i! no &a ! a e of Bind&. (rue <raAer :anno be Eu! ;a e$en a i ! &;i?;e! &. In rue <raAer@ belief in@ and >no=led?e of@ ;e Dei A &a! <er!onal :oBe! o :lear and eB<;a i: eF<re!!ion&. % Man en er! in o a <er!onal rela ion!;i< =i ; ;e Dei A@ and in ;a rela ion!;i< Ban a! a :rea ure i! :onfron ed =i ; ;e Dei A a! Crea or and &De erBiner of De! inA&. W;en ;i! !u<reBe a=arene!! i! u<<erBo! @ ;ere i! !e in Bo ion =;a #arBer de!:ribe! a! &a !<on aneou! and unbidden iB<ul!e& in ;e ;ear of Ban. AdBi edlA@ ;e obEe: i$e <e i ionarA :;ara: er of Yoruba <raAer! !;o=! ;a ;e

fulfilBen of Ban7! de!ire!@ ra ;er ;an ;e =ill of ;e Dei A@ i! ;eir e!!e00&MA =ill be done&@ ra ;er ;an &(;A =ill be done&@ + bu ;a i! be:au!e all ;e iBe ;e Yoruba are ba!in? <raAer on ;e fundaBen al no ion ;a ;e =ill of ;e Dei A i! !u<reBe anA=aA and ;a )i! =ill i! ;e ul iBa e an!=er o ;eir <raAer!. We ;a$e no i:ed ;a ;eir d! J e J 00&MaA i be !an: ioned& or &MaA i :oBe o <a!!& i! an affirBa ion of ;eir belief ;a no ;in? ;a<<en! unle!! )e <erBi ! i . (;i! i! a <oin a =;i:; =e need :arefullA o di! in?ui!; be =een reli?ion and Ba?i: and@ ;erefore@ be =een <raAer! and in:an a ion!. (;e Yoruba <re!en ! ;i! <e i ion!0 ;e $erA =ord !;o=! ;e a i ude of Bind =;i:; a::oB<anie! ;e <raAer00no =i ; ;e a i ude of one =;o i! brin?in? di$ine <o=er RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % (;e World and God@ bA ). ). #arBer G London@ 'i!be @ %5.,H@ C;a< er -@ ;e =;ole of =;i:; i! $erA illuBina in? on ;i! !ubEe: . + C;ri! iani A in Afri:a@ bA Diedri:; We! erBann G O.U.".@ %5+3H@ <. 42. 0%%30

under :on rol for ;i! o=n benefi @ bu a! one =;o a!>! for a fa$our ;e ?ran in? of =;i:; ;e >no=! de<end! en irelA u<on ;e =ill and <lea!ure of ;i! &De erBiner of De! inA&. In ;e reli?ion of ;e Yoruba <raAer! are undoub edlA dee<lA in?ed =i ; eudaeBoni!BD bu eudaeBoni!B i! far froB all ;a ;ere i! o i . Ina!Bu:; a! Yoruba di$ini ie! are belie$ed o be no &iB<er!onal& en i ie!@ bu &<er!onal& bein?! =i ; ea:; of =;oB Ban i! in <aren :;ild rela ion!@ ;e Yoruba ;a$e been brou?; in o a rela ion!;i< =;i:; i! Bo i$a ed no BerelA bA ;e de!ire for Ba erial benefi !. We ;a$e alreadA an eF<re!!ion of ;a !<on aneou! reli?ion =;erebA Ban i! :oB<le elA de<enden u<on ;e Dei A be:au!e ;a i! ;e na ure of ;in?!. (;i! rela ion!;i< ;a! aB<le illu! ra ion in ;e &unbidden& :onfiden:e =i ; =;i:; ;e Yoruba of en re?ard ;eir di$ini ie! a! al!o in ;e fa: ;a one of en Bee ! a de$o ee =;o i! en?ro!!ed bA ;e di$ini A o ;e eF en ;a ;e addre!!e! :on$er!a ion! o ;iB a anA iBe and in anA <la:e@ Eu! a! a <er!on al>! o !oBeone =i ; =;oB ;e i! !i in? fa:e o fa:e or !ide bA !ide. "raAer! are offered@ no onlA a =or!;i<@ bu al!o a anA iBe and in anA <la:e a! ;e =or!;i<<er feel! or o::a!ion deBand!. "eo<le of en ! o< on ;eir =aA a !;rine! o offer brief <raAer!D or ;eA BaA !<ea> ;eir <raAer! in in iBa e =aA! o ;eir di$ini A@ =;oB ;eA belie$e o be e$er<re!en ;ou?; un!een@ a! ;eA =al> alon? ;e road or a! ;eA are en?a?ed in ;eir =or>. U!uallA@ =oBen are ;e Bore reli?iou! one! =;o are Bore freCuen lA :au?; in ;i! <ra: i:e bA =aA!ide !;rine!@ !a:red ree!@ !a:red broo>!@ a :ro!!0road!@ or a anA o ;er <la:e! Bar>ed =i ; !oBe !a:red !i?n!@ a!>in? for a ble!!in?

on ;eir EourneA@ ;eir =or>@ ;eir =are!@ ;eir faBilA@ or ;eir <ri$a e under a>in?!. EEa:ula orA <raAer! a all iBe! forB <ar and <ar:el of ;e :oBBon life of ;e Yoruba. "o! ure and A i ude a Wor!;i<. (;e =or!;i<<er >neel! ;rou?;ou @ fa:in? ;e !;rine. (;e <rie! fa:e! ;e !;rine@ urnin? ;i! ba:> o ;e <eo<le and ! andin? ere: or bendin? ;i! bodA a::ordin? o ;e ;ei?; of ;e !;rine or ;e radi ion of ;i! :ul . )e fa:e! ;e =or!;i<<er! onlA =;en ;e offer! ;eB ble!!in? froB ;e di$ini A or <u ! in ;eir ;and! <ie:e! of >ola0nu ! or <or ion! of ;e ri ual Beal. I i! a brea:; of radi ion =;en@ in an o<en0<la:e !;rine@ ;e <rie! i! en:ir:led bA a ;ron? of <u!;in? and !;ufflin? !<e: a or!0=;i:; i! a ;in? ;a no infreCuen lA ;a<<en! durin? <ubli: fe! i$al! ;e!e daA!. Durin? ;e :ondu: of =or!;i<@ ;e <rie! u!uallA bare! ;i! ;ead and 0%%40

;e u<<er <ar of ;e bodA@ lea$in? a loin :lo ; on ;e lo=er <ar . (;ere are :ul ! =;i:; deBand ;a all Ben a =or!;i< !;ould al!o =ear no ;in? on ;eir ;ead! and ;e u<<er <ar of ;eir bodie!. A! for ;e =oBen@ blou!e! Bu! be reBo$ed@ ;e ;ead bared@ =ra<<er! ied abo$e ;e brea! =i ; ;ead ie! o ;old ;eB in <la:e. *a:rifi:e *a:rifi:e i! of ;e e!!en:e of ;e reli?ion of ;e Yoruba a! i i! of e$erA reli?ion ;e =orld ;a! e$er >no=n. I i! in:on:ei$able o ;a$e a reli?ion =i ;ou !oBe forB of !a:rifi:e@ ;o=e$er Bodified or refined i BaA be. *a:rifi:e i! <riBarilA a Bean! of :on a: or :oBBunion be =een Ban and ;e Dei A. I i! Ban7! be! =aA of Bain ainin? an e! abli!;ed rela ion!;i< be =een ;iB!elf and ;i! obEe: of =or!;i<. W;a i! offered and ;o= i i! offered de<end! u<on ;e na ure of ;e <ar i:ular :ul a! =ell a! ;e o::a!ion of ;e !a:rifi:e. In !a:rifi:e@ ;e Yoruba offer alBo! all >ind! of food! and drin>!@ and all >ind! of li$in? ;in?!. (=o ;in?! Bu! be a>en in o :on!idera ion@ ;o=e$er. #ir! @ ea:; di$ini A@ bA radi ion@ ;a! ;i! o=n <ar i:ular & a! e& =;i:; Bu! be re!<e: ed. (;erefore@ ;ere are food! =;i:; are :u! oBarilA offered o ea:; of ;eB. #or eFaB<le@ orI! J K0nlV deli?; ! in !nail! :oo>ed in !;ea0bu er Gal ;ou?; ;i! <rie! ! Ba>e !ure ;a ;e ;a! !oBe ;in? Bore !ub! an ial froB iBe o iBeQHD P J runBIlK norBallA <refer! ;i! ra and fi!; o anA ;in? el!eD ;e ! a<le food of C J Kn?w i! raBD /e reli!;e! do?! and roa! ed AaB! and !nail! % D =;ile ! J N =ill do anA ;in? for a :o:>. E$erA one of ;e di$ini ie! a>e! >ola0nu !D ;e eF:e< ion i! C J Kn?w =;o =ould ra ;er ;a$e orZ?bZ G&bi er >ola&H.

*e:ondlA@ ;ere are :er ain food! or drin>! =;i:; are abu o ea:; di$ini A. #or eFaB<le@ orI! J K0nlV doe! no drin> <alB0=ineL i !;ould no be a>en near ;i! !;rine@ and ;i! =or!;i<<er! !;ould no ou:; i D ! J N doe! no li>e <alB0>ernel oilL anAone =;o brin?! i near ;iB i! ;erefore a!>in? for rouble u<on ;iB!elf or u<on !oBeone el!e. + #or !<e:ial A<e! of !a:rifi:e a! ou lined belo=@ ;e offerin?! $arA a::ordin? o ;e A<e of !a:rifi:e or ;e <re!:ri< ion of ;e ora:le. In ;eorA@ all !a:rifi:e! belon? en irelA o ;e di$ini ie!. Bu in <ra: i:e@ =or!;i<<er! of en <ar a>e of ;eB@ e!<e:iallA of ;in?! =;i:; :an be ea en. (;e!e !a:rifi:e! of =;i:; ;e =or!;i<<er! :an <ar a>e are of ;e na ure of :oBBunion. In ;a :a!e@ bi ! of e$erA ;in? offered are <la:ed on or before ;e !;rine a! a o>en@ and ;en ;e re! i! ea en u< bA ;e =or!;i<<er!. (;e <ar ! ;u! lef on or before ;e !;rine in :a!e RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er -@ <. --. + *ee C;a< er -@ <. -,. 0%%-0

of aniBal@ bird@ or re< ile $i: iB!@ are ;e en rail! and ;e eF reBi ie!. W;en@ ;o=e$er@ ;e ri ual deBand or ;e ora:ular be;e! i! ;a ;e !a:rifi:e !;ould be ?i$en u< =;ollA o ;e di$ini A@ ;en ;e !a:rifi:e i! burn @ eF<o!ed@ or buried. (;e ;i?;e! A<e of !a:rifi:e aBon? ;e Yoruba u!ed o be ;uBan !a:rifi:e. 'o one :an be Cui e !ure ;a ;i! !a:rifi:e i! no bein? offered@ if !e:re lA and onlA on ur?en o::a!ion! e$en ;e!e daA!@ al ;ou?; af er ;e e! abli!;Ben of Bri i!; rule in ;e :oun rA@ i =a! Bade ille?al. In ;e old daA!@ ;uBan !a:rifi:e bA ;e Yoruba =a! ;e :liBaF of !a:rifi:e!. (;e o::a!ion =a! Bore of en ;an no a Ba er of na ional or :oBBunal iB<or an:e. (;ere =ere di$ini ie! o =;oB ;e annual offerin? Bu! be a ;uBan. *u:; =a! P J rKBfy J q of Ile0I#5 J and of wD !o al!o =a! /e. % (;e !a:rifi:e =a! al!o offered =;ene$er i =a! belie$ed eF<edien ;a !oBeone !;ould die a! a !a:rifi:e of a<<ea!eBen in order ;a ;e :oBBuni A Bi?; be !a$ed. (;e $i: iB of ;uBan !a:rifi:e =a! u!uallA Bade o ble!! ;e <eo<le in !oBe <re!:ribed =aA =;i:; bore u<on ;e o::a!ion of ;e !a:rifi:e. )e =a! ;en ?i$en a !<e:ial Be!!a?e =;i:; ;e =a! o deli$er on arri$al in ;e <re!en:e of ;e Dei A or ;e di$ini ie!. (;en follo=ed ;e a: ual !a:rifi:e =;en ;e =a! ri uallA :oB<le elA buried ali$e@ or buried =i ; Eu! ;e ;ead !;o=in? abo$e ;e ?roundD ;i! ;roa Bi?; be :u before ;e =a! buried00 ;en ;i! blood =ould be drained and ;i! eF reBi ie! =i ; :er ain BeBber! of ;i! bodA :u and ;e!e <u o?e ;er =ould be eF<o!ed in ;e !;rineD ;i! :or<!e al!o Bi?; be eF<o!ed in an o<en <la:eL ;ere ;e :arrion0bird! and ;e =ea ;er =ould e$en uallA fini!; off ;e reBain!. (;e ?rea er ;e a$idi A =i ; =;i:; ;e :arrion0bird! di!<o!ed of

;e bodA@ ;e be er oBen i =a! belie$ed o be for ;e :au!e for =;i:; ;e !a:rifi:e =a! offered. In :er ain :a!e!@ a ;uBan =;o =a! !a:rifi:ed =a! Bore ;an Eu! a $i: iB offered o a<<ea!e ;e di$ini ie!. )e =a! belie$ed o be ?oin? o re<re!en ;e <eo<le before@ and :arrA ;eir <e i ion! o@ ;e ;i?;er <o=er. (;erefore@ before ;e !a:rifi:e@ ;e =a! rea ed =i ; re$eren:e and a::orded an eF raordinarA ! a u!. Ironi:allA enou?;@ ;e =a! eF<e: ed o <u in e$erA ?ood =ord <o!!ible on be;alf of ;o!e =;o offered ;iB u<. Be:au!e ;e =a! an aBba!!ador@ ;e =a! a::oB<anied in ;e burial =i ; :er ain ;in?! o be deli$ered =i ; ;i! Be!!a?eL ;o!e =ere ;in?! =;i:; =ere :al:ula ed o be effi:a:iou! in !e:urin? ;e <lea!ure of ;e di$ini ie! or ;e an:e! or!. (;e no ion =;i:; ;a! been !<read abroad ;a ;e Yoruba did no @ a! RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er -@ <. -5. 0%%50

a rule@ offer ;eir o=n >i ; and >in in !a:rifi:e i! no Cui e :orre: . (;e Boral <rereCui!i e o !u:; a !a:rifi:e =a! ;a !;or lA before ;e !a:rifi:e@ a =arnin? Bu! be !ounded <ubli:lA ;a ;ere =a! ;e li>eli;ood of &!oBeone Bi!!in? =i ;in ;e neF fe= daA!& and in order o be !afe froB !u:; a ra?edA@ e$erAbodA !;ould >ee< indoor! af er a :er ain ;our of ;e ni?; for a !<e:ified <eriod. (;a Bean ;a a :er ain ;our! of ;e ni?; durin? ;a <eriod@ ;o!e =;o ;ad been <re<ared o :a :; a $i: iB =ould be abroad@ and ;e $erA fir! <er!on ;eA Be @ if ;e =a! !ui able for ;eir <ur<o!e@ =ould be :au?; @ no Ba er =;o ;e Bi?; be. *oBeone@ a ! ran?er $erA li>elA@ u!uallA fell in o ;e ra< and =a! !a:rifi:ed. (;ere =ere@ ;o=e$er@ !<e:ifi: :a!e! in =;i:; ;e ri ual deBand! =ere ;a ;e $i: iB! !;ould be :on ribu ed bA :er ain :;ief! in ;e :oBBuni A froB ;e BeBber!;i< of ;eir o=n :oB<ound. In !u:; :a!e!@ ;e $i: iB! =ould be ;ou!e;old !la$e! =;o ;ad been a:Cuired bA <ur:;a!e or a! =ar :a< i$e!. *;ould ;e ora:le be ! ill Bore defini e abou ;e $i: iB!@ ;en =;a e$er =a! Ben ioned =ould be !a:rifi:ed. (;ere =ere !e:re !o:ie ie! ;e BeBber! of =;i:; :u! oBarilA !a:rifi:ed in urn! ;eir o=n off!<rin?. *. *. #arro= ob!er$e! :orre: lA ;a & ;e !u<reBe !a:rifi:e of ;e Yoruba i!@ of :our!e@ ;uBan !a:rifi:e&. % )e !eeB!@ ;o=e$er@ unable o ?i$e ;i! <;enoBenon in ;e reli?ion of ;e Yoruba a :orre: in er<re a ion. #or u! =;o ;a$e been brou?; u< in ;e C;ri! ian fai ; =i ; ;e all0round freedoB =;i:; i ?i$e!@ i i! of en diffi:ul o in er<re !AB<a ;e i:allA ;e :ul ! of o ;er reli?ion!. E$erA =or!;i<<in? na ion of ;e =orld ;a! a one iBe or ano ;er offered ;uBan !a:rifi:e!. (;a !;ould ;a$e =arned u! ;a ;ere i! !oBe ;in? $i al in ;i! rudiBen arilA <er!i! en eleBen in ;e reli?ion! of ;e =orldD

and !;ould no be !uffi:ien Eu! ifi:a ion for u! o :all anA <eo<le lo= or de?raded. (;e ba!i: <ur<o!e of !a:rifi:e i! ri?; rela ion!;i< be =een Ban and ;e Dei AD ;e Bore ur?en ;e need for ;e Bain enan:e or re! ora ion of ;a rela ion!;i<@ ;e ;i?;er ;e :ondi ion Ban i! <re<ared o fulfil. An Abra;aB a ;e <oin of offerin? u< an onlA !on@ or a Je<; ;a; !a:rifi:in? an onlA dau?; er@ or a Ban of Mi:a;7! daA a!>in? in <er<leFi A@ &*;all I ?i$e BA fir! born for BA ran!?re!!ion@ ;e frui of BA bodA for ;e !in of BA !oul8&@ =a! onlA a Ban =;o ;ad an ur?e =i ;in ;iB o ?i$e ;e be! <o!!ible o ;e &De erBiner of De! inA&. *u:; a <er!on i! !urelA iBBa ure in ;i! >no=led?e of ;e Dei A@ bu ;e =a! no &de?raded&. Le u! Ba>e !ure ;a =e under! and ;e erB! =e u!e. Wi ; ;e de$elo<Ben of reli?ion and a :learer >no=led?e of ;e RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % #ai ;@ #an:ie!@ and #e i:; G London@ *.".C.c.@ %5+3H@ <. 5-. 0%+10

=ill of ;e Dei A@ Ban ine$i ablA :orre: ! ;i! in er<re a ion of ;a =ill =i ; re?ard o !a:rifi:e. )e >no=! ;a ;e God =;o i! *<iri de!ire! onlA o be =or!;i<<ed in !<iri and in ru ;. (;a doe! no Bean@ ;o=e$er@ ;a ;e !a:rifi:e of ;uBan life i! eF:luded. (;e eleBen reBain! or reli?ion i! eB< ied of Beanin?. I onlA be:oBe! a i ! ;i?;e! <oin !ubliBa ed and !<iri uali!ed. One Bu! :oBe o ;e ! a?e a =;i:; one reali!e! ;a ;e real !a:rifi:e =;i:; !;ould be offered i! no !oBeone el!e7! life@ bu ;e $olun arA &laAin? do=n& of one7! o=n@ follo=in? ;e eFaB<le of God )iB!elf. &Grea er lo$e ;a ; no Ban ;an ;i!@ ;a a Ban laA do=n ;i! life for ;i! friend!&D &I be!ee:; Aou ;erefore@ bre ;ren@ bA ;e Ber:ie! of God@ o <re!en Aour bodie! a li$in? !a:rifi:e@ ;olA@ a::e< able o God@ =;i:; i! Aour rea!onable !er$i:e.& % We !;all no= <ro:eed o loo> a !oBe BaEor :a e?orie! of Yoruba !a:rifi:e. GaH Meal and Drin> Offerin?!L (;e!e be?in =i ; ;e :u! oBarA liba ion! offered a ;e !;rine! dailA and ;e oil <oured on ;e eBbleB! of ;e di$ini ie!. A real offerin? i! offered on ;e !a:red daA! of ;e di$ini ie!. (;e Beal! are of ;e >ind =;i:; ;e =or!;i<<er! ea in ;eir ;ou!e!@ al ;ou?; ;eA are of ri:;er Cuali A. "riBarilA ;e offerin?! are Bean! of :oBBunion be =een ;e orI! J K and ;e =or!;i<<er! =;o are ;i! &:;ildren&@ and :on!eCuen lA a Bean! of fello=!;i< aBon? ;e &:;ildren& ;eB!el$e!. (;e Beal i! <la:ed before ;e orI! J K and ;e i! be!ou?; o a::e< i . )i! a::e< an:e of i i! a!:er ained bA ;e :a! in? of ;e >ola0nu . W;en i i! !ure ;a ;e offerin? ;a! been a::e< ed@ a <or ion i! <la:ed on or before ;e !;rine@ and ;e reBainder !;ared aBon? ;e =or!;i<<er!. (;i! ri ual i! al=aA! :;ara: eri!ed bA a :er ain forB of reEoi:in?. GbH Gif or (;an>offerin?L

(;ere are !a:rifi:e! =;i:; are offered a! ?if ! o ;e di$ini ie!. BA na ure ;e Yoruba are o<en0;anded. (;a i! Banife! in e$erA a!<e: of ;eir lifeD and i i! Bar>ed in ;e =aA ;eA freelA offer ;in?! o ;eir orI! J K a! ?if !. (;eA a: in ;i! =aA Eu! a! ;eA =ould o ;e faBilA elder or $illa?e ;ead. A :er ain iBe!@ ;eA feel ;a i i! ;e ri?; ;in? o do o a>e ?if ! o ;e orI! J K. Of en@ offerin?! are Bade o ;e orI! J K in a<<re:ia ion of !oBe !u::e!! in@ or <ro!<erou! i!!ue of@ an en er<ri!e. WoBen =;o ;a$e !old =ell in ;e Bar>e @ ;e <er!on =;o ;a! been ble!!ed =i ; a Bu:;0de!ired :;ild@ one =;o ;a! re:ei$ed a !<e:ial Bar> of di$ine fa$our@ all =an o !;o= RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % Jo;n %2L%,D RoBan! %+L%. 0%+%0

;eir ;an>! o ;e orI! J K =;oB ;eA belie$e o be ;e di!<en!er of ;eir !<e:ial ble!!in?. (;e Yoruba ab;or in?ra i ude =;i:; =i ; ;eB i! a ?rie$ou! !in. (;eir >een !en!e of ?ra i ude ;eA ;erefore !;o= in ;eir dealin?! =i ; ;e bein? =;oB ;eA belie$e o ;a$e :ondu: ed ;eir de! inA <ro!<erou!lA. *o an offerin? of BoneA@ ornaBen !@ aniBal!@ fo=l!@ or $e?e able!@ i! Bade in ;an>fulne!! for fa$our! re:ei$ed. (;e =or!;i<<er BaA :;oo!e ;i! offerin?@ ?uided bA ;e & a! e& of ;e orI! J K or ;e need of ;e !;rine. If@ ;o=e$er@ a <er!on ;a! been found un?ra eful bA ;e ora:le and i! ;erefore under :oB<ul!ion o Ba>e an offerin? =;i:;@ in ;a :a!e@ =ill be bo ; a ;an>offerin? and an a<<ea!eBen @ i i! ;e ora:le ;a =ill di: a e =;a !;ould be offered. G:H 6o i$e Offerin?00b J ~ J E_JL "eo<le freCuen lA ?o before ;e orI! J K a! !u<<lian ! o be? for :er ain fa$our! in re urn for =;i:; ;eA Ba>e a $o= o offer !oBe ;in?. (;i! >ind of !a:rifi:e de<end! on =;a e$er $o= ;a! been BadeD bu i i! ;e ! ron? belief of ;e Yoruba ;a =;a e$er i! $o=ed Bu! be fulfilled on <ain of !eriou! :on!eCuen:e!. (;ere are !e$eral Yoruba ! orie! of <eo<le =;o :aBe under di!a! rou! Eud?Ben ! be:au!e ;eA failed o redeeB ;eir $o=!. (;e Bo! <o<ular of !u:; ! orie! i! ;a of Ol\rZBbY. Ol\rZBbY =an ed a :;ildD and !o !;e <re!en ed ;er <e i ion before an IrZ>P ree@ % Ba>in? a $o= ;a if !;e ;ad ;e :;ild@ !;e =ould Ba>e an offerin? of ;e $erA :;ild o ;e ree0!<iri . (;e :;ild dulA arri$edD i =a! a babA of ! ri>in? lo$eline!!D i ?re= in o a fair@ beau iful Aoun? <er!on. Ol\rZBbY reBeBbered ;er $o= bu found i iB<o!!ible o Ba>e a !a:rifi:e of !u:; an a ra: i$e :;ild@ and an onlA :;ild be!ide!. *o !;e eB<ori!ed@ ;in>in? ;a !;e Bi?; be able bA !oBe Bean! o e$ade !u:; a :o! lA $o i$e offerin?. (;e daA of $en?ean:e :aBe u<on ;er !uddenlA@ ;o=e$er. *;e ;ad been o ;e Bar>e =i ; ;er :oBelA :;ild and =a! re urnin? ;oBe in ;e e$enin?@ <a!!in? bA ;e IrZ>P ree@ =;en

=i ;ou =arnin? ;e :;ild lef ;er !ide and =al>ed ! rai?; o ;e ree. )e ! ood a ;e foo of ;e ree and be?an o !in? of ;e Eud?Ben =;i:; ;ad o$er a>en ;i! Bo ;er. A! ;e =a! !in?in?@ ;e =a! !in>in? in o ;e ?round. Ol\rZBbY offered anA and e$erA ;in? ;a !;e :ould ;in> of o a$er ;e :er ain :alaBi A of lo!in? ;er :;ild bu i =a! all o no a$ail. In ;e end ;e :;ild !an> :oB<le elA and di!a<<eared froB !i?; @ lea$in? Ol\rZBbY :;ildle!!. (;e Yoruba ;in> :arefullA before ;eA Ba>e ;eir $o=! be:au!e on:e Bade@ ;eA are irre$o:able. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % Afri:an (ea>. (;e ree i! a !a:red ree belie$ed o be in;abi ed bA a <o=erful !<iri . 0%++0

dH "ro<i ia ionL *a:rifi:e in ;i! :a e?orA i! >no=n a! bo J N N00&*a:rifi:e of a<<ea!eBen &. U!uallA@ ;i! !a:rifi:e i! <re!:ribed bA ;e ora:le or an orI! J K in re<lA o an enCuirA a! o =;a :an be done o !a$e ;e !i ua ion durin? a :ri!i! li>e an e<ideBi:@ faBine@ drou?; @ or !eriou! illne!!. W;en ;i! !a:rifi:e in$ol$e! a =;ole :oBBuni A@ i :an be a $erA eF<en!i$e under a>in?@ a! ;e <re!:ri< ion BaA in$ol$e u< o =o ;undred ea:; of !e$eral ar i:le!@ aniBa e or inaniBa e@ or u< o a o al of =o ;undred and one of !e$eral ar i:le! <u o?e ;er. Wi ; an indi$idual@ i BaA be a! li le a! a fo=l or a <i?eon@ or a! Bu:; a! a four0foo ed aniBal =i ; !oBe o ;er ar i:le! added o i . In ;e old daA!@ a ;uBan offerin? u!ed o be ;e Bain fea ure of ;e !a:rifi:e. A! ;i! !a:rifi:e i! ne$er !;ared =i ; ;e orI! J K@ i BaA be buried@ burn @ or rea ed =i ; oil and eF<o!ed. (;e underlAin? belief of ;e ri ual a: i! ;a af er !u:; a !a:rifi:e@ ;e Banife! a ion of & ;e =ra ;& =ill be =i ;dra=n. GeH *ub! i u ionarAL (;i! i! >no=n a! A0AO07<an0Nn GA0Ae J 0i<an0o;NnH00&(;a =;i:; al er! an a?reeBen &. A li le eF<lana ion i! ne:e!!arA ;ere. (;e Yoruba belie$e ;a ;ere are :oB<anie! of E lWr k or EBOrO00&Wanderin? !<iri ! of :;ildren ?i$en o ;e <ran> of en erin? in o <re?nan =oBen and bein? born onlA o die for ;e !;eer reli!; of ;e Bi!:;ief &. % AnAone of ;eB =;o i! bein? !en on ;i! errand of Bi!:;ief Bu! :o$enan =i ; ;i! &:oB<anion!& ;a on a naBed da e ;e =ould &re urn o ;i! norBal life&D ;a i!@ ;e Bu! die froB ;i! =orld. W;ene$er anAone belie$ed o be of ;i! :oB<anA i! born@ ;e <aren ! a>e e$erA :are o <re$en ;i! &re urnin?&. 6erA of en@ i i! belie$ed@ ;e =ill &re urn& in !<i e of e$erA <re:au ion. )o=e$er@ ;e ora:le u!uallA <re!:ribe! a !a:rifi:e

=;erebA a !ub! i u e BaA be offered a! a !a i!fa: ion for a brea:; of ;e :o$enan @ and ;a i! belie$ed o ;a$e ;e effe: of <re$en in? ;e <er!on froB bein? :arried a=aA bA ;i! &:oB<anion!&. (;i! !a:rifi:e i! found ne:e!!arA =;en ;e <er!on i! $erA ill and i! in dan?er of dAin?@ or if ;ere ;a! been an ur?en =arnin? bA ;e ora:le. I a>e! i ! naBe ;u! froB ;e <ur<o!e i !er$e!00 ;a of al erin? ;e a?reeBen Bade be =een ;e <er!on and ;i! &:oB<anion!&. Ano ;er !a:rifi:e under ;i! !aBe :a e?orA i! :alled Ba0Bi0d70iAa 00&(;a =;i:; bear! ;e <uni!;Ben =;i:; i! BA due& or &(;a =;i:; bear! <uni!;Ben for Be&. I i! a !a:rifi:e offered =;en a <er!on RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er %.@ <. %53. 0%+,0

i! belie$ed o be under ;e =ra ; of ;e orI! J K or !oBe Bali?nan !<iri !. (;e end of ;i! rouble =ould ;a$e been dea ;D bu !u:; a !a:rifi:e@ if offered a::ordin? o <re!:ri< ion@ =ould !a$e ;iB. W;a i! offered ;erefore i! a !ub! i u e for ;iB. In alBo! e$erA :a!e@ a !;ee< i! ;e $i: iB u!ed a! !ub! i u e for a ;uBan. (;ere are o ;er ar i:le! o be added@ of :our!e. (;e !;ee< and ;e a::oB<anAin? ar i:le! are rubbed a?ain! ;e bodA of ;e !u<<lian D of en ;i! ;ead i! ?en lA ou:;ed a?ain! ;e ;ead of ;e !;ee< o en!ure ;e ran!fer of ;i! de! inA a! far a! ;e illne!! and iBBinen dea ; are :on:erned@ o ;e !;ee<. (;en ;e !;ee< i! rea ed li>e a :or<!e and buried =i ; funeral ri e! a! if i =a! ;e !u<<lian . O::a!ionallA@ ;e !a:rifi:e BaA be eF<o!ed in ;e bu!;. A !ub! i u ionarA ri ual a: of en in$ol$e! a :;an?e of in ere! or o::u<a ion for ;e !u<<lian D and !oBe ;in? of $alue o ;iB i! of en offered =i ; ;e !a:rifi:e. (;ere =a!@ for eFaB<le@ a <o<ular ! il dan:er =;o be:aBe ?rie$ou!lA ill. W;en ;e ora:le =a! :on!ul ed abou ;iB@ i =a! re$ealed ;a ;e =a! !o ill be:au!e ;e =i :;e! =ere Eealou! of ;i! <o<ulari A and ;erefore =an ed o Ba>e a fea! of ;iBQ A !ub! i u ionarA !a:rifi:e =a! ;erefore <re!:ribedD ;i! =a! buried@ and =i ; i ;i! ! il !D and ;e =a! forbidden o dan:e on ! il ! for e$er af er. GfH "re$en i$e00O?un>PEK GO?un0>P0EKH00&(;a =;i:; =ard! off a a:>!&L *u:; a !a:rifi:e i! ei ;er <ubli: or <ri$a e. I i! of en a <re:au ionarA Bea!ure o =ard off e$il or Bi!for une. Al!o@ i i! offered =;en ;ere i! defini e >no=led?e of an iB<endin? di!a! er. If@ for eFaB<le@ a nei?;bourin? $illa?e or o=n i! <la?ue0! ri:>en@ a !a:rifi:e BaA be offered o <re$en i ! !<read. *oBe iBe!@ ;ere BaA be a <redi: ion ;a !oBe unnaBed rouble BaA be en erin? or <a!!in? ;rou?; ;e :oBBuni A. In ;a :a!e@

a !a:rifi:e i! al!o offered o en!ure ;e <ro e: ion of ;e :oBBuni A. (;e <redi: ion BaA a>e !u:; an indefini e forB a! ;a &a ! ran?er =ill be <a!!in? ;rou?; ;e <la:e and@ in order ;a ;e BaA <a!! ;rou?; <ea:efullA@ le a !a:rifi:e be BadeQ& (;e aniBal $i: iB of ;i! !a:rifi:e BaA be !lain and offered u< in ;e ordinarA =aAD bu Bore of en ;an no @ i i! buried a ;e en ran:e o ;e o=n@ $illa?e@ :oB<ound@ or ;ou!e. (;e offerin? need no be aniBal@ ;o=e$er. (;e ora:le! or ;e <rie! ! of en <re!:ribe@ for eFaB<le@ ;a ea:; <er!on in ;e :oBBuni A !;ould rub ;i! bodA all o$er =i ; an ar i:le00a <ennA or a ;ead of BaiSe for eFaB<le00and dro< i a a ?i$en <la:e froB =;i:; all =ill be :olle: ed and di!<o!ed of a::ordin? o ;e 0%+.0

<ar i:ular ri ual deBand for ;e o::a!ion. *o@ <re$en i$e !a:rifi:e i! ei ;er buried@ burn @ eF<o!ed@ or :arried a=aA bA ;e <rie! ! o be rea ed a! ;e ora:le <re!:ribe!. 4. G?H #ounda ion *a:rifi:e in ;i! :a e?orA :oBbine! ;e na ure of <ro<i ia ion and <re$en i$e. I i! o a<<ea!e ;e !<iri of ;e ear ; in order ;a all BaA be =ell =i ; ;a =;i:; i! bein? founded. (;e !a:rifi:e i! offered a ;e founda ion of a ;ou!e@ $illa?e@ or o=n. (;e ora:le i! fir! :on!ul ed o find ou =;a !;ould be doneD and =;en ;e reCuired ?uidan:e ;a! been ob ained@ ;e $i: iB! and ar i:le! for ;e !a:rifi:e are a>en o ;e !<o =;ere ;e founda ion i! o be Bade and ;ere offered u<. A founda ion !a:rifi:e i! !oBe iBe! :alled A0d70ibodO00&(;a =;i:; bar! ;e ?a e!&. I i! a naBe =;i:; iB<lie! ;a ;e !a:rifi:e i! Bean o <re$en e$il froB en erin? ;e <la:e. In ;e old daA!@ ;e $i: iB! =ould be ;uBan bein?! buried ali$e and arBed li>e !en rie! ?uardin? all ;e en ran:e!. *;ee<@ :o=!@ or oFen a>e ;e <la:e of ;uBan bein?! no=adaA!. *;rine! and (eB<le! W;en =or!;i< be?an@ Ban Bu! ;a$e =or!;i<<ed anA=;ere and e$erA=;ere a! ;e &unbidden iB<ul!e& !eiSed ;iB in a =orld =;i:; =a! :;ar?ed =i ; ;e all0<er$adin? iBBanen:e of ;e !u<erna ural. I =ould no be lon?@ ;o=e$er@ before ;e be?an o Bar> ou :er ain !<o ! a! Bore !i?nifi:an ;an o ;er! =i ; re?ard o ;i! reli?iou! a=arene!!. W;ile ;e =orld around ?re= <ro?re!!i$elA faBiliar@ ;ere =ould be :er ain <;enoBena@ :er ain eF<erien:e!@ or :er ain e$en !@ =;i:; refu!ed o fi in o ;e :a e?orA of & ;e ordinarA& and ;erefore !<o>e o ;i! Bind of !oBe !<e:ifi: "re!en:e =;i:; ;ad

iBBedia e :onne: ion =i ; ;i! no ion of ;e &De erBiner of De! inA&. (;u! ;e be?an o a!!o:ia e :er ain !<o ! =i ; ;i! !<e:ifi: "re!en:e and Bar> ;eB ou froB ;e re! in !oBe re:o?ni!able =aA. Cer ain ro:>!@ ree!@ <lan !@ la>e!@ ri$er!@ ! reaB!@ ;e ;ea$enlA <;enoBena@ be:aBe o ;iB unBi! a>able re<o!i orie! of ;e "re!en:e. )e ;iB!elf :rea ed reBinder! of !u:; !<o ! =;ere ;eA ;ad no been na urallA Bar>ed. (;e earlie! !;rine!@ ;en@ Bu! ;a$e been ei ;er na ural or Ban0Bade in ;e !en!e ;a ! one! or ! i:>! =ere delibera elA <la:ed o Bar> !a:red !<o !. A! Ban =a! <robablA on ;e Bo$e Bo! of ;e iBe in ;o!e earlA iBe!@ i =ould be ne:e!!arA for ;iB o :rea e for ;iB!elf !u:; reBinder!. Bu =;en ;e be?an o li$e a !e led life and ;e :;ara: er of ;i! obEe: 0%+20

of =or!;i< be:aBe defined@ i da=ned u<on ;iB ;a ;e obEe: of =or!;i< :ould be a<<roa:;ed =;ere$er ;e =a!D onlA ;e ;ad o a!!ure ;iB!elf of ;e "re!en:e bA findin? ;e !aBe >ind of <o en ial re<o!i orA a! ;ad ?i$en ;iB ;i! earlier eF<erien:e. (;erefore =;ere$er ;e !a= ;e !aBe >ind of ree@ <lan @ ro:>@ la>e@ ! reaB@ or ri$er@ a! ;e earlier one@ ;e re?arded i a! in$e! ed =i ; ;e $ir ue of ;e "re!en:e. W;en ;e be?an o build d=ellin?! for ;iB!elf@ ;e rea:;ed ;e ! a?e a =;i:; i :aBe o ;iB ;a ;e obEe: of ;i! =or!;i< :ould :oBe and d=ell =i ; ;iB in ;i! abode@ o be <ar and <ar:el of ;i! life@ a: in? in ;e :a<a:i A of ;e "re!iden of doBe! i: life and Dire: or of all de! inA. CoBBunal !;rine! Bu! ;a$e :oBe in o bein? $erA earlA be:au!e Ban ;a! ne$er been reallA !oli arA. W;ile e$erA indi$idual <er!on BaA =or!;i< in ;i! o=n <ri$a e =aA@ ;ere ;a! al=aA! been ;e :oBBunal !i?nifi:an:e of =or!;i<. (;a Bean! ;a !;rine! =;i:; belon?ed o ;e =;ole :oBBuni A a! a re!ul of :oBBon belief! :aBe in o eFi! en:e. (;e !o:ial :;ara: er of =or!;i< =ould ine$i ablA re!ul in ;e <u in? u< of !a:red buildin?! o ;old !u:; eBbleB! of ;e di$ini ie! a! !;ould be >e< !e:re and <re!er$ed froB ;e :oBBon ou:; or ;e =ea ;er. (;e!e buildin?! =ould na urallA be !Ball@ a! ;eir !ole end =a! o ;ou!e ;e eBbleB! and no ;in? el!e be!ide!@ eF:e< ! andin? rooB for ;e :u! odian of ;e :ul u!@ =i ; <er;a<! one or =o ;el<er!. ABon? ;e Yoruba@ !;rine! abound all o$er ;e land. (;eA eFi! in all <la:e! =;i:; are radi ionallA :onne: ed =i ; ;e <re!en:e of ;e di$ini ie!@ or !u:; <la:e! a! ;a$e been :on!e:ra ed o ;eB. (;erefore@ ;eA are found in radi ionallA !a:red fore! !. (;ere are

di$ini ie! =;i:; <eo<le belie$e !;ould be be er =or!;i<<ed ;ere ;an in ;e o=n! or ;ou!e!. *e$eral !<e:ie! of ree! are re?arded a! ;abi ual re!iden:e! of :er ain !<iri !L <roBinen aBon? ;e!e are ]rZ>P GAfri:an (ea>H and ?un?un G*il> Co on (reeH. W;ile :er ain !a:red ree! are Bore of en ;an no a!!o:ia ed =i ; in:or<oreal@ ;ou?; <o=erful !<iri !@ ;ere are o ;er! =;i:; are u!uallA ;e !a:red eBbleB! of :er ain <rin:i<al di$ini ie!. A>P>o i! !a:red o /e@ for eFaB<le. (;e foo of ;e !a:red ree i! ;e !;rine and ;ere a: ! of =or!;i< are <erforBed and !a:rifi:e! offered ei ;er a! <re!:ribed bA ;e ora:le or a! di: a ed bA ;e need of ;e !u<<lian . La>e!@ ! reaB!@ and ri$er! ;a$e al=aA! been a!!o:ia ed =i ; di$ini ie! and !<iri ! aBon? ;e Yoruba. (;e Yoruba belie$e ;a in :onne: ion =i ; e$erA la>e@ ! reaB or ri$er@ ;ere i! a &lord& or &o=ner&. (;ere are ;erefore =a er !;rine!@ on a lar?e or a !Ball !:ale@ a::ordin? o ;e ! a u! of ;e di$ini ie! or !<iri ! =;o!e ;eA are. ABon? ;e <rin:i<al Yoruba ri$erain di$ini ie! are P J un and Erinly J q. *e$eral 0%+30

=a er! are :alled bA ;e naBe! of ;e di$ini ie! or !<iri ! =;i:; <eo<le belie$e o be ;eir &o=ner!&. Wor!;i< a>e! <la:e on ;e ban> or a ;e !our:e! of ;e =a er! and offerin?! are :a! in o ;eB for ;e di$ini ie!. A :ro!!0road! and bA road!ide!@ and in o<en <la:e! ;ere are !;rine! e!<e:iallA for &ubiCui ou!& and =anderer di$ini ie! li>e ! J N and /e. % A! ;e di$ini A of ;e ar i!an!@ /e ;a! ;i! !;rine in e$erA !Bi ;A. (;ere ;e i! ;e u elarA ?eniu!D ;i! !;rine! are al!o a ;e a<<roa:;e! o ;e !;rine! of o ;er di$ini ie! in !oBe <ar ! of ;e land@ be:au!e ;e i! ;e &=aA&@ o and froB all di$ini ie!. + AlBo! all ;e di$ini ie!@ if no e$erA one of ;eB@ ;a$e !;rine! in d=ellin? ;ou!e!. In ea:; ;ou!e@ a di$ini A o::u<ie! ;e :en ral <o!i ion bA $ir ue of ;i! ! a u! a! ;e u elarA &o=ner& of ;e <la:e@ and i! <ar and <ar:el of doBe! i: life. (;ere are di$ini ie! and !<iri ! =;i:; ;a$e ;eir !;rine! in ?ro$e!. *u:; di$ini ie! and !<iri ! are@ in ;e Bain@ ;o!e =;o!e :ul ! are !e:re . OrP and E?\n?\n , are <rin:i<al eFaB<le!. In ;o!e :ul !@ =oBen are eF:luded =;ile Ben be:oBe BeBber! ;rou?; ini ia ion. U!uallA@ ;e !iB<le ?ro$e i! a :learin? in ;e bu!;D ;i! ;old! ;e !;rine@ and onlA ;e ini ia e! BaA en er ;ere. Of en ;e !a:red eBbleB! are >e< in a !Ball Bud buildin? in o =;i:; onlA ;e <rie! or ;e <rie! =i ; one or =o :o0offi:ian ! u!uallA en er!. Lar?e :oBBunal ?ro$e! BaA ;a$e u< o ;ree &a<ar Ben !&. (;ere i! ;e lar?e@ o<en <la:e@ =;ere all and !undrA BaA :oBe. (;i! BaA be Eu! ou !ide ;e en ran:e o ;e ?ro$e or iBBedia elA in!ide i @ beAond ;e en ran:e. E$en =oBen ?o a! far a! ;i! <la:e o ;and o$er ;eir offerin?! and <ar a>e in ?eneral =or!;i<. 'eF i! an inner :learin? =;i:; i! o<en o all :la!!e! of ;e ini ia e!. )ere :er ain ri ual! are <erforBed@ and ;e food brou?; bA ;e =oBen i! <ro<erlA a::e< ed bA ;e !<iri Q (;e ;ird and innerBo!

