Abolade Festus Obajimi
Olabisi Onabanjo University







Christianity in Nigeria Culture: A Historical Analysis

There is hardly any world religion that emerges out of nf culture, religion is part of the culture of any group of people. Christianity is not an exception. wherever christianity is practised within the culture of any people, it lasts long and develops very rapidly. Therefore, christianity as practised within Yoruba culture helps the religion to grow widely in the Yoruba towns and villages. This paper therefore examines the issue of the place of Yoruba culture in the promotion and expansion of Christianity. The paper gives a brief historical account of the emergency of christianity in Yorubaland through the Anglican, Methodist and Baptist Missionary societies. It examines christianity as it is pratised within Yoruba culture by discussing the liturgy, prophecy together with the use of drumming, lyrics and dancing during worship. In addition, the cultural traits found in the burial ceremonies, use of white colour and use of tongues are discussed in the light of Yoruba culture because all these traits have their root in Yoruba culture. In conclusion, a critical appraisal of Yoruba culture in the practice of christianity is made and suggestions for improvement on Yoruba culture already entrenched in the christianity are also advance in the paper.