Women in the Yoruba Religious Sphere

Women in the Yoruba Religious Sphere

McGill Studies in the History of Religions, A Series Devoted to International Scholarship Katherine K. Young, editor

Women in the Yoruba Religious Sphere
• Oyeronke Olajubu

Foreword by Jacob K. Olupona

State University of New York Press

Published by State University of New York Press, Albany © 2003 State University of New York All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher. For information, address State University of New York Press, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany, N.Y., 12207 Production of Diane Ganeles Marketing by Michael Campochiaro Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Olajubu, Oyeronke, 1965– Women in the Yoruba religious sphere / Oyeronke Olajubu; foreword by Jacob K. Olupona. p. cm. — (McGill studies in the history of religions) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-7914-5885-7 (alk. paper) — ISBN 0-7914-5886-5 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Women, