THE ‘BORN-AGAIN’ OBA: PENTECOSTALISM AND TRADITIONAL CHIEFTAINCY IN YORUBALAND
Date
2007
Authors
Adeboye, O.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lagos Historical Review
Abstract
This article examines the remarkable phenomenon of ‘born-again’ obas in Yorubaland both in
the colonial and post-colonial periods. It argues that while Pentecostal doctrine does not
distinguish between ‘faith’ and ‘cultural’ conversion, such a distinction might have become
pragmatic for many of these obas in order to avert communal crises. Those who remained rigid
without the support of higher political authorities came up against serious opposition in their
respective domains. This study shows that the conversion of an oba goes beyond a personal
change of religious affiliation, but raises questions of power relations and cultural hegemony.
The article also highlights the intersection between conversion, modernity and development. It
demonstrates how ‘physical development’ gradually became a principal parameter used to
assess the performance of traditional rulers in post-colonial Nigeria, and how a high rating in
this regard could mitigate hostilities provoked by an oba’s ‘born-again’ stance. At the heart of
this entire discourse is the contestation of power through religious and ‘development’ idioms.
Description
Scholarly article
Keywords
Yorubaland , Pentecostal doctrine , Cultural conversion , Political authorities , Traditional rulers in post-colonial Nigeria , Research Subject Categories::SOCIAL SCIENCES::Social sciences::Education
Citation
Olufunke Adeboye, “The ‘Born-Again’ Oba: Pentecostalism and Traditional Chieftaincy in Yorubaland, Lagos Historical Review, Vol. 7, 2007, 1-20