Abstract
The theory according to which the Yoruba ancestors were Coptic Christians seemed unpopular amongst many Yoruba people despite the fact that the theory was proposed by the most revered Yoruba historian, Samuel Johnson. The aims of this research are firstly, to study Johnson’s Coptic theory of the Yoruba origins and secondly, to highlight the circumstances that might have informed him to associate the Yoruba people with the Coptic Church. This research is achieved through a historical study of a possible interaction between certain ethnic groups in Nigeria and the Coptic Church, and through a comparative study of Church liturgies amongst the Copts and those of the Yoruba traditional churches. The researcher explained that Johnson’s Christian background influenced his narrative of connecting the Yoruba origins with the Copts. The researcher is of the opinion that there is no evidence provided by Johnson according to which the Yoruba people originated from the Copts.
Highlights
The Yoruba people are amongst the most populous ethnic groups in Africa
Whilst some say the Yoruba people originated from Mecca or Arabia, others say Egypt or Monroe or North Africa or Etruria (Agai 2013b; Olojede 2011:344–345; Oyebade 2004:53–54)
There is no evidence that the Coptic Christians came to Yorubaland to preach the gospel of Christ before or after the time of Samuel Johnson
Summary
The Yoruba people are amongst the most populous ethnic groups in Africa. In Nigeria alone, there are over 40 million Yoruba (Ayandele 2004:121) Their history is one of the most researched amongst other ethnic groups in sub-Saharan Africa. The Yoruba people of Nigeria occupy the south-western region of the most populous African country comprising of six geographical states: Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ogun, Lagos and Ekiti. The Yoruba people are found to be indigenes of Kogi and Kwara states in north-central Nigeria. Despite the achievements they have made with regard to the writing of their history and in the preservation of their culture, there is yet to be an absolute conclusion as to where the Yoruba people originated (Afolayan 2004:32). Whilst some say the Yoruba people originated from Mecca or Arabia, others say Egypt or Monroe or North Africa or Etruria (Agai 2013b; Olojede 2011:344–345; Oyebade 2004:53–54)
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