City of Religions, Regalia and Consumerism: Exploring Religious Diversity in the Neo-Liberal City of Isale-Eko, Lagos Island

##plugins.themes.academic_pro.article.sidebar##

Published Jul 1, 2022
https://doi.org/10.71064/spu.amjr.7.1.156
Download
PDF
Statistic
Vol. 7 No. 1 (2022): African Multidisciplinary Journal of Research

##plugins.themes.academic_pro.article.main##

Tokunbo Bankole M.
Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary

Abstract

Social theorists have noted how the recent rise in importance of economics as a determining social field, namely consumerism and neoliberalism, have coincided with the renewal of formerly repressed or delegitimized “traditional” religious forms. Such a claim could be made for Sub-Saharan Africa and Nigeria in particular. This paper examines the validity of such a claim and shows how these dynamics are occurring empirically, through complex processes of recomposition, revival, re-interpretation, syncretism, bricolage, et cetera. The paper specifically focuses on the interface between religions in Isale-Eko, Lagos, Nigeria. Isale-Eko is an urban area of Lagos Island in Lagos State, Nigeria. It is a commercial area. In spite of the strong presence of commercialization and the influence of modernization in the area, religion is still accorded prominent attention by the indigenes of Isale-Eko. For example, the Eyo, an African religion fiesta, attracts the attention of both local and foreign tourists. Most of these tourists are Christians and Muslims. The African indigenous faith was the first religion to be established in Isale-Eko, while Christianity and Islam came much later. The influence of the two foreign religions led to a serious decline of traditional cults in the area. However, there is a revival of the beliefs and practices of the autochthonous religion. The state sponsored Eyo festival and the Isese Day attest to this fact. As a result of syncretic activities among Christian and Islamic adherents who patronize traditional priests known as babalawos, the dividing line between traditional and foreign beliefs and practices is becoming difficult to draw. Scholarly publications on religious diversity in Lagos Island have consistently opened academic vacuums yet to be explored. It is in response to the yearnings created by these vacuums that this paper is visualized. Using sociological and historical approaches, this paper submits that there is continuous dialogue between African indigenous religion and foreign religions in Isale-Eko, Lagos Island. This dialogue has given rise to peculiar syncretic beliefs and practices in contemporary Lagos Island.

##plugins.themes.academic_pro.article.details##

How to Cite
Bankole M., T. (2022). City of Religions, Regalia and Consumerism: Exploring Religious Diversity in the Neo-Liberal City of Isale-Eko, Lagos Island. African Multidisciplinary Journal of Research, 7(1), 22–43. https://doi.org/10.71064/spu.amjr.7.1.156