<ar i! ;e !a:red <la:e =;i:; ;old! ;e Bo! !a:red eBbleB!. (;i! <la:e i! forbidden o all eF:e< a $erA fe= ;i?;lA <ri$ile?ed <eo<le. W;ere ;e ?ro$e belon?! o ;e E?\n?\n :ul @ . i i! ;ere ;a ;e re?alia of ;e e?\n?\n i! <u on. (;ere al!o@ ;e o<enin? and final ri ual! of en a>e <la:e. A !;rine i! <riBarilA ;e &fa:e& 2 of ;e di$ini A. (;ere ;e di$ini A i! re<re!en ed bA ;e eBbleB! =;i:; are re?arded a! !uffi:ien reBinder! of ;i! a ribu e!. #or eFaB<le@ ;e !;rine of /e a! !e in ;e !Bi ;A i! an ele$a ed <la:e in a :orner and :on ain! ;e eBbleB! =;i:; are RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er -@ <<. -1 ff. + Ibid. , *ee C;a< er %.@ <<. %5+ ff. . Ibid. 2 Cf. &"eniel&00Gene!i! ,+L,1. *ee al!o C;a< er %.@ <. %54. 0%+40

!Bi ;7! ool!@ !:ra<! of iron and Gno in$ariablAH a ?ra$en eBbleB in bra!! on an iron ;andle ! u:> in ;e ?round or ! ood in a :orner of ;e !;rine. I i! ;e <la:e =;ere ;e di$ini A i! :alled u<on and =or!;i<<ed. I i! :er ain@ ;o=e$er@ ;a ;e Yoruba belie$e ;a a !;rine i! onlA a &lo:al&@ Bee in?0<la:e be =een ;e di$ini A and Ban. (;e na ure of in$o:a ion! and ;e fa: ;a ;ere are u!uallA !e$eral !;rine! o ;e !aBe di$ini A in one :oBBuni A@ a! =ell a! all o$er ;e :oun rA@ !;o= ;a ;e Yoruba do no re?ard anA one !;rine a! ;e <erBanen and onlA abode of ;e di$ini A. A ;e !;rine@ ;e di$ini A ?i$e! ;e <eo<le ;i! ble!!in? =;ile ;e <eo<le render ;iB ;i! due in =or!;i<. (;e Yoruba do no build Ba?nifi:en eB<le! for ;eir di$ini ie!. (;eir !a:red buildin?! are u!uallA !Ball and are de!i?ned <riBarilA o ;ou!e ;e :oBBunal !;rine! of ;e di$ini ie!. A =or!;i<@ onlA ;e <rie! and one or =o a endan ! en er ;e eB<le@ <riBarilA be:au!e ;ere u!uallA@ are eBbleB! =;i:; onlA ;e :on!e:ra ed <er!on! are allo=ed o !ee and@ in:iden allA@ be:au!e ;e ;ou!e :anno :on ain Bore ;an Eu! ;a fe=. A lar?e eB<le i! lar?e onlA be:au!e ;ere i! an en:lo!ure buil round@ or a >ind of :our buil a! an eF en!ion o ;e !Ball buildin? =;i:; i! ;e eB<le. (;e Yoruba do no build !a:red ;ou!e! in =;i:; <eo<le :an :on?re?a e for =or!;i<. (;e <la:e for ;e :on?re?a ion i! ;e o<en air in fron of ;e eB<le. 0%+-0

%1 (;e Cul of ;e Di$ini ie! :on inued "RIE*()OOD W;en ;e a=arene!! of ;e Dei A fir! :aBe u<on Ban@ ;e be:aBe a=are a ;e !aBe iBe ;a ;ere =a! abou )iB an a Bo!<;ere in =;i:; a <e:uliar <ro<er A re!ided@ an a Bo!<;ere differen in Cuali A froB ;a of ;e na ural =orld in =;i:; ;e li$ed ;i! :oBBon<la:e life. )i! na ural in! in: =arned ;iB ;a be =een ;e!e =o =orld!@ ;e =orld of ;e !u<erna ural and ;i! o=n na ural =orld@ ;ere =a! a !;ar<lA defined !<iri ual line of deBar:a ion =;i:; :ould no be :ro!!ed eF:e< =i ; due and adeCua e <re:au ion!. *oBe ;in? ;a<<ened a !oBe iBe in ;i! eF<erien:e and ;i! <u ;iB on ;i! ?uard bA le in? ;iB >no= in erB! =;i:; :ould no be Bi! a>en ;a ;e :ould re!<a!! =an onlA beAond ;i! deBar:a ion onlA a ;i! o=n <eril. % A ;e !aBe iBe@ ;o=e$er@ ;ere =a! an irre!i! ible ur?e laid u<on ;iB o Ba>e :on a: =i ; ;e !u<erna ural =orld be:au!e ;i! $erA life de<ended u<on i . (;ere =a! !oBe ;in? ine$i able and :oB<ul!i$e abou ;e deBand. (;u! ;e di!:o$ered o ;i! be=ilderBen ;a ;e Bu! a<<roa:; ;a =;i:; bA na ure ;e fel ;iB!elf inadeCua e o a<<roa:;@ and !o :aBe u< a?ain! ;e forBidable !i ua ion =;i:; Rudolf O o de!:ribe! a! ;e BA! eriuB reBenduB e fa!:inan! + 00 ;a =;i:; be=ilder!@ errifie!@ fri?; en!@ !<ell! dan?er@ bu Ae a ra: ! and in$i e! =i ; a &be:>onin?& =;i:; i! an aBoun o ab!olu e deBand. (;e Yoruba ;a$e ;e !aAin?L Ibi Y o J >V bV <7 e J bu !Y@ iby J q ni onEe J ry J q Bx ba a0&W;ere$er ;e :obra lie! in =ai @ ;ere i ! <reA =ill rea:; i &. We of en !ee a <roof of ;a =;en a !Cuirrel a<<roa:;e! ;e lair of a :obra. A! !oon a! i a<<roa:;e! near enou?;@ ;e a=arene!! of a errible <re!en:e i! :oBBuni:a ed o i D and

a! !oon a! ;a re?i! er!@ ;e !Cuirrel iBBedia elA u er! !;rie>! of $eFa ion@ fear@ and a?onA@ !;rie>! =;i:; RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % CL. II *aBuel 3L305@ %,@ %.. + (;e Idea of (;e )olA@ bA Rudolf O o G O.U.".@ %5.,H@ C;a< er! .03. 0%+50

rend ;e air and broad:a! o ;e =orld a lar?e i ! <re!en iBen of ?ra$e dan?er. 'o =i ;! andin?@ i Bo$e! o=ard! ;e :obra a! if ied o ;e end of a ! rin? bA Bean! of =;i:; i i! dra=n !lo=lA bu !urelA and ineForablA. *iBilarlA@ ;e !i ua ion =;i:; Ban fa:ed BaA be !uBBed u< in ;i! =aAL ;e =a! forbidden o a<<roa:; ;e !a:ra on <ain of dea ;D ;e fel ;iB!elf ineForablA dra=n o=ard! ;e !a:ra. (;a i! a dileBBa =;i:; Bu! be re!ol$edD and i =a! in ;e a eB< o re!ol$e i ;a ;e need for an adeCua e lin> be =een ;e obEe: of =or!;i< and Ban Banife! ed i !elf. And !in:e Ban fel ;a ;e ;ad o deal@ no =i ; a $a?ue ab! ra: ion@ bu a Reali A =i ; ;e a ribu e! of a <er!on@ ;e na urallA ;ou?; of a Bean! =;i:; =ould be a <er!on0a <er!on !uffi:ien lA &:ondi ioned& o Ba>e :on a: =i ; &(;e )olA& =i ;ou runnin? ;e ri!> of de! ru: ion@ Ae !uffi:ien lA &;uBan& o Ba>e in iBa e :on a: =i ; Ban and no ;ur ;iB. In !;or @ ;e need for a <er!onal Bedia or aro!e. (;u! :aBe in o bein? ;e <rie! =;o!e <riBarA fun: ion aBon? ;e Yoruba i! ;a of a Bedia or. )e i! a <er!on &in ou:;& bo ; =aA! be =een ;e obEe: of =or!;i< and BanL ;e >no=! ;eB bo ;@ ;ear! ;eB@ and !<ea>! on be;alf of one o ;e o ;er. I i! ;i! du A o offer u< Ban7! =or!;i< and o ble!! Ban in ;e naBe of ;i! obEe: of =or!;i<. % I =ould !eeB@ ;ou?;@ ;a =;en =or!;i< fir! be?an@ e$erAbodA =a! ;i! o=n &<rie! & in ;a ;e eF<re!!ed ;i! a i ude o=ard! ;e ObEe: of =or!;i< a! ;e iB<ul!e !eiSed ;iB. (;i! i! $erA Bu:; in e$iden:e odaA aBon? ;e Yoruba. A de$o ee of a di$ini A ;a!

a !;rine !e u< in ;i! o=n ;ou!e and :ondu: ! ;e rou ine ri ual ;iB!elf a! radi ion <re!:ribe!. Bu ;ere i! a differen:e be =een ;e ri ual =;i:; i! a Bere re!<on!e o an &unbidden iB<ul!e& and ;e delibera e eF<re!!ion of an a i ude. (;erefore@ e$en ;ou?; a de$o ee BaA ;iB!elf under a>e ;e rou ine ri ual in ;e ;ou!e@ ;e :an do ;i! onlA be:au!e ;e ;a! alreadA au oBa i:allA re:ei$ed =i ; ;i! ado< ion of ;e di$ini A ;e :on!e:ra ion =;i:; fi ! ;iB for ;e :ondu: of ;e ri ual. A de$o ee i! an OlZrI! J K0&One =;o <o!!e!!e! orI! J K&D ;a i!@ ;ere i! !oBe ;in? of ;e di$ini A in ;iB and i belon?! o ;i! <o!i ion no onlA ;a ;e !;ould offer =or!;i< o ;e orI! J K bu al!o ;a ;e !;ould ab!orb ;e orI! J K in o ;i! <er!onali A and Banife! ;iB. (;e <rie! <re!u<<o!e! a :oBBuni A@ =;e ;er ;a be a! !Ball a! a faBilA or a! lar?e a! a :lan or o=n. (;u! i i! ;a aBon? ;e Yoruba ;e fir! ! e< in <rie! ;ood i! found in ;e faBilA ;ead. (o ea:; ;ou!e;old are a a:;ed !oBe an:e! ral and u elarA di$ini A !;rine! RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er 5. 0%,10

and ;e offi:ian a !u:; doBe! i: !;rine! i! u!uallA ;e ;ead of ;e faBilA. (;e ;ou!e;old ?re= in o ;e :oB<ound00=;i:; i! u!uallA an oblon? or :ir:ular en:lo!ure of ;ou!e! =i ; a :oBBon !<a:e in ;e Biddle and Bade u< in ;e Bain of ;e faBilA =;i:; ;a! been eF ended ;rou?; <ro:rea ion@ ;rou?; ;e li$in? o?e ;er of blood rela ion!@ and ;e addi ion o ;eB of &! ran?er!& =;o :aBe or =ere brou?; o d=ell aBon? ;eB. In !u:; a :oB<ound@ ;ere i! in ;e :en ral ;ou!e@ a !;rine =;i:; i! dedi:a ed o ;e :oBBon an:e! or. Wor!;i< ;ere i! under a>en bA ;e !u<reBe ;ead of ;e eF ended faBilA =;o i! &fa ;er& or &?randfa ;er& o ;e =;ole :oB<ound :oBBuni A. (;e =;ole :oBBuni A i! ;e off!<rin? of ;e an:e! or a! =ell a! of ;e :en ral u elarA di$ini A. (;i! !u<reBe ;ead i! en i led o ;i! <rie! lA fun: ion be:au!e ;e i! ;e !enior of ;e blood rela ion! in ;e eF ended faBilA and ;erefore !u::eed! o ;e <rie! lA fun: ion =;i:; u!ed o belon? o ;e :oBBon an:e! or froB =;oB ;e faBilA de!:ended. 'eF af er ;e :oB<ound :oBBuni A i! ;e lar?er uni >no=n a! ;e =ard. (;e =ard i! Bade u< of !e$eral :oB<ound! or faBilie!@ all of =;oB need no be blood rela ion!@ al ;ou?; i i! u!ual for ;eB o be able o ra:e !oBe forB of rela ion!;i< in one =aA or ano ;er. Of en@ of :our!e@ ;e =ard ;a! ?ro=n@ li>e ;e :oB<ound@ ou of a nu:leu! of ori?inal d=eller! =;o in:rea!ed bA :;ild0bearin? and bA ;e nuBber of &! ran?er!& ;eA a:Cuired. (;e iB<or an bindin? fa: or in ;i! :a!e@ ;o=e$er@ i! ;e :oBBon :are of !urroundin?! and :oBBunal land!. In ;e olden daA!@ ;e bond aBon? =ard d=eller! u!ed o be $erA ! ron?@ alBo! a! ! ron? a! ;a =;i:; bind! blood rela ion!.

In a =ard@ ;e fir! ri?; o ;ead!;i< ?oe! o ;e !enior BeBber of ;e ! o:> of ;e earlie! d=eller!. Bu a &! ran?er&@ or ;i! off!<rin?@ =;o ;a! been ab!orbed in o ;e :oBBuni A and ;a! di! in?ui!;ed ;iB!elf bA :er ain Cuali ie! u!uallA Cualifie! for ;e ;ead!;i<. (o anAone =;o i! !o a<<oin ed !;ould fall ;e :are of ;e :ul ! of ;e an:e! or and of ;e u elarA di$ini A. )ere@ ;o=e$er@ =e !ee ;e Bar>ed be?innin? of ;e !e<ara ion be =een ;e :i$il ;ead!;i< and ;e <rie! ;ood. #ir! @ ;e Cue! ion of a :oBBon an:e! or i! alBo! iB<o!!ible in ;e =ard eF:e< in a :a!e =;ere ;e an:e! or ;a! a!!uBed ;e ! a u! of a di$ini AD and in ;a :a!e ;e i! no lon?er =or!;i<<ed a! an an:e! or bu a! a di$ini A. *e:ondlA@ ;e :ul of ;e di$ini A end! o reBain =i ; i ! ori?inal &o=ner!&D % and ;a Bean! ;a ;e :ul ! of ;e u elarA di$ini A Bu! reBain in :;ar?e of ;e!e &o=ner!&@ froB aBon? =;oB ;e <rie! i! RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee belo=@ <. %,+. 0%,%0

a<<oin ed. (;u!@ if ;e ;ead of ;e =ard i! no a<<oin ed froB ;a ?rou<@ ;ere :oBe in o bein? =o !e<ara e ;ead!@ one :i$il and one reli?iou!@ =i ;in ;e :oBBuni A. W;ile e$erA BeBber of ;e =ard or :oB<ound :oBBuni A i! eF<e: ed o !ub!:ribe o ;e :en ral :ul @ ea:; ;ou!e;old :on inue! i ! o=n doBe! i: ri ual =i ; i ! o=n a<<oin ed offi:ian . W;en ;e :ul be:oBe! of o=n0=ide !i?nifi:an:e@ ;e ;ead of ;e o=n a!!uBe! ;e <o!i ion of ;e "on ifeF MaFiBu!. A <araBoun Yoruba :lan0;ead i! $ir uallA a <rie! 0 >in? be:au!e ;e i! re?arded a! &di$ine& in :on!eCuen:e of ;i! !:e< re =;i:; i! deri$ed froB ;e di$ini A o =;oB ;e i! $i:e?eren . % (;e o=n belon?! o ;iB and !o do all ;e :ul !. In Ile0I#5 J @ for eFaB<le@ ;e J ni i! ;e OlZrY d=o J n ]=PrP0&(;e ;ead of all ;e <rie! !&. (;i! i! !o e$en ;ou?; ;e doe! no no= offi:ia e dire: lA a anA <ar i:ular !;rine and onlA <erforB! :er ain :u! oBarA ri ual! a! radi ion de:ree!. I i! ne:e!!arA o BodifA ;e iB<re!!ion =e ;a$e ?i$en !o far ;a ;e ;ead of ;e faBilA or :oB<ound au oBa i:allA a!!uBe! ;e <rie! lA offi:e. In ;e :a!e of ;e an:e! ral :ul !@ ;i! reBain! in$ariablA !o@ eF:e< @ a! =e ;a$e ob!er$ed@ =;ere ;e an:e! or ;a! be:oBe a di$ini A. In ;e :a!e of ;e di$ini ie!@ ;o=e$er@ ;e !i ua ion i! ra ;er :oB<li:a ed. #u!ion of :lan!@ and in erBin?lin? of <eo<le! ;rou?; Barria?e and a:Cui!i ion of &! ran?er!& ;a$e been ;e BaEor :au!e! of ;e :oB<li:a ion. A =oBan =;o :aBe in o a ;ou!e =i ; ;er o=n :ul reBain! ;e offi:ian a ;e !;rine of ;er di$ini A be:au!e !;e i! ;e olZrI! J K and ;i! line of offi:ian ! i! :on inued bA ;er o=n off!<rin?. (;e

&! ran?er& Gand ;i! off!<rin? af er ;iBH =;o :aBe in o a :oB<ound =i ; a :ul i! na urallA ;e offi:ian a ;e !;rine of ;i! di$ini A !in:e i i! ;e =;o >no=! ;i! obEe: of =or!;i<. Clan! ;a :aBe in o fu!ion brin? ;eir o=n :ul ! and ;eA reBain ;e !ole re<o!i orie! of ;e :ul u!D ;a i!@ ;e <rie! i! :;o!en froB aBon? ;eB. In anA one of ;e!e :a!e!@ =;a e$er Bi?; be ;e rela i$e ! a u! of ;e <er!on! or :lan! =i ;in ;e :oBBuni A@ ;eA re ain ;e ?uardian!;i< of ;e :ul ! of =;i:; ;eA are ;e &o=ner!&. If !u:; :ul ! be:oBe :oBBunal <ro<er A@ ;e =;ole :oBBuni A ! ill loo> u< o ;o!e &o=ner!& for ;e :ondu: of ;eir ri ual!@ =i ; ;e onlA Bodifi:a ion ;a ;eA no= ;old ;e :u! odA and offi:ia e on be;alf of ;e o=n. I i! in ;i! =aA ;a alBo! e$erA one of ;e Yoruba di$ini ie! i! a a:;ed o :er ain linea?e &o=ner!& o =;oB i ! <rie! ;ood belon?! eF:lu!i$elA. And i i! ;ere ;a ;e ;eredi arA :;ara: er of Yoruba RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er! ,@ <. ,.@ and -@ <. 21. 0%,+0

<rie! ;ood be:oBe! Bar>ed@ <ro$ided =e do no a>e &;eredi A& in i ! ! ri: !en!e. W;a i Bean! ;ere i! ;a e$en ;ou?; a =;ole o=n :laiB! a di$ini A@ i BaA be ?enerallA >no=n ;a a <ar i:ular faBilA@ li$in? in a <ar i:ular =ard of ;e o=n@ ;a! eF:lu!i$e :u! odA of ;i! :ul D in =;i:; :a!e i i! u!uallA un ;in>able ;a =i ;ou ;eB anA ;in? :ould be done bA =aA of a<<roa:;in? ;a di$ini A. Re:en lA@ ;e au ;ori A of a Yoruba >in? =a! brou?; o a ! aleBa e on ;i! i!!ue. )e@ a! ;e ;ead of ;e :lan@ ;ad :au!e o eFer:i!e ;i! <rero?a i$e bA de<o!in? an iB<or an :;ief0<rie! . A! far a! ;e :i$il !ide of ;e Ba er =a! :on:erned@ ;i! au ;ori A :arried. Bu in a<<oin in? a !u::e!!or@ ;e ;ad o a!> ;e linea?e &o=ner!& of ;e di$ini A o <re!en ano ;er :andida e. (;i! ;eA blun lA refu!ed o do on ;e ?round ;a =;ile ;e <rie! =;oB ;e >in? :laiBed o ;a$e de<o!ed ! ill li$ed@ ;eA =ould no ;a$e ano ;er one in! alled. (;e <o!i ion a ;e BoBen of =ri in? i! ;a ea:; !ide i! ! andin? on i ! o=n ri?; !L a! far a! ;e >in? and ;e :i$il au ;ori A are :on:erned@ ;e <rie! i! &de<o!ed&D bu o ;e linea?e &o=ner!& of ;e di$ini A@ ;e reBain! ;e <rie! @ ! ill <erforBin? ;i! <rie! lA fun: ion! for ;i! =ard@ if no offi:iallA for ;e o=n. Be!ide! ;i! loo!e ;eredi arA :;ara: er@ Yoruba <rie! ;ood i! ;ierar:;i:al. A! =e ;a$e ob!er$ed@ ;e >in? i! ;e "on ifeF MaFiBu! under =;o!e !u<erin enden:e all ;e :ul ! ;eore i:allA are. A ;e !aBe iBe@ ea:; :ul ?rou< ;a! i ! o=n order of <rie! ;ood@ =;i:; i! ?raded. (;ere i! a :;ief0<rie! =;o i! a!!i! ed bA o ;er !ub0<rie! !@ a::ordin? o ;eir ran>!. Ea:; BeBber of ;e :ul ! aff i! rea ed a::ordin? o ;i! ! a u! in !ea in? arran?eBen ! and in ;e !;arin? of eBoluBen !.

(;ere a<<ear! o be no !<e:ifi: :all@ in ;e e:;ni:al !en!e@ o Yoruba <rie! ;ood. (;e <er!on =;o !u::eed! ;e faBilA <rie! or ;e o=n <rie! i! u!uallA ;e <er!on neF o ;iB in ran>. )e !;ould ;a$e been =i ; ;e <rie! and !;ould ;a$e &under! udied& ;iB bA a!!i! in? and =a :;in? ;iB durin? ;e :ondu: of ri ual!. If ;e <rie! ?ro=! o an old a?e@ ;e norBallA dele?a e! !oBe of ;i! Bore ! renuou! fun: ion! o ;i! Aoun?er and Bore able !e:ond0in0:oBBand. W;en ;e die!@ ;e a!!i! an ! e<! in au oBa i:allA. (;u! =e :an !aA ;a ;ere i! no =;a :an be de!:ribed e:;ni:allA a! a :all o Yoruba <rie! ;oodD nei ;er i! ;ere anA or?ani!ed rainin? o !<ea> of. A :a!e in <oin i! ;e e<i!ode :onne: ed =i ; ;e &de<o!ed& <rie! o =;oB =e ;a$e referred. W;en ;e =a! &de<o!ed&@ ;ere =ere four o ;er! =;o =ere de<o!ed a! =ell. In ;o!e o ;er :a!e!@ ;e linea?e &o=ner!& of ;e :ul ! a?reed o ;e >in?7! be;e! and <re!en ed o ;er :andida e! =;o =ere iBBedia elA in! alled in ;e <la:e! of ;e de<o!ed one!@ =i ;ou anA rainin?@ eF:e< @ <er;a<!@ 0%,,0

;a !oBeone Bi?; ell ;eB =;a o do durin? ri ual!. And Ae @ ;e :ul :on:erned in ea:; :a!e i! of ?rea !i?nifi:an:e o ;e =;ole :oBBuni A. Le u! ob!er$e ;ere ;a i i! a differen Ba er =;ere a de$o ee i! :on:erned. )e i! of en a <er!on :alled o belon? o ;e orI! J K. *oBe iBe! ;e :all :oBe! bA <o!!e!!ion durin? =;i:; ;e <er!on be:oBe! e:! a i:@ and ;en i i! !aid ;a ;e orI! J K ;a! a>en or <o!!e!!ed ;iB. (;i! BaA ;a<<en a anA iBe@ bu of en i i! durin? !oBe :ereBonA :onne: ed =i ; ;e orI! J K. (;e <er!on BaA Eu! be ! andin? a<ar =a :;in?@ or be one of ;e =or!;i<<er!00of en !in?in? and dan:in? =or!;i<<er!00=;en ;e be:oBe! e:! a!i!ed. (;ereaf er ;e >no=! ;a ;e i! ;e <ro<er A of ;e orI! J K o :arrA ou ;i! e$erA be;e! a! $ou:;!afed o ;iB. (;e de$o ee =;o re:ei$e! a :all in ;i! =aA i! ;e <er!on =;o reallA !;ould be :alled olZrI! J K00&)e =;o ;a! ;e orI! J K&D for ;e orI! J K abide! in ;iB and :an eF<re!! ;iB!elf ;rou?; ;iB a anA iBe or <la:e. Of en@ ;ou?;@ ;e ur?e o eF<re!!ion :oBe! Bore ea!ilA durin? a ri ual in =;i:; ;ere i! loud Bu!i:@ ;e >ind =;i:; :an indu:e ;e e:! a i: ! a e in a <er!on alreadA !o !u!:e< ible. Ano ;er =aA bA =;i:; a <er!on i! :alled o ;e =or!;i< of ;e orI! J K i! ;rou?; ;e de:lara ion of ;e ora:le. (;i! of en ;a<<en! =;en ;e :u! oBarA ri e i! <erforBed iBBedia elA af er a :;ild7! bir ;D bu a ?ro=n0u< BaA be !o :alled ;rou?; a :er ain un o=ard e$en in ;i! life =;i:; ;e di$iner in er<re ! a! ;e =or> of ;e di$ini A =;o i! :laiBin? ;iB. Abou ;e ne= <rie! @ =o ;in?! Bu! be ob!er$ed. #ir! @ a :er ain ri e Bu! be <erforBed o &reBo$e ;e ;and!& of ;e de:ea!ed <rie! froB ;e :ul . Un il ;i! i! done@ ;e la e <rie! $ir uallA &reBain!& ! ill in offi:eD and i i! belie$ed ;a if ;e ne= <rie!

!;ould ;en a>e u< ;e offi:e@ ;e =ould run in o !oBe dan?er or Bee =i ; ;arB durin? ;e eFe:u ion of ;i! <rie! lA offi:e. *e:ondlA@ ;ere Bu! be a ?a ;erin? of :er ain elder! G<rie! 0Ba>er!H o ;and o$er ;e :ul o ;iB. W;a a>e! <la:e i! !iB<le@ al ;ou?; ;e de ail! $arA froB one lo:ali A o ano ;er. Bu in ?eneral i a>e! ;i! forBL ;e elder! a!!eBble and@ ;rou?; ;eir !<o>e!Ban@ :all ;e <rie! 0ele: @ =;o ?oe! for=ard and >neel!D ;en ;e !<o>e!Ban !aA! ;a !in:e !o0and0!o GnaBin? ;e la e <rie! H ;a! died@ ;ere ;a! been no one in :;ar?e of ;e :ul u!D ;a @ ;erefore@ ;eA G ;e elder!H :ould no bu a<<oin !oBeone and !in:e bA eF<erien:e Gor :onne: ionH ;e <rie! 0ele: i! ;e ri?; <er!on@ ;eA are a<<oin in? ;iB and ;andin? o$er o ;iB ;e ool! of ;e :ul . Le ;iB :arrA on ;en:efor ; ;e <rie! lA fun: ion!D BaA ;e di$ini A a::e< ;i! offi:e!D BaA no ;arB :oBe u<on ;iB in :on!eCuen:e of ;eBD BaA all ;e :;ildren of 0%,.0

;e di$ini A <ro!<er in ;i! iBe. (;en ;e :u! oBarA eBbleB! of ;e di$ini A are ;anded o ;iB. In !oBe :a!e!@ i BaA be :on!idered ne:e!!arA o :on!ul ;e ora:le o find ou if anA ;in? in <ar i:ular i! ne:e!!arA o be done before ;e a<<oin ee a>e! u< offi:eD or if anA o ;er <er!on =i ;in ;e ran> !;ould be :;o!en. I i! unli>elA ;a an a<<oin ee !;ould be reEe: ed in a !e in? li>e ;i!D bu i BaA be ne:e!!arA for ;iB o offer a !a:rifi:e of <urifi:a ion. W;ere ;e :ul ;a! be:oBe ;e :on:ern of ;e =;ole o=n@ ;e in! alla ion of ;e <rie! u!uallA a>e! alBo! ;e !aBe elabora e forB a! ;e in! alla ion of a :i$il :;iefD and in ;a :a!e@ ;e <rie! 7! a<<oin Ben Bu! be ra ified bA ;e >in? or ;e :i$il au ;ori A. We ;a$e !aid abo$e ;a ;e ba!i: fun: ion of ;e Yoruba <rie! i! o be a Bedia or be =een ;e obEe: of =or!;i< and ;e =or!;i<<er!. A! a re!ul of ;i!@ ;e i! ;e <er!on in :;ar?e of ;e !;rine. I i! ;e =;o a>e! :are of ;e !;rine and !ee! ;a i i! !ui ablA <re<ared for =or!;i<D ;e :on!e:ra e! eBbleB! % for ;e !;rine@ !ee! ;a ;e <la:e i! >e< :lean and !u<<lied re?ularlA =i ; ne:e!!arA ar i:le!@ drin> and food offerin?!. (;ere are !e$eral =aA! bA =;i:; ;e <rie! a!:er ain! ;e =ill of ;i! di$ini A. )e BaA ;a$e ;i! ?uidan:e ;rou?; dreaB! durin? =;i:; i o::ur! o ;iB ;a ;e di$ini A i! a!>in? ;iB o do :er ain ;in?!D ;i! ;e iBBedia elA :arrie! ou on =a>in?. (;e :oBBone! Be ;od@ ;o=e$er@ i! di$ina ion bA >ola0nu . + (;i! Be ;od i! eB<loAed bA <ra: i:allA all ;e :ul !.

(;e >ola0nu u!ed Bu! be one =;i:; ;a! four $al$e!. Ea:; of ;e $al$e! ;a! a :on:a$e and a :on$eF !ide@ and i! de!:ribed a! &Bale& or &feBale&@ de<endin? on i ! !;a<e on ;e :on$eF !ide. In a four0$al$e >ola0nu @ ;e !eFe! are e$enlA di! ribu ed. W;en ;e >ola0nu i! !<li durin? =or!;i<@ ;e :o Aledon of one or Bore of ;e $al$e! i! bro>en off and ;ro=n ou !ide for ! J N. , Ano ;er <ie:e i! bro>en off froB ;e <la:e =;ere ;e :o Aledon ;a! been reBo$ed@ and ;i! i! <la:ed on ;e ?round before ;e !;rine. (;i! <ie:e i! belie$ed o be ;e a: ual offerin? for ;e di$ini A@ be:au!e ~ J 07bI l7 Z nd7 Z J runD b7 o ba d7 Z J run Vn@ odidi nY 7da00& I i! ;e bro>en0off <ie:e of >ola0nu ;a ?e ! o ;ea$enD =;en i ;a! arri$ed in ;ea$en@ ;en i be:oBe! a =;ole&. Af er ;a <reliBinarA ri e@ ;e offi:ian ;old! ;e four $al$e! be =een ;i! <alB!@ =;i:; are ;eld o?e ;er@ and a!>! !u:; a Cue! ion a! &I! i <ea:e and <ro!<eri A8& or &Doe! ;e Ba er for =;i:; =e are ;ere Bee =i ; Aour fa$our and a<<ro$al8&@ and :a! ! ;eB on ;e ?round. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er 4@ <. 3,. + *ee C;a< er 5@ <. %15. , *ee C;a< er -@ <<. -5 f . 0%,20

(;ere i! no rule of ;uBb =;i:; i! uni$er!allA o<era i$e abou ;e in er<re a ion of ;e >ola0nu oBen. I de<end! lar?elA on ;e an:e! ral or :ul i: radi ion@ or a :oBbina ion of bo ;@ =;i:; ob ain! in ea:; lo:ali A. (;e radi ional <rin:i<le! are !<e:ifi: in ea:; :a!e@ al ;ou?; added o ;eB are ;e broader <rin:i<le! of in er<re a ion =;i:; eBbra:e ;e =;ole :oBBuni A of :ul ! in ea:; area. (;u!@ =;a =e ;a$e in Bind =;en =e refer o ;e <rin:i<le! of in er<re a ion of ;e oBen@ for eFaB<le@ in IEy J qbe or >I I or Ile0 I#5 J @ i! ;e broader <rin:i<le! =;i:; are ?enerallA a::e< ed in ;e <ar i:ular area. In <la:e! =;ere <eo<le are no lon?er >een on :orre: radi ion@ ;e!e broader <rin:i<le! are a>en a! !uffi:ien .Le u! :on:en ra e on a !<e:ifi: area@ Ile0I#5 J @ for eFaB<le. (;ere ;e oBen of ;e >ola0nu i! ?enerallA in er<re ed a! follo=!L A. W;en onlA one $al$e lie! =i ; ;e :on$eF !ide u<@ i !i?nifie! &:on en Ben &@ &!a i!fa: ion&. B. W;en =o $al$e! lie =i ; ;e :on$eF !ide u<@ i !i?nifie! &Loo> for=ard o !oBe for une &@ &<ro!<eri A&. C. W;en ;ree $al$e! lie =i ; ;e :on$eF !ide u<@ i !i?nifie! &=eal ;&@ &<o!!e!!ion!&. D. W;en all ;e four $al$e! lie =i ; ;e :on$eF !ide u<@ i !i?nifie! &<ea:e&@ &?ood ;eal ;& E. W;en all ;e four $al$e! lie =i ; ;e :on:a$e !ide u<@ i !i?nifie! &Ea @ drin>@ and be BerrA&@ &for une !Bile!&. #. W;en all ;e four $al$e! lie in a ;ea<@ i !i?nifie! &*oBe ;in? ?ood i! on ;e =aA&D &EF<e: a $erA iB<or an @ for unebrin?in? ?ue! L <re<are ;o!<i ali A&.

(;e!e are oo $a?ue o be a::e< ed =i ;ou fur ;er Cue! ion. (;erefore anA one of ;eB ;a! o be :onfirBed and Bade !<e:ifi: bA fur ;er :a! ! of ;e >ola0nu . W;en ;e >ola0 nu i! ;u! :a! o find ou !oBe ;in? !<e:ifi: in referen:e o a forBer oBen@ ;en ;ere i! a !e:ond li! of in er<re a ion! =;i:; are a! follo=!L GbH@ GdH@ GeH@ or GfH abo$e !i?nifie! &Ye!&D =;ile GaH or G:H !i?nifie! &'o&. Bu o ;e <rie! @ ;e li! of in er<re a ion! in ;e =o :a e?orie! i! onlA an aid o ;e :orre: oBen. W;a ;e loo>! for o be?in =i ; i! ;e oBen =;i:; !i?nifie! uneCui$o:al &Ye!& a::ordin? o ;i! o=n faBilA or :ul i: radi ion. Le u! !u<<o!e ;a ;e oBen for ;iB i! GbH. If@ =;en ;e :a! ! ;e >ola0nu @ ;e ?e ! ;e oBen GbH@ ;en ;e i! !a i!fied and <ro:eed! 0%,30

=i ; ;e =or!;i< o i ! :on:lu!ion. Bu !u<<o!in? ;a ;e ?e ! GaH =;i:;@ al ;ou?; in i !elf a ?ood oBen@ i! no a::e< able for ;i! radi ion8 W;a ;e doe! ;en i! o :olle: ;e $al$e! and re:a! ;eB@ ;i! iBe addre!!in? ;e di$ini A =i ; ;e Cue! ion@ &(;e oBen !aA! 7:on en Ben 7L do Aou Bean ;a 7:on en Ben 7 i! ?oin? o be BA lo 8& If no= ;e ?e ! anA one of ;e &Ye!& oBen!@ ;e i! !a i!fied. If@ ;o=e$er@ on :a! in? ;e >ola0nu a?ain@ ;e ! ill ?e ! a &'o& oBen@ ;en ;e ;a! o :a! i a?ain o find ou if ;ere i! anA ;in? ;e Ba erD and if ;e an!=er i! &Ye!&@ ;e <ro:eed! o find ou bA a !erie! of Cue! ion! =;a i! =ron?@ and ;en =;a !;ould be done abou i . (;i! ;e round! off bA a!>in?@ &Will e$erA ;in? be all ri?; on:e ;a i! done 8& and o ;i! ;e eF<e: ! an uneCui$o:al &Ye!& or ;e =ill ;a$e o ! ar all o$er a?ain. A?ain@ !u<<o!e ;a =;en ;e :a! ! ;i! >ola0nu @ ;e ?e ! oBen GaH ;ree iBe! !u::e!!i$elA. Af er ;e ;ird iBe@ ;e Cue! ion ;e addre!!e! o ;e di$ini A i! &I! ;i! oBen GaH =;a Aou =i!; u! o a>e a! Aour 7Ye!7 ;i! iBe8& Bu !u<<o!e ;a af er ;e ;a! :a! ;e >ola0nu four iBe! ;e oBen i! ! ill no au!<i:iou!. (;en ;e :on:lude! ei ;er ;a ;e di$ini A reEe: ! ;a <ar i:ular >ola0nu or ;a ;e >ola0nu i! &no ?ood&. In <ur!uan:e of ;e fir! :on:lu!ion@ ;e ;a! no= o a!> ;e di$ini A =;a !;ould be done =i ; ;e reEe: ed >ola0nu 00&I! i o be ;ro=n ou !ide

or on ;e dun?;ill8& If ;e ;a! o de:ide ;a i i! ;e >ola0nu ;a i! &no ?ood&@ ;e a>e! i ;a ;e rea!on for i ! :ondi ion i! ;a i fell a?ain! a ree on i ! =aA o ;e ?round froB ;e >ola0 ree. (;ere are =o =aA! of rea in? !u:; a >ola0nu D ;e <rie! fir! ! ri>e! i a?ain! ;e =all o re: ifA i ! &defe: &. (;en ;e :a! ! i a?ain. If ! ill i brin?! no &Ye!& oBen of anA >ind@ ;en i i! abandoned@ and ano ;er one u!ed in! ead. Ano ;er =aA of a!:er ainin? ;e =ill of ;e orI! J K i! ;rou?; a BediuB. (;i! i! done $erA of en =i ; ;e ;ou!e;old ! J N. U!uallA@ a $ir?in@ <referablA before !;e a ain! <uber A@ i! :;o!en@ and ;er eAe! and ear! are rea ed =i ; a de:o: ion of ;erb! !o ;a !;e BaA be able o !ee and ;ear ;e di$ini A. *;e !i ! be =een ;e orI! J K and ;e :lien and de:lare! Be!!a?e! froB ;e or I i! no unu!ual o find a =oBan of ad$an:ed a?e =;o ;a! enou?; orI! J K in ;er o be a BediuB@ bu !;e Bu! ;a$e <a!!ed ;e a?e of@ or :ea!ed froB@ :;ildbearin? and !eFual ;abi !. (;i! i! no ;e <la:e for a ;e!i! on ;e di$ina ion :onne: ed =i ; ;e P J runBIlK :ul @ >no=n a! IfV. (;a i! an in ri:a e ar =;i:; i! <ainfullA and laboriou!lA learn before i :an be Ba! ered o anA a<<re:iable 0%,40

de?ree. (o Ba! er i :oB<le elA i! a :oun!el of <erfe: ion. One ;a! o learn ;e =o ;undred and fif A0!iF OdN % =i ; ;e endle!! ! orie! :onne: ed =i ; ;eB@ ;e <ra: i:al a<<li:a ion! of ;e ! orie!@ and ;e <;arBa:o<oeia =;i:; i! <ar of ;e !A! eB@ all bA ;ear . Bu =e ;a$e o Ben ion i ;ere be:au!e i i!!ue! froB ;e :ul of P J runBIlI@ ;e ora:le di$ini A@ =;o i! belie$ed o be ;e &<ro<;e i:& $oi:e of OlZd;NBarO@ de:larin? )i! =ill and be;e! @ a! =ell a! ;e :;ief &:on!ul an & =;o ?i$e! dire: ion! in re?ard o ;e rela ion! be =een ;e di$ini ie! and Ben. (;e <er!on in :;ar?e of ;e :ul of P J runBIlK i! bo ; a ;iero<;an and a <rie! @ al ;ou?; ;e i! >no=n Bore bA ;e forBer fun: ion of de:larin? and eF<oundin? ;e BA! erie! of IfV. AnAbodA =;o ;a! learn ;e ar of di$ina ion bA IfV and ;a! under?one ;e ri e of be:oBin? a $o arA of P J runBIlK au oBa i:allA be:oBe! a <rie! 0di$iner. P J runBIlK a<<ear! o be ;e one di$ini A =;o i! no ied o anA <ar i:ular linea?e &o=ner!&@ al ;ou?; ;ere are faBilA linea?e! =;i:; ;a$e <ra: i!ed ;e ar for !o lon? ;a <eo<le ;a$e :oBe o loo> u<on ;eB a! ;e linea?e &o=ner!& of ;e :ul . (;e <rie! of a :en ral !;rine ;a! ;i! di! in?ui!;in? Bar>@ ;e A<e of =;i:; de<end! on =;i:; di$ini A ;e !er$e!. (;e <rie! or <rie! e!! of orI! J K0nlV@ for eFaB<le@ i! de:>ed in =;i eL ;a i!@ =;i e :lo ;e! and =;i e bead!. In !oBe lo:ali ie!@ ;e <rie! =ear! ;e

!aBe in!i?nia a! ;e :i$il :;ief00:oral bead! around ;e ne:>@ =ri! ! and an>le!D or ;e I a?bO00a !<e:iallA =o$en ! ri< of fabri:@ u!uallA :o<iou!lA and :olourfullA ornaBen ed or all =;i e@ =i ; ;i:> a!!el! a bo ; end!@ o be laid on ;e !;oulder or =orn ied round ;e ;ead. Con!onan =i ; ;e di! in?ui!;in? Bar>! are ;e $ariou! abu =;i:; are ;e lo of e$erA <rie! . (;e!e al!o de<end on =;i:; di$ini A i i!. (;e abu are ;in?! &no done& bA ;e <rie! bo ; in :on!eCuen:e of ;i! a a:;Ben o ;e di$ini A and for ;e !a>e of ;e effi:a:A of ;i! ri ual <erforBan:e!. (;eA :on!i! of ;in?! li>e food or drin> =;i:; ;e di$ini A doe! no a>e + and =;i:; are ;erefore forbidden o all ;i! =or!;i<<er!D or ;in?! =;i:; Ba>e for :ereBonial defileBen or :on aBina ion. In e$erA :a!e@ a deBand i! laid u<on ;e <rie! =;o i! en erin? u<on ;i! !a:red offi:e o be !eFuallA :lean. (;a i! =;A ;e <rie! !;ould be a <er!on of ad$an:ed a?e and ;e <rie! e!! a <er!on <a! :;ildbearin? and !eFual ;abi !. A Barried <rie! Bu! be <ro<erlA =a!;ed =i ; =a er Gof en =i ; a de:o: ion of ;erb!H and an i!e< i: !oa< RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er %@ <<. 4 f. + *ee C;a< er 5@ <. %%-D and C;a< er %+@ <<. %.5f. 0%,-0

before ?oin? in o ;e <re!en:e of ;e di$ini A. Men! rua in? =oBen are banned froB ;e !;rine!. (;e <rie! ;a! al=aA! been an iB<or an !o:ial fi?ure. )e i! ine$i able in ;e !o:ial <a ern of ;e Yoruba !in:e ;e >eAno e of ;eir na ional life i! ;eir reli?ion. 6ir uallA no ;in? i! done =i ;ou ;e Bini! ra ion of ;e <rie! . #or@ a<ar froB loo>in? af er ;e &!oul& of ;e :oBBuni A@ ;e fea ure! <roBinen lA in ;e in! alla ion of >in?! and ;e Ba>in? of :;ief!. 0%,50

II (;e Cul of OlZdNBarO We !;all o<en ;i! :;a< er =i ; ;ree !ele: ed Cuo a ion! o illu! ra e ;e ?eneral iB<re!!ion =;i:; ;e reli?ion of ;e Yoruba Ba>e! u<on forei?n in$e! i?a or! =i ; re?ard o ;e :ul of ;e Dei A. A. B. Elli!@ =ri in? in %-5. !aid of OlZdNBarO@ &(;e na i$e !aA! ;a ;e enEoA! a life of :oB<le e idlene!! and re<o!e@ . . . and <a!!e! )i! iBe doSin? or !lee<in?. *in:e ;e i! oo laSA or oo indifferen o eFer:i!e anA :on rol o$er ear ;lA affair!@ Ban on ;i! !ide doe! no =a! e iBe in endea$ourin? o <ro<i ia e ;iB@ bu re!er$e! ;i! =or!;i< and !a:rifi:e for Bore a: i$e a?en !.& % Leo #robeniu!@ =ri in? nine een Aear! la er@ !aidL &)e i! nei ;er =or!;i<<ed nor :on!idered in anA =aA@ bu lead! an en irelA <la oni:@ BA ;olo?i:al eFi! en:e.& + E. GeoffreA "arrinder@ =ri in? a! re:en lA a! %5.5@ !aidL &(;e Yoruba :all God lf J g run. 'o :ul i! offered o ;iB . . .&D and ;e =en on o de!:ribe )iB a! & ;i! !u<reBe bu un=or!;i<<ed God&. , Mo! of ;e !alien <oin ! rai!ed bA ;e!e Cuo a ion! ;a$e been aB<lA an!=ered in ;e <a! :;a< er! of ;i! boo>. . (;e Bain <oin o no i:e ;ere i! ;eir !<e:ifi: eB<;a!i! ;a

;e Yoruba ;a$e no :ul of OlZdNBarO W;ile i i! $erA li>elA ;a Elli! ;ad onlA Bi! a>en a $i$id dreaB of ;i! o=n for inforBa ion bA& ;e na i$e!&@ ;a in =ri in? ;e!e =ord! #robeniu! =a! onlA eFudin? a !urfei of :la!!i:al edu:a ion@ and ;a "arrinder7! re!ear:; a ;i! <oin =a! in:oB<le e@ ;ere i! li le doub ;a ;e ?eneral a<<earan:e of ;in?! ;a! led o ;e Bi! a>en no ion ;a OlZdNBarO i! a &deu! in:er u!& and a &deu! reBo u!& and i! ;erefore no =or!;i<<ed a all. 2 Le u! ;erefore eFaBine ;e rea!on! for ;i! a<<earan:e =;i:; ;a! been a>en for reali A. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % (;e Yoruba0!<ea>in? "eo<le! G C;a<Ban and )all@ %-5.H@ <. ,.. + (;e 6oi:e of Afri:a G London@ )u :;in!on@ %5%,H@ 6ol. I@ <. %5-. , We! Afri:an Reli?ion G E<=or ; "re!!@ %5.5H@ <. +3D bu !ee ;i! Reli?ion in an Afri:an Ci A@ <. - f. . *ee e!<e:iallA C;a< er! ,04. 2 Afri:a and C;ri! iani A@ bA Diedri:; We! erBann G O.U.".@ %5,4H@ <. 4.. 0%.10

#ir! @ a! =e ;a$e ob!er$ed@ ;e obEe: i$e <;enoBena in ;e reli?ion of ;e Yoruba are ;e :ul ! of ;e orI! J K. % (;e!e !o <redoBina e ;e !:ene ;a i i! diffi:ul for ;e :a!ual ob!er$er o no i:e ;a under ;eB@ ;ere i! one $i al :ul i: ba!i!. (;ere i! a <an ;eon@ bu i i! <o!!ible o !ear:; ;rou?; i =i ;ou Bee in? OlZdNBarO. (;e rea!on for ;a @ of :our!e@ i! no ;a )e doe! no eFi! @ ;a )e i! in:er u! or reBo u!@ bu ;a )e i! Eu! no of ;e ran> and file of ;e orIK and ;erefore i! no o be found a! one of ;eB. + *e:ondlA@ ;e Yoruba do no ere: eB<le! for ;e :ul of OlZd\BarO@ nei ;er are iBa?e! dedi:a ed o )iB. Bu in ;i!@ ;eA are onlA bein? rue o ;eir :on:e< of )iB. (o ;e Cue! ion@ &(o =;oB =ill Ae li>en God8 or =;a li>ene!! =ill Ae :oB<are un o ;iB8&@ , ;e Yoruba =ill an!=er@ &'o one and 'o ;in?&. )i! a ribu e! eF:lude anA !u:; :oB<ari!on. )e i! ;e cin? UniCue@ of !u<erla i$e and in:oB<arable a ribu e!@ One W;o :anno be found ou bA !ear:;in?@ ;e In$i!ible and E$er0<re!en One. . (;e Yoruba :anno :on:ei$e in =;a forB ;e Dei A of !u:; a ribu e! :ould be re<re!en ed in iBa?e!. 'ei ;er :an ;eA ;in> of :onfinin? =i ;in !<a:e )iB =;o!e a<<ella ion i! A N J re J re J >7ViAW00&)e =;o !<read! o$er ;e =;ole eF en of ;e ear ;&D )e i! !o &iBBen!e& and &eF en!i$e& ;a ;a i! Eu! unfea!ible.

