Yoruba Indigenous Religion: A Philosophical Reflection

Abstract

Yoruba Indigenous Religion (YIR), as well as its practices in southwest Nigeria, is confronted with various challenges attributable to derogation, misinterpretation, neglect, misrepresentation, among others, for its survival in the midst of other religions. Undisputable, foreign religions have won many contemporary Yoruba youths and a few adults who lack the knowledge of the core Yoruba religious beliefs and practices, which are mostly knitted to their culture. These are evident as they evince crass ignorance about the religion. Consequently, it is resulting in the consistent decline of its essence and cause negative impacts on the cultural mores of the Yoruba societies. However, this paper posits that the attributes of the YIR will forever make it thrive amidst all the challenges and confrontations it faces, especially from other foreign religions in the land. It attributes ill-mannered behaviours in the society to the core doctrinal teachings of other religions against the YIR. The paper, therefore, examined the appropriateness of the revival of this religion using philosophical and phenomenological approaches, focusing attention on the Yoruba people of Southwest, Nigeria. The paper concludes with viable ways of restoring the religion to its conventional form, such as inclusion of YIR in educational curricula, and Nigerian constitution; collaboration on healing and care among others.