References

  1. Adefaka, B., 2012. Missionaries Vs Traditionalists: It Was a Tug of War before our People Accepted Christianity- Akran of Badagry. Vanguard, 22 April.
  2. Adesina, O. C., 2013. Faith, Spiritualism, and Materialism: Understanding the Interfaces of Religion and the Economy in Nigeria. In: A. Adogame, E. Chitando, & B. Bateye, eds. African Traditions in the Study of Religion, Diaspora and Gendered Societies. Farnham: Ashgate, 35- 46.
  3. Adigwe, H. A., and Grau, I., 2007. When God Says Yes - Who Can Say No? Religion as a Factor in Political Discourse in Nigeria since the 1960s. Stichproben - Vienna Journal of African Studies, 7(13), 79-110.
  4. Agbiji, O. M., 2012. Development-oriented Church Leadership in Post-military Nigeria: A Sustainable Transformational Approach. Thesis (PhD). Stellenbosch University.
  5. Agbiji, O. M., and Swart, I., 2013. Historical Sources of Christian Religious Leadership Ideology: Implications and Challenges for Social Transformation in Post-military Nigeria. Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae XXXIX (1), 221-246.
  6. Ambode, A., 2016. About Lagos [online]. Available from: http://www. akinwumiambode.com> about lagos [Accessed 1 April, 2018].
  7. Asamoah-Gyadu, J. K., 2010. Pentecostalism in Africa. In: D.B. Stinton, ed. African Theology on the Way: Current Conversations. London: SPCK, 56-67.
  8. Awolesi, V., 2018. History of Religion in Nigeria (Before and after colonization) [online]. Available from: http://www.infoguide Nigeria.com>history-rel…
  9. Anderson, A., 2011. Globalization and Independent Pentecostals in Africa from a South African Perspective. In: A. Adogame, ed. Who is Afraid of the Holy Ghost? Pentecostalism and Globalization in Africa and Beyond. Trenton: African World Press, 133.
  10. Anderson, J.N., 1960. The World’s Religions. London: Inter-Varsity Fellowship.
  11. Anon., 2002. History of Christianity in Africa [online]. Available from: http://www.allabout
  12. religion.org>hist.or… [Accessed 2 April, 2018].
  13. Anon., 2016. Historical Facts and Check: The Brief Origin of the Names of States in Nigeria
  14. [online]. Available from: http://www.naijaperminute.com.ng>h... [Accessed 1 April, 2018]
  15. Aromashodu, A., 2017. Eyo Festival: History and Features, Vanguard, 2 June.
  16. Asu, F., 2018. Nigeria‟s Active Oil Rigs Hit Three-year High, PUNCH, 5 April.
  17. Ayegboyin, D and Ishola S.A., 2018. African Indigenous Churches [online]. Available from: http://www.IRR.org. [Accessed 27 July, 2018].
  18. Bantu, D., 2016. African Christianity: Egypt [online]. Available from: http://www.jude3project.com . [Accessed 5 August, 2018].
  19. Barro, R.J., and Mcleary, M., 2003. Religion and Economic Growth across Countries. American Sociological Review, 68 (5), 760-781.
  20. Bryant, M.D., 1985. Assembly of the World’s Religions. New York: International Religious Foundation.
  21. Bumdel, 2015. 10 Businesses that are Thriving Most in Lagos [online]. Available from: http://www.nigerianbulletin.com. [Accessed 5 August, 2018].
  22. Chitando, E., Adogame, A., and Bateye, B., 2013. Introduction: African Traditions in the Study of Religion in Africa: Contending with Gender, the Vitality of Indigenous Religions, and Diaspora. In: A. Adogame, E. Chitando, and B. Bateye, eds. African Traditions in the Study of Religion, Diaspora and Gendered Societies. Farnham: Ashgate, 1-12
  23. Clarke, G., and Jennings, M., 2008. Introduction. In: G. Clarke, M. Jennings, and T Shaw, eds. Development, Civil Society and Faith-based Organizations: Bridging the Sacred and the Secular. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan. 1-16.
  24. Edward, C., 1905. Animism. London: Archibald Constable.
  25. Eigelaar-Meets, I., Gomulia, C., and Geldenhuys, A., 2010. An Emerging Strategy of Social Capital Formation: Opportunity and Challenge for the Religious Sector. In: I. Swart, H. Rocher,