(;irdlA@ i i! rue in ;i! :a!e ;a ;e <eo<le7! :on:e< ion of ;e <o!i ion of ;e Dei A ;a! been a refle: ion of ;eir !o:ial <a ern. (;erefore@ a :on!idera ion of ;e !o:ial e iCue e of ;e Yoruba =i ; referen:e o a?e ! a u! =ill !;ed li?; on ;i! !ubEe: . In Yoruba e iCue e i i! :on!idered a ;in? &no done& for a Aoun? <er!on o a<<roa:; an elder dire: lA =;en ;e =an ! a !<e:ial fa$our. E$en a !on BaA no ?o dire: lA o ;i! fa ;er o be? for a ?rea fa$our or a<olo?i!e for an offen:e. (;e Aoun? <er!on Bu! a<<roa:; ;e elder on !u:; o::a!ion! ;rou?; an in erBediarA@ a friend or a <eer of ;e one =;o i! bein? a<<roa:;ed. I i! an ob!er$able fa: ;a i i! no ;e :u! oB of ;e Yoruba o rea faBiliarlA =i ; ;eir >in?!. In ;e old daA!@ unle!! a <er!on belon?ed o ;e ;i?;e! ran> in ;e :oBBuni A@ ;e Bi?; ne$er ;a$e ;e !li?; e! :;an:e of !eein? ;e >in? ;rou?;ou ;i! life iBe. #or eFaB<le@ ;e h J ni of Ile0I#5 J @ in :on!eCuen:e of ;i! ! a u!@ u!ed o be ;eld in !o Bu:; re$eren:e ;a i =a! u erlA iB<o!!ible for anA@ eF:e< ;e $erA fe= =;o =ere ;i?;lA <ri$ile?ed@ o be;old ;i! fa:e or ;e ?a e! of ;i! <ala:e. Abou ;e Al|fin of P J A ; @ere u!ed o be a <o<ular !on?L ]rZ l7 a n?bZ J @ oE\ 7P 7 Al|fin00&We ;ear onlA re<or !@ eAe! do no rea:; ;e Al|fin&D RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % C;a< er! 5 and %1. + *ee C;a< er! 3 and 4@ <<. .5 f. , I!aia; .1L%-. . C;a< er 2@ <<. .+ ff. 0%.%0

=;i:; Bean! ;a <eo<le onlA ;eard of ;iB bu ne$er !a= ;iB. In ;o!e daA! ;e fa:e! of ;e ?rea Yoruba >in?! =ere $eiled =;ene$er ;eA =en ou of ;eir <ala:e!. (;e <eo<le >ne= ;a ;eA ;ad ;e >in?@ ;e >in? =a! ;e !ABbol and ?eniu! of ;eir :oBBunal :o;e!ionD bu ;i! $oi:e and be;e! :aBe o ;eB ;rou?; a ?rada ion of :i$i: offi:er! =i ; =;oB ;eA =ere in :lo!e ou:; ;rou?; ;eir o=n =ard or faBilA ;ead!. W;en =e a<<lA ;i! o ;e reli?ion of ;e Yoruba@ =e :an ea!ilA !ee ;o= ;e !u<erla i$e ! a u! of OlZdNBarO ;a! ?i$en ;e :a!ual ob!er$er ;e iB<re!!ion ;a OlZdNBarO i! in:er u! and reBo u! and@ ;erefore@ ne$er =or!;i<<ed. (;e Yoruba a<<ear o be Cui e !a i!fied =i ; ;e di$ini ie! =i ; =;oB ;eA are in iBBedia e ou:;. Bu ;i! i! onlA be:au!e ;eA belie$e ;a on:e ;e di$ini ie! ;a$e been offered ;eir =or!;i<@ ;e di$ini ie! in ;eir urn =ill ran!Bi =;a i! ne:e!!arA of i o OlZdNBarO I i! lef o ;e di$ini ie! o a>e =;a belon?! o ;eB bA $ir ue of ;eir <o!i ion a! au ;ori!ed bA OlZdNBarO and reBi o )iB all ;a i! )i! ei ;er o re:ei$e or o eFe:u e. I i! ne:e!!arA for u!@ ne$er ;ele!!@ o rei era e ;ere =;a =e ;a$e alreadA ob!er$ed@ ;a =;a e$er !a:rifi:e or <e i ion i! offered o anA one of ;e di$ini ie! i! :on!idered reallA a::e< ed onlA =;en ;e Yoruba are a!!ured of ;e !an: ion of OlZdNBarO. %

We =ill eB<;a!i!e fur ;er ;a ;e !u<erla i$e ?rea ne!! of OlZdNBarO doe! no <re:lude dire: a<<roa:; o )iB. Al ;ou?; ;e Yoruba do no build eB<le! for )iB@ ;eA ne$er ;ele!! Ba>e u!e of ;e ad$an a?e of )i! oBni<re!en:e00 ;e fa: ;a )e i! nei ;er re! ri: ed nor :onfined bA !<a:e and iBe00 o <raA o ;iB dire: lA and a anA iBe and <la:e a! need! ari!e. On !u:; o::a!ion!@ ;eA !<ea> o )iB in ra ;er in iBa e erB!D a! ;eA !i and <onder o$er !oBe Ba er@ a! ;eir Bind! =or> ou ;e de ail! of !oBe en er<ri!e@ a! ;eA =al> alon? ;e road or lie in bed@ ;eA !<on aneou!lA :on$er!e =i ; ;e e$er0<re!en @ e$er0;earin?@ OlZdNBarO. Bu ;ere i! a !<e:ifi: :ul of OlZdNBarO. Be:au!e OlZdNBarO :anno be :onfined in o !<a:e@ ;e ri uali! i: =or!;i< offered o )iB a>e! <la:e in ;e o<en. (;e =or!;i<<er Ba>e! a :ir:le of a!;e! or =;i e :;al>D =i ;in ;e :ir:le@ =;i:; i! a !ABbol of e erni A@ ;e <our! a liba ion of :old =a er@ and in ;e :en re ;e <la:e! ;i! >ola0nu on :o on =ool. )e ;en a>e! ;e >ola0nu @ !<li ! i and ;oldin? ;e $al$e! firBlA be =een ;e ;ollo= of ;i! <alB!@ ;e ! re :;e! ;eB u< and <raA! o OlZdNBarO@ offerin? ;e >ola0 nu D ;en ;e :a! ! ;e $al$e! =i ;in ;e :ir:le. + Of en a =;i e fo=l i! offered in ;e !aBe =aA. In Ile0I#5 J @ ;ere RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er 3@ <<. 2+ f. + *ee C;a< er %1@ <<. %,2 ff. 0%.+0

i! a <rie! 0:;ief =;o!e du A i i! o offer ;i! ri ual e$erA Bornin? in ;e naBe of ;e h J ni and of all ;e <eo<le. I i! o be re?re ed ;o=e$er@ ;a ;e dire: ri uali! i: =or!;i< of OlZdNBarO a! a re?ular ;in? i! dAin? ou in Yorubaland. In !oBe <ar ! i i! no lon?er >no=nD in !oBe@ i ;a! be:oBe ;e :ul of ;e =oBen. 'e$er ;ele!! i i! of en <ra: i!ed under :er ain :ir:uB! an:e!. W;en =o <er!on! en er in o a !oleBn <a: @ =;en <eo<le ;a$e o Ba>e a $erA bindin? oa ; or !=ear o$er !oBe Ba er of :on en ion@ ;eA ?o in o ;e o<en and <erforB ;e ri ual. Of en@ al!o@ ;e ora:le de:lare! ;a an a: of =or!;i< or a !a:rifi:e !;ould be offered o AlVlKfunfun P>O@ and ;en ;e ri ual i! <erforBed. W;en ;e ora:le in!i! ! ;a a !a:rifi:e !;ould be offered o OlZdNBarO@ !u:; a !a:rifi:e i! ei ;er eF<o!ed in ;e o<en or !ubliBa ed bA burnin?. We in!i! @ ;erefore@ ;a ;e <re!en ! a e of ;e :ul of OlZdNBarO i! no due o ;e fa: ;a o ;e Yoruba )e i! a deu! in:er u! and a deu! reBo u!L )e i!@ in fa: @ $erA real o ;e Yoruba@ a! One =i ;ou W;oB no ;in? reBain!. We adBi @ ne$er ;ele!!@ ;a ;e :ul ! of ;e ;i ;er o e$er0in:rea!in? in erBediarA di$ini ie! =;o for <ra: i:al <ur<o!e! of en be:oBe end! in ;eB!el$e! ;a$e ;ad an in!idiou!lA de riBen al effe: on )i! :ul a! a re?ular@ obEe: i$e <;enoBenon in ;e reli?iou! a: i$i ie! of ;e Yoruba.

Re?ular reBnan ! of ;e an:ien :ul of OlZdNBarO are <re!er$ed in :er ain :on:e< uali!a ion! of )iB =;i:; =e find in JK>e a00 ;e ori?inal Yoruba ;under di$ini AD rKBfy J q00 ;e !<e:ial I#5 J ;under and !olar di$ini AD and orI! J K07?baiAe of P J = J =;o ;a! a =ider !:o<e in ;a ;e re<re!en ! an ab! ra: ion of ;e o ali A of OlZdNBarO. (;e :ul of ea:; of ;e!e di$ini ie!@ in ;e Bain@ follo=! ;e <a ern de!:ribed abo$e in referen:e o ;e :ul of ;e Dei A. I =ould !eeB ;a ;e =or!;i< of /rI!K0?bVAW A<ifie! in a =ider de ail ;e an:ien =or!;i< of OlZdNBarOL ;ree =;i e >olanu ! and =;i e fo=l! are offered in$ariablA@ in ;e o<en@ in ;e !aBe =a! a! =e ;a$e de!:ribed abo$e. Under ;e influen:e of Bodern enli?; enBen @ ;ere ;a! been a enden:A o di!:ern in ;e ;ree >olanu ! ;e !i?n of a !en!e of ;e (rini A. 0%.,0

%+ OlZdNBarO and Moral 6alue! 'o one >no=! =;en ;e Cue! ion of Borali A a! a ;eore i:al !ubEe: be?an o eFer:i!e ;e Bind of Ban. (;ere i! no doub @ ;o=e$er@ ;a ;e !en!e of =;a o do and =;a no o do@ ;e <ra: i:al Cue! ion a! o =;A :er ain forB! of be;a$iour are o be <referred o :er ain o ;er!@ and ;e <robleB of ;o= o li$e <ea:eablA =i ; ano ;er <er!on and be fi o li$e =i ;@ ;a$e been =i ; ;iB froB ;e earlie! iBe!. W;erea! all ;e!e be?an a! $a?ue no ion!@ i =a! no lon? before ;eA be:aBe real fa: or! =i ; =;i:; ;e !;ould re:>on if ;e Bu! li$e =i ;in ;e :oBBuni A and if ;e life of ;e :oBBuni A Bu! be <re!er$ed. (;u!@ bA a ?radual <ro:e!! ;eA e$ol$ed in o ;e defini e <a ern! =;i:; =e ;a$e odaA a! :ode! of be;a$iour@ a! >no=n in ;e =aA! and =i!doB of ea:; indi$idual na ion. (o ;e Cue! ion &W;en:e doe! Borali A deri$e i ! norB@ ;e for:e of i ! deBand! and !an: ion!8& ;e an!=er! ;a$e been $ariou!. (;ere are ;o!e =;o ;old ;a Borali A ;a! i ! ori?in in !o:ie AD ;a i!@ i i! e!!en iallA a !o:ial <;enoBenon. *o:ie A Bu! >ee< i !elf ali$e and i ! Ba:;inerA !Boo ;0runnin?@ and o ;i! end i e$ol$e! a !A! eB of

!elf<re!er$a ion. (;u! ;e !en!e of &Ou?; & =;i:; re!ide! =i ;in ea:; <er!on i! a re!ul of ;i! !A! eB =;i:; !o:ie A :rea ed. On ;i! ;A<o ;e!i!@ ;a =;i:; =e :all &:on!:ien:e& in Ban i! no ;in? Bore ;an ;e no ion@ &a :oB<leF of re!idual ;abi !&@ =;i:; !o:ie A iB<lan ! in ;iB a! i brin?! ;iB u<@ feedin? ;iB on ;e Bil> of a<<ro$ed be;a$iour and nouri!;in? ;iB on ;e Bea of a::e< able :;ara: er. (;e!e no ion! !o:ie A end! :arefullA and ! ren? ;en! =i ; ;e di!<en!a ion of re=ard and <uni!;Ben . O ;er! ;a$e old u! ;a =;a =e :all Borali A i! li le Bore ;an a <rodu: of :oBBon !en!e. In order o li$e@ Ban Bu! ada< ;iB!elf o ;i! en$ironBen . EF<erien:e !oon au?; ;iB =;a :ould be done and =;a Bu! be a$oided. A ! eadA a::uBula ion of ;i! eF<erien:e o$er a lon? <eriod ;a! re!ul ed in a $erA ! ron? !en!e of =;a ;a! :oBe o be <o<ularlA >no=n a! &Ri?; & and &Wron?&. Bu @ ;o=e$er ! ron? and 0%..0

iB<era i$e ;i! !en!e BaA ;a$e be:oBe in Ban@ i i!@ ne$er ;ele!!@ a bo oB Bere :oBBon !en!e. Man <u ;i! fin?er in ;e fire and burned i D for ;e fu ure i be:oBe! <ar of ;i! :;ara: er o a$oid <u in? ;i! fin?er in ;e fire. &On:e bi en@ =i:e !;AQ& (;e!e =o !:;ool! of ;ou?; ;a$e been ?rea lA bu re!!ed u< in ;eir :on:e< ion! of ;e ori?in of Borali A bA ;e >ind of <ra: i:al rea!on! =;i:; ;a$e been ?i$en o !u<<or or a::oun for ;e ado< ion or reEe: ion of :er ain <a ern! of be;a$iour. (;eA fiF u<on ;e!e !o ! ron?lA ;a ;eA :an !ee no :onne: ion a bo oB be =een reli?ion and Borali A@ al ;ou?; ;eA =ill no denA ;a reli?ion and Borali A do in era: and influen:e ea:; o ;er for be er@ for =or!e@ durin? ;e :our!e of Ban7! de$elo<Ben . (;erefore@ ;eA ;a$e :on$enien lA o$erloo>ed =o $i al Cue! ion!. (;e fir! !:;ool ! ill ;a! o Ba>e i eF<li:i =;A ;i! &Ba!!& =;i:; i! :alled !o:ie A !;ould be !o >een on i ! o=n <re!er$a ion. We !;ould ;a$e ;ou?; ;a a !oulle!! Ba:;ine :anno an i:i<a e i ! o=n brea>do=nQ W;a i! i ;a ?a$e !o:ie A ;e &!en!e& of i ! o=n $alue8 And o =;a end i! ;i! $alue bein? <re!er$ed8 W;A doe! !o:ie A no allo= i ! e$erA BeBber o ?o on ea in? and drin>in? and bein? BerrA in ;e =aA ;a =;iB! di: a e@ and ;en o die anA oBorro=8 W;a i! i ;a Ba>e! :on!:ien:e e!!en iallA and ul iBa elA indi$idual8 And ;e !e:ond !:;ool !;ould le u! >no= =;a i i! ;a <u ! !o Bu:; &:oBBon !en!e& in Ban. W;A i! i ;a @ li>e ;e :andle0dra=n Bo ;@ ;e doe! no flA in o ;e flaBe and be

burn 8 (;e an!=er! o ;e!e Cue! ion! are no ob$iou!D and ;a i! be:au!e ;eA are bound u< =i ; ;e Cue! ion of ;e fundaBen al na ure of Ban. Our o=n $ie= i! ;a Borali A i! ba!i:allA ;e frui of reli?ion and ;a @ o be?in =i ;@ i =a! de<enden u<on i . Man7! :on:e< of ;e Dei A ;a! e$erA ;in? o do =i ; =;a i! a>en o be ;e norB of Borali A. God Bade BanD and i i! )e =;o iB<lan ! in ;iB ;e !en!e of ri?; and =ron?. (;i! i! a fa: ;e $alidi A of =;i:; doe! no de<end u<on =;e ;er Ban reali!e! and a:>no=led?e! i or no . &(;e !en!e of obli?a ion o do ;a =;i:; i! belie$ed o be ri?; i!@ in fa: @ ;e <re!!ure of God u<on e$erA ;uBan life. God i! Bade >no=n o all Ben@ e$en ;ou?; ;eA BaA no ;a$e learned o :all )iB God Gor BaA refu!e oH@ and obedien:e o ;e be;e! ! of :on!:ien:e i! ;e e!!en ial :ondi ion of ?ro= ; in ;e >no=led?e of God.& % &E$erA ;uBan bein? =;o i! no :learlA an iBbe:ile ;a! a >no=led?e of ri?; and =ron? . . . e$erAone >no=! ;a ri?; i! no ;e !aBe ;in? a! =ron?. . . . E$en ;ou?; Boral <;ilo!o<;er! RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % C;ri! ian A<olo?e i:!@ bA Alan Ri:;ard!on G London@ *.C.M. "re!!@ %5.-H@ <. %+2. 0%.20

:anno a?ree u<on ;e eF<lana ion of =;a ;e differen:e i!@ ;eA all <er:ei$e ;a ;ere i! a differen:e be =een ri?; and =ron?. 'or Bu! =e allo= our!el$e! o be Bi!led bA !u<erfi:ial al> abou ;e rela i$i A of Boral ! andard!. I i! rue ;a Boral ! andard! $arA =idelA froB a?e o a?e and froB <la:e o <la:e . . . Ae ;eA all a:>no=led?e@ a::ordin? o ;eir o=n ! andard!@ ;a ;ere i! a differen:e be =een ri?; and =ron?.& % (;e !en!e of ri?; and =ron?@ bA ;e de:ree of God@ ;a! al=aA! been <ar of ;uBan na ure. EF<erien:e :oBe! before ;eorA. (;a !en!e =a! ;ere fir! before Ban be?an o find ;e rea!on! =;A :er ain Bode! of be;a$iour !;ould be <referred o :er ain o ;er!@ and ;e rea!on! ?i$en are of en li le Bore ;an ra ionali!a ion. (;e real ru ; of ;e !i ua ion i! iB<lied in * . "aul7! =ord! ;a ;e Gen ile! &!;o= ;a =;a ;e la= reCuired i! =ri en on ;eir ;ear !&. + Or@ in ;e =ord! of E. O. JaBe!@ &*in a! a brea:; of or failure o ad;ere o ;e !an: ion! re:o?ni!ed a! ;e a<<ro$ed ! andard of !o:ial and reli?iou! :ondu: on ;e <ar ali>e of ;e indi$idual and of !o:ie A a! a =;ole i! a uni$er!al <;enoBenon in ;uBan ;i! orA.& , Wi ; ;e Yoruba@ Borali A i! :er ainlA ;e frui of reli?ion. (;eA do no Ba>e anA a eB< o !e<ara e ;e =oD and i i! iB<o!!ible for ;eB o do !o =i ;ou di!a! rou! :on!eCuen:e!. W;a ;a$e been naBed abu oo> ;eir ori?in froB ;e fa: ;a <eo<le di!:erned ;a ;ere =ere :er ain ;in?! =;i:; =ere BorallA a<<ro$ed or di!a<<ro$ed bA

;e Dei A. *o ;e Yoruba :all abu s= J 00&(;in?! forbidden&@ &(;in?! no done&. In ;e ;ou?; of ;e <eo<le@ ;e abu ;a$e :olle: i$elA a>en on a !<e:ial !i?nifi:an:e bA a!!uBin? a Cua!i0<er!onal :;ara: er in :on!eCuen:e of =;i:; i ;a! been ?i$en ;e naBe A0>I07! J e0e00&I 0i!no 0done&@ &I 0i!0 abu&D and ;i! <er!onifi:a ion i! $ariou!lA :on:ei$ed of a! ;e &de e: i$e& of P J runBIlK or a! an inde<enden &a?en & =;o i! o<era i$e in ;e =orld bA ;e de:ree of OlZdNBarO. (;e Yoruba !aA ;erefore in ;e fa:e of a bafflin? :riBe or offen:e@ A0>I07! J e0e l7 o Bx dV 7EZ J 00&I 0i!0 abu =ill Eud?e G ra:> do=n ;e offenderH&@ =;i:; i! a! Bu:; a! o !aA &*inner! =ill no ?o un<uni!;ed&. *. *. #arro= ;a! a ?ood :;a< er on Borali A in ;e reli?ion of ;e Yoruba. . Bu ;e o$er! re!!e! =;a !eeB! o ;iB o be eleBen ! of &e$il& in ;e reli?ion. )e rebu>e! one Brin on for re?ardin? ;e!e <;enoBena a! &no ;ear le!!ne!! or :ruel A& and ;in>! ;a Brin on RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % O<. :i .@ <. %+.. + RoBan! +L%2. , CoB<ara i$e Reli?ion G London@ Me ;uen@ %5,-H@ <. +... . #ai ;@ #an:ie! and #e i:;@ bA *. *. #arro= G London@ *.".C.c.@ %5+3H@<<. %., f. 0%.30

Bade !u:; a Bi! a>e be:au!e ;e did no li$e aBon? ;e &;ea ;en& and en er in o ;eir eF<erien:e!@ ;ou?; !@ and feelin?!. (;e rebu>e !;ould belon? o *. *. #arro= ;iB!elf. Al ;ou?; ;e :an :laiB o ;a$e li$ed aBon? ;e Yoruba@ i i! ob$iou! ;a ;e did no Cui e under! and =;A :er ain ;in?! =ere done or <ra: i!ed be:au!e ;e ! udied ;e Yoruba reli?ion !ubEe: i$elA froB ;e ! and<oin of C;ri! iani A and We! ern :ul ure. I Bu! be ;e !aBe <reEudi:e =;i:; led e$en Bi!;o< JaBe! Jo;n!on o !aA ;a Yoruba &;ea ;eni!B& :oun enan:e! and en:oura?e! re$en?e@ re alia ion@ Eealou!A@ ;a red@ ill0 =ill@ an?er@ and =ra ;. % W;a ;e!e =o eBinen Ben o$erloo>ed i! ;a i ;a! been ;e <a ;e i: eF<erien:e of Ben all do=n ;e a?e! ;a ;e ideal! !e bA reli?ion are rarelA if e$er rea:;ed. In one in! an:e onlA do =e >no= ;a ;e =ill of Man :oin:ided <erfe: lA =i ; ;e =ill of God@ and ;a =a! in Je!u! of ;i! orA. 'e$er ;ele!!@ =e do no :ondeBn a reli?ion BerelA be:au!e ;o!e =;o <rofe!! i do no li$e u< o i ! ideal!. Cruel A@ ;a red@ Eealou!A@ and o ;er !o:ial e$il! are :er ainlA e$iden in ;e life of ;e YorubaD bu ;i! onlA !;o=! ;a ;eA are :or<ora e BeBber! of ;e ;uBan ra:e =i ;in =;i:; !in ! ill ;a! doBinion. Le u! learn o <la:e ;in?! =;ere ;eA belon?. A! =e al> of ;e!e ;in?! de!:ribed a! eleBen ! of &e$il& in ;e reli?ion of ;e Yoruba@ a on:e ;ere !<rin?! o ;e Bind ;e <ra: i:e of ;uBan !a:rifi:e@ + and ;e !e$ere@ a ro:iou! rea Ben =;i:; ;e Yoruba u!ed o Be e ou o ;o!e =;o bro>e ;e abu.

*;o:>in? a! ;e!e BaA be@ ;o=e$er@ =e Bu! ado< ;e ri?; a i ude in order o under! and =;A ;eA =ere done. )ere@ <er;a<! Bore ;an anA=;ere el!e@ =e need o allo= for ;e iB<erfe: ion of ;uBan :on:e< ion!. W;en a Je<; ;a; offer! u< a ?ro=n0 u< dau?; er =;o =a! readA for Barria?e in !a:rifi:e o Ya;=e;@ ;e ;in>! and belie$e! in all !in:eri A ;a ;e i! ?i$in? ;e be! !er$i:e o ;i! God. , #or ;e ?i$in? u< of a belo$ed dau?; er in ;a =aA Bu! be indeed a !a:rifi:e and no a <lea!urable du AQ *iBilarlA in ;e :on eF in =;i:; ;e Yoruba offer ;uBan !a:rifi:e!@ <ar i:ularlA if ;e !a:rifi:e! are of >i ; and >in@ ;eA do no do i =i ; a !adi! i: reli!;D ra ;er@ ;eA feel ;e <ainful $ir ue of one =;o ;a! ?one o Bea!urele!! :o! ! o fulfil an iB<era i$e@ !a:red du A. I i! =i ; ;e de$elo<Ben of ;e Bind and !<iri ual <er:e< ion ;a Ban :oBe! o !ee ;a <;A!i:al ;uBan !a:rifi:e i! no ne:e!!arA. W;a God deBand! i! ;e offer of one7! o=n life@ and ;a in ;e !<iri ual !en!e@ be:au!e )i! deBand! are <urelA e ;i:al and !<iri ual. (;e !aBe BaA be !aid abou ;e rea Ben =;i:; u!ed o be ;e lo RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % Yoruba )ea ;eni!B G En?land@ JaBe! (o=n!end@ %-55H@ <. 2%. + *ee C;a< er 5@ <<. %%- f. , Jud?e! %%L,.0.1. 0%.40

of ;o!e =;o bro>e ;e abu and =ere ;erefore :on!idered a! ;e a::ur!ed =;o =ere liable o brin? di!a! er u<on ;e =;ole :oBBuni A. (;e <er!on =;o <uni!;ed !u:; abu0 brea>er! belie$ed ;a ;e =a! reallA !er$in? ;e di$ini A@ e!<e:iallA a! ;e u!uallA did !o under an ora:ular !an: ion =;i:; ;e belie$ed ;one! lA o be beAond Cue! ion. I i! Cui e a lon? EourneA in ;e ;i! orA of reli?ion before Ban rea:;e! ;e >no=led?e ;a Eud?Ben and $en?ean:e belon? onlA o God and ;a in order rulA o be able o di!<en!e Eu! i:e iB<ar iallA on )i! be;alf@ Ban7! =ill Bu! :oin:ide =i ; )i!. I i! ra ;er !=ee<in? for anAone o !aA ;a ;e reli?ion of ;e Yoruba doe! no ?i$e a !en!e of !in. I i! rue ;a ;e Yoruba ;a$e no ;ou?; ou or ! a ed in a !A! eBa i: =aA =;a ;eA ;in>@ belie$e@ and >no= abou ;i! uni$er!al !:our?eD i i! rue ;a ;eA ;a$e no Bade ou a & ;eolo?A& of !inD i i! ne$er ;ele!! a be raAal of i?noran:e o :on:lude froB ;a ;a ;eA ;a$e no !en!e of !in. On:e a <er!on >no=! ;a ;e Dei A =ill Eud?eD ;a )e Eud?e! Ban bA =;a ;e i!00bA ;i! :;ara: erD % on:e ;e :an be :on!:iou! of a ?uil =;i:; :oBe! ou of Bore ;an Bere ri ual failin?!@ ;e i! alreadA a ;e $erA ;re!;old of &A?ain! ;ee and ;ee onlA ;a$e I !inned&. + In ;e final analA!i!@ & ;e abu! eBbra:e e$erA ;in? =;i:; :an be :on!idered a! 7!in7&@ and :on$eA ;e !en!e ;a in a brea:; of anA of ;eB@ one ;a! <er!onallA offended !oBeone , 00 ;e Dei A@ a di$ini A@ or an an:e! or.

Of en@ re=ard and <uni!;Ben on ?round! of Borali A are !<o>en of a! if ;eA ;ad been in$en ed bA !oBe far0!i?; ed ?eniu! for ;e <ur<o!e of >ee<in? re:al:i ran ;uBani A <er<e uallA in :;e:>. Bu i !;ould be ob$iou! ;a ;eA follo= froB ;e $erA lo?i: of ri?; and =ron? a! a: ion i! follo=ed bA rea: ion. (;a =;i:; i! rulA ri?; i! bound u< =i ; ?oodne!! a! ;a =;i:; bA na ure i! =ron? i! ied u< =i ; e$il. Li>e <rodu:e! li>eL and !o ;e :on!eCuen:e of ;a =;i:; i! ri?; i! ?ood@ =;ile ;e end of ;a =;i:; i! =ron? i! e$il. &Men do no ?a ;er fi?! of ;i! le!.& . Re=ard and <uni!;Ben a! Bea!ured ou in ;i! =orld are onlA ran!la ion! o ;e ;uBan <lane of ;a =;i:; i! of ;e ba!i: e!!en:e of ;in?!. (;e Yoruba >no= ;e di! in: ion be =een ri ual error! =;i:; are :al:ula ed o be offen:e! a?ain! ;e di$ini ie!@ dereli: ion! of filial du ie! =;i:; BaA arou!e ;e an?er of ;e a??rie$ed an:e! or!@ and ;e brea:; of ;e Dei A7! be;e! ! =;i:; i! <urelA a Boral i!!ue. *oBe iBe!@ of RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er %.@ <<. %54 ff. + *ee "!alB 2%. , (;e "eo<le! of *ou ;ern 'i?eria@ bA ". A. (albo G O.U.".@ %5+3H@ <. 415. . *ee Ma ;e= 4L%3 ff. 0%.-0

:our!e@ i i! no ea!A o dra= ;e line be =een ;e BerelA ri ual and ;e <urelA e ;i:al@ a! ;eA are of en in$ol$ed one in ;e o ;er or@ ra ;er@ a! ;e ri ual BaA be a Bean! for ;e ea!A a ainBen of ;e e ;i:al. &A fir! @ doub le!!@ ;e ab! inen:e froB !eFual in er:our!e@ =ine@ fle!; and e$en bread@ and ;e re<ea ed ablu ion! before a>in? <ar in ;e ri e!@ =ere de!i?ned o rid ;e =or!;i<<er of ri ual iB<uri A@ bu ;eA a:Cuired a Bore e ;i:al :on en in :our!e of iBe.& % We !;all ?o fur ;er and !aA ;a ;e ab! inen:e ;a! a Boral and !<iri ual ba!i!. BA and lar?e@ i i! belie$ed ;a ea:; di$ini A <uni!;e! ri ual or Boral offen:e! =;i:; are :oBBi ed =i ;in ;i! <ro$in:e@ ;a ea:; a??rie$ed an:e! or re<riBand! ;i! o=n for dereli: ion of filial du ie!@ and ;a i i! OlZdBarO =;o Eud?e! Ben <urelA for =;a ;eA areD ;a i!@ in :on!eCuen:e of ;eir :;ara: er. I i! o be no ed ;a ;e !aBe Yoruba =ord@ =i ; i ! :o?na e $erb@ i! u!ed for bo ; &!in& and &offen:e&. (;e =ord i! ~ J ! Jy J q. (;i! i! a =ord =;i:; ;a! been <o<ulari!ed bA C;ri! ian e$an?eli!B and I!laB. I i! ;e =ord u!ed for &!in& in ;e Yoruba ran!la ion of ;e Bible. (;e =ord s= J i! Bore :oB<re;en!i$e@ ;o=e$er@ and ?oe! dee<er o ;e ;ear of ;e Ba er. Ob$iou!lA@ i =a! :onne: ed ori?inallA =i ; ;e brea:; of &ri ual& la=!. (;e <;ra!e E7 l= J GEe J l= J H@ Bean! li erallA &(o ea ;e abu&D i i! a Yoruba eF<re!!ion for &brea> ;e abu& or &:oBBi !in&D and <oin ! al!o o ;e fa: ;a ;e abu aBon? ;e Yoruba BaA ori?inallA ;a$e :on!i! ed in ;in?! no o be ea en. (;e

=ord@ a! =e ;a$e ob!er$ed@ :o$er! all a: ! of brea:; of ;e Boral la=@ ;o=e$er. (;u!@ for eFaB<le@ a <er!on E7 l= J bA :oBBi in? adul erA@ bA brea>in? a :o$enan @ or bA bea in? ;i! <aren . In ;e e ;i:al !A! eB of ;e Yoruba@ :o$enan <laA! an iB<or an role. In fa: @ ;e =;ole of <er!on0 o0<er!on@ and di$ini A0 o0<er!on@ rela ion! ;a$e ;eir ba!i! lar?elA in :o$enan !. (;e :o$enan be =een <er!on and <er!on i! u!uallA a <ari A :o$enan in ;a i i! &re:i<ro:al00 ;a i!@ bo ; <ar ie! bind ;eB!el$e! o ea:; o ;er bA bila eral obli?a ion!&. + I a<<ear! ;a @ ori?inallA@ ;e Yoruba Bade ;i! >ind of :o$enan before ;e u elarA di$ini A of ;e Ear ;@ and ;en:e ;e ?eneri: naBe for :o$enan !00IBNly J q@ =;i:; Bean! li erallA@ &Drin>in? ;e Ear ; o?e ;er& or &Drin>in? o?e ;er froB ;e Ear ;&. (;e ri ual@ in ?eneral@ i! a! follo=!L A !;allo= ;ole i! du? in ;e ?roundD =a er i! <oured in o i @ and a >ola0nu !<li and :a! in o ;e =a er. (;e =o <eo<le =;o are RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % CoB<ara i$e Reli?ion@ bA E. O. JaBe! G London@ Me ;uen@ %5,-H@ <. +34. + (;e Li$in? World of ;e Old (e! aBen @ bA B. W. Ander!on G London@ Lon?Ban!@ %525H@ <. 23. 0%.50

en erin? in o ;e :o$enan >neel fa:e o fa:e =i ; ;e ;ole in be =een ;eB. (;en one !aA!@ &O Ear ; . . . :oBe and <re!ide a! =e Ba>e ;i! :o$enan L if I !;ould brea> ;e :o$enan @ BaA I be :arried a=aA bA ;e Ear ; GBaA I di!a<<ear froB ;e fa:e of ;e ear ;H.& (;en ;e ! oo<! do=n and !i<! !oBe =a er froB ;e ;ole@ a ;e !aBe iBe <i:>in? u< and ea in? a <ie:e of ;e >ola0nu . (;e !e:ond <er!on doe! eFa: lA ;e !aBe and ;e :o$enan i! ;u! :on:luded. Bu al ;ou?; ;e ?eneri: naBe for ;e :o$enan i! ;u! !u??e! i$e of a <ar i:ular ri ual@ :o$enan 0Ba>in? a: uallA a>e! $ariou! forB!L i BaA be done before anA of ;e di$ini ie!@ bu e!<e:iallA before /e. % Be!ide! ;e!e defini elA ri uali! i: forB! of :o$enan 0Ba>in?@ i i! belie$ed ;a o be ru! ed bA a friend@ o be bo!oB friend!@ o ea o?e ;er@ or o be re:ei$ed ;o!<i ablA a! a ?ue! @ i! o en er in o a :o$enan =;i:; in$ol$e! Boral obli?a ion!. A :o$enan be =een =o <ar ie! Bean!@ ne?a i$elA@ ;a ;eA Bu! ;in> or do no e$il a?ain! ea:; o ;er7! bodA or e! a e@ and <o!i i$elA@ ;a ;eA Bu! :o0o<era e in a: i$e ?ood deed! o=ard! ea:; o ;er in e$erA =aA. Al ;ou?; e$erA :o$enan ;a! a ri uali! i: ba!i!@ ne$er ;ele!!@ ;e obli?a ion! =;i:; are i ! ou :oBe are e ;i:al. I =ould !eeB ;a ;e Yoruba ;a$e found i ne:e!!arA in an

iB<erfe: !o:ie A o in rodu:e ;i! eleBen of !ub le &:oer:ion& in order o ! ren? ;en ;eir =ea> =ill in ;e <erforBan:e of ;eir e ;i:al du ie!. *oBeone =ill !aA@ no doub @ ;a ;i! >ind of ri uali! i: :o$enan i! no al=aA! u!ed for a ?ood end. )e =ill be Cui e ri?; . We ;a$e ;e eFaB<le! of :er ain !e:re !o:ie ie! =;o!e Bain <ur<o!e!@ a! far a! :an be a!:er ained@ are an i0!o:ial. MeBber! of !u:; !o:ie ie! en er in o <a: ! o :o0o<era e ;rou?; ;i:> and ;in for ;e a:;ie$eBen of ;eir <ur<o!e!@ and o Ba>e !ure ;a no BeBber be raA! ;e o ;er!. Bu ;a doe! no in$alida e ;e fa: ;a ;e ori?inal <ur<o!e of ;e :o$enan i! o Ba>e !ure of ?ood and !ound <er!on0 o0<er!on rela ion! in ;e ;oBe@ in bu!ine!!@ in !o:ial@ and in :i$i: or?ani!a ion!. AnA ?ood ;in? :an be abu!ed and ;e :a!e! o =;i:; a deBurrer BaA <oin ;ere onlA indi:a e ;a ;e :o$enan ;a! been <u o ;e =ron? u!e. (;e !e:ond >ind of :o$enan i! ;e !uSerain A :o$enan . (;i! i! ra ;er of a unila eral :;ara: er. I i! &?i$en& bA a <er!on in au ;ori A o a $a!!al@ and in ;a :a!e@ ;e erB! are di: a ed bA ;e &?i$er& =;ile on ;i! o=n !ide ;e &?i$er& under a>e! o afford ;e $a!!al <ro e: ion and !e:uri A. + (;i! i! ;e A<e of :o$enan in o =;i:; a <er!on au oBa i:allA en er! on be:oBin? ;e =or!;i<<er of a di$ini A. I i! de!:ribed RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % C;a< er -@ <<. -2 ff. + Ander!on@ o<. :i . 0%210

a! GbY?ba l= J 00&Re:ei$in? ;e l= J &@ ;a i!@ re:ei$in? ;e li! of forbidden ;in?!. (;e erB! of ;e :o$enan in$ol$e :er ain re! ri: ion! froB ;in?! =;i:; are forbidden in :on!eCuen:e of ;e na ure of ;e di$ini A and ;e ob!er$an:e of ;in?! =;i:; <lea!e ;e di$ini A and <roBo e ?ood rela ion! be =een ;iB and ;e =or!;i<<er. (;e =or!;i<<er Bu! >ee< o ;e erB! of ;e :o$enan and le ;eB ?o$ern ;i! :ondu: for e$er af er. Le u! ;in> of one =;o be:oBe! a =or!;i<<er of orI! J K0nlV. % (;e <er!on >no=! a on:e ;a orI! J K0nlV forbid! <alB0=ine o ;iB!elf and o ;i! =or!;i<<er!. (;e or ;odoF rea!on i! in ;e BA ; =;i:; ;a! i ;a orI! J K0nlV on:e be:aBe drun> =i ; <alB0=ine and !o forfei ed ;i! ;onour of :rea in? ;e !olid ear ; a! =ell a! ;i! !eniori A o$er all ;e o ;er di$ini ie!. We ;a$e !een@ ;o=e$er@ ;a a::ordin? o ;e ba!i: belief of ;e Yoruba@ orI! J K0nlV in a: ual fa: did no forfei anA of ;i! di$ine a ribu e!. + In ;e ;eolo?A of ;e Yoruba@ =e learn al!o ;a orI! J K0nlV i! :on:erned =i ; Ban7! :;ara: er !in:e ;e re<re!en ! ;e norB of e ;i:al and ri ual <uri A. (;e real rea!on =;A ;e forbid! <alB0=ine@ ;erefore@ i! ;a =ine i! an in oFi:an =;i:; i! :a<able of !<oilin? Ban7! <er!onali A.

