The deification of the Ancestors as a catalyst for the promotion of Patriotism among Nigerians: A case study of Esan people of Edo state
The deification of the Ancestors as a catalyst for the promotion of Patriotism among Nigerians: A case study of Esan people of Edo state
Abstract
Africans and Esan people in particular deify
their ancestors, they attribute supernatural powers to them, irrespective of
the kind of life they lived while on earth, they are known to effect moral
sanctions on those that violates communal morality and reward those that
conformed to acceptable norms of the community, that is why they are referred
to as ‘Moral Paragon’. However, the veneration of the ancestors in Africa and
among Esan people has diminished significantly, as a result of the evangelical
activities of the proselytizing religion of Islam, Christianity and the
neo-religious movement, coupled with urbanization and globalization. The paper
interrogates how the veneration of the ancestors can resonates patriotism in
contemporary era, It further, examines the modern ways of deification and show
the critique posed against the practice by adherents of modern religion. Data
is gathered through historical analytical approach, while ethnographic research
method is adopted for its theoretical frame work. Findings show that the
deification of the ancestors can mitigate injustice, victimization, oppression
and corruption perpetrated by the state political and economic actors, because
it promotes the philosophical input that states thus, a good name is better
than silver and gold, as well as, good name lives after the demised of an
individual.
Keywords:Deification, Veneration, Ancestors, proselytizing and moral paragon.
Author(s):Ogbeni Sylvester*, Olaleye Samuel Kayode