  26. S. Green, and J Erasmus, eds. Religion and Social Development in Post-apartheid South Africa: Perspectives for Critical Engagement. Stellenbosch: SUN Press, 45-60.
  27. Ekeopara, C and Ekpenyong, O.E., 2016. African Traditional Religion and National Development in Nigeria. Research in Humanities and Social Sciences, 6 (22), 19-28.
  28. Eyobokan, S., 2012. Methodist Church Nigeria: 170 Years Impacting Nigeria for God [online].
  29. Lagos, Vanguard. Available from: http://www.vanguardngr.com>... [Accessed 1 April, 2018].
  30. Ferguson, J., 1968. Christian by Ways. Ibadan: Daystar Press.
  31. Filipino, H.R., 1996. Spirit World: A Challenge to the Church. Manila: OMF.
  32. Fitzgerald, M., 2009. Satan, the Great Motivator- The Curious Economic Effects of Religion [online]. Available from: http://www.archive.boston.com. [Accessed 19 November, 2018].
  33. Fuller, L., 1994. African Traditional Religion. Kaduna: Baraka Press
  34. Gale, T., 2006. African Traditional Religions [online]. Worldmark Encyclopedia of Religious Practices. Available from : http://www.encyclopedia.com.>religion
  35. Gifford, P., 2015. Christianity, Development and Modernity in Africa. London: Hurst
  36. Gifford, P 2009. Christianity, Politics, and Public Life in Kenya. New York: Columbia University Press
  37. Harvard Divinity School, 2018. Islam in Nigeria [online]. Available from: http://www.rip,hds.harvard.edu.[ Accessed 8 August, 2018].
  38. Hayward, A., 1979. Does God Exist? Reading: Cox & Wyman.
  39. Hick, J., Problem of Religious Pluralism. London: Macmillan Press.
  40. Idikwu, G.A., 2017. Abandonment of African Traditional Religions as the Bane of Religious Crises in Nigeria. Master‟s Dissertation. Tallinn University of Technology.
  41. Johnson. L., 1985. Asian Religions. U.S.A.: Bethany House.
  42. Jumia Mobile Report in Nigeria, 2018. [online]. Available from: http://www.jumia.com.ng.
  43. [Accessed 5 August, 2018].
  44. Kalu, O. U., 2010. Faith and Politics in Africa: Emergent Political Theology of Engagement in Nigeria. In: W. Kalu, N. Wariboko, and T. Falola, eds. Religions in Africa: Conflicts, Politics and Social Ethics, The Collected Essays of Ogbu Uke Kalu, Vol. 3. Trenton, NJ: Africa World Press, 11-30.
  45. Kalu, O. U., 2010. Holy Praiseco: Negotiating Sacred and Popular Music and Dance in African Pentecostalism. In: W. Kalu, N. Wariboko, and T. Falola, eds. African Pentecostalism: Global Discourses, Migrations, Exchanges and Connections, The Collected Essays of Ogbu Uke Kalu, Vol. 1. Trenton, NJ: Africa World Press, 84-107.
  46. Kalu, O. U. 2010. Harsh Flutes: The Religious Dimension of the Legitimacy Crisis in Nigeria, 1993-1998. In W. Kalu, N. Wariboko, and T. Falola, ed. Religions in Africa: Conflicts, Politics and Social Ethics, The Collected Essays of Ogbu Uke Kalu, Vol. 3. Trenton, NJ: Africa World Press, 31-64
  47. Kalu, O.U., 2010. Globalization and Religion: The Pentecostal Model in Contemporary Africa. In: W. Kalu, N. Wariboko, and T. Falola, eds. African Pentecostalism: Global Discourses, Migrations, Exchanges and Connections, The Collected Essays of Ogbu Uke Kalu, Vol. 1. Trenton, NJ: Africa World Press, 57-183.
  48. Koenig, H .G., 2009. Research on Religion, Spirituality, and Mental Health: A Review.
  49. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 54 (5), 283-291.
  50. Kunhiyop, S.W., 2008. The Challenge of African Christian Morality. In Z. Chinne, ed. Service with Integrity: The Christian in the Nigerian Project. Kaduna: The ECWA Goodnews Church, 211-244.
  51. Kwashi, B., 2008. The Christian and Corruption. In: Z. Chinne, (ed.). Service with Integrity: The Christian in the Nigerian Project. Kaduna: The ECWA Goodnews Church, 29-53,
  52. Laguda, D. O., 2013. Religious Pluralism and Secularization in the Nigerian Religious Sphere. In: A. Adogame, E. Chitando, and B. Bateye, eds. African Traditions in the Study of Religion, Diaspora and Gendered Societies. Farnham: Ashgate, 25-34.
