An Inquiry into the “Maleness” of God in African Traditional Religions: The Igbo and Yorùbá as Illustrations

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Abstract In recent times, religious cultures across sub-Saharan Africa have shown a penchant for a masculine conception of God. However, in traditional African religions it is a general and cardinal belief that the sex of God has not been observed or revealed. Nevertheless, rendering God as masculine has evolved into a norm. This article explores the linguistics of the Igbo and Yorùbá to challenge this “masculine given.” Through philosophical analysis, this article discloses that pronouns in these African cultures are both gender neutral and contextual. Since it is generally understood that no African can see God, the dominant outlook that God is masculine is therefore incorrect.