Paper short abstract:

Using anthropological approach, the phenomenal rise in interest in the rituals of the Yoruba of Nigeria in connection with the role of a remarkable agency will be investigated against the background of a recent strident call against decolonisation of all forms.

Paper long abstract:

One phenomenal happening in Nigeria today is the renewed interest in indigenous ritual practices among the Yoruba ethnic component of the country. For reasons ranging from economic interest (for individuals, traditional institutions, corporate entities and government), identity politics, desire for intellectual plenitude, and spiritual fulfilment, all of which connect to the impact of decolonisation project, this phenomenal occurrence is redefining not just the Yoruba ethnic enclave but the country’s entire socio-political landscape. The convergence of multiple interests around this renewed sphere of culture is an indication of an active agency that scholarship on Yoruba indigenous rituals should identify, analyse and discuss. This is necessary for the rekindled scholarly attention trailing this development and new dimensions that are likely to define the next phase of intellectual engagements with the rituals. All of this cannot but be placed within the context of a vociferous call to jettison decolonisation (Taiwo: 2022). Given that the decolonisation project may not be easily divorced from this renaissance turn, the present study will identify, analyse and discuss this important agency against the background of the contention on the need to decolonise Africa, Africans and the whole field of African studies. The study will be theoretically anthropological. Hence, five rituals selected across five states of Nigeria where the Yoruba are predominantly found will be the sampled data.