Cer ain in$e! i?a or! ;a$e a!!er ed !=ee<in?lA ;a Boral !an: ion! aBon? ;e Yoruba are $e! ed !olelA in ;e an:e! or!. , BA =;a :uriou! =aA ;i! :on:lu!ion i! rea:;ed i i! no al o?e ;er ea!A o ell. (;i! i! no o !aA ;a ;ere i! no ru ; in ;e ! a eBen . (;e ru ; i! ;a ;e ?eniu! of ;e faBilA@ ;e eF ended faBilA@ or ;e :oB<a: :oBBuni A@ i! in ;e an:e! or. (;e an:e! or i! belie$ed o a>e an a: i$e in ere! in ;e faBilA or :oBBuni A and ;i! <o=er o$er i i! no= :on!iderablA in:rea!ed a! ;e i! no lon?er re! ri: ed bA ear ;lA :ondi ion!. . Ma er! affe: in? ;e faBilA or ;e :oBBuni A are ;u! referred o ;iB for !an: ion or Eud?Ben . (;erefore@ ;e i! na urallA brou?; in o ;e <i: ure a! a !u<erin endin? !<iri =;o ?i$e! a<<ro$al o anA <ro<o!al! or a: ion! =;i:; Ba>e for ;e =ell0bein? of ;e :oBBuni A@ and !;o=! di!<lea!ure a anA ;in? =;i:; BaA end o di!ru< i . (;u!@ in a !en!e@ bu onlA in ;a !en!e@ ;e i! :on:erned =i ; ;e effe: i$e di!:;ar?e of Boral obli?a ion!. In ;i! :onne: ion@ ;e eFer:i!e! au ;ori A =i ;in a !iBilarlA :ir:uB!:ribed !:o<e a!@ ;ou?; :on!iderablA Bore ! ron?lA ;an@ an ear ;lA RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er -@ <<. 4% ff. + *ee C;a< er ,@ <<. ++ ff. , Ulli Beier Bain ained ;i! <oin and e$en Bade onlA one <ar i:ular :ul @ ;e E?\n?\n@ !olelA re!<on!ible in a le: ure deli$ered on &E ;i:! in Yoruba Reli?ion& o a Conferen:e a Uni$er!i A Colle?e@ Ibadan. . *ee C;a< er %.@ <<. %5 ff. 0%2%0

fa ;er =;o i! :on:erned na urallA in ;e =elfare of ;i! faBilA and o =;oB Ba er! are referred for :oBBenda ion or :ondeBna ion. I i! for ;i! rea!on ;a ;e E?\n?\n :ul @ =;i:; Ba eriali!e! ;e an:e! ral !<iri @ i! eB<loAed in !oBe <ar ! of Yorubaland a! an in! ruBen of di!:i<line. *o al!o doe! ;e OrP :ul fulfil ;e !aBe <ur<o!e. % Bu o ;o< froB ;i! !iB<le ru ; o ;e Bi!leadin? ?enerali!a ion =;i:; a!!er ! or !u??e! ! ;a ;e onlA in!<ira ion of ;e Yoruba o=ard! =elldoin? are ;e an:e! or! i! !;eer eFa??era ion. We are no infreCuen lA rea ed o ;e a!!er ion ;a ;e orI! J K are no in ere! ed in Boral !an: ion!. We ;a$e !;o=n ;a ;e orI! J K are belie$ed o be :on:erned in ;e <er!onal rela ion!;i< =;i:; eFi! ! aBon? ;eir :o0=or!;i<<er!. (;o!e =;o a! :o0=or!;i<<er! re:ei$e a :o$enan froB ea:; orI! J K ;a$e in effe: en ered in o :o$enan one =i ; ano ;er and are under obli?a ion o Bain ain ?ood <er!onal rela ion!. &Reli?ion !e ! i ! ! aB< on ;e :ul urallA $aluable a i ude and enfor:e! i bA <ubli: ena: Ben .& + I i! of iB<or an:e o >no= ;a i i! ?enerallA a::e< ed ;a a :o$enan i! no a >ind of in!uran:e <oli:A =;i:; au oBa i:allA eFeB< ! one froB ;e :on!eCuen:e! of Boral

irre!<on!ibili A or ra!;ne!!. #or eFaB<le@ a ;e end of ;e ri ual =;i:; :onfirB! a <er!on a! a =or!;i<<er of P J runBIlK@ ;ere i! a !;or !erBon =;i:; run! !oBe ;in? li>e ;i!L A i y J q W J nV@ >i o \n 7ra e J y J qD i?bK i P rZ J @ >i o BV fi ?un J <e J D bi o >P ba B J 7=y J q@ >i o BV E 7lu odP@ e :.00&You ;a$e no= been :onfirBed in o ;i! :ul D Aou Bu! no= under a>e a !elf0:onfirBa ionL Ba>e !ure ;a ;e ro<e i! !afe before Aou :liBb ;e <alB0 ree =i ; i D if Aou :anno !=iB@ do no <lun?e Aour!elf in o a ri$er e :.& (;e !;or !erBon i! Bean o be a>en bo ; li erallA and Be a<;ori:allAL ;e neo<;A e Bu! no ;a$e ;e Bi! a>en no ion ;a ;e ri ual Eu! :on:luded in!ure! ;iB au oBa i:allA a?ain! all <;A!i:al or Boral dan?er!@ no Ba er =;a ;e doe! or oBi ! o do. )e ;a! o be $i?ilan and Bu! al=aA! =a :; ;i! :;ara: er. (;ere i! a !aAin? ;a ni Y Z r\ 7b J i >P ?ba l= J @ bi e J ni f7 o=Z e J bo J ! J 7 PfP l7 o rY00&One =;o offer! a !a:rifi:e bu doe! no ob!er$e ;e abu i! no be er ;an if ;e ;a! ;ro=n a=aA ;e BoneA ;e !<en on ;e !a:rifi:e&. (;e real =ea>ne!! of a>in? ;e di$ini ie! a! ;e norB of Boral obli?a ion! i! ;a Borali A a! in!<ired bA ;e :ul ! end! o be re! ri: ed RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er %.@ <<. %5+ ff. + *ee (;e 'a ural and (;e *u<erna ural@ bA Jo;n OBan G CaBbrid?e Uni$er!i A "re!!@ %5,%H@ <. .-2@ for ;i! Cuo a ion froB *:ien:e@ Reli?ion and Reali A@ ed. Jo!e<; 'eed;aB@ <. 3%. 0%2+0

in i ! !:o<e and a<<li:a ion o a !i ua ion in =;i:; al ;ou?; ;e =or!;i<<er! of ;e !aBe di$ini A find ;eB!el$e! under obli?a ion o a$oid e$erA <o!!ible ;arB o=ard! one ano ;er in bodA or e! a e@ and o be a: i$elA ?ood in ;eir <er!onal rela ion!@ ;eA BaA be free o re?ard ;eB!el$e! a! under no obli?a ion o eF end ;eir !<e:ial &:ul i: lo$e& o=ard! anAone =;o i! ou !ide ;eir fra erni A. Le u! illu! ra e froB one of ;e rade0 :ul !. (;e Yoruba ;un er! are@ in :on!eCuen:e of ;eir rade@ =or!;i<<er! of n. % #or ;i! rea!on@ ;eA are enEoined o be in a <erfe: ! a e of a: i$e ?oodne!! o=ard! one ano ;er@ be:au!e o ;er=i!e ;eA =ould eF:i e ;e di!<lea!ure of e. (;eA are e!<e:iallA forbidden o :o$e or !edu:e one ano ;er7! =i$e!. Bu ou !ide ;e fra erni A@ a ;un er@ Cua ;un er@ doe! no feel bound o ob!er$e ;o!e Boral obli?a ion!. Moreo$er@ ;e di$ini ie! ;eB!el$e! ;a$e be:oBe !o an ;ro<oBor<;i:allA :on:ei$ed ;a i i! no all of ;eB =;o ;a$e been Bodel! of ?ood breedin?Q )ere@ ;erefore@ =e run ine$i ablA in o ;e <robleB of ri?; :ondu: . I i! =;a :oBe! of rAin? o deri$e a norB froB a Bul i<li:i A of Bo i$e!@ =;e ;er ;o!e be ;uBan or di$ine. In one Yoruba <oeB =e ;a$e ;i! <lain i$e no eL Ol\fZ J n + l7 ZbY Bi@ '? P ?bo J d J B7 e J BuD

/7 K0O?IAVn , l7 Z bY Bi@ '? P ?bo J d J B7 PEN . PJ! J un 7" J ndV l7 Z ?b7 o J Y o>K l7 o J =Z J Bi@ Bu ni n=Z J n nY >Y n? Bx BuQ Ol\fZ J n i i! =;o ?a$e Be bir ;@ I Bu! no drin> <alB0=ineD orI! J K0O?IAVn i i! =;o ?a$e Be bir ;@ I Bu! no drin> <alB0=ineD P J un of I< J nda@ ;o=e$er@ forbid! Be BaiSe =ine "alB0=ine i i! =;i:; ;e order! Be o drin>Q Con radi: ion! and :onfu!ion abou =;a !;ould be done or =;a !;ould no be done Bu! ari!e unle!! ;ere i! a :en ral all0?o$ernin? norB of Borali A. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % C;a< er -@ <<. -2 ff. + Ol\fZ J n i! ;e naBe bA =;i:; Ori! J O J UJ1,K0nlV i! >no=n a I#5 J n. , orI! J K0/?IAVn i! a bran:;ed0off :ul froB orI! J K0nlV. . (;e !<e:ifi: naBe for ;e =ine ob ained froB fallen <alB ree!. 0%2,0

(;e real !our:e and norB of ;e unre! ri: ed@ uni$er!allA re:o?ni!ed and bindin? Boral $alue! in ;e reli?ion of ;e Yoruba i! OlZdNBarO. (;eA deri$e iBBedia elA froB )i! o=n di$ine na ure a! re$ealed o ;e Yoruba. )e i! ba MiBZ J @ UJ1++-ba "i<W00&"ure cin?&@ &"erfe: cin?&D )e i! AlVlKfunfun0/>O00&(;e One :lo ;ed in =;i e@ W;o d=ell! abo$e&. )e i! I>in n7 ifin@ dlK i >P l7 o J nK00&E!!en iallA W;i e ObEe: @ W;i e Ma erial Wi ;ou "a ern Gen irelA =;i eH&. % In )iB alone :an be re!ol$ed ;e e$er0bafflin? <robleB of ri?; :ondu: =;i:; =e ine$i ablA en:oun er in ;e di$ini ie! or an:e! ral !an: ion!. In order o aid Ban in e ;i:al li$in?@ OlZdNBarO ;a! <u in ;iB IfV KAK00&(;e ora:le of ;e ;ear & or &(;e ora:le =;i:; i! in ;e ;ear &. I i! ;i! &ora:le of ;e ;ear & ;a ?uide! Ban and de erBine! ;i! e ;i:al life. One i! a ?ood or a bad <er!on in a::ordan:e a! ;e re!<ond! o@ or di!obeA!@ ;e ?uidan:e of ;i! inner &ora:le&. (;u!@ of a <er!on =;o be;a$e! !;aBele!!lA@ :allou!lA@ or =i:>edlA@ ;e Yoruba !aA@ cP n7 i IEe >P n7 ifV KAK00&)e ;a! no !en!e of !;aBeD ;e ;a! no ora:le of ;e ;ear &. (;i! ora:le of ;e ;ear i! a <er!on7! :on!:ien:e00 ;e la= of God =ri en in ;e ;ear . + Le u! no= <ro:eed o analA!e ;e Bain fea ure! of Yoruba e ;i:!. (o ;e Yoruba@ Ban7! :;ara: er i! of !u<reBe iB<or an:e and i i! ;i! =;i:; OlZdNBarO Eud?e!. (;u! ;e deBand! =;i:; OlZdNBarO laA! u<on Ban are <urelA e ;i:al. Man7!

=ell0bein? ;ere on ear ; de<end! u<on ;i! :;ara: erD ;i! <la:e in ;e Af er0Life , i! de erBined bA OlZdNBarO a::ordin? o ;i! de!er !. OlZdNBarO i! ;e &*ear:;er of )ear !& W;o !ee! and >no=! e$erA ;in? and =;o!e Eud?Ben i! !ure and ab!olu elA ine!:a<able. . (;erefore@ Borali A i! !uBBed u< in Yoruba bA ;e =ord ]=K =;i:; :an be ran!la ed bA ;e En?li!; =ord &C;ara: er&. ]=K@ a::ordin? o ;e Yoruba@ i! ;e $erA ! uff =;i:; Ba>e! life a EoA be:au!e i i! <lea!in? o God. I i! ;erefore ! re!!ed ;a ?ood :;ara: er Bu! be ;e doBinan fea ure of a <er!on7! life. In fa: @ i i! ;e one ;in? =;i:; di! in?ui!;e! a <er!on froB a bru e. W;en ;e Yoruba !aA of !oBeone O ! J 7 OnIa00 &)e a: ! ;e <er!on&@ &)e be;a$e! a! a <er!on !;ould&@ ;eA Bean ;a ;e !;o=! in ;i! life and <er!onal rela ion! =i ; o ;er! ;e ri?; Cuali ie! of a <er!on. (;e o<<o!i e de!:ri< ion i! ci 7 ! J 7 OnIaD n! J e l7 Z f7 a=o J OnIa bo 7ra00&)e i! no a <er!on@ ;e BerelA a!!uBe! ;e !>in of a <er!on&. (;a Bean! ;a ;e <er!on i! !o:iallA un=or ;AD in :on!eCuen:e of ;i! RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er 2@ <<. .3 f. + RoBan! +L%. and %2. , *ee C;a< er %.@ <<. %54 f. . *ee C;a< er! 2@ <@ .+D and %.@ <<. %54 ff. 0%2.0

:;ara: er ;e i! no fi o be :alled a <er!on@ e$en ;ou?; ;e ?oe! abou in ;e !eBblan:e of one. A <er!on of ?ood :;ara: er i! :alled Bo J l\=Kb GBo J 0on70Y=K0IbH00& One =;o be;a$e! a! a =ell0born &D and a <er!on of bad :;ara: er i! nIa0>7 WnIa00&A Bere :ari:a ure of a <er!on&@ &a re<roba e&. In ;e OdN :or<u! a::ordin? o O?bO edV P J runBIlK on:e !ou?; ;e Bean! of !u::e!! in life and =a! old ;a ;e onlA =aA =a! for ;iB o BarrA ]=K. )e a::ordin?lA Barried ]D=K and be:aBe $erA !u::e!!ful. )en:e e$erAbodA ;a! !in:e been !ee>in? af er ]D=K@ =i ; ;e re!ul ;a ]D=K be:oBe! ;e Bo ;er of BanA :;ildrenL =V =7 o J Bo J ]=K be J re J re J o@ =V =7 o J Bo J ]=K be J re J re J D ]=K ?bW dVnY@ ]=K < J n !7 e J ;In@ =V =7 o J Bo J ]=K be J re J re J . CoBe and be;old ;e :oun le!! :;ildren of ]=K@ CoBe and be;old ;e :oun le!! :;ildren of ]=K. ]=K :arrie! G:;ildrenH in G;erH arB!@

]=K :arrie! G:;ildrenH on G;erH ba:>@ CoBe and be;old ;e :oun le!! :;ildren of ]D=K. (;erefore i i! au?; ;a ;e onlA e!!en ial reCui!i e in life i! ]D=K. A::ordin? o ano ;er re:i al under O?bO0?ndV@ ]=K ni>Kn l7 Z ! J Pro o@ ]=K ni>Kn l7 Z ! J ProD OrY >an >I 7buru l7 o N I#5 J @ ]=K ni>Kn l7 Z ! J Pro o. C;ara: er i! all ;a i! reCui!i e@ C;ara: er i! all ;a i! reCui!i eD (;ere i! no de! inA % o be :alled un;a<<A in I#5 J :i A. C;ara: er i! all ;a i! reCui!i e. Ano ;er :oBBon !aAin? i!@ ni l7 ori rere Y >P n7 Y=K@ Y=K l7 o Bx b7 orY ry J q EW J 00& )o=e$er ;a<<A a <er!on7! de! inA BaA be@ if ;e ;a! no :;ara: er@ i i! Gla:> ofH :;ara: er ;a =ill ruin ;i! de! inA&. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er %,@ <<. %4%@ f. 0%220

#or ;e !aBe rea!on@ ?ood :;ara: er i! :o<iou!lA re:oBBended in ;e OdN :or<u!. One Ire J y J q0]d !aA! ]=K <y J qlW J l7 o>Nn aiAe #i 7rZ J <W J Y l7 Z J =Z J e J ni. O da fun P J runBIlK (i o nlo J fi I=K <y J qly J q Gba P>Nn aiAW l7 eo J =Z J o J >Kn0le0nY07rin=Z iBaly J q. Gen le :;ara: er i i! =;i:; enable! ;e ro<e of life (o ! aA unbro>en in one7! ;and. *o de:lare! ;e ora:le o P J runBIlK W;o bA Bean! of ?en le :;ara: er Wa! ?oin? o =in ;e ro<e of life froB ;e four ;undred and one di$ini ie!.

Good :;ara: er i! a !uffi:ien arBour a?ain! anA un o=ard ;a<<enin? in life. AnAone =;o =ear! i need no fear anA ;in?. I i!@ ;erefore@ a :oBBon !aAin? ;a ]=K rere l7 y J q OnIa00& I i! ?ood :;ara: er ;a i! Ban7! ?uard&. (;e bad <eo<le@ <eo<le of e$il :;ara: er@ are ;eA =;o fear needle!!lA@ and i i! ;eir !in ;a :au!e! ;eB needle!! fear. One of ;e ! orie! old o in:ul:a e ;i! le!!on i! ;a of AnY=o J ni>Nn@ % =;o =a! a <er!on ?i$en o in:e!!an bu needle!! fear@ all in :on!eCuen:e of a bad :on!:ien:eL (;u! an P J = nrYn0! J Odin !aA! Eo J 7 ry J q@ e J EW J Z !VL ]=K =o J n ni7 Bx lW =o J n >iri. O da fun AnY=o J nY>Nn (i Ai P Bx by J qrN 7 o J !Vn 7 PruD h EW J ;N 7=K 7re@ h EW J ;N 7=K K K K@ AnY=o J nY>Nn@ >i o AW 7!a >iri bY oEo. Lea$e ;iB alone@ le ;iB runL I i! ;eir :;ara: er ;a :;a!e! ;eB abou . *o de:lare! ;e ora:le abou AnY=o J nY>Nn W;o fear! in:e!!an lA daA and ni?; D Will Aou bu <ra: i!e ?ood :;ara: er@ Will Aou bu <ra: i!e !ound :;ara: er@ AnY=o J nY>\n@ and ! o< runnin? abou li>e a :o=ard. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % (;e naBe Bean! li erallA@ &)e =;o ;a! ?all GBali?ni AH in ;i! bo=el! &. 0%230

(;e ou :oBe of ?ood :;ara: er i!@ of :our!e@ ?ood re<u a ion. A <er!on7! re<u a ion i! de!:ribed a! KlK00&=;i e :lo ; or :lo ;e!&. (;u! =;en ;e Yoruba <raA for !oBeone ;a '=o J n P ni 7 a e<o !7 VlK re J o0&MaA no <alB0oil be !<la!;ed on Aour =;i e :lo ;e!&@ ;eA Bean &MaA Aour re<u a ion be e$er ?ood and un arni!;ed.& I i! a ;in? of =or ;A <ride and ?lorA =;en ;i! i! !o. A! :;ara: er Ba>e! for ?ood !o:ial rela ion!@ i i! laid u<on e$erA BeBber of ;e :oBBuni A o a: in !u:; a =aA a! o <roBo e al=aA! ;e ?ood of ;e =;ole bodA. In ;e old daA! =i:>ed <eo<le =ere eFiled froB ;e :oBBuni A or o! ra:i!ed froB ;e faBilAD one =;o ;ad !edu:ed ;e =ife of ano ;er Bu! urn and ?o ano ;er =aA if ;e offended <er!on =al>ed alon? ;e road o=ard! ;iB. Le u! no= Ba>e a li! of ;e Bain :oB<onen ! of ?ood :;ara: erL GaH C;a! i A before Barria?e on ;e <ar of ;e =oBan i! e!!en ial. A =oBan =;o i! no $ir uou! a Barria?e i! a di!?ra:e bo ; o ;er!elf and o ;er faBilA. C;a! i A in Barried life i! a =oBan7! bounden du A. Al ;ou?; ;e rule i! ra ;er loo!e a! far a! ;e Ban i!

:on:erned@ ne$er ;ele!!@ i i! forbidden ;a a Ban !;ould !edu:e ano ;er Ban7! =ife on <ain of <aAin? a ;ea$A <enal A and@ in addi ion@ of ;a$in? o fa:e ?rie$ou! :on!eCuen:e!. I i! reali!ed ;a ;e ba!i! of :onEu?al ;a<<ine!! i! in ;e fai ;fulne!! of bo ; <ar ie!D ;a i! !o@ e$en in a <olA?aBou! :oBBuni A. GbH )o!<i ali A i! of ?rea $alue. (;e Yoruba are bA na ure a ;o!<i able ra:e and are <ar i:ularlA ;o!<i able o ! ran?er!. Before life be:aBe a! ar ifi:ial and !o<;i! i:a ed a! i i! odaA in BanA <ar ! of ;e :oun rA@ a ra$eller need ;a$e no fear =;ere o lod?e or =;a o ea if beni?; edD ;e =a! !ure o find readA ;o!<i ali A =;ere$er ;e :alled. (;e Yoruba ea:; ;a one !;ould be ;o!<i able be:au!e i i! ri?; o be !o@ a! al!o be:au!e one :an ne$er ell =;en one Bi?; be in need of ;o!<i ali A one!elf. One of our <o<ular !aAin?! i!@ IAVn o?Nn o J dNn a Bx EZ 7ni l7 o J =Z J 0&A AaB Beal of =en A Aear! a?o :an ! ill be ;o o ;e ou:;&D and ;a Bean!@ an a: of ;o!<i ali A :an ;a$e i ! re=ard =en A Aear! la er. G:H Ob$er!elA@ Yoruba e ;i:! are ! ron?lA o<<o!ed o !elfi!;ne!!. (;e !elfi!; <er!on i! ;eld in :on eB< and re?arded a! no de!er$in? of anA ;el< in iBe of diffi:ul A. A! ;e !aAin? ?oe!@ A?bK 7 o Ee J K0Ee J 07=70y J q;In V ru 7?bV 7y J q dW 7lW00&An elder =;o ea ! ;i! food =i ;ou ;in>in? of o ;er! =ill bear ;i! load ;oBe ;iB!elf Gno one =ill ;el< ;iBH&. % An OdN :alled Ire J y J q0BWEI ell! a ! orA =;i:; i! de!i?ned o in:ul:a e RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % A! a rule@ in Yorubaland@ =;en a Aoun? <er!on Bee ! an older one bearin? a load or :arrAin? an ar i:le@ ;e !;ould a>e i and :arrA i ;oBe for ;iB. 0%240

un!elfi!;ne!!. I :on:ern! ;o= on:e@ P J runBIlK =a! ?i$en o !elfi!;ne!! in :on!eCuen:e of =;i:; ;e be:aBe :on eB< ible o ;i! nei?;bour!. I ;a<<ened ;a one daA a! ;e =a! ?oin? abou in ;e bu!;@ ;e fell in o a dee< <i ou of =;i:; ;e :ould no <ull ;iB!elf. (;ere ;e ;ad o reBain un il ;e ;ird daA. BA ;e Biddle of ;e ;ird daA@ ;e ;eard !oBe foo fall! and re:o?ni!ed ;eB a! ;o!e of ;e <eo<le of mrO. EF<e: in? ;a ;eA =ould readilA :oBe o ;i! re!:ue@ ;e !;ou ed o ;eB for ;el<. Bu in re<lA@ ;eA old ;iB ;a ;e !;ould reBain =;ere ;e =a!@ and >ee< &enEoAin?& ;e :on!eCuen:e of ;i! !elfi!;ne!!. )e !;ou edL >Nrin drOL ObIrin drOD d0 7 Kna B7 Kna@ d0 7 Pni B7 Pni@ run?b J n IE J aD AlVdW Bbe J ninN J fIn@ O nAY ?biriQ

Men of drOQ WoBen of drOQ I ;a! been all daA odaA@ I ;a! been !in:e Ae! erdaA@ I i! no= <ra: i:allA ;e ;ird daA@ (;e :ro=ned one ;a! been in ;e <i @ Rollin? abou Q (;eA re<liedL I?bK Y o nEe J a<V aEV@ (al7 o >W !Y I?bK Y o nEe J i?y J q K?bP@ (al7 o <O8 I?bK Y o nf7 a<V Pb\>o J =K 7>o J Bu@ (al7 o rY o J 8 'Ee >Nnrin mrOQ ObIrin drOQ d0 7 Pni B7 Pni@ d0 7 Kna B7 Kna@ run?b J n iEe J aL Je J >i AlVdW Eo> !7 in\ J fNn c7 Z Bx AY ?biri. 0%2-0

W;en Aou =ere feedin? on do?7! arB!@ W;oB did Aou in$i e8 W;en Aou =ere ea in? raB7! brea! @ W;oB did Aou :all8 W;en Aou =ere ;a$in? :orn0<orrid?e =i ; a ;e0?oa 7! arB@ W;o !a= Aou8 'o= &Men of drOQ WoBen of drOQ I ;a! been all daA odaA@ I ;a! been !in:e Ae! erdaA@ I i! no= <ra: i:allA ;e ;ird daA&L Le ;e :ro=ned one reBain in ;e <i @ Rollin? abou . GdH cindne!! in$ol$in? ?enero!i A i! a::oun ed a ?rea $ir ue and ?rea lA o be :ul i$a ed. (;e >ind ;a$e ;e unfailin? ble!!in? of OlZdNBarO and of Ben al=aA!. We !;all Cuo e a fe= !ele: ion! of Yoruba !aAin?! on ;i! o<i:L

I?bV ol`re >I 7fZ J @ d=o ol`re >I 7fK Aa (7 o=Z 7 o J Bo J nY 7Aa 7lW ol`re. (;e :alaba!; of ;e >ind brea>! no @ (;e di!; of ;e >ind !<li ! no @ I i! bo ; BoneA and :;ildren ;a flo= in o ;e ;ou!e of ;e >ind. (;i! Bean! ;a no Bi!;a<! befall ;e >indD ;i! lo i! al=aA! Ba erial ble!!in?. hre l7 `re 7=Z J J . cindne!! be?e ! >indne!!. IlW ol`re >i 7=Z VnD (i o0! J 70I>K >I 7=Z >N (;e ;ou!e of ;e >ind doe! no brea> do=n :oB<le elAD (;a of ;e =i:>ed doe! no brea> do=n in:oB<le elA. (;a i!@ ;e >ind unfailin?lA ;a$e ;el< in iBe of need =;ile ;e =i:>ed do no . 0%250

I i! adBi ed@ ;ou?;@ ;a ;ere are iBe! =;en one BaA be in$ol$ed in rouble ;rou?; >indne!!. Bu ;a i! in :on!eCuen:e of ;e =i:>ed <eo<le of ;e =orld =;o are al=aA! en$iou! of ;e ?ood. Be:au!e of ;i! li>elA in$ol$eBen in rouble ;rou?; a: ! of >indne!!@ !oBe eF reBi! ! ;a$e !aid ;a >indne!! i! no =or ;=;ile. )en:e ;i! >ind of !aAin? =;i:; i! a :on radi: ion of all ;a =e ;a$e !aid on >indne!! !o farL hre n7 i?Nn ! J W 7 Z fi <V l7 orYD hre l7 K>KlKBK?bP ! J e 7 Z Ao J ?y J q?y J q l7 o J rNnD c7 W J ni Z BV BK ! J 7 Pre BZ J o. I =a! in :on!eCuen:e of >indne!! ;a ;e $ul ure be:aBe baldD % I =a! in :on!eCuen:e of >indne!! ;a ;e ;ornbill de$elo<ed ?oi reD Le u! for ;a rea!on refrain froB renderin? >indne!!. On ;e =;ole@ ;o=e$er@ ;e Yoruba belie$e ;a >indne!! <aA! in ;e end@ =;a e$er BaA be i ! iBBedia e ou :oBe. (;erefore@ one Bu! ?o on bein? >ind =;a e$er ;a<<en!. A

;e =or! @ In\ 7re >I 7<a 7ni@ =K;VlK ni 7>Z bV 7ni00&cindne!! doe! no >illL i :an onlA in$ol$e one in rouble&. GeH I i! ob$iou! ;en ;a =i:>edne!! !;ould be roundlA :ondeBned. (;e la= of re ribu i$e Eu! i:e + o<era e! in !u:; a =aA a! o brin? ba:> ;e re=ard of =i:>edne!!@ no onlA u<on ;e =i:>ed@ bu al!o u<on ;i! off!<rin?. ni Y Z bV da lr\ ni lr\ 7 J 00&(;e a!;e! blo= af er ;e <er!on =;o ;ro=! ;eB&D ;a Bean!@ ;e effe: of =i:>edne!! ul iBa elA fall! ba:> u<on ;e =i:>edD and ni Y Z bV ?bin ObN I>K@ orY o J Bo J ry J q ni AY ;N lW00&)e =;o !o=! ;e !eed of =i:>edne!!@ i i! on ;i! :;ildren7! ;ead ;a i =ill ?ro=&D ;a i!@ ;i! :;ildren =ill rea< ;e ;ar$e! in !ufferin?. #or ;i! :au!e al!o@ o deBand or a::e< re<ara ion froB a nei?;bour for ;e lo!! or daBa?e of <ro<er A i! :on!idered Bean and =i:>ed. Be!ide! ;e fa: ;a !u:; a deBand :rea e! ! rained rela ion!@ i breed! !u:; bi erne!! in ;e ;ear ;a if in fu ure a :;an:e of re alia ion <re!en ! i !elf@ ;e !i ua ion :an be errible. (;e follo=in? ! orA i! old o !;o= =;a ;e re<er:u!!ion of :ruel A BaA be u<on i ! <er<e ra orL A Ban len ;i! nei?;bour an ear ;en=are <o =;i:; ;ad lo! i ! bo oB for ;e <ur<o!e of <ro e: in? a Aoun? >ola <lan froB ;e aniBal!. W;en ;e >ola <lan ;ad ?ro=n in o a ree !o ;a i =a! RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er 3@ <. 2%. + *ee abo$e@ <. %.3. 0%310

iB<o!!ible o reBo$e ;e <o =i ;ou brea>in? i @ ;e Ban =en and deBanded ;i! <o @ ! i<ula in? ;a ;e =an ed i ba:> eFa: lA a! ;e ;ad len i o ;i! nei?;bour. E$erA ;in? =a! done o :on$in:e ;iB ;a i =a! unfair for ;iB o Ba>e !u:; a deBand@ bu all o no a$ailD ;e in!i! ed on re:o$erin? ;i! <o &unbro>en&. In ;e end@ ;e >ola ree ;ad o be de! roAed !o ;a ;i! <o Bi?; be re urned o ;iB. 'o $erA lon? af er=ard!@ ;i! !aBe Ban ;ad a babA and borro=ed a ne:>0rin? =;i:; belon?ed o ;e nei?;bour o =;oB ;e ;ad be;a$ed !o badlA. (;e nei?;bour oo> ;i! a! an o<<or uni A of ea:;in? ;iB a le!!on =;i:; ;e =ould no ea!ilA for?e . )e ;erefore =ai ed un il ;e :;ild ?re= u< o an a?e =;en ;e rin? :ould no <o!!iblA be reBo$ed froB ;i! ne:> =i ;ou ei ;er fir! :u in? ;e rin? or reBo$in? ;e ;ead. (;en ;e =en and deBanded ;i! rin?@ ! i<ula in? ;a ;e =an ed i ba:> un:u . Of :our!e@ ;ere =a! no o ;er =aA of doin? ;a a<ar froB de:a<i a in? ;e :;ild@ and ;a =a! =;a ;a<<ened in ;e endQ (;i! ! orA !ound! fan a! i:@ of :our!eD bu i i! Bean o in:ul:a e in ;e Bo! for:eful =aA ;e le!!on ;a a: ! of :ruel A u!uallA refle: =i ; errible :on!eCuen:e u<on ;e doerD for Eni Y Z >Z J d7 ZrZ >I7 B J 7 dV@ bY e J ni i o dV a >7 W J ;In0&)e =;o fir! :oBBi ! an a ro:iou! a: o=ard! a nei?;bour :anno an i:i<a e ;e bi erne!! of ;e re$en?e =;i:; =ill brin? ba:> re alia ion&

'e$er ;ele!!@ re alia ion i! forbidden be:au!e i i! =ron?. (o re alia e i! o be:oBe in$ol$ed in =i:>edne!! Eu! a! Bu:; a! ;e fir! offender. Bi o bV rY Z>e o0! J 7 0Y>K n7 ly J q@ bi o bV f7 e J !y J q K V@ I>K =V di BWEI00&If Aou !ee ;e :or<!e of ;e =i:>ed and >i:> i @ ;ere are no= =o =;o are =i:>ed&. GfH (ru ; and re: i ude are <la:ed $erA ;i?; aBon? ;e e!!en ial $ir ue!. I i! belie$ed ;a ;e ru ;ful and u<ri?; ;a$e ;e unfailin? !u<<or and ble!!in? of ;e di$ini ie!. We ;a$e ;e <o<ular !on? froB an OdN :alled er\< J n0BWEIL C J 7 P Y Z J D ! J e rere@ C J 7 P Y Z J o@ ! J e rereD ni !7 J Y Z J '7 YBaly J q Y?bO. Be ru ;ful@ do ?oodD Be ru ;ful@ do ?oodD I i! ;e ru ;ful (;a ;e di$ini ie! !u<<or . P J runBIlK i! of en !alu ed a! A0f70P Y Z J 0?b70aiAW@ o J Bo J dEKlZ J run0&(;e off!<rin? of ;e C;ief of )ea$en@ =;o =in! ;e ear ; bA Bean! of 0%3%0

re: i ude&. I i! au?; ;a one !;ould be ru ;ful and <ra: i!e re: i ude a! one7! daA! are ;u! <rolon?ed on ear ;L / Y Z J ! J Ye J e nI>an ni >\7 B\ ni7 >\@ C J N?b n Y07 B\ ni7 ;u e=\ orY ne J ne J . I i! onlA re: i ude ;a <re$en ! one froB dAin? Aoun?@ And enable! one o ?ro= eF:eedin?lA ;oarA. (;u! re: i ude <aA! a ?ood di$idend in ;e end. / Y Z J in\ nY K0Ee J 0>N irZ J lo J 00 &Re: i ude ra ;er ;an fal!e;ood <aA! ;e di$idend&. Con!eCuen lA@ lAin? and fal!e;ood are :on!idered daBnable. In ;e old daA!@ ;e li<! of liar! =ere :ar$ed ou bA =aA of <uni!;Ben and a! a =arnin? o o ;er!. In IEy J qbe0Pde area@ ;e <eo<le =;o!e li<! ;ad been reBo$ed in ;a =aA =ere !e led in a Cuar er bA ;eB!el$e! and eB<loAed a! ! a e eFe:u ioner!. G?H Yoruba e ;i:! forbid ! ealin?. In ;e old daA!@ ;ie$e! =ere <illoried and ;en >illed. (;e belief i! ! ron? aBon? ;e Yoruba ;a e$en if ;e ;ief e!:a<e! ;e no i:e of Ben ;e :anno e!:a<e ;e Eud?Ben of OlZdNBarO. A0B70`>Nn0! J 7 olO@ bi oE\ ba aiAe7 P ri i@ 7

ba P J run n=P o00 &)e =;o ! eal! under :on:ealBen G!e:re lAH@ e$en ;ou?; ;e eAe! of ;e ear ;lA ruler do no !ee ;iB@ ;o!e of ;e cin? in )ea$en are loo>in? a ;iB&. In ;o!e old daA!@ <eo<le u!ed o lea$e ar i:le! of food for !ale a :ro!!0road! or bA road!ide! =i ;ou anAbodA o =a :; ;eB. (;e o=ner ;ad onlA o indi:a e ;e <ri:e! bA <ebble !i?n! and anA ra$eller =;o =an ed anA oo> =;a ;e =an ed and lef ;e <ri:e on ;e ! all. 'ei ;er ar i:le nor BoneA =a! ! olen. A ;un?rA ra$eller =;o ;ad no BoneA =a! <erBi ed o a>e of ;e frui ! or AaB! of a farB@ <ro$ided ;e a e =;a =a! a>en on ;e !<o . G;H Co$enan 0brea>in? and fal!e;ood are :ondeBned. A :o$enan brea>er i! :on!idered no onlA =or ;le!! bu al!o a::ur!ed. % (;e one =;o i! ?i$en o fal!e;ood@ i i! belie$ed@ :anno <ro!<er ul iBa elA. On ;i! o<i:@ ;ere are !e$eral !aAin?! of =;i:; =e !;all Cuo e onlA a fe= bA =aA of illu! ra ion!. ni i Z bV da 7ly J q@ a bV7 ly J q ly J q. (;e :o$enan 0brea>er =ill di!a<<ear =i ; ;e ear ; G=ill be :arried a=aA bA ;e ear ;H. (;e =or!;i< and !a:rifi:e! of bo ; ;e liar and ;e :o$enan 0brea>er are ne$er a::e< able@ =;ile ;o!e of ;e ?ood0na ured are al=aA! a::e< ed. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee abo$e@ <<. %.5 ff. 0%3+0

(;u! an /fen0 erK !aA!@ >W <a 7bI o dYD 0dK07ly J q <a7 bI@ W AKnD OnY0nN07re <a7 bI@ O AO <ere?ede. (;e liar :a! ! ;e >ola0nu @ % i i! unau!<i:iou!D (;e :o$enan 0brea>er :a! ! ;e >ola0nu @ i ?i$e! bad oBenD (;e ?ood0na ured :a! ! ;e >ola0nu @ I i! <lainlA au!<i:iou!. In ;e OdN :or<u!@ ;ere i! an EI0O?bO =;i:; ell! a ! orA ;a ;e four ;undred and one di$ini ie! a::u!ed P J runBIlK fal!elA before OlZdNBarO. Be:au!e ;e =a! inno:en @ ;e urned u<on ;eB =i ; ;e follo=in? iB<re:a ionL d! J e J d7 o J =Z J @ ily J q@ a Eo J BuD d! J e J d7 o J =Z J ily J q@ a Eo J BuD A Eo J ?b7 orY ily J q@ a E7 e>u@

A Eo J ?b7 orY ily J q@ a E7 e J Ea A Eo J ?b7 orY ily J q@ a Ee J 7 >P>P i?bin@ A! J e d7 o J =Z J ily J q a Eo J Bu. + Jud?Ben Jud?Ben We =ere We =ere We =ere Jud?Ben belon?! o ;e ear ; u<on =;i:; =e :o$enan ed@ belon?! o ;e ear ; u<on =;i:; =e :o$enan edD o?e ;er u<on ;e ear ; and a e ra !@ o?e ;er u<on ;e ear ; and a e fi!;@ o?e ;er u<on ;e ear ; and a e !nail!@ belon?! o ;e ear ; u<on =;i:; =e :o$enan ed.

