The Interaction of Prophecy and Yoruba Culture in Selected African Indigenous Churches

Abstract

Prophecy and prophetism are important elements of liturgical activities in the African indigenous churches in Nigeria. For the adherents of these churches, prophecy has not ceased in that God still communicates with them. This background therefore justifies the emphasis placed on prophetic activities in the indigenous churches in Nigeria. The goal of this paper is to critically examine the influence of the traditional Yoruba culture and religion in the expression of prophetic phenomena and on prophetic personages in these churches. As corollary the paper will also explore how these churches' concept of prophetic inspiration, call, and the inducement of the psychic states have been shaped by the Yoruba religio-cultural milieu.