The Influence of Westernised and Hybridised Christianity on the Appreciation of Traditional Art in Nigeria

Abstract

Christianity has been an active agent of westernisation and modernisation in contemporary Nigeria. Being more westernised than nigerianised, the phenomenon has, in many respects, challenged the idea of traditional African culture and art. Hinging on radical, though arguable exegeses of the Bible, neo Pentecostal Christian vitalities have questioned and utterly demonised core Nigerian cultural values, particularly traditional African art. This paper challenges the thesis that traditional art is inextricably connected with ancestral worship and inherently satanic. Though some of its constitutive elements – notably statutes of deities and goddesses as well as masks and artefacts associated with rituals – may have some connections with specific tenets of animism and idol worshiping, other aspects as ‘clean’ textile products, relevant rhythms within traditional music and architectural designs are visibly not antithetical to Christianity. It will therefore be expedient to delicately sort syncretic arts from the “spiritually poisonous” ones. Only syncretic art (those that may be concurrent to the concept of practicing Christianity) should be combated within Christian circles. This is in line with the fact that, external campaigns aimed at destroying traditional Nigerian art are not only anti-Africanist but clear violations of the principle of secularity of the state, spelt out by the Nigerian Constitution.