IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL PRACTICE (IJRCP )

E-ISSN 2579-0501
P-ISSN 2695-219X
VOL. 9 NO. 4 2024
DOI: 10.56201/ijrcp.v9.no4.2024.pg126.132

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Influence of African Tradition Practices on Christianity Among Ìgbómìnà People of Osun State

Oluwasogo Ayodeji OYETAYO, Adebayo Ola AFOLARANMI, PhD

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Abstract

This study explores the influence of traditional Ìgbómìnà beliefs on Christian practices, focusing on how the Shema, a core tenet of Christian faith, is interpreted and practiced by Ìgbómìnà Christians in Osun State. The research investigates the influence of ancestral veneration, traditional rituals, and symbols on Christian worship, and how this syncretic blend impacts religious identity and community cohesion. Using a mixed-method approach, the study combines quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews to comprehensively understand the complex relationship between faith and culture. Findings reveal that traditional Ìgbómìnà beliefs significantly shape the interpretation of the Shema, with Christian leaders' responses playing a key role in reconciling doctrinal integrity with indigenous practices. This study contributes to the broader discourse on religious syncretism and the role of cultural identity in shaping Christian practices in African contexts.

keywords:

African Tradition Practices, Christian worship, Christianity, Ìgbómìnà People,

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