UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA FACULTY OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY ETHNOGRAPHY OF TRADITIONAL RELIGION AND POLITICS OF THE OKUN-YORUBA OF SOUTH-WESTERN NIGERIA A THESIS PRESENTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY, IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (Ph.D) DEGREE IN ANTHROPOLOGY BY TUBI, PAUL-KOLADE (REVD. FR.) PG/Ph.D/08/48218 SUPERVISOR: PROF. A. I. OKPOKO. JULY, 2015. i Approval Page This thesis has been approved for the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. _______________ __ ____________________ Prof. A. I. Okpoko Prof. E. E. Anugwom Supervisor Head, Department of Sociology/Anthropology ____________________ ____________________ Prof. I. A. Madu Prof. A. A. Ubachukwu Dean, Faculty of Social Science Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies University of Nigeria, Nsukka University of Nigeria, Nsukka _________________ Prof. C. F. Okolocha External Examiner ii Certification This is to certify that the candidate whose name and registration number appear in this work has successfully completed the demands of this project. _______________ __ ____________________ Prof. A. I. Okpoko Prof. E. E. Anugwom Supervisor Head, Department of Sociology/Anthropology ____________________ ____________________ Prof. I. A. Madu Prof. C. F. Okolocha Dean, Faculty of Social Science External Examiner University of Nigeria, Nsukka iii Title Page Ethnography of Traditional Religion and Politics of the Okun-Yoruba of South-Western Nigeria iv Table of Contents Approval Page .................................................................................................................................. i Certification .................................................................................................................................... ii Title Page ....................................................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................... iv List of Figures ............................................................................................................................... vii List of Tables ................................................................................................................................ vii Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................................... viii Dedication ...................................................................................................................................... ix Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... x CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................................. 1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background to the Study .................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem ................................................................................................. 2 1.3 Objectives of the Study .................................................................................................... 4 1.4 Research Questions .......................................................................................................... 4 1.5 Significance of the Study ................................................................................................. 5 1.6 Definition of Concepts ..................................................................................................... 6 CHAPTER TWO ............................................................................................................................ 7 LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................................................... 7 2.1 Ethnography ..................................................................................................................... 7 2.2 Religion .......................................................................................................................... 10 2.3 Power and Politics .......................................................................................................... 12 2.4 Review of Relevant Theories ......................................................................................... 15 2.4.1 Evolutionism ........................................................................................................................... 15 2.4.2 Conflict Theories...................................................................................................................... 16 2.4.3 Structuralism ........................................................................................................................... 18 2.4.4 Functionalism .......................................................................................................................... 19 2.5 Theoretical Orientation .................................................................................................. 21 2.6 Propositions.................................................................................................................... 22 v CHAPTER THREE ...................................................................................................................... 23 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.................................................................................................. 23 3.1 Study Design .................................................................................................................. 23 3.2 Methodology .................................................................................................................. 24 3.3 Area and Scope of the Study .......................................................................................... 24 3.4 Study Population ............................................................................................................ 25 3.5 Sample Size .................................................................................................................... 26 3.6 Sampling Procedure ....................................................................................................... 27 3.7 Instruments and Methods of Data Collection ................................................................. 28 3.8 Methods of Data Analysis .............................................................................................. 33 CHAPTER FOUR ......................................................................................................................... 34 FINDING ...................................................................................................................................... 34 4.1 Summary of the Research Problem................................................................................ 34 4.2 Interplay of Politics and Religion................................................................................... 37 4.3 Findings on Propositions ................................................................................................ 45 4.4 Findings on Traditional Religion ................................................................................... 52 4.4.1 Sacrifice and Ritual Meals .......................................................................................... 64 4.4.2 Impact of Modernization and Modern Religions on Okun Traditional Religion ....... 69 4.5 Physio-Cultural Features in Okun Religion .................................................................... 70 4.6 Findings on Traditional Political Power ......................................................................... 74 4.6.1 Administrative Organisation .................................................................................................... 74 4.6.2 Conferment of Traditional Titles ............................................................................................. 82 4.6.3 Impact of Modernatization on Okun‟s Traditional Political System .......................... 83 4.7 Emergent themes ............................................................................................................ 84 4.7.1 Rites of passage ......................................................................................................................... 85 4.7.2 New Yam Festival (Odun isu titun) .......................................................................................... 97 4.7.3 Social Stratification ................................................................................................................. 100 4.7.4 Life after Death ....................................................................................................................... 102 4.8 Grave Offences ............................................................................................................. 103 CHAPTER FIVE ........................................................................................................................ 106 DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS .............................................