SAMUEL JOHNSON ON THE EGYPTIAN ORIGIN OF THE YORUBA by Jock Matthew Agai A thesis submitted to the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy November 2016 Declaration I, Jock Matthew Agai, hereby declare that ‘SAMUEL JOHNSON ON THE EGYPTIAN ORIGIN OF THE YORUBA’ is my own original work, and that it has not been previously accepted by any other institution for the award of a degree, and that all quotations have been distinguished by quotation mark, and all sources of information have been duly acknowledged. __________________________ Jock Matthew Agai (Student) ______________________ Professor Phillippe Denis (Supervisor) 30 November 2016 i Dedication This research is dedicated to my grandmother, the late Ngo Margaret alias Nakai Shingot, who passed away in 2009, during which time I was preparing for this research. She was my best friend. May her gentle soul rest in peace. ii Thesis statement The Yoruba oral tradition, according to which the original ancestors of the Yoruba originated from the “East,” was popular in Yorubaland during the early 19th century. Before the period 1846 to 1901, the East was popularly perceived by the Yoruba as Arabia, Mecca or Saudi Arabia. Samuel Johnson (1846-1901) mentioned that Mohammed Belo (1781-1837) was among the first Africans to write that the East meant Arabia, Mecca or Saudi Arabia. He contested the views of associating the East with a Muslim land or a Muslim origin. In contrast to these views, Johnson believed that the East actually meant Egypt. This thesis presents research into Samuel Johnson’s contribution towards the development of the tradition of Egyptian origins of the Yoruba. The study also compares Johnson’s views on Yoruba origins with those of later authors. iii Key terms Africa; Afterlife; Ancestors; Ancient Near East; Ancient Egypt; Burial; Archaeological Discoveries; Civilisation; Culture; Coptic; Death; Deceased; Euhemerus; Hausaland; Heaven; Ile Ife; Migration; Mummification; Myths; Netherworld; Northern Nigeria; Samuel Johnson; Semitic Peoples; South-West Nigeria; Oduduwa; Oral Tradition; Yorubaland. iv Acknowledgements A special word of thanks goes to my research supervisor, Professor Philippe Denis who, since our first meeting, expressed interest in developing my academic curiosity. He carefully supervised me in the course of this research and patiently encouraged me to attend seminars and conferences, some of which took place at the University of Potchefstroom, the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the University of Pretoria and the University of the Free State. My attendance of these events enriched both my knowledge and passion for this research. Professor Denis’ contribution in guiding me towards the completion of this research cannot be understated. His advice has encouraged me to pursue a study of the history of the Yoruba in connection with Egypt. He was not only concerned about my academic well-being, but also my personal welfare, which strengthened my relationship with him. For this, I thank you, Professor Denis. I am most grateful to Professor Coenraad Scheepers, the coordinator of Biblical Archaeology and a professor of biblical archaeology in the Department of Biblical and Ancient Studies, University of South Africa (UNISA). I served as a research associate under the leadership of Professor Scheepers from 2010 to 2012. While doing researches for the department, and specifically for Professor Scheepers, I learnt so much about Ancient Near Eastern archaeology. This provided me with a good amount of background knowledge of Greco-Roman and Egyptian civilisations, together with an understanding of ancient Egyptian beliefs regarding the afterlife. Professor Scheepers guided me in my formulation of ideas, which came to focus on a comparison between Egyptian and Yoruba cultures. With the support provided by Professor Scheepers, I spoke at various seminars and conferences on Semitic studies. It was through this exposure that I became a member of multiple societies including the Archaeological Society of South Africa, the Old Testament Society of South Africa and the Southern African Association of Ancient Near Eastern Studies. Professor Magdel Le Roux, a professor of Biblical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies in the Department of Biblical and Ancient Studies at UNISA, assisted me in contextualising the research subject from the perspective of Semitic influences in Africa. Professor Le Roux boasts a vast knowledge in Judaic and Byzantine influences in Africa and wrote extensively on the Lemba clan of southern Africa. I appreciate her continued interest in my research work. This project would not have been a success without the support I received from my mother Ngo Martha Jock