  53. Lucas, J.O., 1948. The Religion of the Yorubas. Lagos: CMS Bookshop Press.
  54. Lucas, J.O., 1970. Religion in West Africa and Ancient Egypt. Lagos : National Press
  55. Magesa, L. 2010. African Christian Spirituality. In: D. B. Stinton, ed. African Theology on the Way: Current Conversations. London: SPCK, 46-78.
  56. Nieman, A., 2010. Churches and Social Development in South Africa: An Exploration. In: I. Swart, H. Rocher, S. Green, and J. Erasmus, eds Religion and Social Development in Post- apartheid South Africa: Perspectives for Critical Engagement. Stellenbosch: SUN Press, 37-43.
  57. Nigeria Population, 2018. Worldometers [online]. Available from: http://www.worldmeters.info>info.nigeria-popula. [Accessed 27 July, 2018].
  58. Nwibo, J., 2010. A Brief Note on the Need for African Christian Theology delivered at Cursus Godsdienst Onderwijs on 22nd of September.
  59. Okojie, G., 2017. When Lagos Stood Still for Eyo [online]. Abuja, Leadership. Available from: http://www.leadership.ng [Accessed 1 April, 2018].
  60. Oladipo, C., 2010, African Christendom in the Twenty First Century‟, Ogbomoso Journal of Theology, 15 (2), 33–71.
  61. Olulana, D., 2015. Christianity in Nigeria [online]. The 234 Project. Available from: http://www.the234project.com [Accessed 8 August 2018].
  62. Olulana, D., 2015. Islam in Nigeria [online]. The 234 Project. Available from: http://www.the234project.com [Accessed 8 August 2018].
  63. Omosegbon, O., 2010. The Role of Institutional Factors in the Modeling of Economic Growth and in Policy Formulation in Africa. In D. Seck,and S. Boko, eds. Back on Track: Sector-led Growth in Africa and Implications for Development. Trenton, NJ: Africa World Press, 37-58.
  64. Onunma, U.R., 2002. Christian Missionary Methods and their Influence on Eastern Nigeria. In
  65. E.I Metuh, ed. The Gods in Retreat: Continuity and Change in African Religion. Enugu: Fourth Dimension Publishers, 67-89.
  66. Ostien, P., 2012. Percentages by Religion of the 1952 and 1963 Populations of Nigeria’s Present 36 States, Nigeria Research Network (NRN), Background Paper No.1, Oxford Department of International Development, Queen Elizabeth House, University of Oxford.
  67. Palmer, T., 2008, Jesus Christ: Our ancestor? Africa Journal of Evangelical Theology, 27(1), 65– 76.
  68. Parrinder, E.G., 1961. West Africa Religion. London: The Epworth Press.
  69. Ruby, R and Shah, S., 2007. Nigeria‟s Presidential Elections: The Christian Muslim-Divide [online]. Available from: http://www.pewforum.org>2007/03/2/>nige...
  70. Schuurman, E., 2011. Technology and Religion: Islam, Christianity and Materialism. Koers: Bulletin for Christian Scholarship 76 (2), (doi: 10.4102/koers.v76i2.21), 373-386.
  71. Strange, D., 2008. General Revelation: Sufficient or Insufficient. In: C.W. Morgan and R.A. Peterson eds. A Response to Inclusivism: Faith comes by Hearing, Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 40–77.
  72. Swart, I., 2006a. Churches as a Stock of Social Capital for Promoting Social Development in Western Cape Communities. Journal of Religion in Africa, 36 (3/4), 346-378.
  73. Tracey, P., 2012. Religion and Organization: A Critical Review of Current Trends and Future Directions. The Academy of Management Annals, 6 (1), 87-134.
  74. Tsele, M., 2001. The Role of the Christian Faith in Development. In D. Belshaw, R. Calderisi, and C. Sugden, C eds. Faith in Development: Partnership between the World Bank and the Churches of Africa, Oxford: Regnum, 203-218.
  75. United States Census Bureau, 2018. U.S. Census Bureau Current Population 2018 [online]. Available from: http://www.census.gov>poplock>print [Accessed 28 July, 2018].
  76. Vanguard, 2016. Nigeria Remains Africa‟s Biggest Economy- IMF. Vanguard, 19 October.
  77. Whaling, F., 1984. The World’s Religious Traditions. Edinburgh: T & T, Clark.
  78. World Population Review, 2017. Lagos Population 2018 [online]. Available from: http://www.world population review.com>world cities