Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.15378/1848-9540.2021.44.06
Folk Liturgies and Narratives of Holy Wells among the Yoruba of Southwest Nigeria
Oluwafunminiyi Raheem
orcid.org/0000-0001-9512-1021
; University of Ilorin, Department of History & International Studies
Abstract
Building on Celeste Ray’s extensive research on Ireland’s holy wells, I show how folk liturgies
underlie meanings that are closely related to some of the practices that manifest around
holy wells among the Yoruba in southwest Nigeria – meanings that are often neglected in
the holy wells literature. I adapt some holy wells terms as they appear in existing studies for
illustrative as well as for comparative purposes. Their interpretation and analysis will, however,
focus on the liturgical narratives that best fit the article’s perception of what is local to
holy wells among the Yoruba. With a focus on two holy wells, Olokun and Ori Aye, the article
draws on the testimonies of local knowledge, close research encounters of ritual practices
and performances and readings from extant literature to open the window through which
holy wells and their various manifestations in the socio-cultural life among the Yoruba could
be properly assessed and adequately understood.
Keywords
folk liturgies, Yoruba, holy wells, Olokun, Ori Aye, Ile-Ife, Ondo
Hrčak ID:
267526
URI
Publication date:
21.12.2021.
Visits: 835 *