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The Dilemma of an Urhobo Baptist Regarding Funeral Rites

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The Dilemma of an Urhobo Baptist Regarding Funeral Rites The Dilemma of an Urhobo Baptist regarding Funeral Rites: an Appraisal Samson O. Temioda Ajagbe PhD 2012 1 The Dilemma of an Urhobo Baptist regarding Funeral Rites: an Appraisal By Samson O. Temioda Ajagbe A Thesis submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy of the University of Liverpool Deanery of Arts and Humanities, Department of Theology, Philosophy and Religious Studies, Liverpool Hope University, United Kingdom August, 2012 2 Abstract Michael P. Adogbo argued that religion and culture are intrinscally interwoven in the Urhobo mindset.1 Addressing similar phenomenon generally among Africans, Musimbi K. A. Kanyoro stated that African Christian ‘often walks with one foot in African religion and culture and another in the church and Western culture.’2 This phenomenon which Kanyoro argued that could be destructive if not well managed is the main issue examined more specifically in the context of culture and religion among Urhobo Baptists. The approach of the Delta State Baptist Conference (DSBC) to this reality among the Urhobo Baptists has created religious/cultural dichotomy in their funeral rites which this research addressed by examining two key questions: First, Could an Urhobo Baptist be faithful to the Baptist faith the way it is articulated in the DSBC policies,3 in view of Urhobo cultural identity during funeral ceremonies? Second, Could DSBC hold to its policy on burial rites and at the same time be relevant within the Urhobo society? My experiences as a pastor among Urhobo Baptists enabled me to evaluate symbols and functions of Urhobo funeral rites in the context of some ethnographic, anthropological, and hermeneutical theories examined in this study. A major discovery is that Urhobo Baptists hold on to certain key aspects of Urohobo funeral tradition evaluated in this study in spite of their conversion to the Baptist faith. Similarly, to the Urhobo Baptists, 1 Michael P. Adogbo, ‘Clairvoyance in Urhobo Traditional Religion,’ in Selected Themes in the Study of Religions in Nigeria, eds. S. G. A. Onibere and M. P. Adogbo, 139–151 (Lagos: Malthouse Press Limited, 2010), 148–149. Adogbo is an Urhobo professor of African religions and sociology of religion at the Delta State University, Abraka in the heart of Urhobo Land. 2 Musimbi R. A. Kanyoro, ‘Engendered Communal Theology: African Women Contribution to Theology in the Twenty-first Century,’ in Hope Abundant: Third World and Indigenous Women’s Theology, ed. Kwek Pui-Ian, 19–35 (Maryknoll NY: Orbis Books, 2010), 19. Kanyoro is a feminist human rights advocate and African cultural anthropologist from Kenya. 3 Two DSBC leaders (Respondents 12 and 14) explained the dichotomy between the Urhobo traditional burial rites and the teachings of the Baptist denomination. The DSBC policies on burial view the rites of ẹvwe ehun and slaughtering of other goats, shooting of guns to drive away the spirit of the dead and other evil spirits, and arming the dead with weapons to fight his/her killers as ‘pagan’ sacrifices, unchristian and ‘fetish.’ 3 as analysed later in the thesis, the purpose of Urhobo funeral rites does not contradict the Baptist faith. These led to the major argument in this thesis that integration of certain vital aspects of Urhobo funeral rites into the Baptist funeral process is possible, valuable and advantageous for discouraging dual funeral faith practices among Urhobo Baptists. 4 Dedication To the Triune God, the God and the judge of both the living and the dead4 and to the sweet memories of my parents, Pa Joseph Ejide and Mrs. Sarah Moradeyọ Ajagbe, my parents-in-laws, Pa Abraham Adegboyega and Mrs. Esther Wuraola Adeleke. This study is also dedicated to my two brothers (one dead, one living) who sacrificed a lot for my initial ministerial training, Late Mr. Lasisi (Azees) Ọladẹjọ Ajagbe (former chief Imam of Pọntela Ọlọdẹ central mosque) and Evangelist/Prophet Isaac Okunlọla Ajagbe (of Christ Apostolic Church, Goshen Land, Ọlaọtan Akinniyi Street, Logburo, Mowe, Ogun State, near Lagos). 4 Romans 14: 9, ‘For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.’ 