Ano ;er ! orA in er\< J n0P J >KnrKn froB ;e OdN :or<u! ell! of a fir! a!!i! an 0 :;ief of ;e P J runBIlK :ul =;o !edu:ed ;e =ife of ;i! :;ief. #or a =;ile bo ; ;e and ;e =oBan >e< ;e Ba er !e:re D ;en ;e be:aBe $erA ill and ;ad o Ba>e a :onfe!!ion of ;i! !e:re !in. A! a re!ul =e ;a$e ;e follo=in?L >W7 P !un= J n ara OniD P J 0dK07 ly J 7q P !un= J n ara OnIaD B7 o J Bo J dW bV nAZ J 7 ly J q dK@ O;un abe J 07 nu a Bx AZ J = J n ! J e@ O dV f\n aE\b J nV (i o lo J nfe J obIrin ol\=o RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er %1@ <<. %,2. f. + *ee abo$e@ <<. %.5 f.D and "!alB .%L5@ Jo;n %-L%-. 0%3,0

#al!e;ood i! no ri?; for one@ Co$enan 0brea>in? i! ?ood for no BanD If ;e Aoun? !urre< i iou!lA brea> :o$enan Ill! !urre< i iou! =ill befall ;eB. *o de:lared ;e ora:le for ;e aENb J nK W;o =en and !edu:ed ;e =ife of ;e olN=o. % And i i! iB<or an o ob!er$e ;e rule a?ain! fal!e;ood and :o$enan brea>in? on a::oun of one7! end. (;u!@ an Ay J q>e0BWEI !aA!@ c7 V BV ! J 7 O>k ! J ?by J qD c7 a BV dK7 ly J q ! J ?bKD 'i orY K0 i0!Nn ara ! J ni ni. Le u! no lie a?ain! a :oB<anionD Le u! no brea> :o$enan =i ; an a!!o:ia eD (;a i! on a::oun of our !lee<in? GdAin?H. +

GiH )A<o:ri!A i! unBanlA and re<ro$able. A ;A<o:ri e a! =ell a! ;A<o:ri!A i! :alled K?KbK?ebO00&One =;o Bo$e! in Si?Sa?!& G<robablA one =;o a eB< ! o :liBb a ladder and a Bound !iBul aneou!lAH@ one =;o!e :;ara: er i! un<redi: able. OlZdNBarO forbid! !u:; a :;ara: er 0d?KbK?ebO8 lZ J run >P fW J bl J 00 &)A<o:ri!A8 lZ J run forbid! i &. I i! defini elA enEoined u<on all@ a::ordin? o ano ;er P J Ay J q>e0BWEI ;a @ ni Y Z bV n! J 7 a>in@ c7 Z BV B7 Z;Nn ! J 7 oEoD ni Y Z bV n! J oEo@ c7 o BV B7 o;Nn ! J 7 a>in. )e =;o i! bra$e@ Le ;iB no de:lare ;iB!elf :o=ardlAD )e =;o i! :o=ardlA Le ;iB no de:lare ;iB!elf bra$e. GEH I i! ;e re!<on!ibili A of ;e Yoruba Ban o ?i$e <ro e: ion o ;e =oBan a! ;e =ea>er !eF. W;en Ben and =oBen =al> o?e ;er@ ;e =oBan !;ould be allo=ed o ?o in fron and ;e Ban be;ind ;er !o a! o afford ;er <ro e: ion and defen:e !;ould ;ere be a !udden dan?er. In anA :ri!e!@ =oBen !;ould be !;el ered and afforded ;e fir! :;an:e RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % (;e Ol\=o i! a ;ead <rie! of P J runBIlK and ;e AENb J nK ;i! !e:ond0in:oBBand. + *ee C;a< er %.@ <<. %54 f. 0%3.0

of e!:a<e@ if need be. I i! Bean and iBBoral o ou ra?e a defen:ele!! =oBan. In one Yoruba !aAin?@ !oBeone Ba>e! ;e =i! ful :oB<lain @ ba7 P EW J >Y n=o J n ! J Y7 ?un Ile7 bIrin >i n? bV =o J n lo J 00&O ;a ;e >in? Bi?; <erBi an a a:> on a =oBen7! :i A !o ;a I Bi?; a::oB<anA ;eB G ;e a a:>er!H&. G>H )onour and due re!<e: o old a?e i! ;e du A of e$erA Yoruba <er!on. (;e Aoun? Bu! re!<e: ;e elder be:au!e of ;eir !eniori A a! =ell a! be:au!e of ;eir ri<er and ri:;er eF<erien:e froB =;i:; ;e Aoun? !;ould <rofi . *o i i! au?; . Bo J dW@ ! J =o7 ly J q f7 a?bKD d?bK ni7 ?ba niD '7 iEZ J a rY E! J U1,+5@ d?bK ni7 ?ba niD '7 iEZ J aIra E! J U1,+5@ d?bK ni7 ?ba ni. Youn? one!@ do obei!an:e o ;e elder!L I i! ;e elder! =;o :oBe o ;e re!:ueD (;e daA one ;a! <len A o ea @ I i! ;e elder! =;o :oBe o ;e re!:ueD

(;e daA one ;a! nou?; o ea @ I i! ;e elder! =;o :oBe o ;e re!:ue. #roB ;e ! ore of ;eir eF<erien:e ;e elder! :an Ba>e ;e Aoun? ?if ! of Bu:; needed =i!doB and ?uidan:e for ;e <ur<o!e of a:>lin? life7! diffi:ul ie!. EZ J 7 P 7 o J EZ J @ Z J E J 7 P 7 Z J E J @ (i Bo r7 Pde rO7 >V7 ! J inD Mo d\rZ0d\rZ@ o J =o J Bi7 P o7 ! J in. Mo by J qry J q0by J qry J q@ o J =o J Bi7 P o7 ! J inD A=o J n K?bK >an@ K?bK >Kn 'i n=o J n =V >Z J Bi <W >i nd\be Ay J q>W J L I?bK Y Bo dVbe Ay J q>W J 'i ?bo?bo i! J in =V n>Vn !i Bi l7 W J nu (;a =a! a daA of daA! W;en I =en ou o <lu:> i! J inL % I ! ood u<ri?; all I :ould@ BA ;and! did no rea:; ;e i! J inD I ! oo<ed do=n all I :ould@ BA ;and! did no rea:; ;e i! J inD RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % (;i! i! a fle!;A@ Eui:A@ edible frui =;i:; enEoAe! ;e naBe of *a<inda:eae in R. C. Abra;aB Di: ionarA of Modern Yoruba G %52-H. 0%320

*oBe $eri able elder I =a! =;o :aBe and au?; Be o lean !ide=aA!D I =a! =;en I lean !ide=aA! (;a i! J in in :oun le!! nuBber! dro<<ed ;eir Eui:e in BA Bou ;. (;e elder! al!o Bu! afford ;e Aoun? :are and <ro e: ion and no :oun ;eB a! of no :on!eCuen:e. In life@ bo ; a?e and Aou ; are :oB<leBen arA in ;el<fulne!!. =Z J o J Bo J dW7 P o <! J <! J D (7 K?bKla?bK >K =o J >OrO?bO. (;e ;and of ;e Aoun? doe! no rea:; ;e ;i?; !;elf@ (;a of ;e elder doe! no ?o in o ;e ?ourd % Yoruba e ;i:! !uB! u< =;a Ban0 o0Ban rela ion! !;ould be in ;i!L BY a bV ! J W J 7 ?i n7 i?bZ@ c7 a f7 J r qn ro ara ! J ni =PQ W;ene$er a <er!on brea>! a ! i:> in ;e fore! @

Le ;iB :on!ider =;a i =ould feel li>e if i =ere ;iB!elf G ;a =a! ;u! bro>enH. And BY o i ndun o J Bo J e>u@ Bl J U1,%4 n| l7 ndun o J Bo J ! J iA! J A! !en!i i$e o <ain a! are ra !7 li le one!@ *o !en!i i$e o <ain are bird!7 li le one!. All ;e!e a<<roFiBa e o =;a ;a! been de!:ribed a! ;e &Golden Rule&00&Do un o o ;er! a! Ae =ould ;a ;eA !;ould do un o Aou&. Yoruba elder! ea:; ;a if e$erAone =ould fir! ;in> in ;i! =aA before a: in?@ ;ere =ould be <erfe: lA ?ood rela ion! and ;a<<ine!!. (;i! arraA of ;e :on! i uen ! of Boral $alue! in ;e reli?ion of ;e Yoruba are !uffi:ien lA iB<re!!i$e o :on$in:e e$en ;e Bo! !:e< i:al ;a ;e Yoruba are a <eo<le endo=ed =i ; a ! ron? !en!e of Ri?; and Wron?@ and ;a ;i! !en!e ;a! been iB<lan ed in ;eir &in=ard <ar !& bA ;e Au ;or of life )iB!elf. E$en ;ou?; ;ere are :er ain ;in?! in ;e <ra: i:al life of ;e <eo<le =;i:; are in:oB<a ible =i ; ;e!e $alue!@ i i! no= :lear o u! ;a ;e reli?ion <er !e :ould no ;a$e been ;e :au!a i$e of !u:; ;in?!. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % (;e rind of ;e ?ourd i! u!ed for :arrAin? oil@ =a er@ or <alB0=ine. 0%33

(;i! brin?! u! o ;e :ru:ial Cue! ion@ ;o=e$er. W;A i! i ;a in !<i e of ;i! >no=led?e of Ri?; and Wron? and an iB<re!!i$e !A! eB of Boral $alue!@ Ban :an ! ill be in ;e ! a e of &I deli?; in ;e la= of God@ in BA inBo! !elf@ bu I !ee in BA BeBber! ano ;er la= a =ar =i ; ;e la= of BA Bind and Ba>in? Be :a< i$e o ;e la= of !in =;i:; d=ell! in BA BeBber!&8 % (;e an!=er i! ;a ;ere@ in ;e realB of Boral $alue! Bore ;an anA=;ere el!e@ Bere >no=led?e i! no <o=er. MerelA o >no= ;a &(;ou !;al no >ill&@ &(;ou !;al no :oBBi adul erA&@ &(;ou !;al no ! eal&@ doe! no Ba>e a !ain of Ban. )e ;a! ;i! inna e <ro<en!i ie! o re:>on =i ;@ and ;e!e ;a$e ;e in$e era e ;abi of leadin? ;iB o :oBBi =;a * . "aul de!:ribe! a! & ;in?! =;i:; are no be:oBin?& or & ;in?! =;i:; are no na ural.& + A! #ranS CuBon !aA!@ &I i! no !uffi:ien for a reli?ion o :la!!ifA Boral $alue!D bu in order o be effe: i$e i Bu! furni!; Bo i$e! for <u in? ;eB in o <ra: i:e&. , We !;all ?o fur ;er and !aA ;a i Bu! furni!; a Bo i$e <o=er for <u in? ;eB in o <ra: i:e. #or@ are ;ere no alreadA ;o!e Bo i$e! =;i:; are iB<lied in ;e !A! eB of Re=ard and "uni!;Ben @ di$ine and ;uBan@ and in a ! ron? belief in an Af er0Life =;i:; i! ;e !:ene of re ribu ion8 (;o!e Bo i$e! are ;ereD bu ;eA are no enou?;@ a! ;eA u!uallA lead onlA o &<ruden ial Borali A&. In anA :a!e@ ;eA onlA a<<eal@ in ;e final analA!i!@ o Ban7! e?o:en ri:i AD and Ban7! e?o:en ri:i A i! a fa: or =;i:; BaA :au!e ;iB o a>e <uni!;Ben BerelA o eFer:i!e ;i! !o$erei?n ri?; !@

or :;oo!e ;ell on a !elf0a!!er i$e de:i!ion ;a i i! be er o rei?n in ;ell ;an o !er$e in ;ea$en. W;a Ban need! i! a :lear >no=led?e ;a ;e i! Bade for ;i! Ma>er and ;a ;i! !u<reBe du A i! o dedi:a e ;i! en ire life o )iB. (o do ;i!@ ;e need! ;e enablin? ?ra:e of God. )ere =e Bu! a?ree =i ; *. *. #arro= ;a ;e BaEor defe: of ;e reli?ion of ;e Yoruba i! ;a &I ;a! no :on:e< ion of di$ine ?ra:e =or>in? effe: uallA in ;eB ;a belie$e&. #or@ =;a ;e reli?ion reallA <re!en ! i! a <i: ure of ;e ?oodne!! of God on one ;and and ;e deBand of ! ri: re: i ude and Eu! i:e on ;e o ;er. Man :onfron ed bA ;e!e =o !ide! of Reali A =;i:;@ unfor una elA@ a<<ear o ;iB o be !e<ara e en i ie!@ i! a a lo!! =;a eFa: lA o do. )e =an ! o ba!> in ;e !un!;ine of God7! ?oodne!!L a ;e !aBe iBe ;e i! ;arra!!ed bA ;e :;illin? deBand of ! ri: re: i ude and Eu! i:e. A! ;e la er be:oBe! Bore real and ur?en o ;iB a! in (;e fla!;in? of ;e li?; nin? free@ (;e =;irlin? =ind7! eB<e! uou! !;o:>!@ RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % RoBan! 4L++@ +, GR.*.6.H. + RoBan! %L+- ff. , Orien al Reli?ion! in RoBan "a?ani!B G Do$er@ %523H@ <. %24. 0%340

in e<ideBi:! of !Ball<oF or <;enoBena of !iBilar na ure@ i :onfron ! ;iB =i ; a daun in? 7Bu! Q&. I o::ur! o ;iB ;a ;i! deBand :onfron ! ;iB in ;e na ure of <ra: i:allA au onoBou! di$ini ie! =;o re<re!en & ;e Wra ;&. I doe! no o::ur o ;iB ;a ;e God =;o deBand! ri?; eou!ne!! i! )iB!elf ;e ri?; eou! God =;o alone i! ;e Enabler of Ri?; eou!ne!! in Ban. (;e ?oodne!! and !e$eri A of God are ;u! dan?erou!lA <u a!under. And !in:e ;e la= Bu! be fulfilled and ;e :anno and doe! no >no= ;o= o fulfil i adeCua elA@ ;e find! a<<aren :oB<en!a ion in !a:rifi:e! of <ro<i ia ion and <re$en ion@ and in Ba?i:. *oBe;o=@ ;e deri$e! a >ind of ?looBA relief froB ;e!e@ <ro$ided ;e >ee<! u< ;e ri ual! in <er<e ui A. In effe: @ Ban ;a! un=i in?lA de$i!ed ;i! o=n Bean! of !al$a ion and !ee>! bA ;eB o e$ade ;e :on!eCuen:e! of ;i! !;or :oBin?! or ;e $iola ion! of Boral $alue!. In ;i! ;ear of ;ear !@ ;o=e$er@ and ;rou?; ;e :on:re e eF;ibi ! rela in? o ;i! Boral failure =;i:; ! are ;iB in ;e fa:e@ ;e >no=! ;a &. . . o obeA i! be er ;an !a:rifi:e@ and o ;ear>en ;an ;e fa of raB!&. % (;e Bean! of ;i! obedien:e i! ;e ur?en Cue! of ;i! !oulD i ! una ainabill A under ;e <re!en !A! eB i! ;i! <er<e ual eBbarra!!Ben . And ;ere =e !ee ;e failure of a reli?ion ;e !ole re<o!i orie! of =;o!e ;eolo?A are ;e <rie! !. + RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % I *aBuel %2L++. + *ee C;a< er %2.

0%3-0

%, OlZdNBarO and Man7! De! inA E$erA reli?ion ;a! o fa:e ;e Cue! ion of Ban7! rela ion!;i< o ;e "o=er ;a rule! ;e Uni$er!e. &W;a i! Ban8& and &(o =;a end =a! Ban Bade8& are Cue! ion! =;i:; deBand do: rinal an!=er!. And !u:; an!=er! de<end u<on Ban7! :on:e< ion of ;e Ruler of ;e Uni$er!e@ =;ile u<on ;e an!=er! ;eB!el$e! de<end! Ban7! a i ude o life. (o ;e Cue! ion &W;a i! Ban8& ;e Yoruba =ill an!=er off0;andedlA ;a Ban i! bodA <lu! y J qBo@ ;e En?li!; a<<roFiBa ion o =;i:; i! &!<iri &. (;e bodA i! ;e :on:re e@ an?ible ;in? of fle!; and bone! =;i:; =e >no= ;rou?; ;e !en!e!@ =;i:; :an be de!:ribed in a ?eneral =aA@ or analA i:allA bA ana oBA. y J qBo i! in$i!ible and in an?ibleD % i i! ;a =;i:; ?i$e! life o ;e =;ole bodA@ and ;u! :an be de!:ribed ;rou?; i ! :au!al fun: ion!. I ! <re!en:e in@ or ab!en:e froB@ ;e bodA i! >no=n onlA bA ;e fa: ;a a <er!on i! ali$e or dead. W;ile ;e bodA :an be :rea ed@ and i! :rea ed@ bA a di$ini A@ i i! OlZdNBarO alone =;o <u ! ;e y J qBo in o Ban@ ;u! ?i$in? ;iB life and bein?. + ~ J Bo i! :lo!elA a!!o:ia ed =i ; ;e brea ; and ;e =;ole Be:;ani!B of brea ;in? =;i:; are i ! Bo! eF<re!!i$e Banife! a ion. Bu al ;ou?; ;e fa: ;a a Ban brea ;e!

!;o=! ;a y J qBo i! in ;iB@ ;e brea ; i! no y J qBo. ~ J Bo i! :au!a i$e of brea ; and !o i i! ;e &brea ;er&@ ;a =;i:; brea ;e! in Ban. (;e brea ; i! y J qBY00& ;a =;i:; i! brea ;ed&. (;u! =e !aA of a <er!on =;o i! Eu! dead@ ~JBo ry J q i bZ J 00&)i! WJBY ;a! !li<<ed off&@ or &~JBY ry J q i loJ00&)i! ~ J BY i! ?one&D ;a i!@ ;e !<iri ;a! lef ;e bodAD =e !aA al!o under ;e !aBe :ir:uB! an:e! sBY i Vn ninu ry J q00&(;ere i! no Bore brea ; in ;iB&. ~JBo i! al!o u!ed for &life& a! ;e bare fa: of aniBa e eFi! en:e. W;a =e ;a$e !aid !o far i! no ;e end of ;e Ba er. AnAone =;o RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % I i! belie$ed ;a y J qBo :an a!!uBe a $i!ible@ an?ible forB a! =;en i :oBe! ou of ;e =i :;@ a>e! =in?! and flie! li>e a birdQ I i! !aid ;a if ;e &bird& :ould be :au?; and >illed@ ;a i! ;e end !iBul aneou!lA of ;e =i :; al!o. ~ J Bo :an al!o be:oBe $i!ible a! an a<<ari ion. + *ee C;a< er ,@ <. +%D "!alB %1.D +5@ ,1. 0%350

>no=! ;e Yoruba in iBa elA :anno e!:a<e ;e ;aun in? feelin? ;a in ;eir ;ou?; ;ere i! Bore o Ban ;an Eu! bodA and !<iri . We are ;erefore led o a!> ;e Cue! ion &Do ;e Yoruba ;a$e !oul!8& or &Are ;eA rulA no Bore ;an Bere 7burn 0ou ;u!>! of Ben7&8 % In ;e Yoruba Bible@ ;e =ord oJ>Kn i! u!ed o ran!la e ;e En?li!; =ord &!oul&. (;i!@ ;o=e$er@ i! ra ;er ina::ura e. >Kn i! a::ura elA ran!la ed & ;e ;ear &. (;i!@ a::ordin? o ;e Yoruba@ i! ;e !ea of ;e eBo ion and <!A:;i: ener?A. We de!:ribe ;e bra$e <er!on a! O nY oJ>Kn 00&)e ;a! a 7;ear 7&D and ;e iBid <er!on a! cP nY oJ>Kn00&)e ;a! no 7;ear 7&. (o en:oura?e a <er!on i! ci Y l7 oJ>Kn or MN l7 oJ>Kn le 00 &* ren? ;en ;i! 7;ear 7& or 7&* ren? ;en ;iB in ;e ;ear 7&. Wi ;in ;i! :on eF @ <ra: i:allA all ;e in ernal or?an! of ;e bodA a>en o?e ;er or !e$erallA ;a$e eBo ional or <!A:;i:al fun: ion! a ribu ed o ;eB. + W;en =e !aA of a <er!on@ In ry J q le@ or In ry J q di 00 &)i! 7in!ide7 i! ;ard&@ or &)i! 7in!ide7 i! in!:ru able&@ =e Bean ;a &)e i! obdura e& or &)e i! no o<en0;ear ed&. A <er!on7! in e! ine! are re?arded a! ;e !our:e of ! ren? ; and re!our:efulne!!. (;u! =;en a <er!on i! de!:ribed a! cP n7 Yfun nin\00&)e ;a! no in e! ine!&@ i Bean! ;a ;e i! no ! ron?D ;e ;a! no re!ilien:e. An o0n70Yfun >an00&a <er!on =i ; onlA one in e! ine&00i! a <er!on =;o i! no re!our:eful or one =;o ;a! no ini ia i$e.

Bu all ;e in ernal or?an! of Ban a>en o?e ;er or !e$erallA fun: ion onlA a! ;e !ea ! of Ban7! <!A:;i:al or <;A!i:al a: ion! or rea: ion!. 'one of ;eB o?e ;er or !e$erallA :on! i u e ;e !oul. Do ;e Yoruba ;en ;a$e anA :on:re e :on:e< ion of ;e !oul8 W;a do ;eA :all & ;e !oul& if ;eA ;a$e anA@ and >no= ;a ;eA do8 (;e !oul@ o ;e Yoruba@ i! ;e &inner <er!on&L ;eir naBe for i i! OrY. , (;i! i! ;e <er!onali A0!oul. OrY i! ;e =ord for ;e <;A!i:al &;ead&. (o ;e Yoruba@ ;o=e$er@ ;e <;A!i:al@ $i!ible orY i! a !ABbol of orY0in\00& ;e in ernal ;ead&@ or & ;e inner <er!on&. And ;i! i! ;e $erA e!!en:e of <er!onali A. In ;e belief of ;e Yoruba@ i i! ;i! orY ;a rule!@ :on rol!@ and ?uide! ;e &life& and a: i$i ie! of ;e <er!on. )ere =e need o re0eB<;a!iSe ;e :onne: ion be =een orY@ ;e e!!en:e RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee (;e 6oi:e of Afri:a@ bA Leo #robeniu! G London@ )u :;in!on@ %5%,H@ <. 9III. + Cf. (;e C;ri! ian Do: rine of Man@ bA ). W;eeler Robin!on G Edinbur?;@ (. and (. Clar>@ %5.,H@ C;a< er %@ <<. %0+4. , We Bu! !ound ;e =arnin? ;a ;e idea of ;e orY a! ;e <er!onali A0!oul i! ra ;er inde erBina e !o far a! ;e oral radi ion! are :on:erned. Bu one ?e ! i :learlA ;rou?; <a ien de e: i$e =or>Q 0%410

of bein? and Ori! J O J UJ1,@ ;e &)ead0*our:e& of bein?. % Ori! J O J UJ1, i! OlZdNBarO )iB!elf@ a! =e ;a$e ob!er$ed. (;e orY =;i:; i! ;e e!!en:e of <er!onali A@ ;e <er!onali A0!oul in Ban@ deri$e! dire: lA froB OlZdNBarO W;o!e !ole <rero?a i$e i i! o <u i in Ban@ be:au!e )e i! ;e One IneF;au! ible *our:e of bein?. (;i! Bean! ;a a<ar froB )iB@ Ban :anno be ali$e. (;e Yoruba i! =ell a=are of ;e fa: ;a &in )iB =e li$e and Bo$e and ;a$e our bein?. . . . #or =e our!el$e! are al!o )i! off!<rin?&. + In ;e a: of a>in? ;e de! inA =;i:; =e !;all de!:ribe <re!en lA@ i i! ;e orY ;a >neel! do=n and :;oo!e! i . , I i! al!o ;e orY ;a :oBe! in o ;e =orld o fulfil a de! inA00 ;en:e ;e !on?L O;un orY =V !Je cP BK ni 7! J 7 alaI ! J e e o. W;a ;e orY :oBe! o fulfil I :anno bu fulfil i . W;a Ba>e! for ;e indi$iduali A of ea:; orY i! i ! Cuali A. GenerallA@ a <ro!<erou! <er!on i! :alled OlZrY07re GOlZrY rereH00& One =;o <o!!e!!e! ?ood orY&@ =;ile one =;o i!

unfor una e in life i! de!:ribed a! OlorY bur\>\00& One =;o <o!!e!!e! a bad orY&. (;i! i! Bore ;an !aAin? ;a a <er!on i! &lu:>A& or &unlu:>A&. I i! a Ba er =;i:; i! ineF ri:ablA bound u< =i ; ;e <er!on7! de! inA. W;ile be:au!e of i ! <ure ori?in no orY i! e!!en iallA bad@ ;e <er!on7! de! inA i! a fa: or =;i:; BaA affe: i for ;e =or!e be:au!e i i! <ar lA ;e orY7! o=n re!<on!ibili A. We BaA find (. R. Glo$er7! a::oun of ;e ?eniu! in RoBan Reli?ion illuBina in? bo ; a ;i! <oin and in referen:e o o ;er <oin ! in our ob!er$a ion of orY.00& W;A ;ere !;ould be !u:; differen:e e$en be =een =in bro ;er!@ )e onlA >no=! =;o!e influen:e a our bir ; O7errule! ea:; Bor al7! <lane u<on ear ;@ (;e a endan ?eniu!@ eB<er0Bouldin? <o=7r@ (;a ! aB<! ;e :olour of Ban7! na al ;our.& . A <er!on7! de! inA i! >no=n a! ]<on0orY00G]<JnrYH00&(;e orY7! <or ion or lo &. I i! u!uallA abbre$ia ed a! ]D<on00&"or ion&. Bu !oBe iBe!@ in :on!eCuen:e of ;e :onne: ion be =een orY and I<on@ de! inA i! loo!elA de!i?na ed orY@ =;i:; Ba>e! I<on and orY !AnonABou! in <o<ular !<ee:;. (;u! =e !aA orY bur\>\ >P ?b! J !J! J ! J 00&A bad orY :anno be RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er 4@ <<. 31 f. + A: ! %4L+-. , *ee belo=@ <<. %4, f. . (;e Confli: of Reli?ion! in ;e EarlA RoBan EB<ire G Me ;uen@ %5,+H@ <. %2. 0%4%0

re: ified =i ; !oa< GbA =a!;in?H&. % W;a ;i! Bean!@ ! ri: lA@ i! ;a a bad <or ion =;i:; i! alreadA allo ed o ;e orY :anno be re: ified =i ; Bedi:ine. Of an un!u::e!!ful <er!on i i! !aid@ OrY in\ ry J q l7 Z ba 7 Pde EW J 0&I i! ;i! in ernal orY ;a !<oil! ;e eF ernal one for ;iB&D ;a i!@ ;e bad Cuali A of ;i! orY refle: ! on ;i! eF ernal a: i$i ie!. * ill@ ! ri: lA@ ;i! Bean! ;a i i! ;e <or ion =;i:; ;i! orY ;old! ;a :ondi ion! ;e <er!on7! life. (;e idea of ;e orY i! fur ;er :oB<li:a ed =;en i i! :on:ei$ed a! a !eBi0!<li en i A + in :on!eCuen:e of =;i:; i i! a ;e !aBe iBe ;e e!!en:e of ;e <er!onali A and ;e <er!on7! ?uardian or <ro e: or. (;ere !nea>! in ;ere ra ;er inde erBina elA ;e :on:e< ion of ;e &double& or &?uardian an?el &. We !ee ;i! illu! ra ed in ;e li le !erBon o ;e ne= bride on ?oin? o ;e ;u!band7! ;ou!eL M\ orY loJ@ BV B7 W J =K loJD `EZ J l7 W J =K 7bJ@ orY ni bV ni ?bW 7lW oJ>oJ00&(a>e orY alon?@ do no a>e beau A alon?D beau A re urn! in a daA Gi! e<;eBeralHD i i! orY ;a abide! =i ; one in ;e ;u!band7! ;ou!e&. (;i! refer! :er ainlA o ;e inner Cuali A =;i:; Ba>e! for :onEu?al !u::e!!D bu i ;a! a ;in of ;e orY a! a !eBi!e<ara e en i A froB ;e <er!onali A0!oul. #ur ;er@ =e ;a$e ;e !u??e! ion in ;e <raAer for a <er!on =;o i! ?oin? on an en er<ri!e@ ci orY >Y o !In W J loJ o00&MaA orY ?o =i ; Aou&D or in ;e of 0;eard !aAin? ;a a <er!on

i! !ure o re urn un!u::e!!ful froB an en er<ri!e if ;e doe! no :on!ul orY before ;e !e ! ou . OrY in i ! o ali A i! an obEe: of =or!;i<. (;ere are =o rea!on! for ;i!. #ir! @ a! i i! ;e e!!en:e of <er!onali A@ i Bu! be >e< in ?ood :ondi ion !o ;a i BaA be =ell =i ; ;e <er!on. *e:ondlA@ one Bu! be on ?ood erB! =i ; i @ !o ;a i BaA fa$our one. In !u<<or of ;e fir! rea!on@ ;e Yoruba !oBe iBe! !<ea> a! if ;e orY i! all ;a i i! ne:e!!arA o =or!;i<. An OdN@ P J 07(erV@ !<ea>! in rebu>e of lZ J A i Z f7 orY ara ry J q !7 ily J q i Z nboJ IdY KdL ! J N?bZ Jn orY nY 7?be 7ni@ Kd P ?be 7niL nE_J orY l7 K b i a b f7 PrI! J K !7 ily J q00&lZ J A ;= o ne?le: ! ;i! o=n orY and Ba>e! offerin? o Kd , L bu i i! ;e orY ;a fa$our! one@ Kd RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % (;e Yoruba u!e Bedi:a ed !oa< for BanA <ur<o!e! =;i:; ran?e froB :ura i$e o Ba?i:al. + *ee C;a< er %.@ <. %52 for a referen:e o ;e &!ubliBinal !elf&. Cf. al!o ;e *Arian Gno! i:7! )ABn of ;e *oul@ . . . a::ordin? o ;e Cuo a ion bA (. R. Glo$erL I =a! BA!elf ;a I !a= before Be a! in a BirrorD (=o in nuBber =e ! ood@ bu onlA one in a<<earan:e. Ibid. , md i! ;e ;ollo=ed rind of ;e !Ball ?ourd =;i:; i! u!ed a! a re:e< a:le for <ul$eri!ed Bedi:ine. A fairlA lar?e@ lon?0ne:>ed one BaA be ! run? =i ; :o=rie! and u!ed a! ;e eBbleB of an obEe: of =or!;i<. And ;ere are A<e! of Bedi:ine =;i:; need re?ular offerin?!. 0%4+ doe! no D i i! ra ;er ;e orY ;a !;ould be =or!;i<<ed and orIK lef ou &. Ye @ of en =;en ;e Yoruba refer o ;e &double& or ;e &:oun er<ar & =;oB ;eA de!i?na e nI>eEI@ ;eA are !<ea>in? in :lear erB! of an en i A o ;er ;an ;e <er!onali A0!oul bu =;i:; Ae ;a! a ! ron? influen:e on i ! de! inA. )e i! $ariou!lA de!:ribed a! a <er!on7! &?uardian an?el&D a <er!on7! !ure A in ;ea$en@ or ;e one =;o loaned o a <er!on :er ain e!!en ial ;in?! =;i:; Ba>e! i <o!!ible for ;iB o en er ;e ear ; and li$e on i . (;i! la! :on:e< ion Bean! $erA li>elA ;a a <er!on li$e! on ear ; bA dra=in? u<on :er ain $ir ue! ;e !our:e of =;i:; i! in ;i! ;ea$enlA :oun er<ar . % (o Ba>e an offerin? o ;e orY@ ;e <;A!i:al orY i! ;e :oBBon eBbleB. + cola0nu !@ fi!;@ fo=l@ or an aniBal $i: iB BaA be offered. A <ie:e of ;e >ola0nu or fi!; i! ! u:> on ;e fore;ead@ =;ile ;e blood of ;e fo=l or aniBal i! !Beared on i . (;e <;A!i:al orY al!o !er$e! of en@ ;ou?; no al=aA!@ a! ;e eBbleB for ;e ! J nI>eEI. More of en ;an no @ ;e !a:rifi:e o ;e ! J nI>eEI i! eF<o!ed in ;e ba:>Aard or anA o<en <la:e =;i:; ;e ora:le BaA <re!:ribe.

A <er!on Ba>e! offerin?! no onlA o ;i! o=n orY bu al!o o ;i! <aren 7! orY. )ere@ ! ill Bore@ i! eB<;a!i!ed ;e :on:e< ion of a &?uardian an?el&. (;e eBbleB for ;e fa ;er7! orY i!@ ?enerallA@ ;e bi? oe of ;e ri?; foo @ =;ile ;a o ;e Bo ;er7! orY i! ;e bi? oe of ;e lef foo . A Aoun? =oBan in diffi:ul A i! of en a!>ed o Ba>e an offerin? o >oJ Jrun00&(;e ;u!band =;i:; i! in ;ea$en G;er ;u!band7! ! J nI>eEIH&. (;u!@ i i! no onlA a <er!on7! o=n orY or ! J nI>eEI@ bu al!o ano ;er7!@ ;a :an be ;i! ?uardian@ enabler@ and <ro e: or. (o ;e Yoruba@ ;e end for =;i:; a <er!on i! Bade i! ineF ri:ablA bound u< =i ; ;i! de! inA. (;eA belie$e ;a Ban7! doin?! on ear ; ;a$e been <rede! ined bA OlZdNBarO. A::ordin? o ;e ?eneral :on:e< ion@ a <er!on ob ain! ;i! de! inA in one of ;ree =aA!. )e >neel! do=n and :;oo!e! ;i! de! inAL for a de! inA =;i:; :oBe! u<on a <er!on in ;i! =aA =e ;a$e ;e naBe d0>\nly J q0AKn00&(;a 0=;i:;0i!0:;o!en0>neelin?&D or ;e >neel! do=n and re:ei$e! ;i! de! inAD for ;i! =e ;a$e ;e naBe d0>\nly J q0?bK00&(;a 0 =;i:;0i!0re:ei$ed0>neelin?&D or ;i! de! inA i! affiFed o ;iBD for ;i! =e ;a$e ;e naBe m0AKn0B 00&(;a =;i:; i! affiFed o one&. (;u! =e ;a$e a riBor<;ou! :on:e< ion of de! inA ;e !u! ainin? Bo if of =;i:; i! ;a ;e <er!on =;o i! :oBin? in o ;e =orld Bu! >neel before ;e )i?; Au ;ori A W;o i! OlZdNBarO for i ! RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee belo=@ <. %-+@ for fur ;er di!:u!!ion on nI>eEI. + *ee ;e )i! orA of ;e Yoruba!@ bA *aBuel Jo;n!on@ <<. +4@ .-. 0%4,0

:onferBen . W;a e$er i! ;u! :onferred i! unal erable and be:oBe! one7! <or ion ;rou?;ou life. (;a i! =;a ;e <er!on ?oe! in o ;e =orld o fulfil. I i! no :learlA ! a ed in ;e oral radi ion! =;a ;e <re0eFi! en ! a e of ;e <er!on i! before ;e :oBe! in o ;e =orld. Bu i o::ur! in ;e !aAin?! ;a i i! ;e orY ;a >neel! before OlZdNBarO o :;oo!e@ re:ei$e@ or ;a$e ;e de! inA affiFed o i . % (;e ?eneral <i: ure@ ;erefore@ i! of a :oB<le e &<er!on& >neelin? before OlZdNBarO o :;oo!e or re:ei$e. W;en ;e ri e before OlZdNBarO i! :oB<le ed@ ;e <er!on ! ar ! on ;i! =aA in o ;e =orld. )e arri$e! a ;e ?a e! be =een ;ea$en and ear ;@ and en:oun er! ;e On7YbodO00&(;e Ga e0cee<er&00 o =;oB ;e Bu! an!=er !oBe Cue! ion! before ;e <a!!e! ;rou?;. (;e Cue! ion! and an!=er! ?o a! follo=!L O'BODL W;ere are Aou ?oin?8 "ER*O'L I aB ?oin? in o ;e =orld.

O'BODL W;a are Aou ?oin? o do8 "ER*O'L I aB ?oin? o be born o a Ban naBed 9@ of a =oBan naBed Y@ in ;e o=n of . I !;all be an onlA !on. I !;all ?ro= u< o be ;and!oBe and in fa$our =i ; e$erAbodAD e$erA ;in? I ou:; =ill <ro!<erD =;en I aB =en A0fi$e@ BA fa ;er =ill die and =;en I aB fif A@ BA Bo ;er =ill die. I !;all build a lar?e ;ou!e and <o!!e!! a lar?e <ro!<erou! farBD and be ;e fa ;er of a lar?e faBilA ;rou?; BA =en A =i$e!D W;en I aB !iF A Aear! old@ =o of BA :;ildren =ill ;a$e a Cuarrel and one =ill be >illed. A ;e a?e of nine A@ I !;all be ill for a !;or =;ile and ;en die <ea:efullA in BA ;ou!e@ o be Bourned bA all and o be a::orded a ?rand burial. O'BODL (oQ GI i! !ealedQH. And !o ;e <er!on <a!!e! in o ;e =orld =i ; ;i! de! inA doublA !ealed. BA <a!!in? in o ;e =orld@ ;e for?e ! a on:e =;a ;a! ;a<<ened o ;iB in ;ea$en@ in:ludin? ;e :on en ! of ;i! de! inA. )o= ;e &fini!;ed& <er!on be:oBe! a ;in? in ;e =oBb@ born of a =oBan@ =e are no old in ;e oral radi ion!. Bu e$en ;ou?; ;e Yoruba >no= ;a :on:e< ion re!ul ! froB !eFual in er:our!e@ Ae ;eA ;in> ;a ea:; <er!on i! a ne= :rea ion =;i:; in !oBe ineF<li:able =aA en er! ;e =oBb o be born af er ;e due <eriod of ?e! a ion. A fa ;er in!i! ! on Ba>in? !ure ;a a :;ild i! ;i! o=n and doe! no belon? RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % Cf. "la oL (;e Re<ubli:@ ran!la ed bA Dr. A. D. Lind!aA G E$erABan7! LibrarA@ 'o. 3.H@ <<. ,++ ff. 0%4.0

o ano ;er Ban bA loo>in? a ;e :;ild :arefullA and e! abli!;in? !oBe <oin ! of linea?e re!eBblan:e =;ile a ;e !aBe iBe ;in>in? ;a ;e :;ild i! a ne=lA :rea ed@ ne=lA <rede! ined bein?. We ;a$e !aid ;a bA ;e $erA na ure of ;e de! inA@ i i! unal erable e!<e:iallA a! i ;a! been doublA !ealed@ i.e. in ;e a: of i ! :onferBen and finallA a ;e &?a e!&. I a<<ear!@ ;en@ ;a ;ere i! no ;in? anAbodA :an do abou i ;en:efor ;. (;ere are !e$eral !aAin?! o !u<<or ;i! belief. )ere are a fe=. A0>unly J q0AKn ni a0d70aiAW0bVD A >unly J q a AKn 7<on@ A d7 aiAW Vn oE\ nro ni. (;a 0=;i:;0i!0:;o!en0>neelin? i! ;a 0=;i:;0i!0found0on0?e in?0 o0 ;e0=orldD We >nel do=n and :;o!e a <or ion@

We ?e o ;e =orld and are no <lea!ed. A0>unly J q0?bK l7 o =K l7 oJ=oJ y J qdL cP !7 oJ?bZ J n o=Z@ cP !7 oJ?bZ Jn oJBoJ. (;a 0=;i:;0i!0:;o!en0>neelin? i! =;a ;e :rea ure ;old!L (;ere i! no Go ;erH Bean! of G<o!!e!!in?H BoneA@ (;ere i! no Go ;erH Bean! of G<o!!e!!in?H :;ildren. A0AKn0BoJ 7P ?b7 `?Nn. (;a 0=;i:;0i!0affiFed0 o0one :anno be re: ified =i ; Bedi:ine. In ;e OdN =;i:; i! :alled O?bO0 J@ ;ere i! Ben ioned in ;i! :onne: ion one LVboJ dW@ oJBoJ P J \nbaL00LVbJdW@ ;e !on of P J \nbaL '=oJn ni ?bo?bo aiAW a Bx bN u >ND ! J u?boJnAEKlZ J run a Bx bN >\n u00&I i! !aid ;a ;e =;ole =orld % =ill do ;eir be! o ;=ar ;iBD bu ;e C;iefin0)ea$en =ill >ee< ble!!in? ;iB&. And ;ere i! a <o<ular !on? =;i:; !aA!L I?i 7lZ J run ?bIn@ cP !7 ! J ni 7 o lO fK a u. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee belo=@ <<. %43 ff. 0%420

(;e ree =;i:; lZ J run <lan !@ 'one :an u<roo i . I !eeB! ;erefore ;a on:e ;e Ba er of a <er!on7! de! inA i! !e led in ;ea$en@ ;a i! ;e end of i . In ;e li?; of ;e <ra: i:al eF<erien:e! of ;e Yoruba@ ;o=e$er@ ;e :on:e< ion of ;e unal erabili A of de! inA i! :on!iderablA BodifiedD in ;e bu!ine!! of dailA li$in?@ ;e Yoruba a: in ;e a<<aren belief ;a ?i$en :er ain :ondi ion!@ a <er!on7! de! inA :an be al ered. And i :an be al ered in ;e follo=in? =aA!L GaH BA ;e aid of P J runBIlK. We ;a$e ob!er$ed ;a ;e BaEor rea!on =;A a <er!on be:oBe! a $o arA of P J runBIlK i! ;a a ;a<<A de! inA BaA be <re!er$ed or an un;a<<A one re: ified. % An i eB in ;e order of ;e ri ual bA =;i:; a $o arA i! Bade :on ain! a dialo?ue be =een ;e <rie! and ;e !u<<lian =;i:;@ in ?eneral@ run! a! follo=! G ;e <rie! be?in! bA <oin in? o ea:; of ;e ar i:le! brou?; bA ;e !u<<lian HL "RIE*(L (al7 Z ni e>u8

*U""LIA'(L (7 eBi o. "RIE*(L (al7 Z ni ! J Ea8 *U""LIA'(L (7 eBi o. "RIE*(L (al7 o ni >a8 *U""LIA'(L (7 eBi o. "RIE*(L cil7 o B\ n=oJn =V f\n8 *U""LIA'(L ci n? l7 o=Z B7 Z=Z@ ci n? bi 7BoJ lW 7BoJ@ ci n? >oJ 7le BoJ 7le@ ci n? f7 a i Kn !7 ! J ;In@ ci n? ! J W J 7?un J @ ci n? r7 eJ;In odI@ ci n? ni ai>u ! J 7 ! J ?boJn i=K@ L7 o;un i Bo ! J e Bu =oJn =a. "RIE*(L W;o!e are ;e ra !8 *U""LIA'(L Mine. "RIE*(L W;o!e are ;e fi!;8 *U""LIA'(L Mine. "RIE*(L W;o!e i! ;e ;ed?e;o?8 RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er -@ <. 44. 0%43

*U""LIA'(L Mine. "RIE*(L W;A do Aou brin? ;eB8 *U""LIA'(L (;a I BaA ;a$e BoneA u<on BoneA G<len A of BoneAH@ (;a I BaA ;a$e :;ildren u<on :;ildren Gin in:rea!in? nuBber!H@ (;a I BaA build ;ou!e! u<on ;ou!e! GBanA ;ou!e!.H@ (;a I BaA eF end ;e boundarie! of BA <ro<er A@ (;a I BaA be $i: oriou! o$er all foe!@ (;a I BaA !ee ;e end of all =;o bear Be Bali:e@ % (;a I BaA <o!!e!! iBBor ali A + =;i:; i! ;e be! of all ear ;lA ?ood!@ (;o!e are ;e rea!on! =;A I brin? ;eB. We !ee alreadA in ;i! ;a ;e !u<<lian i! a>in? ! e<! ;rou?; ;e a?en:A of P J runBIlK@ o influen:e ;i! de! inA. (;rou?;ou ;e :our!e of life@ one i! o !er$e P J runBIlK@ or one7! u elarA di$ini A@ bA :on!ul a ion or =or!;i< !o ;a a ?ood <or ion BaA be en!ured.

GbH A <er!on7! de! inA BaA be al ered for ;e =or!e bA BoJ Ar70aiAW 00&C;ildren of ;e World&. (;e Yoruba u!e ;e <;ra!e0naBe o de!:ribe ;e <er!on! in =;oB ;e e$il <o=er! of ;e =orld are a<<aren lA $e! ed@ Eu! in ;e !aBe !en!e a! ;eA o<era e ;rou?; ;e Ben of ;e =orld =;o &lo$ed ;e dar>ne!! ra ;er ;an ;e li?; D for ;eir =or>! =ere e$il&D or & ;e <o=er of dar>ne!!&. , BoJ Ar70aiAW in:lude! =i :;e!@ !e:re :ul ! =i ; a bia! o=ard! e$il <ra: i:e!@ anA =;o are ?i$en o e$il <ra: i:e! or Ba:;ina ion!. (;e Yoruba belie$e ;a oJBoJ ar70aiAW i! a dreadful reali A. (;u! ;eA !aA BoJ ar70aiAW o?un00&7(;e :;ildren of ;e =orld7 are an arBA&D ;a i!@ ;eA are e$er ?i$en o in:e!!an =arfare a?ain! anAone =;o@ or anA ;in? =;i:;@ doe! no :onforB o ;eir ! andard. (;eA are belie$ed o ;a$e ;e <o=er of !<oilin? anA <er!on7! lo @ ;o=e$er ?ood i BaA ;a$e been o be?in =i ;. )en:e AlV?eJBoJ N J UrN J U>an?y J q@ =;o :aBe in o ;i! =orld and found ;iB!elf :onfron ed =i ; O?un oJBoJ ar70aiAW G&(;e arBA of ;e 7:;ildren of ;e =orld7 &H <leaded@ EW J 7 Bi E7 i! J ! J i OlZdNBarO rVn Bi00&Le Be fulfil ;e Bi!!ion RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % U1++- and OdI are al!o u!ed Be a<;ori:allA in !oBe <ar of Yorubaland o de!i?na e re!<e: i$elA one7! fa ;er and Bo ;er. One i! :on?ra ula ed a! O!J! J 7?un J a@ o r7 ! J ;In odI00&)e ;a! been $i: oriou! o$er ;i! foe! and !een ;e end of ;er =;o bore ;iB Bali:e&00=;en one ;a! li$ed o <erforB !u::e!!fullA ;e funeral ri e! of bo ; <aren !. + W;a i! reallA Bean ;ere i! &lon?e$i A&. In ;e belief of ;e Yoruba@ iBBor ali A belon?! o Af er0Life@ and i! no a ;in? of ;i! =orld. *ee C;a< er %.@ <. %43. , Jo;n ,L%5D Lu>e ++L2,@ Colo!!ian! %L%,. 0%440

:oBBi ed o Be bA OlZdNBarO&. A Yoruba ballad :arrie! ;e <lain i$e no e of <leadin?L BV <O Bi n7 i<O eJ <7 a?be@ c7 V?be o Z 7d7 alVrZ i?bZD BV <O Bi n7 i<O ! J <7 KlN>P@ c7 KlN>P o Z 7d7 olZ!Nn y J q?KnD BV <O Bi n7 i<O eJ <7 PbNr@ c7 PbNr o Z 7d7 al|=Y0rIn ! J iA! J ninu o>o. Do no *o ;a Do no *o ;a Do no *o ;a ele<a ;i!e % Be a! Aou did a?be@ a?be be:aBe ;e indi?o0:oloured one of ;e fore! D ele<a ;i!e Be a! Aou did KlN>P@ KlN>P be:aBe ;e :aB=ood0:oloured one of ;e =ilderne!!D ele<a ;i!e Be a! Aou did ZbNr@ + ZbNr be:aBe ;e $a?ran 0babbler of ;e ?ro$e!.

