This work is a comprehensive study of Yoruba religious beliefs and sacrificial rites. The first part surveys previous works on Yoruba religion and outlines a typology of beliefs, while the second part offers an interpretation of religious rites as elements of the sacrificial system.
The study reflects Dr. Awolalu’s intimate knowledge of Yoruba religion and culture and affords valuable material for other approaches to religion, comparative, scientific and theological. It also provides a point of reference for future studies of socio-religious change and the basis of an answer to the question: what is the future of Yoruba religion?
The Rev. Dr. Joseph Omosade Awolalu is a Yoruba who has been on the teaching staff of the Department of Religious Studies of the University of Ibadan for fourteen years. He is now Senior Lecturer and Acting Head of of Department.
Author(s): J. Omosade Awolalu
Publisher: Longman
Year: 1979
Language: English
Commentary: e-ink optimized
Pages: 203
City: London
Tags: yorubabeliefssac0000awol
Cover
Title Page
Dedication
List of Illustrations
Contents
Foreword by Geoffrey Parrinder
Preface
Part One: Beliefs
1 Belief in the Supreme Being
Review of scholars’ views
The Names of the Supreme Being
Olódùmarè
Olórun
Elédàá
Alààyè
Elémìí
Olójó Òní
Attributes of the Supreme Being
He is the Creator
He is unique
He is immortal
He is omnipotent
He is omniscient
He is King and Judge
He is transcendent
2 Belief in Divinities and Spirits
Primordial divinities
Obàtálá (Òrìsà-ńlá)
Orúnmìlà
Odùduwà
Èsù
Ògún
Deified ancestors
Sàngó
Òrìsà-oko
Ayélálà
Personification of natural forces and phenomena
The earth
Rivers, lagoons and the sea
Mountains and hills
Trees
Wind
3 Belief in the Ancestors
Treatment of the corpse
Location of the hereafter
Post-mortem judgment
Reincarnation
Relationship between the living and the ancestors
Worship or veneration?
4 Belief in Mysterious Powers
Incantations
Medicine
Magic
Witchcraft
Essential elements of witchcraft
Belief in witchcraft
The future of witchcraft
SUMMARY OF PART ONE
Part Two: Sacrificial Rites
5 Elements of Worship
What is worship?
Characteristic features of worship
Liturgy
Prayer
Music and dancing
Sacrifice
Sacred People
Olórt Ebí (family head)
Oba, Baále, Ọlójà (town or village head)
Awòrò (priests)
Elégùn (the medium)
Olóògùn (the medicine man)
Sacred places
Mood of worshippers
6 Divination and Sacrifice
Definition and purpose of divination
Types of divination
Dída Obì
Èrìndínlógún
Òpèlè
Ifá
The relevance of divination to sacrifice
7 Meaning and Purposes of Sacrifice
General meaning of sacrifice
Religious connotation of sacrifice
Purposes of sacrifice
8 Types of Sacrifice
Ebo opé àti ìdàpò (thanksgiving and communion sacrifice)
Ebo Èjé (votive sacrifice)
Ebo Ètùtù (propitiatory sacrifice)
Ebo Ojúkòríbi (preventive sacrifice)
Ebo Ayèpínùn (substitutionary sacrifice)
Ebo Ìpilè (foundation sacrifice)
9 Elements of Sacrificial Rites
Victims and materials of sacrifice
Symbolic meanings of materials and victims of sacrifice
Preparation
Invocation
Presentation
Immolation
Treatment of victims or materials of sacrifice
10 Factors Militating against Traditional Rites
Islam
Christianity
Education and improved medical facilities
Concluding remarks
Index