2Timothy 4: 1, ‘In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead…’ 5 Acknowledgement Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, “To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honour and glory and might forever and ever!”5 I give glory to God for enabling the successful completion of this research. Amen. I also thank all human instruments he has used. The motivation developed through my contacts with Rev Dr. P. O. Davidson and Rev. Dr. T. M. Collins, the American Southern Baptist missionaries, also my lecturers at the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary (NBTS) Ogbomoso between 1992 and 1996, whose lives and ministries epitomised contextualization among the Yorùbá. Ebenezer Baptist Church Sapele (EBCS) afforded me the opportunity to undertake this study by the grant of study leave. The Pastor’s project team, a group of volunteers within the church, encouraged my family throughout the course with their willing financial assistance. Others rendered regular financial assistance outside the team and I appreciate the constant prayer support of the entire membership of the church. Significant moral and financial support came from persons outside the church as well– from Honourable and Chief Mrs Monday Igbuya, Mrs. Okotie, Mrs. E. Otobo, Mrs. C. A. Oge, Mrs. O. E. Okeregbe and Chief O. M. Iloho (JP), the chairman of Isaka Hotel, Warri. Integral to the smooth running of the research and data collection were the contributions of the participants in my ethnographic field work and Urhobo Scholars like Professors M. Y. Nabofa, S. U. Erivwo and G. G. Darah. Others such as Dn. Dr. A. T. Onosode, 5 Revelation 5: 13. 6 Dn. Dr. P. L. Ishọla, Dr. R. E. Isiorhovoja, Chief M. O. Origbo (OFR) assisted as readers and to ascertain the correctness of my presentation of Urhobo concepts. The multiple roles of our family friends like Chief Magistrate Daves Makunu, Mr. Endurance Ogbotor and Mr. Akpọmiẹmiẹ Akpọrẹ are beyond simple definition; therefore I say a big thank you. I am greatly indebted to my supervisors, Rev. Prof. Daniel Jeyaraj and Rev. Dr. Peter McGrail for their meticulous academic supervisions engrained with spirited pastoral approach. They also facilitated, through the Andrew Walls Centre, the aid to offset part of my tuition. I am grateful also to other members of Faculty and Staff like Prof. Mary Mills, Dr. David Torovell and Mrs. Leahy Ursula, to my mentor, Rev. Dr. Jide Abimbola; my senior colleague, Rev. Dr. Joe Ewiwilem; and to contemporary colleagues Larry Ayuba, Samuel Tama and Philip Oyewale, who read different parts of the research materials and offered their invaluable suggestions. I enjoyed my church denominational support through the financial assistance from the Sapele Baptist Association (SBA), Delta State Baptist Conference (DSBC) and the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC). I therefore thank the entire members of these different bodies and their respective officers at the time. The unflinching support of my family is unquantifiable. My spouse, Pastor Mrs Deborah Adebimpe Ajagbe, and children: Favour Toluwalasẹ Ọghẹnẹyẹnrovwo, Lucky Oluwatimilẹyin Ọghẹnẹrukẹvwẹ and Blessing Oluwafunmisọ Ọghẹnẹrugba Ajagbe are wonderful beyond measure. 7 Table of Contents Cover Page ....................................................................................................................... 1 Title Page.......................................................................................................................... 2 Abstract ............................................................................................................................ 3 Dedication ........................................................................................................................ 5 Acknowledgement ........................................................................................................... 6 Table of Contents ............................................................................................................ 8 List of Abbreviations .................................................................................................... 14 CHAPTER ONE–INTRODUCTION ......................................................................... 15 1.1 Background to the Study ........................................................................................ 15 1.2 The Need and Purpose of the Thesis ..................................................................... 21 1.3 Clarifying Words and Concepts used in this Thesis ............................................ 28 1.3.1 Pan-Africanism versus a particular ethnic community in Africa ...................................................... 28 1.3.2 The Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC) ........................................................................................... 28 1.3.3 The Delta State Baptist Conference (DSBC) ..................................................................................... 30 1.3.4 Understanding the concept of contextualization ............................................................................... 31 1.3.5 Cultural contextualization in Urhobo funeral context....................................................................... 34 1.4 System of Transliterating
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