Ano ;er de!i?na ion for ;e a?en ! of e$il in ;e =orld i! ElWnIno0&(;e iB<la:able@ :au!ele!!@ !adi! i: foe! =;o o<<o!e <eo<le relen le!!lA and !<oil e$erA o<<or uni A of ;eir !u::e!!&. (;eA :an debar orY froB :arrAin? ou i ! de! inA. In O?bO0do =e ;a$e ;e =ord! OrY >unly J q o AKn 7=K@ elWnIno 7P E! J >7 o ! J e e00&OrY >nel and :;o!e ;e <or ion@ elWnIno ;inder i froB i ! fulfilBen &. BoJ ar70aiAW and ElWnInI dra= ;eir <o=er froB ;e e$il <rin:i<le =;i:; i! de!:ribed :oB<re;en!i$elA a! AiAW00&(;e World&. , )ere re!ide! ;e :on:en ra ed <o=er of e$il. We ;a$e !een ;i! <o=er <ar iallA Banife! ed in !JND bu =e >no= ;a !JN i! no e!!en iallA e$il. . In ;e no ion of ;e ;uBan :;oi:e of I<n ;ere i! a !u??e! ion al!o ;a a <er!on7! failure or ;a<<ine!! BaA be ;i! o=n re!<on!ibili A. 2 In aiAW@ ;o=e$er@ =e Bee unBi i?a ed e$il in i ! e!!en:e@ Bali?nan @ ob! ru: in?@ !<oilin?@ ou 0and0ou diaboli:. 3 I i! no a all :lear froB ;e oral radi ion! =;a =ill a::oun for ;i! &<o=er&. Bu if a Yoruba i! RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % (;e Yoruba belie$e in ;e <o!!ibili A of ele<a ;A. I i! !aid o be one of ;e deadlie! =ea<on! in ;e ;and! of BoJ ar70aiAW. + A?be@ KlN>P and Zbur are bird!. (;e fir! =o are !aid o belon? o ;e :u:>oo faBilA. A?be i! ?i$en ;e naBe Blue (oura:o Mu!o<;a?idae in A. C. Abra;aB7! Di: ionarA of Modern Yoruba. A<<aren lA@ ;eA =ere ei ;er no bird! bu ;uBan bein?! ori?inallA@ or if bird!@ ;eA =ere no of ;e <re!en :olour@ a::ordin? o ;e fol>0 ale!. , Cf. Ma ;e= %-L4D Jo;n %2L,,D % Jo;n ,L%,. . *ee C;a< er -@ <<. -,. 2 *ee belo=@ <. %45. 3 (;a i! a! far a! ;e :on:e< ion of AiAW ?oe! =i ;in ;i! :on eF . (;ere i! a :ul of AiAW in I?bZ0oJrK =;ere AiAW i! an an:e! re!!. 0%4-0

<re!!ed for an eF<lana ion of i ! bein?@ ;e =ill :er ainlA Ba>e OlZdNBarO re!<on!ible. (;i! i! no be:au!e OlZdNBarO e$er ;a!@ or e$er :an ;arbour e$il in ;i! na ure@ bu be:au!e ;e Yoruba belie$e ;a all ;in?! =;i:; are in ;e =orld ori?ina ed froB )iB. % (;e Yoruba elder! =ill :er ainlA !aA ;a ul iBa elA i i! OlZdNBarO =;o ?i$e! oJBoJ ar70aiAW ;eir <o=er. If@ ;o=e$er@ =e a!> fur ;er@ &W;a <ur<o!e doe! aiAW !er$e8& =e !;all find ;a =e ;a$e rea:;ed a :ul0de!a:. (;e Yoruba do no bo ;er ;eB!el$e! =i ; !u:; a Cue! ion. (;eA a::e< aiAW a! an ur?en fa: or o be re:>oned =i ; in ;eir li$e! and ?o abou findin? =aA! and Bean! of Bee in? ;e !i ua ion. I i! an a::e< ed fa: o ;e Yoruba ;a AiAW n7 i<V00&AiAW i! Bali?nan lA <o=erful&. (;e Yoruba eF<lain anA :ondi ion of Balai!e@ anA bafflin? un o=ard ;a<<enin? or <er!i! en Bi!for une in ;e life of a <er!on bA !aAin? AiAW l7 o nbV a EK00&I i! aiAW ;a i! affli: in? ;iB&. (;e <o=er of aiAW for e$il i! !o ?rea ;a i :an al er ;e :our!e or o<era ion of na ure. (;erefore i i! !aidL Bi ! J r7 aiAW@ ! J !V f7 aiAW@ Bi ! J r7 aiAW@ ! J !V f7 aiAWL

]! J y J q! J y J q =7 aiAW iEYBOrO d\d\@ AiAW nx l7 Z 7 ! J aoJ iEYBOrO b7 e<oD AiAW n| l7 Z <7 P?Idn /?Idn ol`lK iEND Bi ! J r7 aiAW@ ! J !V f7 aiAW. If Aou en:oun er aiAW@ flee froB aiAW@ + If Aou en:oun er aiAW@ flee froB aiAWL (;e <riBe$al iEiBOrO , =a! bla:>@ (;i! aiAW i i! ;a !oa>ed iEiBOrO7! :lo ;e! in <alB0oilD (;i! aiAW i i! ;a !le= P?Idn@ /?Idn ;e !ur?eon . of ;e =ilderne!!D If Aou en:oun er aiAW@ flee froB aiAW. G:H A <er!on7! de! inA :an be affe: ed for ;e =or!e bA ;i! :;ara: er. (;e Yoruba belie$e ;a a ?ood de! inA un!u<<or ed bA :;ara: er i! RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % Cf. I!aia; .2L400&I forB ;e li?; @ and :rea e dar>ne!!D I Ba>e <ea:e@ and :rea e e$ilL I aB ;e Lord@ ;a doe ; all ;e!e ;in?!& GR.6.H. + &Do no !;o= faBiliari A or auda:i A o=ard! aiAW.& , IEYBOrO i! ;e red Bon>eA. (;e iB<li:a ion ;ere i! ;a i ! red :olour Gbe:au!e dAed in <alB0oilH i! :on rarA o =;a i !;ould ;a$e been. . /?Idn@ ol`lK iEN i! a <rai!e0 i le of ;e leo<ard. Ol`lK in Yoruba i! one =;o :ir:uB:i!e! and :u ! :lan Bar>! and a oo!. (;e leo<ard bear! ;e i le be:au!e i i! :a<able of earin? i ! $i: iB a::ordin? o iB<ul!e. 0%450

=or ;le!!. % De! inA :an al!o be !<oiled bA one7! a: ion@ e!<e:iallA bA a: ! of ra!;ne!! and iB<a ien:e. In ;e OdN :or<u!@ an bKrK0 J Ay J q>e ell! a ! orA of !oBeone =;o a!<ired o :liBb ;e :o:onu ree o ;e $erA o<. )e =a! old ;a i ;ad been laid do=n ;a ;e :ould do i D bu ;e Bu! be $erA :areful no o be Bi!led bA ;e <ride of ;i! a:;ie$eBen and a eB< o EuB< froB ree o ree. (;i! =arnin? ;e did no ;eedL in ;e a eB< o EuB< froB one ree o ano ;er ;e fell and died. In ;i! :onne: ion@ <eo<le are e!<e:iallA =arned a?ain! iB<a ien:e@ a! bA i a <er!on BaA ea!ilA forfei ;e ?ood for une =;i:; i! in ! ore for ;iB. Ano ;er OdN re:i al ell! of one A0lu0>Z!Z0AiAW + =;o li$ed a life of =re :;edne!! u< o ;e a?e of for A@ =;en ;e ?o ired of i and de:ided o :oBBi !ui:ide. In ;e a eB< @ ;e onlA !=ooned and ;ou?; ;a ;e ! ood before On7YbodO =;o deBanded =;A ;e !;ould a<<ear unbidden a ;e &?a e&. )e Bade ;i! :oB<lain @ in an!=er o =;i:; On7YbodO onlA lo:>ed ;iB u< in a rooB and in! ru: ed ;iB o >ee< li! enin?. Before lon?@ ;ere =ere foo fall! and ;e >ne= ;a ;o!e =;o =ere ra$ellin? in o ;e =orld ;ad arri$ed. )e ;eard ea:; of ;eB re:i e =;a ;i! de! inA =ould be@ and ;o= i =a! !ealed finallA bA On7YbodO W;en ;eA ;ad all ?one a=aA@ On7YbodO !an?L

Alu>Z!Z0AiAW@ CJe o n?bZ J o8 B7 aiAW ! J e nA! J ni BK rk o. Alu>Z!Z0AiAW@ )a$e Aou been li! enin?8 (;i! !;o=! ;o= one7! life i! ordered. (;u! Alu>Z!Z0AiAW learn ;a @ !o far@ ;in?! ;ad ;a<<ened o ;iB on ear ; a::ordin? o ;i! de! inA. 'eF @ On7YbodO led ;iB ou and !;o=ed ;iB an en:lo!ure =;i:; :on ained a =eal ; of :a le@ and a rooB full of ear ;lA ?ood!. All ;o!e@ ;e =a! old@ =ere o be ;i! af er ;e a?e of for A@ a::ordin? o ;i! de! inA. 'o=@ ;o=e$er@ ;e ;ad forfei ed e$erA fu ure benefi bA ;i! iB<a ien:e. (;e ! orA :on:lude! ;a a ;e !i?; of all ;e =eal ;@ Alu>Z!Z0AiAW bur! in o ear!@ and <leaded !o ! ron?lA ;a OlZdNBarO allo=ed ;iB ano ;er lea!e of en Aear! in =;i:; o enEoA ;i! <rede! ined for uneQ RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er %+@ <. %22. + Alu>Z!Z i! ;e i le of a druBBer@ <ar i:ularlA in ;e an:ien P J A ? o$ern. Ben @ =;o =o>e u< ;e >in? a . o7:lo:> e$erA Bornin?. *ee (;e )i! orA of ;e Yoruba!@ bA Re$. *. Jo;n!on G La?o!@ C.M.*.@ %5,4H@ <. 2-. 0%-10

In ;i! eB<;a!i! on :;ara: er in rela ion o de! inA@ ;ere !nea>! in ;e <aradoF of ;uBan re!<on!ibili A in a !A! eB of a<<aren lA :a! 0iron <rede! ina ion. We ;a$e ;e ;in alreadA in ;e :on:e< ion of de! inA a! a ;in? &:;o!en& bA ;e <er!on. Wi ; ;e eleBen of :;ara: er in$ol$ed@ a <er!on i! no allo=ed o eF<e: an au oBa i: fulfilBen of a ?ood de! inA. )e Bu! :o0o<era e o Ba>e ;i! de! inA !u::e!!ful bA a:Cuirin? and <ra: i!in? ?ood :;ara: er. Gd H An un;a<<A de! inA BaA be re: ified if i :an be a!:er ained =;a i i!. We ;a$e referred o ;e =or> of PJrunBIlK in ;i! :onne: ion. % We need onlA o add ;e follo=in?. On ;e ;ird daA af er a :;ild7! bir ;@ ;e ora:le i! :on!ul ed for i . (;i! ri e i! :alled I>oJ07!yJq 0=70ViAW or ~J!yJq 0n0 70aiAW00&(;e fir! ! e< in o ;e =orld&. (;e Bain <ur<o!e i! o find ou =;a !or of :;ild i i!@ =;a are abu o i @ =;a ;in?! are o be done in order o <re!er$e i ! ?ood de! inA or o re: ifA an un;a<<A one. (;e ;ird daA i! no ;e onlA iBe ;e ora:le i! :on!ul ed for ;i! <ur<o!eD i i! done durin? anA :ri!i! in ;e <er!on7! life. Of en@ =;en durin? an illne!! ;e ora:le de:lare! ;a ;e <er!on7! life i! ?oin? o be erBina ed in fulfilBen of ;i! de! inA@ a !ub! i u ionarA !a:rifi:e + i! <re!:ribed a! a reBedA a?ain! ;e o<era ion of ;e de! inA. A<<aren lA@ ;ere are !e$eral

o ;er =aA! of Ba>in? !ure =;a ;e de! inA i! and doin? !oBe ;in? reBedial o fore! all an un;a<<A fulfilBen . )ere i! a ! orA =;i:; our elder! =ill :laiB o be Cui e ;i! ori:al. (;ere =a! a Ban naBed A ele =;o =a! Bu:; roubled bA dbY>\D , ;a i!@ ;i! =ife ;ad babie! =;i:; died in iBBedia e !u::e!!ion! no lon? af er ;eir bir ;. A ele ried !e$eral =aA! of re: ifAin? ;e !i ua ion bu failed. )e ;erefore de:ided o ra:e ;e :au!e o i ! !our:e. *o ;e !e ou for AEiran. AEiran i! a $illa?e =;i:; ;a! ?a ;ered round i !elf ;e le?end of bein? a &?a e& be =een ;ea$en and ear ;. (;rou?; i ne= &<er!on!& en er ;e ear ; and re urnin? &<er!on!& en er in o ;ea$en. (;e On7YbodO ;ere i! OEPBe@ =;o i! al!o ;e ;ead of ;e li le o=n@ and =;o bear! ;e :o?noBen of A0A0WJrun0bJ GA0A\n0ZJrun0bJH00&)e =;o ?oe! o ;ea$en and re urn!&. In !oBe <ar ! of Yorubaland@ <eo<le a<o! ro<;i!e ;iB durin? burial ri ual! ;a ;e BaA o<en ;e &?a e& for ;e ?ood o en er ;ea$en@ le! ;eA !;ould be >e< =ai in?. (o ;i! <er!ona?e A ele =en =i ; ;i! <robleB. A ele ;iB!elf Bu! ;a$e been a Ban of !oBe di! in: ion o ;a$e been able o do ;i!. OEPBe li! ened !AB<a ;e i:allA o ;i! ! orA@ ?a$e ;iB ;o!<i ali A for RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % C;a< er! -@ <<. 44 ff. and abo$e@ <. %43. + C;a< er 5@ <<. %+, f. , *ee C;a< er 5@ <<. %+, f. 0%-%0

;e ni?; @ and <roBi!ed ;iB a !olu ion o i ;e follo=in? Bornin?@ =;i:; ;a<<ened o be ;e !a:red daA a AEiran. 6erA earlA ;a Bornin?@ OEPBe ;id A ele under ;e ! ool u<on =;i:; ;e :u! oBarilA !a for ;e !a:red daA ri ual. A ;e a<<oin ed iBe@ ;e ne= &<er!on!& =;o =ere ?oin? o ;e ear ; a!!eBbled and ea:; of ;eB an!=ered ;i! :a e:;i!B in a =aA =;i:; Bade ;i! de! inA :lear. One of ;e &<er!on!& =;o ;u! a!!eBbled =a! ;e one =;o =a! ?oin? o be born o A ele. (;e Bo! !i?nifi:an aBon? ;e ;in?! ;a ;e !aid@ a! far a! A ele =a! :on:erned@ =a! ;a on ;i! Barria?e daA@ in ;e e$enin? Eu! before ;e bride =a! brou?; in@ ;e =ould ?o in o ;e bu!; o ea!e ;iB!elf and =ould be bi en bA a !na>e and =ould die and re urn o ;ea$en. A ele =en ba:> o ;i! ;oBe o=n of I<yJru =i ; ;e !e:re lo:>ed u< in ;i! brea! . (;e Barria?e daA dulA arri$ed@ and in ;e e$enin?@ Eu! before ;e bride =a! brou?; in@ A ele7! !on !aid ;a ;e =a! ?oin? in o ;e bu!; o ea!e ;iB!elf. Bu ;i! fa ;er ;ad been =a :;ful all alon?D ;e a<<ealed o ;iB o ! aA in ;e ;ou!e and u!e anA re:e< a:le ;e :;o!e for ;i! <ur<o!e. (;e !on =a! adaBan L in o ;e bu!; ;e Bu! ?oQ (;e fa ;er ;en ?a$e u< bu in!i! ed on follo=in? ;iB in o ;e bu!;. W;en ;eA arri$ed a ;e !<o :;o!en bA ;i! !on@ Eu! before ;e ! e<<ed in o ;e bu!;@ ;e fa ;er li?; ed ;e <la:e =i ;

a or:;@ !a= a lar?e !na>e@ and >illed i . (;u! A ele re: ified ;e de! inA of ;i! !on =;o in :on!eCuen:e li$ed o a ri<e old a?e. GeH A <er!on7! de! inA :an be affe: ed for ;e =or!e bA ;e Ba:;ina ion! of ;e nI>WEI. (;i!@ a! =e ;a$e ob!er$ed@ i! one of ;e rea!on! =;A ;e eJnI>WEI Bu! be >e< in a ! a e of <ea:eful :on en Ben ;rou?; re?ular offerin?!. A re:i al@ O?bO0~edV@ in ;e OdN :or<u! ! a e! ;a one =;o i! born under ;a <ar i:ular OdN Bu! offer :on! an !a:rifi:e! o ;e eJnI>WEID for o ;er=i!e@ ;e =ill be de<ri$ed of ;alf of ;i! e$erA ear ;lA <o!!e!!ion@ =;i:; Bean! ;a ;e :anno reallA <ro!<er. In:iden allA@ anAone born under ;i! OdN Bu! no ?i$e ;i! :onfiden:e o a =oBanQ (;e!e :an be all !uBBed u< in ;i! =aA. (;e Yoruba belie$e ?enerallA ;a e$erAbodA :oBin? in o ;e =orld i! <rede! ined bA OlZdNBarO. (;e de! inA i! doublA !ealed and ;erefore unal erable. W;a e$er a <er!on doe! a:;ie$e@ or =;a e$er ;a<<en! o ;iB@ i! a <re:i!e =or>in? ou of ;i! de! inA. 'e$er ;ele!!@ ;e Yoruba a: in ;e belief ;a ?i$en :er ain :ondi ion!@ 0%-+0

a <er!on7! de! inA BaA be al ered. (;eA ;erefore a>e ! e<! o !ee ;a a ;a<<A de! inA i! no !<oil and ;a an un;a<<A one i! re: ified. (;e <aradoF in$ol$ed in ;i! =o0!ided :on:e< ion i! a::e< ed bA ;e Yoruba =i ;ou Cue! ion. (;eA offer nei ;er eF<lana ion nor ra ionali!a ion abou i . I Eu! Bean! ;a in an ineF<li:able =aA@ =;a ;a<<en! o a <er!on BaA be !iBul aneou!lA ;e re!ul of Bi Z i ?bK a00&A! ;e re:ei$ed i G=a! de! inedH&@ and A0f70oJ=ZJ0fK00& ;a =;i:; ;e brin?! u<on ;iB!elf& and OrZ aiAW00& ;e $enoB of aiAW&. % On ;e =;ole@ ;e Yoruba ea:; :au ion and <a ien:e a! one ?oe! on in life. (;eA de!ire lon? life and <raA for i a! ;eA feel ;a i i! !eldoB ;a ;e Bornin? reallA !;o=! ;e daA =i ; re?ard o ;e =or>in? ou of de! inA. (;u!@ ;eA =ould :on!ider of no la! in? iB<or an:e =;a e$er Bi!for une or <ro!<eri A a end! a <er!on7! earlA life@ and =ai =i ; <a ien:e@ and !oBe ;in? of forebodin?@ for ;e &e$enin? of life&. (;eA <raA@ ci a BV fi oJroJ <7 I Kn00&(;a our o<ulen:e BaA no be:oBe ;i! orA&D and !aA BoJ 7Kl7 aAJ lW@ eJni oJBoJ !in 7l Z bY7 BoJ00&(;ere i! li le :au!e for EoA in :;ildrenD ;e =;o i! buried

bA :;ildren i! ;e =;o reallA ;a! :;ildren&D ;a i!@ ;e :anno reallA :all ;eB ;i! o=n un il ;eA !ur$i$e ;iB. (;ere i! no need o a: in ;ea and ;a! eL a <er!on BaA Bi!! ;e ?ood ;in?! =;i:; :oBe =i ; ;e &e$enin? of life& if ;e doe!. (;erefore@ =e ;a$e ;e =arnin? a! :on ained in O?bO0BWEI ;a L c7 a BV fi >Vn7E\0>Vn 7E\ E7 aiAWD c7 a BV fi =KrK0=KrK n7 o>Nn oJroJD O;un K bX fi ! J 7 K?bK@ c7 a BV fi !Je 7bi 7nuD Bi a bV de 7bi 7 o N N@ c7 a !iBi0!iBiD c7 a =o 7=aE\ oJEZJ loJ I IL c7 a un bJ =V r7 yJq;In oJrKn =P@ 'i ori K0 i0!Nn ara yJqni ni. Le u! no run ;e =orld ;a! ilAD Le u! no ?ra!< a ;e ro<e of =eal ; iB<a ien lAD W;a !;ould be rea ed =i ; Ba ure Eud?Ben @ Le u! no rea in a fi of eB<erD RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % I ;in> ;i! i! ;e <robleB =i ; =;i:; MeAer #or e! i! rAin? o ?ra<<le in ;i! boo> =i ; ;e :uriou! i le of Oedi<u! and Job G CaBbrid?e Uni$er!i A "re!!@ %525H. 0%-,0

W;ene$er =e arri$e a a :ool <la:e@ Le u! re! !uffi:ien lA =ellD Le u! ?i$e <rolon?ed a en ion o ;e fu ure@ And ;en le u! ?i$e due re?ard o ;e :on!eCuen:e of ;in?!@ And ;a i! on a::oun of our !lee<in? GendH. (;e OdN :or<u! i! full of Be!!a?e! of ;o<e o <eo<le =;o are de!<airin? of lifeL !u:; <eo<le !;ould =ai ;o<efullA and <a ien lA a! ;in?! BaA !urelA urn ou <ro!<erou!lA in ;e end. #or eFaB<le@ =e ;a$e i in IreJ yJq0I=PrI ;a A0!JJZJn07>oJ0!Nn ni 7 Pn <ZJnD ni i o V e=W orY@ e=o ni >7 o !Je8 O dV f\n PJ yJq =PrI 7 o !oJ =i<W On nre e?bO rO 7!oL PJ yJq=PrI Ba i 7!oD '=oJn nB\ e=e ire oAO nbJ. )e =;o ea ! ;i! :orn0Beal =i ;ou ! e= :oB<lain! of ;i! ;ard lo D W;a !;ould ;e do ;a onlA ;a! ;e =ra<<in?0lea$e! o !:ra<e8 *o de:lared ;e ora:le o PJ yJq=PrI W;o

de:ided o ?o in o ;e bu!; and ;an?L PJ J=PrI@ do no ;an? Ae D Lea$e! of :;ief ain:A are bein? brou?; Gfor AouH. % I i! <robablA ;i! ;o<e o ;e $erA end =;i:; Ba>e! ;e Yoruba $alue old a?e !o Bu:;. In !<i e of ;e ! ron? belief in <rede! inA@ i i! :on!idered a ?ra$e ra?edA o die Aoun?. *o ;eA <raA@ ci a ?bZ fun i>\ EeJ0&MaA =e be !uffi:ien lA ri<e before =e are ea en u< bA dea ;&@ and !ee> bA all Bean! o a ain lon? life@ =;i:; i! ;eir e ernal de!ire and lon?in?. (;erefore do =e ;a$e i in Id0BWEI ;a @ '? bX r7 Z?bZ@ n? bX ?bZD '? bX r7 a ZJ@ n? bX oJD '? bX d7 K?bK bi lZJEN Ma AJ !JJJJ!JJJ. If I <o!!e!! ;e Bean! of old a?e@ I =ill be oldD If I <o!!e!! ;e Bean! of lon? life@ I =ill li$e lon?D If I :an be a! old a! UJ%.DlZJEN I =ill reEoi:e eF:eedin?lA. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % )e =ill !oon be Bade a :;ief. 0%-.0

And =i ; ;e de!ire for old a?e ?oe! ;e <raAer ;a ;e old a?e BaA be one of ble!!edne!! and <ro!<eri A@ and no one of =re :;edne!!. c7 a BX >e ni >W>erWD c7 a BX d7 K?bKla?bK P!JID c7 a BX f7 J<X an 7lyJq 'i 7bi iEeJ eJboJ. (;a =e BaA no die Aoun?D (;a =e BaA no a ain an old a?e of =re :;edne!!D (;a =e BaA no !:ra :; ;e ?round =i ; a ! i:> In ;e <la:e of !a:rifi:e!. % RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % (;e Yoruba dread an old a?e in =;i:; ;e a?ed ;a$e o be? for ;eir li$in? or ?o abou ;e <ubli: !;rine! =;ere !a:rifi:e! are <la:ed in !ear:; of :oin! or o ;er ar i:le! =;i:; BaA be urned in o Bean! of li$eli;ood.

0%-20

%. OlZdNBarO and Man7! #inal De! inA We :on:luded ;e la! :;a< er on ;e fa: ;a ;e Yoruba re?ard ;e end of life ;ere on ear ; a! of !eriou! iB<or an:e. (;a end@ of :our!e@ in$ol$e! ;e Cue! ion of =;a be:oBe! of Ban af er ;e <re!en life. E$erA reli?ion ;a! o fa:e ;i! e!:;a olo?i:al Cue! ion and@ ;ere a?ain@ ;e an!=er de<end! u<on Ban7! :on:e< ion of ;e Dei A. (;e Ba er of Ban7! final de! inA i! di$ided u< na urallA under ;e =o ;eadin?! of Dea ; and Af er0Life@ ;e la er of =;i:; in$ol$e! a loo> a ;e idea of Jud?Ben . We !;all eFaBine ;e =;ole e!:;a olo?A of ;e Yoruba under ;e!e ;eadin?!@ ;erefore. Dea ; (;e fa: of dea ; i! a bafflin? and di! urbin? Cue! ion0Bar> =ri en :on!<i:uou!lA on ;e fa:e of ;in?!. Man ;a! been for:ed@ ;erefore@ !in:e ;e be:aBe a:Cuain ed =i ; i @ o a<<lA ;i! Bind o ;e Cue! ion of i ! ori?in and <ur<o!e. In ;i!@ ;e Yoruba a! :or<ora e BeBber! of ;e ;uBan ra:e are no eF:e< ionD for@ froB ;e e$iden:e a our

di!<o!al@ =e find ;a i i! a !ubEe: o =;i:; ;eA ;a$e ?i$en :areful ;ou?; . (;eir naBe for i i! I>\@ =;i:; be!ide! bein? ;eir de!i?na ion for &dAin?& ! and! al!o@ and Bore iB<or an lA@ a! ;e naBe for ;e <er!onified <o=er@ ;e a?en =;i:; ;e Yoruba belie$e o be re!<on!ible@ under :oBBi!!ion froB OlZdNBarO@ for >illin? and reBo$in? <eo<le froB ;i! ear ;. (;e Cue! ion of ;e be?innin? of ;i! o<era ion in ;e li$e! of Ben i! one o =;i:; ;eA ;a$e a a:;ed li le iB<or an:e@ al ;ou?; ;eA ;a$e na urallA !;o=ed !oBe :urio!i A abou i . (;ere i! a :on:e< ion of i ! be?innin? =;i:; !aA! ;a I>\ be?an o >ill onlA =;en ;e =a! ?ro!!lA offendedD ;a i!@ =;en ;i! Bo ;er =a! >illed a EEI?bP0Me J >Nn Bar>e . (;i! i! :on ained in ;e OdN@ P J Ay J q>e0BWEIL '=o J n <a YAX i>\ *7 Z J EK EEY?bP0Me J >NnL I>\ ?bZ J n7lW@ I>\ ;an bi Ke Il7Z J AW J @ 0%-30

I>\ ;ar bi e J Ain ara=oD O f7 o J >V !Je >W J !W J @ O f7 erO ! J e bK K@ O f7 a>Ore>Ore ! J 7 PEXD I>\ a orY I?bX@ I?bX ?bIrI7 K n7 ly J qD I>\ a orY y J q?un?un@ ~ J ?un?un ?bIrI7 K n7 ly J q. I>\7! Bo ;er =a! >illed In EEI?bP0Me J >Nn Bar>e L I>\ ;eard i in ;e ;ou!e@ I>\ !:ree:;ed li>e ;e Ke % of Il7Z J Ay J q@ I>\ ran? ou li>e an ara=o7! + e??D )e Bade :obra! ;i! !<ur!@ )e Bade boa! ;i! !;oe!@

)e Bade !:or<ion! ;i! ?irdleD I>\ fell u<on ;e Lo:u! Bean (ree@ (;e Lo:u! Bean (ree fell <rone o ;e ?roundD I>\ fell u<on ;e W;i e *il> Co on (ree@ (;e W;i e *il> Co on (ree fell <rone o ;e ?round. (;i! i! !aAin? ;a dea ; be?an o >ill be:au!e Dea ;7! Bo ;er =a! >illedQ I i! no =onder ;en ;a ;i! i! no ;e or ;odoF belief of ;e Yoruba abou ;e ori?in of dea ;. (;e :oBBon@ or ;odoF belief i! ;a I>\ i! a :rea ion of OlZdNBarOL ;e =a! Bade for ;e !<e:ifi: <ur<o!e of re:allin? anA <er!on =;o!e iBe on ear ; i! fulfilled. )en:e ;e i! >no=n a! Ei! J W J P J run00&)ea$en7! Bailiff&. W;en ;eA ;in> of dea ; a! &dAin?&@ ;en ;eA de!:ribe i a! a &deb &00 ;e deb =;i:; e$erAone Bu! <aA. (;i! i! a! Bu:; a! o !aA ;a dea ; i! ;e ine$i able and ul iBa e lo of e$erA <er!on =;o :oBe! in o ;e =orld. (;e Yoruba a: in ;e belief ;a dea ; i! Bean for ;e a?ed and ;a ?i$en ;e ri?; :ondi ion!@ e$erA <er!on !;ould li$e o a ri<e old a?e. (;erefore@ =;en a Aoun? <er!on die!@ ;eA :on!ider i o be a ra?edA and en er in o Bournin?. On ;e o ;er ;and@ ;e dea ; of an a?ed <er!on i! an o::a!ion for reEoi:in? be:au!e ;e <er!on ;a! onlA been re:alled ;oBe and ;i! :;ildren li$e o burA ;iB. Be:au!e of ;e eB<;a!i!ed belief ;a RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % me i! a re0ena: Ben of ;e ori?in of a Yoruba !e:re :ul . (;e &:;ara: er& i! no o be !een bA anAone and !:ree:;e! i ! Be!!a?e! in unna ural one! o :rea e ;e illu!ion of a non0;uBan a?en . + Ara=o i! a :arni$orou! bird. 0%-40

dea ; i! Bean <riBarilA o re:all ;oBe ;e a?ed@ ;e Yoruba !oBe iBe! !aA ;a I>\>I 7<a ni@ aA J l7 o n<a ni00&I>\ doe! no >illL i i! eF:e!!e! ;a >ill&. (;i!@ of :our!e@ refer! o ;e dea ; =;i:; o$er a>e! a <er!on $iolen lA or <reBa urelA ;rou?; ;i! o=n inordina e a: ion! % and differen ia e! be =een ;a and ;e >ind of dea ; =;i:; i! &norBal& and &na ural&00 ;e ;oBe0:all of ;e a?ed. Al ;ou?; dea ; i! ine$i able and un<re$en able@ ;e Yoruba belie$e or a: in ;e belief ;a i :an be deferred. I :an be deferred ;rou?; ;e in er$en ion of P J runBIlK@ + or anA o ;er di$ini A. (;ere i! a BA ; =;i:; ;a! i ;a I>\7! !e:re @ =;i:; =a! na urallA a !our:e of di!:oBfor o all Ben@ =a! no >no=n a fir! . E$en uallA@ ;o=e$er@ ~N , :unnin?lA bribed I>\7! !on =;o in :on!eCuen:e re$ealed o ;iB ;a ;e Bean! bA =;i:; I>\ !le= =a! a :lub. (;a =a! ;e indi!<en!able !our:e of ;i! <o=er o$er BenL de<ri$e ;iB of i and ;e be:aBe <o=erle!!@ ~N7! neF Bo$e in order o a:;ie$e ;e Bu:; de!ired end =a! o bribe AEK<X G ;e (or oi!e@ ;e Bo! <o<ular and !ub le ;ero of Yoruba fable!H o ;el< ;iB. AEK<X !e o =or> a on:e and bA a :le$er ! ra a?eB !na :;ed a=aA ;e :lub

froB I>\. I>\ a on:e be:aBe <o=erle!! a! <redi: ed and e$erAbodA reEoi:ed ;a AEK<X?b7 Pr\>\ l7 o J =o J i>\@ aiAeI#5 J d 7 J f_0&AEK<X ;a! de<ri$ed I>\ of ;i! :lubL ;e I#5 J . are libera ed froB anFie A&. La er on@ ;o=e$er@ I>\ Bade a <a: =i ; P J runBIlK on ;e :ondi ion ;a P J runBIlK =ould ;el< ;iB o re:o$er ;i! :lub@ and ;a ;e =ould re!<e: ;e in er$en ion of P J runBIlK =;ene$er anA of ;i! $i: iB! <la:ed ;iB!elf under ;e la er7! <ro e: ion. (;e BA ; :on:lude! bA !aAin? ;a @ ;en:efor ;@ I>\ a>e! a=aA onlA ;o!e =;o do no <u ;eB!el$e! under ;e <ro e: ion of P J runBIlK 2 or ;o!e =;o are ab!olu elA readA o ?o ;oBe. 3 A bo oB@ ;o=e$er@ ;e Yoruba >no= ;a li le :an be done e$en o defer dea ; =;en I>\ i! reallA readA. )en:e ;e !aAin?@ ArNn l7 a 7=P@ a >I 7=o i>\00&I i! !i:>ne!! ;a :an be ;ealedD dea ; :anno be ;ealed&D ;a i!@ one :an rea !i:>ne!! =i ; Bedi:ine@ bu no !o dea ;. An OdN re:i al under IrP!uNB0O! J Z be?in! =i ; ;e ;ree line!@ AIdW I>\ l7 K nb7 J !un AIdW I>\ l7 K nb7 O J M J ! J KD B7 I>\ bV dW@ I>\ 7P ?b7 e J bo J . RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er %,@ <<. %45 f. + Ibid.@ <. %43. , *ee C;a< er -@ <<. -% f. . I#5 J @ bein? ;e &:en re&@ re<re!en ! ;e Yoruba World. 2 (;e BA ; i! Bore o eB<;a!i!e ;e iB<or an:e and <o=er of P J runBIlK ra ;er ;an o eF<lain dea ;. 3 *ee belo=@ <<. %53@ f. 0%--0

I i! =;en I>\ i! no Ae readA ;a i =or>! o <ro<i ia e P J !unD I i! =;en I>\ i! no Ae readA ;a i =or>! o <ro<i ia e orI! J KD W;en I>\ i! reallA readA@ I>\ doe! no Aield o !a:rifi:e!. Ano ;er OdN0I=PrI0P J !X !aA!L I>\ IbX ?b7 o=Z@ O=Z l7 K bX !anD Ea! J W J P J run >I 7?b7 o=Z If I>\ =ould a::e< ran!oB@ I i! ran!oB =e =ould ;a$e <aidD )ea$en7! Bailiff doe! no a::e< ran!oB.

(;u!@ i i! ;e belief of ;e Yoruba ;a !ooner or la er@ e$erAone Bu! die. Dea ; i! ;e ine$i able :on:lu!ion o Ban7! ear ;lA eFi! en:e. Af er0Life W;a be:oBe! of Ban af er dea ;8 (;i!@ a?ain@ i! a Cue! ion =;i:; ;a! ;aun ed e$erA reli?ion all do=n ;e a?e!. &Af er dea ;@ =;a 8& i! a <o!er on ;e fa:e of life i !elf. And all reli?ion@ ea:; in i ! o=n =aA and a::ordin? o i ! :on:e< ion of ;e e!!en ial :on! i u ion of life@ ;a! found an an!=er. (o ;e Cue! ion@ ;e Yoruba are defini e in ;eir an!=er. Dea ; i! no ;e end of life. I i! onlA a Bean! =;erebA ;e <re!en ear ;lA eFi! en:e i! :;an?ed for ano ;er. Af er dea ;@ ;erefore@ Ban <a!!e! in o a &life beAond& =;i:; i! :alled ~ J ;In0]=K00&Af er0Life&. (;i! ~ J ;In0]=K i! of Bore $i al iB<or an:e ;an ;e <re!en life@ ;o=e$er <ro!<erou! ;i! one BaA ;a$e been. (;e Yoruba ;u! !<ea> of ~ J ;In0]=K i 7! J 7 y J q?b n Pna00&Af er0Life =;i:; i! ;e !u<erior of (odaA G ;e <re!en H&. W;a e$er i! done in ;e <re!en life@ ;erefore@ Bu! be done =i ; due re?ard o ;i! ?rea fu ureL 'i orY ~ J ;Yn0]=K l7 a ! J e n! J e Pni l7 `re00&I i! on a::oun of Af er0Life ;a =e rea (odaA ;o!<i ablA G ;a =e Ba>e a ?ood u!e of ;e <re!en and do no abu!e i H&. In Af erLife@ ;o!e =;o ;a$e fini!;ed ;ere ?o on li$in?. (;i! belief i! a e! ed in !e$eral =aA!. GaH JoA or #ear of An i:i<a ion. (;e Yoruba a?ed loo> for=ard =i ; lon?in? or dread in an i:i<a ion of =;a BaA be a=ai in? ;eB in ;e ne= life =;ere ;eA are bound o fare a::ordin? o ;eir de!er !. I i! a :oBBon o::urren:e o ;ear ;e a?ed !aAin? Mo nre 7lW00&I aB ?oin? )oBe& or IlW i AV00&I aB readA for )oBe&@ Beanin? ;a ;eA are <re<ared o die and en er in o Af er0Life. W;en an a?ein? <er!on i! 0%-50

;eard al>in? ab! ra: edlA bA ;iB!elf@ i i! ?enerallA belie$ed ;a ;e i! al>in? o ;i! a!!o:ia e! or rela i$e! =;o ;a$e ?one before. If a!>ed@ ;e ;iB!elf =ill !oBe iBe! :onfirB ;a . (;e Yoruba !aA of !u:; a?ed <eo<le ;a ;eA no lon?er ;ear =;a =e !aA ;ere@ ;eir :on$er!a ion bein? =i ; ;o!e =;o are on & ;e o ;er !ide&. GbH Burial and #uneral Ri e!. (;e!e are ob!er$ed =i ; $arAin? de ail! froB <la:e o <la:eD bu ;e underlAin? Bo i$e a! =ell a! ;e ?eneral rou ine i! ;e !aBe. (;e ri e! are !u:; a! Ba>e i <lain ;a ;e !ur$i$or! belie$e ! ron?lA ;a ;e de:ea!ed i! onlA Ba>in? a EourneA@ ;ou?; a final one@ in o ano ;er life. IBBedia elA a <er!on die!@ ;e fir! ri e i! o !laA a fo=l =;i:; i! :alled AdIe J 0IrKn J 00&(;e fare0fo=l&. (;i! i! Bean o Ba>e ;e road ea!A for ;iB. W;en ;e :or<!e i! laid in ! a e@ a AaB Beal i! <re<ared and a <or ion of i <la:ed a ;e foo of ;e bierL ;i! i! food for ;e de:ea!ed. Durin? ;e a: ual burial@ ;e :;ildren and rela i$e! of ;e de:ea!ed ?a ;er round@ ea:; of ;eB brin?in? :lo ;e!@ fo=l!@ or aniBal!. (;e bodA i! =ra<<ed in all ;e :lo ;e! =;i:; are Bean for ;e de:ea!ed <er!on7! u!e in ;e neF life. W;en ;e :or<!e i! lo=ered in o

;e ?ra$e@ ;e !ur$i$or! dra= near i @ ea:; a::ordin? o ;i! faBilA ! a u! and ea:; brin?in? an aniBal $i: iB@ u!uallA a ?oa L ;e offer! ;i! ?if ;rou?; ;e offi:ian @ a!>in? ;a ;e de:ea!ed <er!on !;ould a::e< i @ and <raAin? ;iB no o !lee< in P J run@ % bu o o<en ;i! eAe! =ide and al=aA! loo> af er ;i! :;ildren@ a>in? ?ood :are of ;eB@ <ro$idin? for ;eir need!@ and aidin? ;eB in ;eir diffi:ul ie!. "eo<le o ;er ;an ;e :;ildren or rela i$e! of ;e de:ea!ed al!o !end Be!!a?e!@ oral or Ba erial@ ;rou?; ;e de:ea!ed o ;eir o=n fol> =;o ;a$e ?one before. (;e offi:ian no= de!:end! in o ;e ?ra$e and <erforB! ;e ri e of !laAin? a $i: iB@ !<li in? ;e >ola0nu !@ and <la:in? :er ain ar i:le!@ in:ludin? food and :ondiBen ! be!ide ;e bodA. (;i! ri e i! >no=n a! BYbV P>e Aa 7;Nn00&En erin? in o a :o$enan =i ; ;e de:ea!ed&. (;e e!!en ial <ar of ;e ri e i! ;erefore o !aA fare=ell o ;e de:ea!ed@ iB<re!!in? i u<on ;iB ;a no= ;a ;e i! no lon?er in ;i! forBer ear ;lA ! a e@ ;i! du A i! one of <ro e: ion and :are o$er ;i! :;ildren@ rela i$e!@ and a!!o:ia e!D ;e i! no o Bole! anAone or allo= ;iB!elf o be eB<loAed on anA errand of Bali:eD ;e i! o ?o on no= o <ar a>e onlA of ;e bli!!ful life of ;ea$en@ and no be !ide0 ra:>ed in o <ar a>in? of anA ;in? un=or ;A. + *e$eral daA! af er ;e burial@ ;ere i! ano ;er ri e >no=n a! #Yfa l?\n P>e =o J 7le00&Brin?in? ;e !<iri of ;e de:ea!ed in o ;e ;ou!e&. BA RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee belo=@ <. %54. + *ee belo=@ <. %55. 0%51

;i!@ i i! belie$ed@ ;e !ur$i$or! =ill a?ain be able o ;a$e in iBa e in er:our!e =i ; ;e de:ea!ed. (;e ri e a>e! <la:e a ni?; =;en all li?; ! ;a$e been eF in?ui!;ed. A! a re!ul of i @ a !;rine i! Bade in one :orner or a ;e foo of ;e :en ral =all of ;e ;ou!eD ;i! i! a !<e:ifi: Bee in?0<la:e be =een ;e de:ea!ed and ;i! :;ildren. (;en:efor ;@ ;ere ;eA ?o and Ba>e offerin?! o ;iB@ !<ea> o ;iB@ be? !<e:ial fa$our! of ;iB@ en er in o :o$enan ! =i ; one ano ;er or !=ear o$er bone! of :on en ion. Of :our!e@ a<ar froB ;i! <la:e@ ;e Yoruba feel ;a ;eA :an al> o a de:ea!ed <er!on anA=;ere and e$erA=;ere in a ?eneral =aA@ a! ;eA belie$e ;a ;e :an be anA=;ere ;e :;oo!e!@ no= ;a ;e i! free froB ;e liBi a ion! iB<o!ed bA ;i! <;A!i:al life. G:H DreaB! and A<<earan:e!. (;e Yoruba belie$e ;a ;e de:ea!ed :an be !een in dreaB! or ran:e!@ and ;a ;eA :an iB<ar inforBa ion or eF<lana ion@ or ?i$e in! ru: ion!@ on anA Ba er! abou =;i:; ;e faBilA i! in a !eriou! <redi:aBen . (;eA :an al!o !end Be!!a?e! ;rou?; o ;er <er!on! or ;rou?; :er ain :ul ! o ;eir fol>. Alon? ;e road or in lonelA <la:e!@ or durin? ;e ni?; @ i i! belie$ed ;a ;e de:ea!ed

:an a<<ear o a <er!on ei ;er o ?i$e ?uidan:e or aid@ or o Bole! . A Yoruba dir?e =;i:; =e :an Cuo e a! an illu! ra ion i! a! follo=!L O di ?bWrWQ O d7 K0rIn0nK0>PQ O d7 oEu KlXQ I i! a lon? fare=ellQ I i! no= a Ba er of Bee in? alon? ;e road@ I i! no= in dreaB! G ;a =e !;all Bee H. Of :our!e@ ;ere are ;o!e $oi:e! in ;e =ilderne!! =;i:; ;old ;a ;ou?; ;e de:ea!ed :on inue o li$e in Af er0Life@ ;eA ;a$e no ;in? Bore o do =i ; ;o!e =;o are ! ill ;ere. *u:; i! ;e $ie= eF<re!!ed in !u:; a !aAin? a! ni 7 o >\ >P =7 y J q;in BZ00&(;e de:ea!ed doe! no Bind ;e ;in?! ;a are lef be;ind&D or ni 7 o >\ i re />O0OdPL o i f7 o J =Z J ro J i?i I?bK?bW00&(;e de:ea!ed ;a! ?one o ;e o ;er !ide of ;e ri$erL ;e ;a! laid ;i! ;and on ;e ree of obli$ion& G;a! for?o en all ;a ;e lef be;indH. *u:; a $ie= ?ain! ad;eren ! e!<e:iallA =;en ;in?! do no ?o on =ell =i ; ;e !ur$i$or! and ;e an:e! or! a<<ear o be deaf o ;eir <raAer!. Bu i i! $erA far froB bein? a ?enerallA a::e< ed $ie=@ or one =;i:; <er!i! ! e$en =i ; i ! au ;or!. GdH CoBBunion =i ; ;e An:e! or!. We are no= in ;e <o!i ion o !ee ;e real Beanin? of ;e <;enoBenon =;i:; ;a! been ?i$en ;e naBe 0%5%

of &An:e! or Wor!;i<&@ ;e Bain :au!e of =;i:; i! ;e in$in:ible :on$i: ion ;a ;o!e =;o ;a$e de<ar ed froB ;i! =orld ;a$e onlA :;an?ed ;i! life for ano ;er. In :on!eCuen:e of ?oin? in o ;a life@ ;eA ;a$e been relea!ed froB all ;e re! rain ! iB<o!ed bA ;i! ear ;D ;u! ;eA are <o!!e!!or! of liBi le!! <o en iali ie! =;i:; ;eA :an eF<loi for ;e benefi or o ;e de riBen of ;o!e =;o ! ill li$e on ear ;. #or ;a rea!on@ i i! ne:e!!arA o >ee< ;eB in a ! a e of <ea:eful :on en Ben . Bu ;i! i! onlA in:iden al. "riBarilA &An:e! or Wor!;i<& i! an eF en!ion in o infini A of ;e faBilA a: i$i ie! of ;e ear ;. (;o!e =;o die do no reBain in ;e ?ra$e. (;eir bodA =ill ro a=aA indeed@ bu ;eA reBain ;eir e!!en ial !el$e! a<ar froB ;e &bodie! of ear ;&. In fa: @ ;e Yoruba belie$e ;a ;e de:ea!ed ! and a<ar and =a :; all ;e <erforBan:e! of ;e burial and funeral ri e!. (;eA do no lea$e ;e ;ou!e or i ! <reBi!e! un il a fe= daA! af er ;e burial@ and ;a af er ;e :oB<le ion of :er ain e!!en ial ri e!. I i! in :on!eCuen:e of ;e belief ;a ;e de:ea!ed are reallA ne$er in ;e ?ra$e ;a ;e Yoruba ;a$e no do: rine of ;e Re!urre: ion of ;e BodAD ;a i!@ no in ;e draBa i:@ e!:;a olo?i:al !en!e of ;e ?ra$e! ?i$in? u< ;eir dead a ;e :on!uBBa ion of all