Asanja. She has always encouraged me to work hard towards attaining greater heights. Members of v my immediate family, most notably Nvou Daniel, Martina Alfred, Alexander Jock, Mary Clement, Helen, Solomon, Grace, Dorcas Jock, Davou Jock, Tehember Joseph, Victory, Isaac, Ratyeng, Weng, Ejiro and Omonego, have never forsaken me and have always encouraged me to continue on the path of success. I say thank you to my role models, Uncle Daniel and Ezekiel Mandyau, who inspired my academic achievements. My thanks also go to Dr. Mark and Isabel Hopkins of the Theological College of Northern Nigeria (TCNN). They have always encouraged me to continue with my academic pursuits and have provided me with background knowledge essential in conducting academic research. The staff members of TCNN Bukuru, Evangel Theological Seminary Jos (ETS), Jos ECWA Theological Seminary (JETS) and Federal College of Education (FCE) Pankshin have also helped me in this regard. Rev. Bitrus Choji, a friend and personal mentor, helped me with research sources about Northern Nigeria and philosophy in general. May God reward him for his contributions to this study. I would like to extend a special note of thanks to the friends who provided constant advice, prayers and motivation. These include Mr. Joseph Mangu Jock, Mr. and Mrs. Dasgwan Musa Iliya, Ezekiel Ohiku, Joshua Henry and family, Ibrahim Bitrus, Da. Bulus Mangut, Rev. Davou Jakawa, Kalliah Ancorson (AC), Ezekiel Hwere, Pastor Nector Makhutle, Peter Kriel, Maryna Steenkamp of African Missions, Agabi Apake, Ezra Jinang Yohanna, Clement Stephen Dachet, Aku Ullah, Fwengak Daniel, Rev. David Tyos, Rev. Arung, all members of COCIN Jenta Adamu and COCIN Kabong. The YWAMers of 2006, situated in Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa, have been a blessing to me, with special reference to Barnabas Reichart, Billy Wilson Plangji, Adrian Bakker and the Heemstras. I believe that God will answer their prayers. I would like to thank Billy Wilson, who assisted me in typing some parts of this thesis. My special thanks also goes to Victoria Biyams, Yidmwadi Mary James, Rejoice India and Petro-Nise Olifant for the role they all played in supporting me, for advancing my life and for the trust they have in me. Finally, I would also like to thank Miss Barbara Shaw, a member of the Professional Editors’ Group of South Africa, for the coaching and advice she provided in terms of language, grammar and technical editing. vi Abbreviations 1. ANE – Ancient Near East 2. Am – Amos 3. BCE – Before Common Era (equivalent to “Before Christ”(B.C.)) 4. CE – Common Era (equivalent to AD: “anno Domini”, meaning in the year of our Lord) 5. 1 Chr – 1 Chronicles 6. 2 Chr – 2 Chronicles 7. CMS – Church Missionary Society 8. COCIN – Church of Christ in Nigeria 9. 1 Cor – 1 Corinthians 10. 2 Cor – 2 Corinthians 11. Dn – Daniel 12. Dt – Deuteronomy 13. Ec – Ecclesiastes 14. Eph – Ephesians 15. ETS – Evangel Theological Seminary 16. Ex – Exodus 17. Ezk – Ezekiel 18. Ezr – Ezra 19. FCT – Federal College of Education 20. GL – Galatians 21. Gn – Genesis 22. Hab – Habakkuk 23. Hg – Haggai 24. Hs – Hosea 25. Is – Isaiah 26. JETS – Jos ECWA Theological Seminary 27. Jdg – Judges 28. Jb – Job 29. Jr – Jeremiah 30. Jn – John 31. Jnh – Jonah 32. Jos – Joshua 33. 1 Ki – 1 Kings 34. 2 Ki – 2 Kings 35. Lm – Lamentation 36. Lv – Leviticus 37. Lk – Luke 38. Mi – Micah 39. Mt – Matthew 40. NDE – Near Death Experience 41. n.d. – No Date 42. Neh – Nehemiah vii 43. Nm – Numbers 44. n.p. – No Publisher 45. NT – New Testament 46. Ob – Obadiah 47. OT – Old Testament 48. 1 Pt – 1 Peter 49. 2 Pt – 2 Peter 50. Phlm – Philemon 51. Phlp – Philippians 52. Ps – Psalms 53. Pr – Proverbs 54. PryT – Pyramid 55. Rm – Romans 56. Rv – Revelation 57. 1 Sm – 2 Samuel 58. 2 Sm – 2 Samuel 59. TCNN – Theological College of Northern Nigeria 60. YWAM – Youth With a Mission 61. Zch – Zachariah viii CONTENTS CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 General background ..................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Literature survey ........................................................................................................................ 13 1.3 Research problem and objectives .............................................................................................. 23 1.4 Theoretical framework ............................................................................................................... 24 1.5 Methodology .............................................................................................................................. 29 1.6 Structure of thesis .....................................................................................................................