AFRICAN RELIGION AND MOVIE REPRESENTATIONS: FAILURE, PUGNACITY AND PROMISE IN SELECTED MOVIES
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Date
2018-01
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DEPARTMENT OF ISLAMIC STUDIES, NASARAWA STATE UNIVERSITY, KEFFI, NASARAWA STATE
Abstract
The introduction of Christianity into Africa was synonymous with Western culture while African religion was equally the epicenter of African culture. The resultant effect was unhealthy rivalry between the two religious traditions. Films were introduced into West Africa during the colonial era by the Europeans. Many of these movies speak about the religion of the colonial masters; some speak about their might while others highlight Africans being civilized by Europeans. Later, Africans began to produce movies with indigenous religious contents. This paper analyses movie representations of African Religion from the pre-colonial period to the contemporary period. This is with a view to determining the indigenous religion under the indices of failure, pugnacity and promise. Yoruba land of Southwestern Nigeria has been chosen as the study area because the region is home to prolific production of movies. Lagos was central to the colonial occupation of Nigeria and the place where the first films were shown. Besides, the area belongs to the Yoruba ethnic group known for their deep religious interests. The media theory of apparatus is the axis upon which analyses is made. Some movies are selected for in-depth study. Relevant resource materials were used while interviews were conducted. Findings indicate three perceptions of depiction of the indigenous religion viz: failure (negative representations) pugnacity (mixture of negative and positive portrayals) and promise (positive depictions). However, there is no clear line of demarcation between these portrayals. Paper concludes on a promissory note about the revitalization of West African religion.
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Keywords
African Indigenous Religion, Christianity, Movies, Southwestern Nigeria, Celluloid film
Citation
KEFFI JOURNAL OF RELIGION