;in?!. (o ;e Yoruba@ =;a a>e! <la:e ;a<<en! iBBedia elA af er dea ;00 ;e de:ea!ed@ af er all ;e ne:e!!arA ri ual! ;a$e been <erforBed@ <a!!e! ;rou?; ;e ?a e in o ;e <re!en:e of OlZdNBare o re:ei$e =;a e$er Eud?Ben a=ai ! ;iB. A! ;e de:ea!ed are ne$er reallA in ;e ?ra$e@ ;eA ! ill reBain ;e fa ;er! or Bo ;er! =;i:; ;eA =ere before ;eir dea ;@ :a<able of eFer:i!in? ;eir <aren al fun: ion!@ ;ou?; no= in a Bore <o=erful and un;aB<ered =aA@ o$er ;eir !ur$i$or!. (;e Yoruba !aA ! ill BKbX Bi00&MA fa ;er&@ or ]DAX Bi0&MA Bo ;er&@ =;en ;eA !<ea> abou ;eir de:ea!ed <aren !. Al ;ou?; ;eA !<ea> of brin?in? ;e !<iri of ;e de:ea!ed in o ;e ;ou!e@ ;eA rarelA !aA ;a &I aB ?oin? o !<ea> o ;e 7!<iri 7 of BA fa ;er&D =;a ;eA !aA i!@ &I aB ?oin? o !<ea> o BA fa ;er&. (;u! ;e de:ea!ed :on inue o ;a$e ;e i le of rela ion!;i< =;i:; ;eA ;ad borne a! ;ead! of faBilie! =;ile ;eA =ere on ear ;. (;i! !;o=! ;a &An:e! or Wor!;i<& i! a =ron? noBen:la ure for ;a =;i:; in fa: i! no &=or!;i<& bu a Banife! a ion of an unbro>en faBilA rela ion!;i< be =een ;e <aren =;o ;a! de<ar ed froB ;i! =orld and ;e off!<rin? =;o are ! ill ;ere. (;i! i! a $ie= =;i:; i! fur ;er a e! ed bA an OdN under O?be0Iro!Nn =;i:; ;a! i ;a a <er!on !;ould render ;i! filial du ie! o a de:ea!ed <aren in order ;a ;e BaA ;a$e :;ildren o loo> af er ;iB. GeH E?Nn?\n and OrP. (;e!e =o :ul ! are Bean! of deBon! ra in? in a ! ill Bore :on:re e =aA ;e belief ;a ;o!e =;o de<ar froB ;i! ear ; 0%5+0

:on inue in eFi! en:e el!e=;ere and are a: i$elA &in ou:;& =i ; ;o!e =;o are ! ill ;ere. E?\n?\n de!i?na e! ;e !<iri of ;e de:ea!ed =i ; =;oB in er:our!e i! ;eld a ;e an:e! ral !;rine. I Ba eriali!e! in a robed fi?ure =;i:; i! de!i?ned !<e:iallA o ?i$e ;e iB<re!!ion ;a ;e de:ea!ed i! Ba>in? a eB<orarA rea<<earan:e on ear ;. (;i! rea<<earan:e BaA be ;a of a !<e:ifi: an:e! or. W;ere ;i! i! o be ;e :a!e@ a ri e of &:rea in?& ;e e?\n?\n a>e! <la:e on ;e for ie ; daA af er ;e burialD and af er ;a @ ;e rea<<earan:e a>e! <la:e <eriodi:allA@ on:e a Aear or Bore of en. E?\n?\n al!o !ABboli!e! Eu! ;e broad@ ?eneral :on:e< ion ;a ;ere i! Af er0Life and ;a be =een ;o!e =;o ;a$e ?one ;ere and ;o!e =;o are ! ill on ear ; ;ere i! a :lo!e@ a: i$e bond. In ;i! :a!e@ ;e E?\n?\n i! Eu! ArV0P J run00&6i!i or froB ;ea$en&. In order o <re!er$e ;e illu!ion ;a ;e E?\n?\n i! arV P J run@ ;e :;ara: er i! :oB<le elA !ealed u< in an ou fi =;i:; ne$er ;ele!! doe! no :on:eal ;i! Bain <;A!i:al

fea ure!. )e onlA !ee! ;rou?; a ;i:>@ :lo!elA0=o$en ne and !<ea>! in a &<i<in?@ reble $oi:e&. 'o one@ eF:e< ;e an ;ori!ed fe=@ BaA :oBe :lo!e o@ or ou:; ;iB. (;e di! in: i$e :;ara: eri! i:! of OrP i! ;i! &$oi:e& =;i:; i! ;e &bull0roarer&@ and ;e fa: ;a @ bA and lar?e@ ;e o<era e! onlA in ;e ?ro$e and i! abroad onlA a ni?; . (;ere are onlA a fe= lo:ali ie! =;ere ;e Ba eriali!e! in a Ba!>ed fi?ureL in ;o!e <la:e! =oBen are !;u in =;en OrP i! abroad. OrP@ li>e E?\n?\n@ BaA re<re!en a !<e:ifi: an:e! orD bu ;e i! Bore of a ?eneral !ABbol. Bo ; E?\n?\n and OrP u!ed o o<era e a! in! ruBen ! of di!:i<line and eFe:u ion in ;e Yoruba ?o$ernBen ! of ;e old daA!. % (;e Yoruba eB<;ai!e ;e :on:e< ion ;a bo ; E?\n?\n and OrP !<ran? froB a :oBBon Bo i$e. (o !u<<or ;i!@ ;ere i! a ! orA@ aBon? o ;er!@ =;i:; ;a! i ;a E?\n?\n and OrP =ere full bro ;er!@ OrP bein? ;e older. (;eA =ere bo ; iller! of ;e !oil and i =a! ;e du A of ;eir =i$e! o !ell ;e <rodu: ! of ;eir farB! in ;e Bar>e . Bu =;erea! ;e =ife of E?\n?\n =a! $erA ;rif A and able@ ;erefore@ o <u bA enou?; BoneA o buA :lo ;e! for ;er ;u!band@ OrP7! =ife =a! a !<end ;rif =;o :ould no re!i! ;e a ra: ion! of food and rifle!. (;e daA :aBe =;en E?\n?\n <u on ;i! :lo ;e! and a!>ed OrP o ?o ou =i ; ;iB@ bu ;ere =ere no :lo ;e! for OrP o <u on. (;a o<ened OrP7! eAe! o ;e faul ! of ;i! =ifeD =;ereu<on ;e rea:;ed for a =;i< and be?an o flo? ;er. (;e =ife :on ri$ed@ ;o=e$er@ o e!:a<e af er =;a ;e RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er %+@ <. %2%. 0%5,0

:on!idered o be onlA a fe= la!;e!. )e =a! affron edD e!<e:iallA a! ;e :ould no run af er ;er be:au!e ;e =a! na>ed. (;u! ;e be?an ;i! endle!! :all00 ;e &$oi:e& =;i:; =e ;ear i! ;a :all o Bungbun@ ;i! =ife@ o re urn for ;e full :oun of ;er =ell0de!er$ed la!;e!. (;i! ! orA :ir:ula e!@ of :our!e@ onlA in ;o!e <la:e! =;ere OrP ne$er Ba eriali!e! in Ba!>ed fi?ure!. Bu ;e Bo if i! :learL i <ur<or ! o !;o= ;a E?\n?\n and OrP are =in bro ;er!. GfH "ar ial Rein:arna ion. I i! alBo! :er ain ;a ;ere i! no belief in rein:arna ion in ;e :la!!i:al !en!e aBon? ;e YorubaD ;a i!@ in ;e !en!e ;a &Rein:arna ion i! ;e <a!!a?e of ;e !oul froB one bodA o ano ;er . . . ;e lo of ;e !oul in ea:; bein? de erBined bA i ! be;a$iour in a forBer life&. % (;e Yoruba !<ea> of m0 \n0=V00&Ano ;er :oBin?&D bu @ in reali A@ ;ere a<<ear! o be no ;in? li>e i in a !<e:ifi: !en!e.

(;e !<e:ifi: belief of ;e Yoruba abou ;o!e =;o de<ar froB ;i! =orld i! ;a on:e ;eA ;a$e en ered Af er0Life@ ;ere ;eA reBain@ and ;ere ;e !ur$i$or! and ;eir :;ildren af er ;eB :an >ee< unbro>en in er:our!e =i ; ;eB@ e!<e:iallA if ;eA ;a$e been ?ood <er!on! =;ile on ear ; and =ere ri<e for dea ; =;en ;eA died. 'e$er ;ele!!@ =e find our!el$e! :onfron ed =i ; ;e <aradoF in$ol$ed in ;e belief of ;e Yoruba ;a ;e de:ea!ed <er!on! do &rein:arna e& in ;eir ?rand:;ildren and ?rea 0 ?rand:;ildren. In ;e fir! <la:e@ i i! belie$ed ;a in !<i e of ;i! rein:arna ion@ ;e de:ea!ed :on inue o li$e in Af er0LifeD ;o!e =;o are ! ill in ;e =orld :an ;a$e :oBBunion =i ; ;eB@ and ;eA are ;ere =i ; all ;eir an:e! ral Cuali ie! uniB<aired. *e:ondlA@ i i! belie$ed ;a ;eA do &rein:arna e&@ no onlA in one ?rand:;ild or ?rea 0 ?rand:;ild@ bu al!o in !e$eral :on eB<orarA ?rand:;ildren and ?rea 0?rand:;ildren =;o are bro ;er! and !i! er! and :ou!in!@ aun ! and ne<;e=!@ un:le! and nie:e!@ ad infini uB. Ye @ in !<i e of ;e!e re<ea ed &rebir ;!& =;i:; !;ould be ra ;er eF;au! in?@ ;e de:ea!ed :on ri$e o reBain in full life and $i?our in ;e Af er0Life. In order o ;a$e !oBe li?; on ;i! <aradoF@ i =ill ;el< u! o eFaBine fir! ;e <ro:e!! bA =;i:; a &rein:arna ed& an:e! or i! iden ified. W;en ;e :;ild i! ;ree Bon ;! old@ ;e ora:le i! :on!ul edL ;i! ri e i! >no=n a! MYBo J orY o J Bo J &cno=in? ;e :;ild7! orY&@ or GbY?bZ J orY o J Bo J 00&)earin? ;e :;ild7! orY&. + BA ;a ;e ora:le de:lare! =;i:; an:e! or ;a! &rein:arna ed&. 'o=@ ;i! i! !i?nifi:an L a::ordin? o ;i! RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % En:A:lo<aedia of Reli?ion and E ;i:!006ol. %+@ <. .+2. + *ee C;a< er %,@ <<. %4% ff. 0%5.0

ri e@ o >no= ;e :;ild7! orY i! o >no= =;i:; an:e! or ;a! &rein:arna ed&. I i! o be no ed al!o ;a ;e &rein:arna ion& of an an:e! or i! >no=n a! YYAa o J Bo J 00&(urnin? o be a :;ild&@ or &be:oBin? in:arna e&. % I i! a>en a! a ?ood oBen in fulfilBen of ;e ble!!in? =;i:; ;e =ell0=i!;er! in$o>e u<on ;e !ur$i$or! =;o ;a$e !u::e!!fullA a::oB<li!;ed ;e burial and funeral ri e! of a <aren L A AK l7 Z J =Z J re J o00&MaA ;e 7 urn o be7 G:;ildrenH for Aou&D A Aa7Bo J fun o J o00& MaA ;e 7be:oBe7 :;ildren for Aou&. (;ere i! al!o ;e <raAer ;a A=AK a >\n orY e J ni o0&MaA ;i! 7 urnin?0 o0be7 G:;ildrenH fill ;e Ba Gin:rea!e and Bul i<lAH&. I =ould !eeB@ ;en@ ;a ;ere =e ;a$e a :lear belief ;a ;e an:e! or7! orY doe! ran!Bi?ra e in o ;e bodA of a ne= :rea ion. We are di!:on:er ed@ ;o=e$er@ bA ;e fa: ;a a::ordin? o ;i! !A! eB@ no one ?rand:;ild BaA ;a$e ;e Bono<olA of ;e an:e! ral orYD and in ;a :a!e =e ;a$e o :;oo!e be =een ;e iB<o!!ibili A of a ran!Bi?ra in? of

;e orY and ;e <o!!ibili A ;a ;e orY :an &dole ou & i !elf ad infini uB. 'ei ;er of =;i:; al erna i$e! a<<ear! o be leadin? u! anA=;ere. (;u! MYBo J orY or GbY?bZ J orY and YYAa o J Bo J :anno be a>en a! e! abli!;in? a belief in rein:arna ion in ;e e:;ni:al !en!e. All i a<<ear! o e! abli!; i! ;e belief in ;e :on:re e fa: ;a ;ere are :er ain doBinan linea?e :;ara: eri! i:! =;i:; >ee< re:urrin? ;rou?; bir ;! and ;u! en!urin? ;e :on inui A of ;e $i al eFi! en:e of ;e faBilA or :lan. (;i! $ie= i! !ub! an ia ed bA ;e fa: ;a i i! no un>no=n aBon? ;e Yoruba ;a ;e ora:le ;a! de:lared ;a a :;ild i! a & urnin?0 o0be& of a <er!on =;o i! ! ill li$in?L !u:; a <er!on i! >no=n a! A0f70aI>\0AK0&One =;o 7 urn!0 o0be7 Ga :;ildH =i ;ou dAin?&. W;en all ;e!e ;in?! ;a$e been !aid@ =e Bu! adBi @ in :on:lu!ion@ ;a ;ere are BanA ;in?! abou our!el$e! =;i:; =e do no Ae >no=. I BaA =ell be ;a in re?ard o ;i! Ba er ;ere are <o!!ibili ie! =;i:; are Ae beAond our :oB<re;en!ion. Le u! no e =i ; in ere! @ ;erefore@ #. W. ). MAer!7 ;A<o ;e!i! of ;e &!ubliBinal !elf&@ =;i:; WilliaB JaBe! Bodifie!@ and froB =;i:; ! eB! ;e idea & ;a ;ere i! Bore life in our o al !oul ;an =e are a=are of&D and ;a & ;erefore . . . !oBe o ;er <or ion of our !elf BaA rein:arna e&. + (;e naBe! BabVr\ndW0&#a ;er re urn!& and YW \ndW00&Mo ;er re urn!&@ and o ;er naBe! RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % GeoffreA "arrinder ran!la e! YYAK a! &(;e !;oo in? for ; of a bran:;& in ;i! We! Afri:an "!A:;olo?A G Lu er=or ;@ %52%H@ <. %+,. + We! Afri:an "!A:;olo?A@ bA E. GeoffreA "arrinder@ <. ++1. #or an illuBina in? di!:u!!ion on ;i! !ubEe: of ;e &!ubliBinal !elf&@ !ee (;e Reli?ion! Con!:iou!ne!!@ bA J. B. "ra G 'e= Yor>@ Ma:Billan@ %5.3H@ <<. .3 ff. 0%520

in ;e !aBe :a e?orA =;i:; !<e:ifA ;e re urn of <ar i:ular an:e! or!@ are $erA !u??e! i$e. #or =;ile GbY?bZ J orY and YYAa o J Bo J BaA in:lude !e$eral <er!on! a! &<ar ial0rein:arna ion!& o?e ;er of ;e !aBe an:e! or or an:e! re!!@ nei ;er of ;e!e naBe! i! re<ea ed in Bore ;an one :;ild. BabV \ndW i! ;e naBe of a babA boA born iBBedia elA af er ;e dea ; of ;i! ?randfa ;er and YW \ndW ;e naBe of ;e ?irl born iBBedia elA af er ;e dea ; of ;er ?randBo ;er. 'o o ;er :;ild af er ei ;er of ;e!e =o BaA bear BabV \ndW or YW \ndW Gor anA o ;er one of ;e naBe! =i ; ;e !aBe :onno a ionH in referen:e o ;e !aBe an:e! or or an:e! re!!. We Bu! :oBe ba:> o ;e <oin of ;i! di!:u!!ion@ =;i:; i! no ;e re!olu ion of a <aradoF bu ;e fa: ;a ;ere i! ;i! a<<aren <aradoF =;i:; i! one of ;e !olid ?round! on =;i:; ;e Yoruba ba!e ;eir belief in ;e :on:re e reali A of Af er0Life.

Our neF Cue! ion no= i!@ &W;ere i! i @ ;i! Af er0Life8& GenerallA@ one BaA !aA ;a ;ere are !li?; lA $arAin? o<inion! on ;e Ba er. (;ere are ;o!e =;o belie$e ;a o die i! onlA o :;an?e <la:e! on ;i! ear ;. (;e de:ea!ed :on inue! in eFi! en:e in ano ;er :oun rA or re?ion. far a=aA froB ;i! forBer one. )e !e le! do=n in ;i! ne= en$ironBen bA be?innin? life all o$er a?ainD ;e BaA ?e Barried and ;a$e :;ildren@ build ;ou!e!@ ! ar a bu!ine!! and :arrA on a ne=@ bu norBal@ eFi! en:e un il ;e ei ;er die! a?ain or Bo$e! be:au!e ;i! =;ereabou ! ;a$e been di!:o$ered bA <eo<le =;o >ne= ;iB in ;i! forBer life. * orie! in !u<<or of ;i! belief abound aBon? ;e Yoruba. I i!@ of :our!e@ a belief =;i:; !oBe =ould eF<lain a! re!ul in? froB & ;e <;an a!B of ;e dAin?&. A !li?; lA Bodified forB of ;i! belief i! ;a i i! onlA ;e =i:>ed and ;o!e =;o!e daA! on ear ; are no Ae fulfilled@ and@ ;erefore@ :anno be re:ei$ed ba:> in o ;ea$en@ =;o :on inue li>e ;a in !oBe <ar of ;e ear ;. (;i! eF<lain! ;o= ;e Bind of ;e Yoruba :ould a::oBBoda e ;e belief ;a AEiran % and Ile0I#5 J + and a fe= o ;er !<e:ial <la:e! in Yorubaland are d=ellin? <la:e! of ;e &de:ea!ed&. I <ar lA an!=er! ;e BaEor Cue! ion in$ol$ed in ;e belief of ;e Yoruba in ;e eFi! en:e of ElWr_ or EBOrO =;o are belie$ed o be ;e :au!e of ;e KbY>\ <;enoBenon@ , =;i:; i! ;e one :lear no ion of Be eB<!A:;o!i! in ;e belief of ;e Yoruba. (;e real or ;odoF belief of ;e Yoruba on ;e Ba er of Af er0Life@ ;o=e$er@ i! ;a ;ere i! a defini e <la:e@ o ;er ;an ;i! ear ;@ =;ere ;e RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er %,@ <<. %-% f. + *ee C;a< er +@ <<. %, f. , *ee C;a< er 5@ <. %+,. 0%530

de:ea!ed ?o. (;e ?eneral naBe for ;e <la:e i! P J run@ ;e ori?inal Beanin? of =;i:; a<<ear! o be & ;e fa:e of& and ;erefore & ;e <la:e of =or!;i<& and ;en:e@ ;e &abode of ;e Dei A&. % P J run in a ?eneral !en!e ;u! Bean! &)ea$en&@ or &"aradi!e&@ =;ere OlZdNBarO and ;e orI! J K d=ell. Wi ; referen:e o Af er0Life@ ;e Yoruba !<ea> of =o P J run. (;e fir! one i! P J run Rere@ P J run #unfun@ P J run BKbX ni00&Good P J run&@ &W;i e P J run&@ &Our #a ;er7! P J run&@ and ;e !e:ond i! P J run Buburu Gburu>uH@ P J run m<|dI00&Bad P J run&@ &P J run of "o !;erd!& + 00&(;i! i! a :ele! ial rubbi!;0;ea<@ li>e ;e Bidden0;ea< of e$erA $illa?e@ =;ere bro>en <o ! are ;ro=n . . .D or i BaA be :oB<ared o a >iln =;ere ;ere are :;arred fra?Ben ! of <o !@ ;o and drA&. ,

(;e de:ea!ed are allo:a ed o ei ;er of ;e =o <la:e! bA ;e de:idin? fa: or of Jud?Ben bA OlZdNBarO. We ;a$e alreadA ob!er$ed ;a one of ;e fa: or! =;i:; Ba>e! )iB an ur?en reali A o ;e Yoruba i! )i! iB<ar ial Eud?Ben . . I i! ;eir ! ron? :on$i: ion ;a !inner! =ill no ?o un<uni!;ed and ;a Eud?Ben a end! e$erA forB of !in. (;eA of en !aA of one =;o !uffer! =i ;ou relief@ ]D=K ry J q l7 o nf7 IAK E_ J 00&I i! ;i! :;ara: er ;a brin?! affli: ion u<on ;iB&D or AP Bo J o;un Y Z i ! J e Y lZ J run nfi e J ?ba ry J q nK a00&We do no >no= ;e rea!on =;A OlZdNBarO affli: ! ;iB&. Bu ;e Eud?Ben =;i:; ;e Yoruba fear! Bo! i! ;e one =;i:; a=ai ! e$erA <er!on@ fir! a ;e end of life on ear ;@ in$ol$in? ;e a?onA of dAin?@ and ;en in Af er0Life =;en ;e final $erdi: of OlZd\BarO =ill be >no=n. (;e Yoruba =ill Cuo e fri?; ful eFaB<le! of <er!on! =;o!e end! on ear ; =ere ra?i: in :on!eCuen:e of ;eir bad :;ara: er. *oBe of ;e!e ;ad a<<eared o e$ade ;e :on!eCuen:e! of ;eir a: ion!D bu a! ;e end of ;eir li$e! dre= near@ ;eA ;ad been $i!i ed bA :er ain ad$er!i ie! li>e =re :;ed blindne!! or lo!!e! of fa$ouri e :;ildren@ and ;ad ended finallA =i ; Bi!erable dea ;! and un:ereBonial burial!. (;ere =ere !oBe of ;eB =;o ;ad been ! un? bA !o Bu:; reBor!e and a<<alled bA ;e an i:i<a ion of =;a Bi?; be a=ai in? ;eB a ;e o ;er end ;a @ durin? ;eir dea ;0 ;roe!@ ;eA ;ad in$olun arilA Bade de ailed :onfe!!ion! of ;eir <a! =i:>edne!!. #or ;i! rea!on@ =;ene$er RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er 5@ <. %+4. + I !eeB! ;a ;e no ion of P J run inV00&;ell of fire&00i! no ori?inallA Yoruba and ;a! been in rodu:ed bA I!laB and C;ri! iani A. , We! Afri:an "!A:;olo?A@ <. %14. . *ee C;a< er! 2@ <. .+D and %+@ <<. %.- ff. 0%540

;e Yoruba ;in> of ;e end@ ;eA ;in> =i:e before ;eA a: . )ere are =o Cuo a ion! froB ;e OdN :or<u!00 era0BWEIL IrZ J <Y<a >I 7=i<e >7 a Ba l7 o=Z l7 Z J =Z J @ Ily J q dYdK >I 7=i<e >7 a B| d7 K?bK@ C J N?b n o J EZ J K0 i0!Nn l7 e J bo J . LAin? doe! no debar one froB be:oBin? ri:;@ Co$enan 0brea>in? doe! no debar one froB rea:;in? old a?eD Bu ;e daA of !lee<in?@ ;ere a=ai ! roubleQ P J Ay J q>e0BWEIL

c7 e J ni ;N 7=K ?by J qdy J q?by J qdy J q@ c7 e J ni lO >N <y J ql_ J <y J ql_ J D c7 o J Bo J e J ni lO n7 o J =Z J ?bo J ?bo J ?bo J Le 7ni !in. Le u! be;a$e ?en lA@ (;a =e BaA die <ea:efullAD (;a our :;ildren BaA ! re :; ou ;eir ;and! U<on u! in burial. We ;a$e Ben ioned A>ae00&I 0i!0 abu&@ ;e <er!onali!ed re ribu i$e <rin:i<le !e in o<era ion bA OlZdNBarO o ra:> do=n ;e !inner. % O ;er naBe! for ;iB are lW J !an00&(;e A$en?er&@ AblrO00&)e0=;oCuerie!&. In one of ;e!e ;ree :a<a:i ie!@ ;e Banife! ! ;iB!elf in an unBi! a>able =aA o ;e !inner. An OdN under Iry J q y J q0d ;a! ;e !aAin?@ lW J !an a !an@ V@ >7 K ! J Ki !VnD AbOrO a blrO@ >7 K ! J Ki brO O dV fun P J runBIlK (7 Z ! J e >Il J >Il J fun o J Bo J ry J q (7 a>o J 7 abo. (;e A$en?er =ill a$en?e@ ;e :anno bu a$en?eD )e0=;o0Cuerie! =ill CuerA@ ;e :anno bu CuerA@ (;i! i! ;e ora:le7! de:lara ion for P J runBilK W;o ?a$e ! ri: =arnin? o ;i! :;ildren@ Male and feBale. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er %+@ <. %.3. 0%5-0

W;en ;e <er!on rea:;e! Af er0Life@ ;ere ;e fa:e! ;e final Eud?Ben . )e ;a! no= o ?i$e an a::oun of ;o= ;e ;a! u!ed ;i! ear ;lA life@ <ar i:ularlA =i ; referen:e o ;i! :;ara: er. (;e Eud?Ben i! before OlZdNBarO@ al ;ou?; i i! !oBe iBe! !aid ;a i =ill a>e <la:e before bK VlV@ =;i:; :oBe! o ;e !aBe ;in?@ !in:e bK VlV i! onlA a de<u A of OlZdNBarO. Gbo?bo o;un i a bV ! J e l7 aiAe@ L7 a o >unly J q rP l7 Z J run. All ;a =e do on ear ;@ We !;all a::oun for >neelin? in ;ea$en.

A Z ro 7EZ J l7 y J ! q y J q dNBKrO. or A Z ro 7EZ J l7 W J !y J q P J bK ala l7 o J run. We !;all ! a e our :a!e a ;e fee of OlZdNBarO. or We !;all ! a e our :a!e before bK VlV in ;ea$en. (;u!@ a <er!on i! allo:a ed a <la:e in ;e ?ood P J run@ ;e P J run of ;e #a ;er!@ or :on!i?ned o ;e P J run of <o !;erd! a::ordin? o ;e $erdi: of OlZdNBarO (;a i! ;i! final de! inA. In :on:lu!ion@ le u! :on!ider ;e Cuali A of life in ;e Af er0Life. GenerallA@ ;e Yoruba ;in> ;a ;e =i:>ed Ban !uffer! endle!! =re :;edne!! in ;i! P J run. Life ;ere a<<ear! drearA and no e$en u< o ;e ! andard of ;e =or! on ;i! ear ;. In ;e final =ord! of fare=ell o ;e de:ea!ed@ =e :a :; a ;in of =;a i i! li>eL MV BK E7 J >Nn@ MV BK E7 e>Pl@ O;un i n=o J n nEe l7 P J run@ 'i >Y o B bV =o J n Ee J . Be !ure Aou do no feed on :en i<ede!@ Be !ure Aou do no feed on ear ;=orB!@ W;a <eo<le feed on in P J run@ (;a !;ould Aou feed on. (;a Bean! ;a ;e !;ould ?o o ;ea$en =;ere ;e in;abi an ! feed on ?ood ;in?! and no o ;e =ron? <la:e. (o ;i! !oBe =ill re<lAD 0%550

MV E7 J >Nn@ MV E7 e>Pl@ IlW aiAW ni 7 i 7ba ni 7lo J . Do no feed on :en i<ede!@ Do no feed on ear ;=orB!Q (;a de<end! on one7! :;ara: er =;ile on ear ;. (;e $a?ue ;in of Be aBor<;o!i! or ran!Bi?ra ion of !oul!@ =;i:; are bo ; do: rine! alien o ;e Yoruba@ ! ri: lA !<ea>in?@ i! found in ;i! :onne: ion. A<ar froB ;e <o!!ibili A of a life of unrelie$ed =re :;edne!!@ ;ere i! al!o ;e <o!!ibili A of one7! be:oBin? ran!Bu ed in o a lo=er :rea ure. (;ere i! a Yoruba dir?e =;i:; !aA!L

O >\ Vn@ O d7 e=\rW J ol\0E70e=WD O >\ Vn@ O d7 K?N Kn olN0E7iB J D O >\ Vn@ O d7 alB J i 7Ee J un l7 W J b P?iri. )e i! dead@ )e be:oBe! a ?oa ;a feed! on lea$e!D )e i! dead@ )e be:oBe! a !;ee< ;a feed! on <alB0lea$e!D )e i! dead@ )e be:oBe! a liSard ;a feed! alon? ;e =all!. A<ar froB ;e ;in of Eud?Ben @ ;ere i! al!o in ;i! a no e of un:er ain A abou ;e lo of ;e de:ea!edD for ;i! dir?e i! of en of a <ie:e =i ; ;e one Cuo ed iBBedia elA before i @ ;a one :oBin? a i ! ail end. On ;e =;ole@ ;o=e$er@ ;e Yoruba i! defini e abou ;e final lo of ;e ?ood. (;eA ?o o ;e Good P J run. A! ;eA en er ;rou?; ;e ?a e! all ;eir rela i$e! and a!!o:ia e! =;o ;a$e ?one before :oBe o Bee ;eB in reEoi:in? =el:oBe. If a <er!on =a! ?enuinelA <ro!<erou! and ;a<<A on ear ;@ ;e life in ;ea$en =ill be for ;iB an enlar?ed :o<A of ;i! forBer ;a<<A one. In fa: @ life in P J run i! ;e lar?er and freer :o<A of ;i! one@ Binu! all ;e ear ;lA !orro=! and oil!@ =i ; aBeni ie! for <ea:eful enEoABen :on!iderablA en;an:ed. (;e :;oi:e! benefi of ?e in? o ;ea$en for ;e Yoruba i! ;a ;eA =ill be:oBe reuni ed =i ; ;eir rela i$e! and a!!o:ia e! =;o ;a$e ?one before. 0+110

P J run BKb| ni i!@ ;erefore@ a <la:e =;ere ;e =earA are a re! and ;e ?ood enEoA in ;e :oB<anA of ;eir o=n >in ;e re=ard of ?oodne!!. (;i! i! :er ainlA !oBe ;in? =;i:; ?i$e! :onfiden:e and :oBfor a! one :on!ider! ;e end of life. Wi ; ;i! belief@ ;e ?ood Yoruba :an fa:e ;e <ro!<e: of Af er0Life =i ; lon?in?@ >no=in? ;a P J run i! onlA ;e <la:e =;ere ;e =ill li$e ane=@ and ;a ba:> &A )oBe& I>\ <a AbYrY@ AbYrY >\@ ni >P !i n>anD I>\ <a AbIra@ AbIrar7 J run@ ni >P !i n>anD Ibi Y I>\ i <a P J ?YnY LVi e J iAe J 7P de by J q Ee J ! J I Nn n=i<W >P !i n>anQ

'=o J n ni@ cP !i n>anL C J e A=o >I 7>\ A=o >I 7rNn '! J e l7 a=o Bax nlo J !i ] unlK ] unlK@ ilW a=o. I>\ !le= AbYrY@ AbYrY died@ You !aA ;ere7! no ;in? =ron?D I>\ !le= AbYrY@ AbYrY =en o ;ea$enD You !aA ;ere7! no ;in? =ron?D (;e <la:e =;ere I>\ !le= P J ?YnY 'e$er a?ain do bird! ?o ;ere o feedD You ! ill !aA ;ere7! no ;in? =ron?Q (;eA an!=er@ &(;ere7! no ;in? =ron?L #or ;e ini ia e ne$er die!@ (;e ini ia e ne$er !ee! :orru< ion@ (;e ini ia e onlA ?oe! o ] unlK@ % ] unlK@ ;e ;oBe of ;e ini ia e&. + RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % ] unlK Bean! &"la:e of endle!!@ rue li$in?& or &"la:e of rene=ed li$in?&. + &A=o&00&(;e ini ia e0in0BA! erA&00i!@ ! ri: lA !<ea>in?@ a BeBber of one of ;e !e:re !o:ie ie!. I Bean! in ;i! :on eF ;o!e =;o ;a$e >no=n ;e !e:re of li$in? and ;a$e ;erefore :ondu: ed ;eir li$e! !u::e!!fullA. 0+1%0

%2 CaBbio o De:aiBien o8 En oda! <ar e! de e! e libro@ un ;e:;o !e de! a:a :on la :laridad ineCuY$o:aL e! de:ir OlZdNBar O e! de $i al@ ab!olu aBen e indi!<en!able@ la iB<or an:ia al Yoruba. E! V bien Cue e! o ;a !ido a:en uadoD <orCue de e! e Bodo ;eBo! $i! o la Eu! i:ia ;e:;a a un #a: or e!en:ial <or el :ual la $ida A la :reen:ia del Yoruba ad;ieren A ienen el !u! en oD <or ello ;eBo! $enido al :ono:iBien o indudable Cue e! o e! una no:iZn in:orre: a <ara de!:ribir o referir!e a OlZdNBar O de :ualCuier Bodo Cue !u?iere Cue ~l !ea un deu! in:er u! o deu! reBo u!@ Aa Cue ~l e! an ur?en eBen e $erdadero. A :on!e:uen:ia de la <o!i:iZn A el e! ado de OlZdNBar O@ A <rueba! aadida! Cue ;eBo! Eun ado@ <odeBo! :on el <redi:ado de :onfianSa Cue la reli?iZn del Yoruba era@ o :on!i! iZ en@ & un Mono eY!Bo "riBi i$o &. 'o aBo! :on el in erW! Cue o ro!

in$e! i?adore! an e! de no!o ro! ;an !ido enfren ado! eF raordinariaBen e <or e! e ;e:;o. % La <re?un a del ori?en ;i! Zri:o de e! e Bono eY!Bo@ o de :oBo &<uro& era al <rin:i<io@ e! uno ba! an e di!:u ible <ara <er!e?uir@ uno Cue e! ba! an e :a<aS de <er$er!iZn de no!o ro! en un <VraBo de eorYa! A :onEe ura!. *in eBbar?o@ eneBo! :ada :onfianSa en la de:lara:iZn :a e?Zri:aBen e Cue el ori?en \l iBo de un :on:e< oGuna :on:e<:iZnH an al o no <uede !er nin?uno o ro Cue la re$ela:iZn de Dio! $i$o ~l Bi!Bo Tue nun:a !e ;a deEadoGabandonadoH !in el e! i?oG e! iBonioH en nin?una edad o ?enera:iZn. en :uan o a la <re?un a de !u <ureSa <riBi i$a@ !Zlo <odeBo! re<e ir aCuY Cue ;aA BaAore! de Yoruba Cue ienen la no:iZn Cue la Bu:;eduBbre de la! di$inidade! Cue a;ora ;abi an !u <an eZn e! un auBen o <o! erior el efe: o de :ual no o alBen e ;a !ido a la $en aEa de !u reli?iZn. + A ;eBo! iB<li:ado la <o!ibilidad Cue la <o!i:iZn <re!en e en :ual OlZdNBar O a<are:e en el !i! eBa e! un de!arrollo <o! erior :uando de:laraBo! Cue e! o e! una refleFiZn del Bodelo !o:ial del Yoruba. , A;ora@ !i la reli?iZn :oBo e! a;ora e! una !alida <ara el <eor RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % #ai ;@ #an:ie!@ and #e i:;@ bA *. *. #arro= G*.".C.c.@ %5+3H@ <<. +, ff. and %24. + C;a< er 4@ <<. 3- ff. , C;a< er %%@ <<. %.% f. 0+1+0

<riBi i$e ! a e of <uri A@ our neF a!!i?nBen i! o find ou ;e :au!e of i ! re ro?re!!ion. #roB =;a =e >no= of ;e =;ole !A! eB@ i a<<ear! ;a i ! Bain =ea>ne!! i! ;a ;e !ole re<o!i orie! of i ! do: rine! and radi ion! are ;e <rie! ! u<on =;o!e indi$idual :;ara: er or :alibre de<end! i ! orderin?. And ;e!e <rie! ! are ?uided in ;eir a!> bA !e$eral Bo i$e! =;i:; ran?e in de!:endin? order of iB<or an:e froB !<iri ual a=arene!!@ :ul i: eFi?en:ie! or eF<edien:ie!@ !o:ial :on in?en:ie!@ :lan a!!er i$ene!!@ o <er!onal <rofi . (;i! Ba>e! i <o!!ible for ;eB o Bul i<lA :ul ! in !u:; a =aA ;a =e ;a$e odaA a <an ;eon of innuBerable di$ini ie!. % (;e <rie! ! a: ed on ;e iB<ul!e of ;eir ?uidin? Bo i$e!@ and ;e <eo<le =;o Bu! =or!;i< and be led in !<iri ual Ba er!

follo= a! a Ba er of :our!e ;e onlA lead a$ailable o ;eB. (;ere aro!e no &<ro<;e !& o a=a>en and >ee< ali$e in ;e <eo<le ;e !en!e of ;e <riBi i$e <uri A of ;eir reli?ion and !a$e ;e reli?ion froB ;e re ro?re!!ion =;i:; ;u! be:aBe ine$i able. (;i! la:> of <ro<;e:A a! a ;in? =;i:; ! and! a<ar froB ;e !e 0u< of :ul ! =i ; ;e Bain fun: ion of eB<;a!i!in? =i ; rei era ed for:e ;a =;i:; i! ;e !ub! an:e of ;e reli?ion@ i! our Bain eF<lana ion of ;e fa e =;i:; ;a! no= o$er a>en i . Under ;e <re!en :ir:uB! an:e!@ i i! ra ;er dubiou! if =e :ould !<ea> &of ;e reli?ion of ;e Yoruba& a! a <re:i!e erB. W;a =e ;a$e !eeB! o be a BiFed ba? of indi$idual :ul ! ou of =;i:; e$erAone :;oo!e! a::ordin? o linea?e or faBilA radi ion!@ or a! ;e :ir:uB! an:e! of life di: a e. + 'e$er ;ele!!@ ;e one &Ba?& =;i:; ;old! ;e indi$idual :ul ! o?e ;er Gif =e BaA :on inue ;e Be a<;orH i! OlZdNBarO. (;u!@ if =e !<ea> of &(;e reli?ion of ;e Yoruba&@ =e :an onlA do !o in referen:e o ;e fa: ;a OlZdNBarO i! ;e :ore =;i:; ?i$e! Beanin? and :o;eren:e o ;e =;ole !A! eB. (;i! i! =;a ;e Yoruba ;eB!el$e! =ill !aA if ;eA are o de!:ribe ;eir reli?ion in a <re:i!e erB. (;e :oB<li:a ion in$ol$ed in all ;a =e ;a$e !aid !o far Ba>e! ;e Cue! ion of =;a naBe o ?i$e o ;e reli?ion ra ;er deba able. &"olA ;ei!B& i! :er ainlA no ;e !ui able naBe@ ;o=e$er Bu:; ;e a<<earan:e of ;in?! BaA !u??e! i D for@ ! ri: lA !<ea>in?@ &<olA ;ei!B& <re!u<<o!e! a <an ;eon in =;i:; OlZdNBarO =ould be one G=;a e$er )i! ! a u!H aBon? BanA@ =;erea! )e i! no . , )e i! a<ar a! &=;ollA o ;er&@ )i! rela ion!;i< o ;e di$ini ie! bein? ;a of ;e !o$erei?n A bA =;i:; )e order! )i! doBinion in =;i:; ;eA are in:luded. * ri: lA !<ea>in?@ no di$ini A of ;e Yoruba <an ;eon :an fulfil a :a<ri:iou! =ill unle!! ;e i! <erBi ed o do !o bA OlZdNBarO@ =;e ;er bA dire: au ;ori!a ion or RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % C;a< er 4@ <. 35. + *ee C;a< er %,. , *ee C;a< er 4@ <. 3+. 0+1,

bA :onni$an:e. A bo oB@ a! =e ;a$e ob!er$ed@ ;e !oul of ;e reli?ion@ ;a =;i:; Ba>e! i a :o;eren =;ole@ i! ;e Bono ;ei!B =;i:; i! iB<lied in OlZdNBarO. Bu !in:e ;a Bono ;ei!B ;a! been a enua ed ;rou?; ;e BanA di$ini ie! =;o!e :ul ! forB ;e obEe: i$e <;enoBena of ;e reli?ion@ ;e Ba er of findin? a de!:ri< i$e naBe for i ;a! been a <robleB for ;one! and :on!:ien iou! in$e! i?a or!. GeoffreA "arrinder@ =;en fa:ed =i ; ;i! <robleB@ !aA!@ &I =ould be u!eful o de$i!e a erB =;i:; =ould deno e reli?ion! ;a ;a$e a !u<reBe God and al!o =or!;i< o ;er ?od!.& % #or ;e <ur<o!e of a de!:ri< i$e label@ =e =ould li>e o !u??e! !u:; a ! ar lin? ;in? a! &Diffu!ed Mono ;ei!B&L ;i! ;a! ;e ad$an a?e of !;o=in? ;a ;e reli?ion i! Bono ;ei!B@

;ou?; i i! a Bono ;ei!B in =;i:; ;e ?ood Dei A dele?a e! :er ain <or ion! of )i! au ;ori A o :er ain di$ine fun: ionarie! =;o =or> a! ;eA are :oBBi!!ioned bA )iB. #or a <ro<er naBe =e un;e!i a in?lA !aA ;a ;ere :an be none o ;er bu &OloduBarei!B&. (;e =orld i! alreadA :ro=ded =i ; &i!B!&@ =e >no=D bu ;i! i! a $i allA Beanin?ful one o a<<re:ia e ;e full iB<or of =;i:; =ill benefi ;e =orld iBBea!urablA. Be!ide! ;e in ernal =ea>ne!! =;i:; Ba>e! for i ! re ro?re!!ion@ ;e reli?ion of ;e Yoruba ;a! been affe: ed bA ;e in:ur!ion! of =o =orld reli?ion!00C;ri! iani A and I!laB00=;i:; :aBe in o ;e :oun rA =i ; ;eir a endan :ul ure!. I i! diffi:ul a ;e BoBen o !aA eFa: lA =;en ;e =o reli?ion! fir! Bade ;eir :on a: ! =i ; ;e :oun rAD ;eir :oBin? i! bound u< =i ; ;e earlA ;i! orA of ;e Yoruba@ ;e Ba erial for =ri in? =;i:; ;e ;i! orian! are ! ill :olle: in?. Bu a! =e ! udA ;e reli?ion and :ul ure of ;e Yoruba@ =e :oBe u<on :er ain eleBen ! =;i:; a<<ear o u! o be forei?n o ;e ?eneral :;ara: er of ;eir radi ion!. Le u! a>e =o iB<or an eFaB<le!. #ir! =e !;all loo> a ;e :ul of Ol\oro?bo + in Ile0I#5 J . (;e ! orA of ;i! di$ini A i! :onne: ed =i ; an ;i! ori:al :ri!i! in ;e life of ;e I#5 J . Be =een ;e I#5 J and ;e I?bP ;ere ;ad been :on inual =arfare in :on!eCuen:e of =;i:; ;e forBer =ere !ubEu?a ed. (;i! =a! no be:au!e in <;A!i:al for:e ;e I?bP =ere !u<erior o ;e I#5 J @ bu be:au!e ;e I?bP a<<eared ea:; iBe o ;a$e :er ain !u<erna ural allie! fi?; in? for ;eBD and@ of :our!e@ ;e a<<earan:e of ;e!e u!uallA !:ared a=aA ;e I#5 J =arrior! or :rea ed in ;eB !u:; fear! a! <aralA!ed ;eir for:e!. (;ere ;a<<ened o be one I#5 J =oBan@ Mo J rOBi bA naBe@ =;o ;ad RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % Reli?ion In An Afri:an Ci A G O.U.".@ %52,H@ <. %%. + *ee C;a< er -@ <. %12. 0+1.

