Browsing by Author "Abolaji, Rebecca Omowumi"

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    An Appraisal of Women’s Role in Sacrifice in Yoruba Religion
    (Deparmtent of Religion & Peace Studies, Faculty of Arts, Lagos State, Oyo, 2025-12) Adeyeye, Agnes Omotayo, PhD; Abolaji, Rebecca Omowumi
    The Yoruba understanding of gender is complex and broad and also influences the participation of women in sacrificial practices. Many researchers indicate asymmetry connected with the gender, which also refers to the religious sphere. The non-literate peoples consider life to be the fundamental value and that is the reason why their cultural and religious traditions put emphasis on women biological functions and see procreation as her main vocation and task. A woman performs the role of a native doctor and healer among many African people, since the basic medical care takes place within family. In Africa, older women after menopause perform priestly duties to a smaller degree. Researchers of the African people emphasize that spirit possession takes place more frequently in the case of women than men which they consider a reaction to the inferior status of women in the social, political and religious life. Both men and women are diviners among many African people. Among some people of astern and Southern Africa women control the Earth fertility and they are renowned rainmakers. Women belong to secret societies in some African people. Both men and women can be sorcerers and witches, although among many African people it is more often older women who are accused of witchcraft which is explained by social and economic inequality and the desire for power.