:au!e o !u!<e: ;a ;e &!u<erna ural& allie! of ;e I?bP =ere no a! un;unBn a! ;eA loo>edL ;ere =a! a ru!e !oBe=;ere@ and if ;a ru!e :ould be found ou @ ;e I?bP =ould be ea!ilA fore! alled and defea ed. (;u! !;e de:ided ;a ;e ri:> Bu! be >no=n and a!!i?ned ;er!elf ;e diffi:ul and <erilou! a!> of findin? i ou . In <re<ara ion for ;er en er<ri!e@ !;e =en o ;e ri$er E!InBIrIn and Bade a :o$enan =i ; i ! di$ini A ;a if ;e ?a$e ;er !u::e!! in ;er $en ure@ !;e =ould Ba>e ;iB ;e :;oi:e! offerin? on ;er re urn. (;i! :on:luded@ !;e ?o ;er!elf :a< ured bA ;e I?bPD and be:au!e !;e =a! a =oBan of ! ri>in? lo$eline!!@ !;e readilA found fa$our =i ; ;eir >in? o =;oB !;e be:aBe a fa$ouri e =ife. Wi ; ;i! $an a?e <o!i ion !e:ured@ !;e found ;e re! of ;er

=or> ea!AD bA !u:; in?enui A a! onlA a =oBan of ;er :alibre >no=! ;o= o eB<loA@ !;e !oon learn ;e =aA! and =i!doB of ;e <eo<le@ aBon? =;i:; =a! ;e obEe: of ;er en er<ri!e00 ;e &BA! eriou!& ! ra a?eB =;i:; ;ad re<ea edlA =on ;e I?bP ;eir $i: orA o$er ;e I#5 J . )a$in? a::oB<li!;ed ;er end@ !;e e!:a<ed and =en ba:> o Ile0I#5 J =;ere !;e au?; ;er <eo<le ;a ;eir re<lA o ;e neF a a:> bA ;e I?bP !;ould be li?; ed or:;e!@ be:au!e ;eir ! ra a?eB :on!i! ed BainlA in Ba!Cueradin? a nuBber of ;eir =arrior! under a :o$erin? of ?ra!! and ;u! Ba>in? ;eB loo> un;uBan. (;e I#5 J :onfiden lA a=ai ed ;e neF a a:> bA ;e I?bP and ;in?! =or>ed ou a! dire: ed bA Mo J rOBi@ =i ; ;e re!ul ;a ;e I?bP =ere :oB<le elA rou ed and !ubEu?a ed. Mo J rOBi no= =en o ;e ri$er E!InBIrIn o fulfil ;er $o=. A::ordin? o ;e ora:le@ ;e onlA offerin? ;a ;e ri$er di$ini A =ould a::e< =a! ;er onlA !on@ Ol\oro?bo. )iB !;e offered@ ;erefore. Ol\oro?bo ro!e froB ;e dead@ ;o=e$er@ and =en bA a ro<e o ;ea$en. (;ere ;a$e been $ariou! :oBBen ! on ;i! ! orA. Le u! Cuo e froB ;e Bore re:en one!. *. O. Bioba>u ;in>! ;a &Mo J rOBi !ound! !u!<i:iou!lA li>e MariaB Gor MarAH and Bi?; =ell be Je<; ;a; or Delila;D and ;e !a:rifi:e of an onlA !on =;o ro!e froB dea ; re:all! Je!u! C;ri! and ;e C;ri! ian ! orA of ;e redeB< ion of Ban&. % ). U. Beier@ on ;e o ;er ;and@ =arn! ;a & ;e !a:rifi:e of ;e onlA !on i! no ;in? <e:uliar o Yoruba BA ;olo?A or C;ri! ian. . . . (;e re!eBblan:e be =een ;e naBe! of Mo J rOBi and MarA doe! no !eeB $erA :on$in:in?&. + *o Bu:; for ;e re<re!en a i$e o<inion! of in$e! i?a or! on ;e !ubEe: . W;a i! ;e a: ual belief of ;e Yoruba in referen:e o ;e ! orA8 (;e Yoruba belie$e ;a Oloro?bo i! indeed a !a$iour of ;i! <eo<le. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % ODU G Journal of Yoruba and Rela ed * udie!@ JanuarA %522@ 'o. %H@ <. %3. + O<. :i .@ <. %5. 0+120

Bu ;e =;ole !e 0u< of ;i! :ul i! $erA !u??e! i$e of C;ri! ian influen:e. )i! <rie! of en rela e! abou ;iB ! orie! =;i:; are iden i:al =i ; or@ a lea! @ $erA !iBilar o@ ;o!e abou Je!u! C;ri! . Ol\oro?bo i! de!:ribed a! On7i=e J run00&(;e boo>i!; one =;o i! in ;ea$en& be:au!e@ a::ordin? o ;e oral radi ion!@ ;e =a! ;e ori?ina or of boo>! and of =ri in?. (;erefore@ a <ar of ;e ri ual a ;i! !;rine i! o !:ra :; ;e ?round in iBi a ion of =ri in?.

(;ere i! no doub abou ;e e$iden:e@ ;en@ ;a ;e :ul of Ol\oro?bo BaA ;a$e been :oloured bA a forei?n eleBen =;i:; $erA li>elA =a! C;ri! iani A. (;i! refer! u! o our !u??e! ion in C;a< er - ;a Ol\oro?bo i! <robablA a de$elo<Ben froB ~ J lK. % (;ere BaA =ell be !oBe ;in? in ;e !u??e! ion of R. E. Denne ;a ;ere =ere <robablA a one iBe in Ile0I#5 J =o :;ur:;e!@ one dedi:a ed o MarA and one o Je!u! C;ri! . + 'eF @ le u! :on!ider ;e :ul of orI! J K0nlV. We are old ;a in IleI#5 J @ one of ;e eBbleB! in ;e !;rine of ;i! ar:;0di$ini A of Yorubaland u!ed o be a &bundle& Bade u< of boo>!. Durin? ;e earlA Bornin? <ro:e!!ion =;i:; o<en! ;e annual fe! i$al@ ;e <rie! ! !;ou a in er$al!. O r7 iAO0W8 IAO rY o J 8 , GO r7 I= ]= ri o J H &Do Aou !ee boo>!8& &Do boo>! !ee Aou8& (;i!@ =e are old i! an ob!:ure referen:e o ;e bundle of boo>! =;i:; u!ed o be :arried in ;e <ro:e!!ion. I =ould be ;e !aBe bundle of boo>! =;i:; ;a! been referred o a! ]DdI in :onne: ion =i ; ;e earlA ;i! orA of ;e Yoruba. . An I#5 J inforBan rela ed ;a =;en ;e =a! a ! uden of ;e di$ini A !:;ool a cude J I in Ibadan@ ;e =a! <re!en ed =i ; a boo> a>en ou of ;e !;rine of orI! J K0nlV bA a <rie! =;o a::oB<anied ;e ?if =i ; ;e reBar>@ &(;i! i! one of ;e ;in?! =e =or!;i< ;ere&. )e :laiBed o ;a$e re:o?ni!ed ;e boo> a! a Bible =ri en in a &! ran?e& :;ara: er =;i:; ;e ;ou?; =a! )ebre= or Gree>. )o=e$er@ ;e >e< ;e boo> for a lon? iBe un il an un!:ru<ulou! in$e! i?a or =i ; =;oB ;e ;ad :lo!e dealin?! ! ole i froB ;iBQ 2 Abou boo>! in ;e eB<le of orI! J K0nlV in Ile0I#5 J =e ;a$e Bade a :lo!e in$e! i?a ion re:en lA@ and i doe! no !eeB ;a ;ere are anA Bore boo>! o be found ;ere. (;ere i! ano ;er <ie:e of e$iden:e =;i:; i! ;i! ori:allA !i?nifi:an . RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % <<. %1% f. + 'i?erian * udie! G London@ Ma:Billan@ %5%1H@ <. +.. , (;i! >ind of !;ou i! an eleBen in a ri ual <ro:e!!ion in Yorubaland =;en !a:red :ul obEe: ! =;i:; ;e unini ia ed Bu! no !ee are bein? :arried in ;e <ro:e!!ion. (;e /?bZni :ul in Abe J o>u a and IEebuland i! $erA Bu:; no ed for ;i!. (;e !;ou i! o =arn ;e unini ia ed o >ee< a=aA a! ;e =ould be in dan?er of ;i! life bA loo>in? un=or ;ilA a ;e !a:ra. . (;e ;i! orA of ;e Yoruba! G La?o!@ C.M.*. Boo>!;o<@ %5,4H@ <<. . and 4. 2 (;ere =a! Bu:; <ilferin? of reli:! in ;i! :oun rA in ;e <a! . 0+130

In Ile0I#5 J @ ;ere are =o lo:ali ie! =;i:; are :alled re!<e: i$elA />O I K<|00&(;e )ill of Re$ol &@ and />O ]DlWrY00&(;e )ill of ;e 6o=&D and ;i! i! ;e ! orA of ;o= ;eA re:ei$ed ;eir naBe!. (;ere :aBe in o Ile0I#5 J a reli?ion or :ul ure =;i:; for a <ainful <eriod e:li<!ed ;e reli?ion of ;e land be:au!e ;o!e =;o brou?; i alon? =ere Bore <o=erful ;an ;e indi?enou! <eo<le. G(;i! BaA $erA li>elA ;a$e referen:e o !oBe ;in? of a differen ori?in froB ;e OdNd\=K :ul . % We ;a$e a ! ron? !u!<i:ion ;a ;i! reli?ion =a! C;ri! iani A or !oBe ;in? =i ; a ! ron? in?e of i !in:e@ a::ordin? o radi ion@ i i! $erA Bu:; :onne: ed =i ; &boo>!&.H )o=e$er@ ;e I#5 J onlA bore ;e

iB<o!i ion ?rud?in?lA un il ;eA =ere ! ron? enou?; o :a! off i ! Ao>e. W;en ;eA =ere !ure ;a ;eA :ould do ;i! !u::e!!fullA@ ;eA a<<oin ed a daA on =;i:; ;eA all a!!eBbled and unaniBou!lA oo> a re!olu ion ;a ;eA re<udia ed ;e alien ;in?. I i! ;e !<o on =;i:; ;e re!olu ion =a! re?i! ered ;a i! :alled />O I K<|@ =;i:; !i?nifie! ;a i =a! ;ere ;a ;e I#5 J re$ol ed a?ain! ;e alien iB<o!i ion. #roB />O I K<|@ ;eA <ro:eeded in a bodA o ano ;er :;o!en !<o =;ere ;eA &burn & G!oBe elder! !aA &buried&H all ;e a$ailable li era ure in ;e o=n. Af er ;i! ;olo:au! of boo>!@ ;eA unaniBou!lA Bade a !oleBn $o= ;e <ur<o!e of =;i:; =a! o !eal ;e re!olu ion alreadA Bade on />O I K<|. )en:e ;e !e:ond <la:e i! :alled />O ]DlWrY00&(;e )ill of ;e 6o=&. (o Bar> ;i! final brea> =i ; ;e alien ;in? and a re urn o ;eir o=n indi?enou! :ul @ ;e I#5 J iBBedia elA e! abli!;ed ;e eB<le of orI! J K0nlV@ ;e ar:;0di$ini A@ on />O I K<| and ;ere i ! and! odaA. Abou ;e a: ual :on a: of Bi!!ion! =i ; 'i?eria of =;i:; =e ;a$e re:ord!@ ;ere are ;e follo=in? fa: !. G. ". Gro$e! !<ea>! of ;e Bi!!ionarA a: i$i ie! of ;e "or u?ue!e and of ;e *<ani!; in Benin be =een %.-2 and %322. + *o doe! ;e En:A:lo<aedia of Reli?ion and E ;i:! !<ea> of Bi!!ionarA a: i$i ie! in Benin@ An?ola@ U<<er and Lo=er Guinea@ a abou ;e !aBe iBe. , I i! no unli>elA ;a raBifi:a ion! of ;o!e earlA Bi!!ion! rea:;ed ;e Yoruba :oun rA@ <ar i:ularlA Ile0I#5 J @ =;i:; i! onlA %-1 Bile! a=aA froB Benin. 'e$er ;ele!!@ =e ;a$e o a>e in o a::oun ;e o<inion of !u:; an au ;ori A a! Leon Under=ood . ;a I#5 J ar i! <rior and !u<erior o ;a of Benin@ and ;a Benin ar a<<ear! o ;a$e been a de$elo<Ben of ;a of ;e !:;ool of I#5 J . W;en =e :oBbine ;i! =i ; ;e ! orA of ;e de! ru: ion of boo>! rela ed abo$e@ i !eeB! :lear ;a a :oB<le elA RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er ,@ <<. ++ ff. + (;e "lan in? of C;ri! iani A in Afri:a G London@ Lu er=or ;@ %5.-H@ <. %+4. , 6ol. -@ <. 4++. . BronSe! of We! Afri:a G (iran i@ %5.5H. 0+140

!e<ara e :on a: froB ou !ide ;ad rea:;ed Ile0I#5 J !e$eral ;undred Aear! a?o. (;i! i! no o !u??e! ;a ;e ori?in of ;e li era ure !;ould ne:e!!arilA be iden i:al =i ; ;a of ;e bronSe!. One Cue! ion =;i:; ! ill baffle! in$e! i?a ion i! ;a of ;e eF in: ion of !:ul< or! and ar i! ! !u:; a! <rodu:ed ;e =or>! =;i:; are no= bein? eF:a$a ed in Ile0I#5 J . In :onne: ion =i ; ;i!@ ;ere i! an in ere! in? ! orA old bA !oBe I#5 J elder!. I i! !aid ;a ;e !:ul< or! and ar i! ! u!ed o be in a :la!! bA ;eB!el$e!@ forBin? a >ind of linea?e ?uild. And ;eA u!ed o Ba>e no onlA bronSe or erra:o a ;ead!@ bu al!o

!iSeable and life0li>e effi?ie! of >in?!. % I ;a<<ened ;a on:e a Bu:;0belo$ed >in? diedD and for !oBe rea!on ;i! iBBedia e :our ier! did no =i!; o announ:e ;i! dea ;. (;eA ;erefore :rea ed ;e iB<re!!ion ;a ;e =a! ! ill ali$e bA in! allin? an effi?A of ;iB in a dar> :orner of ;e ! a e rooB of ;e <ala:e@ and o ;i! ;e :;ief! and :our ier! un!u!<e: in?lA did ;oBa?e. Bu i did no a>e lon? before ;e de:e< ion =a! eF<o!ed. (;e neF >in? =a! !o a??rie$ed be:au!e ;e ;ad been undulA >e< =ai in? for ;e ;rone ;a ;e ordered a =;ole!ale !lau?; er of all ;e BeBber! of ;e linea?e of ar i! ! and !:ul< or!@ !o ;a !u:; a de:e< ion Bi?; ne$er a?ain be <o!!ible. And ;a @ ;e ! orA :on:lude!@ i! ;e rea!on =;A ;ere i! a :oB<le e eF in: ion of ;o!e an:ien ar i! ! and !:ul< or!. I !;ould be no ed ;a ;ere i! no <oin of ;i! ! orA ;a i! fan a! i:. E$erA <oin of i Bi?; be ;i! ori:allA rue. In ;e old daA!@ ar i!an!;i< =en bA :lan or faBilA linea?e! in Yorubaland. (;ere are ;ou!e! or Cuar er! =;i:; are naBed af er ;e rade for =;i:; ;o!e =;o li$ed ;ere =ere faBou!. EFaB<le! are Ile A!\de J 00&(;e ;ou!e of ;o!e =;o !Bel bra!!&00in Ile0I#5 J D Id\BK?by J qde J 00&(;e =ard of !Bi ;!&00in OndwD IdBP=00 ;e :lan =;o!e rade =ere bra!! :ul effi?ie!00in * J a?aBu. Al!o@ in ;o!e daA!@ $erA fe= <er!on! :ould !ee ;e fa:e of ;e >in?@ and ;u! i =ould be <o!!ible in a fairlA dar> rooB o >ee< u< !u:; a de:e< ion for a !;or =;ile@ a lea! . (;e =;ole!ale eF erBina ion of a :lan@ e!<e:iallA if ;e BeBber!;i< =a! no $erA lar?e@ =ould no be iB<o!!ible@ e!<e:iallA if a Aranni:al ruler ;ad ;e !an: ion of ;e ora:le and ;e ba:>in? of ;e <eo<le. W;e ;er ;e ! orA i! an ;i! ori:al a::oun of =;a a: uallA :au!ed ;e eF in: ion of ;e !:ul< or! and ar i! ! of ;e old !:;ool of I#5 J or no i! ano ;er Ba er. (;e fa: a! =e no= ;a$e i i! ;a ;ere are none lef o :on inue ;e =or> of ;a ?ood old !:;ool. #or ;e iBe bein?@ ;en@ all ;a =e >no= for :er ain i! ;a ;ere are ra:e! in ;e Yoruba :ul ! of an:ien :ul ure! for =;i:; ;e :alibre of ;e <re!en indi?enou! <eo<le doe! no fullA a::oun . I i! al!o :lear ;a RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *oBe of ;e re:en find! a Ile0I#5 J =ould belon? o ;i! :a e?orA. 0+1-0

before ;e <re!en !A! eB of edu:a ion =a! in rodu:ed in o ;e :oun rA@ ;e <re!en Yoruba ra:e :ould nei ;er read nor =ri e in ;e We! ern !en!e of ;e erB!L ;eA ei ;er :on$eAed ;eir Be!!a?e! orallA or :oBBuni:a ed =i ; ;eir di! an fol> bA a !A! eB of Ba erial !ABbol!. % C;ri! iani A :aBe a?ain in o Yorubaland@ a::ordin? o re:orded ;i! orA@ in %-.%@ <ioneered ;rou?; ;e !la$e! =;o =ere libera ed in *ierra Leone. I :aBe a::oB<anied bA We! ern :ul ure and dre!!ed u< in Euro<ean ?arb. I ! influen:e for ?ood in ;e :oun rA ;a! been in:al:ulableL i ;a! enlar?ed Ben7! $i!ion!@ freed ;eir Bind! of

!u<er! i iou! !;a:>le!@ and libera ed ;eir !<iri ! froB unne:e!!arA fear!. In ;a =aA@ i ;a! ?i$en ;eB a <ro?re!!i$e ou loo> and a !en!e of <er!onal $alue!. Dire: lA or indire: lA@ i ;a! ;el<ed o eB<;a!i!e ;e belief of ;e Yoruba in ;e *u<reBe God and ;a! iB<re!!ed u<on ;eB ;e !a:redne!! of ;uBan life and ;uBan re!<on!ibili A@ ;u! Ba>in? for aBeliora i$e adEu! Ben ! in <er!onal rela ion!. I ! =or> =a! ?rea lA fa:ili a ed bA ;e "aF Bri anni:a@ a! i ;ad ;e ba:>in? of ;e la= in =a?in? =ar a?ain! ;o!e ;in?! =;i:;@ a::ordin? o i ! o=n li?; @ =ere :on!idered idola rou! e$il!. I!laB :aBe ;rou?; ;e *udan $ia 'or ;ern 'i?eria. (;i! i! ano ;er reli?ion =;i:; :onfirB! ;e belief of ;e Yoruba in re?ard o ;e Dei A. I al!o en;an:e! ;eir belief abou <rede! inA in o I!laBi: fa ali!B@ =i ; ;e re!ul ;a one :an ;ear ;e Yoruba !aAin? no= ;a &We are God7! :;i:>en!L )e :an do =i ; u! a =ill =;a e$er )i! unCue! ionable !o$erei?n A de:ree!&. Bo ; reli?ion! ;a$e ;ad a =ea>enin? effe: on ;e ;old =;i:; ;e indi?enou! :ul ! u!ed o ;a$e on ;e Yoruba. C;ri! iani A i! ;e reli?ion of ;e &enli?; ened& and bo ; i and I!laB are &fa!;ionable&. (;ere are BanA =;o !ee> o belon? o one or o ;er of ;eB for ;a rea!on alone. A! ;e C;ri! ian Bi!!ionarie! =ere afforded ;e o<<or uni A of =or>in? u<on ;e Bind! of BanA Bodern Yoruba froB :;ild;ood ;rou?; ;e :;ur:; !:;ool!@ ;eA ;a$e u!ed ;a o<<or uni A@ no onlA o <rea:; ;e Go!<el@ bu al!o o <oo;0<oo; ;e =aA! and =i!doB of ;e land and o de:rA alBo! e$erA ;in? Yoruba a! =or ;le!! and unbe:oBin?@ =i ; ;e re!ul ;a ;e edu:a ed Aoun? Yoruba ;a$e@ ;rou?; We! ern edu:a ional indo: rina ion@ lo! in ere! in ;e :ul ! a! !u:;@ e$en ;ou?; ;eA are ! ill ra ;er :uriou!lA bound bA !oBe of ;e !u<er! i ion!. In ;i! =aA@ a <ar ial dea ; of ;e :ul ! ;a! been :au!ed. Moreo$er@ ;e :;an?e in ou loo> o::a!ioned bA ;e ne= reli?ion!@ RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee (;e Reli?ion of ;e Yoruba!@ bA J. OluBide Lu:a!@ <<. .15 ff. 0+150

e!<e:iallA bA C;ri! iani A@ ;a! affe: ed ;e :ul ! ;eB!el$e!. I i! onlA in a<<earan:e ;a ;eA are no= :on!er$a i$e. In reali A@ ;eA ;a$e under?one BanA in ernal :;an?e!. Earlier in ;i! boo>@ =e eB<;a!i!ed ;e fa: ;a in Yoruba li ur?i:al ri ual!@ e$erA ;in? Bu! <ro:eed :orre: lA a::ordin? o ;e radi ional <a ern!. % (;a i! ! ill !o in ;eorAD bu =;a i! ;a<<enin? no=@ in fa: @ i! ;a ;e offi:ian ! ;a$e un=i in?lA drif ed a=aA froB =;a ;e <a! ?enera ion! of =or!;i<<er! =ould a::e< a! :orre: radi ion!. (;e &:orre: ne!!& no= de<end! u<on ;e iB<erfe: >no=led?e of & ;e =aA ;in?! are done& in referen:e o bo ; ;e lan?ua?e and ;e orderin? of ;e li ur?ie! =;i:; a <eo<le =i ; ;alf;ear ed Seal for learnin? ;e radi ion! <o!!e!!. I i! no unu!ual ;e!e daA! o Bee

=i ; a! oundin? i?noran:e of ;e =;A! and =;erefore! of ;e :ul ! in ;e <eo<le =;o bA radi ion be:oBe :;ief0<rie! !. (;i! i! ine$i able@ of :our!e@ in a !A! eB in =;i:; ;e a ainBen of offi:ial <rie! ;ood i! no bA di!:i<line. A<ar froB ;e =ea>ne!! in$ol$ed in ;e <o!!ibili A ;a a <er!on :ould be:oBe a <rie! =i ;ou !A! eBa i: rainin?@ !oBe of ;e <re!en re<o!i orie! of ;e :ul u! are <eo<le =;o re urned ;oBe af er a lon? ab!en:e abroad@ durin? =;i:; <eriod ;eA ;a$e lo! ou:; =i ; =;a =a! bein? done. (;e old ?enera ion of <rie! ! i! ;u! fa! dAin? ou =i ;ou ran!Bi in? ;eir >no=led?e abou ;e :ul ! o ;e Aoun?. (o ;i!@ =e !;all add :;an?e! in <oli i:al !A! eB! :au!ed bA We! ern influen:e. (;ere =a! a iBe =;en ;e >in? Bu! be <re!en durin? :er ain ri ual!. 'o=@ ;o=e$er@ ;e :an <erforB ;i! <ar of !u:; ri ual! bA <roFA or no a all. One in! an:e =a! ;e o::a!ion of ;e laBen =;i:; I ;eard froB ;e /?n =or!;i<<er! in Ond ;a ;eA ;ad o oBi a :er ain <ar of an iB<or an ri ual be:au!e ;eir >in? ;ad :ea!ed o a>e anA in ere! in ;a <ar i:ular :ereBonA. On ano ;er o::a!ion of ?rea !i?nifi:an:e o ;e o=n@ ;e h J ni of Ile0I#5 J ;ad o de:ide a ;e la! Binu e ;a ;e =ould no a end a :ereBonA be:au!e of a li>elA <oli i:al rio =;i:; ;i! a<<earan:e Bi?; :au!e. (;e!e are ;in?! =;i:; u!ed o be un;eard ofD bu @ a! e$erA=;ere@ ;in?! are :;an?in? and ;e Yoruba orI! J K !A! eB =i ; ;eB. *ilen =i ne!!e! o ;e de:line in ;e <o=er of ;e :ul ! are ;e !;rine! and eB<le! =;i:; all o$er ;e :oun rA are in a !orrA ! a e of ne?le: . (;i! e$iden:e ! ri>e! one for:iblA a! one ?oe! abou e$en in !u:; an iB<or an :ul :en re a! Ile0I#5 J . A ;e BoBen of =ri in?@ ;e eB<le of OdNd\=K@ =;i:; i! e!<e:iallA :onne: ed =i ; ;e in! i u ion of >in?!;i<@ i! a di!?ra:eful@ dila<ida ed !i?; . RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % C;a< er ,@ <. 5. 0+%10

(;ere ;a! al!o been a reBar>able :;an?e in Boral $alue! all o$er ;e land. We! ern influen:e ;a! no been al o?e ;er benefi:ial o ;e <eo<leL ;e Yoruba ;a$e been au?; oo BanA ;in?!Q (;e "aF Bri anni:a Ba>e! i <o!!ible for a daAli?; bur?lar o e!:a<e ;i! =ell0Beri ed <uni!;Ben if ;e and ;i! la=Aer are !uffi:ien lA :le$er abou i 00 ;e Eud?e i! !o bound bA ;e <aradoF of obEe: i$e Eu! i:e ;a e$en ;ou?; ;e >no=! in ;i! ;ear of ;ear ! ;a ;e a::u!ed before ;iB ;a! :oBBi ed ;e :riBe for =;i:; ;e i! arrai?ned@ Ae ;e =ill le ;iB ?o !:o free if ;e la= i! on ;i! !ide. C;ri! iani A@ bA a Bi!:arria?e of <ur<o!e@ Ba>e! i ! o=n :on ribu ion o ;e de riBen al :;an?e! in Boral $alue!. *oBe;o=@ i ;a! re<la:ed ;e old fear of ;e di$ini ie! =i ; ;e relie$in? bu

;arBful no ion of a God W;o i! a !en iBen al Old Man@ e$er readA o for?i$e <er;a<! e$en Bore ;an Ban i! <rone o !in@ ;e God in =;oB &?oodne!! and !e$eri A& ;a$e been <u a!under. *o al!o doe! I!laB un=i in?lA :rea e ;e erroneou! iB<re!!ion ;a ;e fulfilBen of ;e obli?a orA du ie! and a: ! of <enan:e bA ?ood =or>! are !uffi:ien for ;e <ur<o!e of =innin? ;ea$en. (;e re!ul of all ;e!e i! ;a our &enli?; ened& <rodu: ! of ;e =o &fa!;ionable& reli?ion! :an no= ! eal =i ;ou anA =in?e of Boral :oB<un: ion ;o!e ar i:le! of food <la:ed for !ale a :ro!!road! and bA road!ide!@ =;i:; u!ed o be Cui e !afeD ;eA :an no= :;eerfullA a<<ro<ria e o ;er <er!on!7 <ro<er AD ;eA :an brea> :o$enan !@ or <roBi!e! Bade on oa ;@ =i ; braSen indifferen:eD all ;e!e ;eA feel free o do =;ere ;o!e =;o ;a$e been brou?; u< in ;e old =aA! and =i!doB ! ill !;a>e and reBble a ;e Bere ;ou?; of !u:; ;in?!. % 'i?eria i! rulA &o$er;un? . . . bA a (=ili?; of ;e God!&. + (;e daA! of ;e :ul ! in ;eir old@ :on!er$a i$e forB! are nuBbered. Bu i i! no ea!A o !aA ;a ;e :ul ! are dAin? ou :oB<le elA. W;ile ;eir ou =ard forB! are under?oin? radi:al :;an?e!@ na ionali!B i! !ee>in? o Bain ain ;eir !<iri . Lon? before =;a :an be de!:ribed e:;ni:allA a! na ionali!B be?an@ ;ere ;ad been !i?n! of re$ol a?ain! =;a <eo<le ;a$e :oBe o re?ard a! forei?n reli?ion and :ul ure and $oi:e! in ;e =ilderne!! ;a$e been rai!ed a! a !i?nal for a re urn o ;e old =aA! and =i!doB of ;e fa ;er!. We !ee !i?n! of ;i! re$ol in ;e !An:re i! i: !e: ! =;i:; ;a$e :oBe in o bein?@ be?innin? abou %5+2@ and =;i:; ;a$e !in:e !<read all o$er ;e :oun rA li>e ;e !eed of :on a?ion. (;e ini ial Bo i$e0!<rin? of ;e !e: ! =a! ;e !<iri ual di!!a i!fa: ion =;i:; ;e 'i?erian! be?an o ;a$e RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er %+@ <. %.3. + Reli?ion in An Afri:an Ci A@ bA GeoffreA "arrinder@ <. 3. 0+%%0

=i ; ;e >ind of C;ri! ian =or!;i< =;i:; ;e C;ur:; offer! ;eB. (;e Bain a ra: ion of ;e !e: ! :on!i! ! in ;eir a<<aren lA !u::e!!ful a eB< o Ba>e ;e be! of =o =orld! bA !An:re i!in? C;ri! iani A =i ; !oBe doBinan <ra: i:e! of ;e na ional :ul !. (;e end <rodu: of ;i! !An:re i!B i! a :;ur:; =;o!e :;ara: eri! i:! are fro ;A@ e:! a i: ri ual@ !eein? of $i!ion! and dreaBin? of dreaB!@ Ba>in? of <redi: ion! and <re!:ri< ion!@ Ba!! ;A! eria =;i:; ?i$e! bir ; o babblin? of in:o;eren ;in?! a! !AB< oB! of <o!!e!!ion bA ;e *<iri . All ;e!e na urallA Ba>e ;eB <o<ular =i ; ;e Ba!! =;o li>e ne?le: ed ;un?rA !;ee< flo:> =;ere ;eA find <roBi!e! of nouri!;Ben .

(;ere i!@ ;o=e$er@ a defini e ?ro<in? af er a na ional reli?ion or@ !;all =e !aA@ a na ionali! i: one@ ba!ed u<on ;e orI! J K !A! eB. #or ;i! rea!on@ ;ere ;a! been a Bo$eBen for !oBe iBe no= o ?i$e ;e :ul of P J runBIlK % a &ne= loo>&. (;i! !eeB! o be ;e onlA :ul =;i:; a ;e BoBen i! under?oin? a radi:al reor?ani!a ion. (;e <rie! 0di$iner! :lin? o i be:au!e i i! ;eir Bean! of li$eli;ood. (;eA al!o >no= and are di! urbed bA ;e fa: ;a ;ere abound e$erA=;ere :;arla an! =;o are Ba>in? a &ra:>e & of di$ina ion. Conferen:e! of ;e baba7lV=o are no= bein? ;eld froB iBe o iBe@ and Bee in? ;ou!e! are bein? buil D all =i ; ;e <ur<o!e of e! abli!;in? ;e :ul <ro<erlA. We no i:e al!o a re:rude!:en:e of ;e old !o:io0reli?iou! /?bZni :ul in ;e ;in? ;a ;a! been ?i$en ;e !<e:iou! naBe of ReforBed /?bZni #ra erni A. + W;ile ;e /?bZni ! ill Bain ain! a !;ado= of i ! forBer ?lorA@ ;i! bran:; ;a! !<run? froB i @ Ba!Cueradin? under a &reforBed& eF erior =;i:; doe! no Cui e :on:eal i ! ori?in. Bu i i! defini elA a na ional re<lA o ;e a i ude =;i:; ;a! in:on!i! en lA de:ried all Yoruba :ul ! a! ;in?! of ;e de$il =;ile Ae !<on!orin? ;e Euro<ean lod?e!. (;e ReforBed /?bZni fra erni A ;a! BanA ad$er i!ed bai ! bA =;i:; i lure! ;e un=arA in o i ! Be!;e!. (;e!e are <rin:i<allA GaH ;a i =a! ori?ina ed bA a ;i?;lA in elli?en @ a! u e@ eF0<rie! of ;e An?li:an C;ur:; in :oB<en!a ion for ;e lo!! of ;i! <rie! lA di?ni AD GbH ;a i >no=! no reli?iou! di! in: ion!00C;ri! ian!@ Mo!leB!@ and &;ea ;en!& :an :oBe in o i and find &fello=!;i<&D G:H i ! :laiB o Ba>e <eo<le be er fulfiller! of God7! =ill ;an ei ;er C;ri! iani A or I!laB :ould e$er Ba>e ;eB be:au!e =i ;in i ! fold ;e ini ia ed =ould find enli?; enBen and ;el< in e$erA diffi:ul A =;i:; ;eA Bi?; brin? u<on ;eB!el$e! or =;i:; ;e =orld , Bi?; iB<o!e u<on ;eB. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % *ee C;a< er -@ <. 42. + *ee C;a< er ,@ <. +.. , *ee C;a< er %,@ <. %44. 0+%+0

(;ree fa: or! ;a$e in:a<a:i a ed ;e R.O.#. !o farL A. (;ere ;a! been $erA ! ron? o<<o!i ion o i alBo! froB ;e be?innin?. I =a! ;e Mo!leB! =;o fir! be:aBe Cui e uneCui$o:al in ;eir ! and a?ain! i L i =a! laid do=n ;a e$erA Mo!leB ;ad o :;oo!e be =een ;e I!laBi: fai ; and i @ and ;a ;ere :ould be no :oB<roBi!e. (;i! =a! be:au!e I!laB de e: ed ra ;er earlA i ! Bena:e o i ! o=n fundaBen al ene ! and offi:iallA le?i!la ed a?ain! i . *in:e ;a defini e <ronoun:eBen ;a! been Bade no Mo!leB BaA be:oBe a BeBber of ;e R.O.#.

On ;e =;ole@ ;e o<<o!i ion of ;e C;ur:; o ;e R.O.#. ;a! been :uriou!lA ;alf0 ;ear ed and ineffe: ual. (;i! BaA be due o ;e fa: ;a BanA of ;e C;ur:; leader! ;a$e be:oBe en an?led in i ! Be!;e! and no= la:> bo ; ;e :oura?e and ;e ?ra:e =;i:; !;ould ;a$e enabled ;eB o eF ri:a e ;eB!el$e!. B. ManA of i ! BeBber! ;a$e been di!illu!ionedD al ;ou?; i i! laid u<on e$erA BeBber o Ba>e &:on$er !& in o ;e :ul @ ;o!e BeBber! =;o are ;one! =ould ra ;er dro< Eu! enou?; ;in ! o Ba>e ;eir fol> >no= ;a ;eA =ould no ad$i!e i . Be!ide!@ ;e :ul ;a! an a?oni!ed ;o!e =;o are no i ! BeBber! bA i ! alle?ed <oli:A of $i: iBi!a ion =;i:; find! i ! =aA in o ;e :i$il !er$i:e and Ber:an ile ;ou!e! of ;e :oun rA. C. (;e :ul i! no !uffi:ien lA in elle: uallA eCui<<ed o a<<eal o ;o!e =;o are !eriou! Binded and in <ur!ui of >no=led?e and ;e !olu ion of ;e BA! erie! of life. Wi ;in i ! ;in e!o eri: !;ell@ ;ere i! li le for ;e ee ; of ;e !eriou! enCuirer. I i! ;i! in elle: ual la:> ;a <re$en ! ;e R.O.#. froB <re!en in? u! =i ; a Yoruba Gno! i:i!B. (;o!e =;o!e Cue! i! e!o eri: >no=led?e :an find li le a<<eal in fea! in? and eF:e!!e!@ in lo= Ee! !@ or in Bindin? ;e Ba:;inerA of $indi: i$ene!! and $i: iBi!a ion. Our neF Cue! ion :on:ern! ;e fu ure of Yoruba :ul !. (;i! i! no an ea!A Cue! ion be:au!e ;e an!=er :an be li le Bore ;an !<e:ula ion. I i! ob$iou!@ ;o=e$er@ ;a a ;e BoBen ;e =ind i! blo=in? in =o dire: ion! ;e la er of =;i:; BaA be a :on!eCuen:e of ;e forBer. #ir! @ ;e <ro:e!! of a ro<;A =;i:; ;a! a a:>ed ;e :ul ! i! !ure o :on inue =i ; ;e :on!<ira:A of fa: or! =;i:; Ba>e for ?eneral la:> of in ere! bA ;e edu:a ed :;ildren of ;e land in ;eB. We find ;a Bo! of our uni$er!i A ! uden ! odaA are eF reBelA i?noran abou ;e :ul !. (;i! i! a ?eneral fa: =;i:; BaA be ra:ed e$erA=;ere in ;e :oun rA. A! a re!ul of ;e a ro<;A =;i:; i! o$er a>in? ;e an:ien :ul ! and 0+%,0

;e :on!eCuen $a:uuB =;i:; i! bein? :rea ed@ ;ere i! li>elA o be a :on:er ed allian:e be =een na ionali!B and in elle: in order o forBula e !oBe ;in? of a !<e:ifi:allA na ionali! i: :;ara: er ou of ;e <re!en !A! eB. We ;a$e Ben ioned ;e ReforBed /?bZni #ra erni A. In ;e !aBe =aA a! ;e /?bZni :ul ;a! been &reforBed&@ anA one of ;e :ul !@ or an aBal?aB of !e$eral :ul !@ BaA be dre!!ed u< in a ne= ?arb or be ?i$en a ne= !;a<e o brin? i &u<0 o0da e&. W;a i! li>elA o ;a<<en BaA be inferred froB =;a i! alreadA a>in? <la:e. In %5.,@ Mr. A. #a?benro0BeAio>u deli$ered a le: ure en i led

OrunBilai!B@ (;e Ba!i! of Je!u!i!B. % (;e Bain <ur<or of ;i! =a! o <ro<ound a ;eorA ;a P J runBIlK@ ;e ora:le di$ini A =a! ;e <ro<;e of God o ;e Yoruba Gor ra ;er@ ;e Afri:an!H@ e$en in ;e !aBe =aA a! Je!u! C;ri! =a! ;e <ro<;e of God o ;e Je=!D and@ Boreo$er@ P J runBIlK =a! of a ;i?;er ! a u! ;an Je!u! C;ri! ina!Bu:; a! ;e la er deri$ed froB ;e forBer. E$en before ;i! le: ure@ a &:;ur:;& >no=n a! IEo J P J runBIlK00&(;e C;ur:; of P J runBIlK& ;ad :oBe in o bein? =i ; bran:;e! in BanA <ar ! of ;e :oun rA. (;i! &:;ur:;& order! i ! =or!;i< af er ;e C;ri! ian <a ern@ =i ; a !<e:ifi: li ur?A dire: ed o OlZd\BarO ;rou?; P J runBIlK. And i !;ould be no ed ;a ;i! reorderin? of ;e li ur?A of ;e :ul ;a! done no $iolen:e in anA =aA o ;e reli?ion of ;e YorubaL i i! onlA a re!e in? of ;e <a ern =;ile i ! Bain :ore i! Bain ained. Abou four Aear! a?o@ ;e 'i?erian Broad:a! in? Cor<ora ion !e u< a !Ball :oBBi ee o eFaBine ;e Cue! ion =;e ;er OrunBilai!B =a! ;e &reli?ion& of ;e Yoruba Gor@ in fa: @ of ;e Afri:an!H or no . (;e o::a!ion of ;e :oBBi ee =a! a ! ron? reCue! froB ;e =or!;i<<er! of P J runBIlK ;a ;eir reli?ion !;ould be a::orded eCual re:o?ni ion =i ; C;ri! iani A and I!laBD ;a i!@ ;eA =an ed ;eir :ul o fea ure on ;e na ional broad:a! in? <ro?raBBe!. (;e :oBBi ee ea!ilA de:ided a?ain! ;e :laiB of OrunBilai!B bA !;o=in? froB in:on ro$er ible fa: ! ;a !in:e P J runBIlK =a! Eu! one@ ;ou?; a <rin:i<al one@ aBon? ;e di$ini ie! in ;e Yoruba <an ;eon@ no one :ul aBon? ;e BanA :ould :laiB o be ;e &reli?ion& of ;e Yoruba@ no o !<ea> of ;e =;ole of Afri:a. Bu i =a! Cui e ob$iou! ;a if ;a :oBBi ee ;ad no been forBed and i ! =or> !o ;orou?;lA done@ ;e 'i?erian Broad:a! in? Cor<ora ion =ould ;a$e been Bi!led ea!ilA in o Ba>in? i !elf a Bean! of !ub le <ro<a?anda for ;e e! abli!;Ben and <ro<a?a ion of a na ionali! i: reli?ion ba!ed on a delibera e ;ere!A !u:; a! =e ;a$e ou lined abo$e. (;e !i ua ion =a! reallA !a$ed bA an eFe:u i$e offi:er of ;e Cor<ora ion =;o =a! !uffi:ien lA $i?ilan o de e: ;e iB<li:a ion RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR % La?o!@ (i>a0(ore "re!!. 0+%.0

of =;a =a! bein? <ro<o!ed and deBurred $erA ! ron?lA e$en =;ile o ;er!@ !oBe of =;oB <ar lA in! i?a ed ;e reCue! @ ;ailed i =i ; na ionali! i: fer$our and =ere for ?ran in? i for ;=i ;. We no i:e al!o ;a ;e OdN :or<u! i! bein? adul era ed o ;e end ;a P J runBIlK BaA ;a$e :onferred on ;iB a ! a u! =;i:; Ba>e! ;iB ;i?;er and ;e <ro?eni or of bo ; Je!u! C;ri! and Mu;aBBad. An in ere! in? one aBon? ;e ne=lA ;a :;ed re:i al! i! ;e one =;i:; :arrie! ;e ! orA ;a ;ere =a! a =oBan naBed Mo J rZ=K in ;e daA! of old.

(;i! =oBan =a! barrenD bu !;e =a! de erBined@ no =i ;! andin?@ o ;a$e a :;ild. (o ;a end@ ;erefore@ !;e a<<roa:;ed P J runBIlK one e$enin? and a<<ealed o ;iB for a Bedi:ine o o<en ;er =oBb. P J runBIlK :on!en ed o :ure ;er of ;er ! erili A@ bu old ;er o re urn for ;e Bedi:ine ;e follo=in? Bornin?@ a! i =a! alreadA e$enin? and & ;e ;erb! ;ad !le< GE=W i !NnH&. Mo J rZ=K =a!@ ;o=e$er@ for re:ei$in? ;e Bedi:ine ;a e$enin?. P J runBIlK a<<ealed o ;er a?ain o le ;e ;erb! !lee< GJ7e=W !\n Je J >i e=W !Nn00&Le ;e ;erb! !lee<&H and re urn for ;er Bedi:ine in ;e Bornin?. Mo J rZ=K ! ill =ould no ?o and@ a! a re!ul of ;er iB<or uni A@ P J runBIlK ;ad o ?o in o ;e ?arden@ :olle: ;e reCuired ;erb! and di!<en!e ;e Bedi:ine for ;er. A! a re!ul @ Mo J rZ=K be:aBe <re?nan and a babA boA dulA arri$ed. P J runBIlK no= de:reed ;a ;e boA Bu! be naBed J70e=W0!Nn G&Le ;e ;erb! !lee<&H@ for a <er<e ual reBeBbran:e of ;er iB<or uni A. (;u!@ ;e ! orA :on:lude!@ =a! Je!u! GJe!u in Yoruba@ =;i:; i!@ a::ordin? o ;i! ! orA@ an elli<!i! of J7e=W!Nn00&Le ;e ;erb! !lee<&H born of MarA G Mo J rZ=K bein? a :orru< ion of Maria =;i:; i! ;e Yoruba for MarA a::ordin? o ;e Yoruba BibleH ;rou?; ;e Bini! ra ion of P J runBIlK. A fan a! i: ! orA born of a rio ou! iBa?ina ion@ no doub Q Bu i Eu! !;o=! ;e eF en o =;i:; ;in?! :an be :arried. In :on:lu!ion@ le u! eB<;a!i!e ;e fa: ;a a $a:uuB i! bein? :rea ed =i ; re?ard o reli?ion in Yorubaland. And ;ere are :on endin? for:e! for ;e fillin? of ;e $a:uuB. Of all ;e for:e! a =or>@ C;ri! iani A@ bA i ! uniCue and uni$er!al Be!!a?e@ ! and! ;e be! :;an:e of fulfillin? ;a =;i:; i! iB<lied in ;e Yoruba :on:e< of God@ and ;a for ;e benefi of ;e <eo<le and :oun rA. (;i!@ ;o=e$er@ de<end! a! in e$erA a?e and land u<on ;e $i!ion@ !<iri ual ! aBina@ and fai ;fulne!! of ;o!e =;o are :;ar?ed =i ; i ! Be!!a?e. 0+%20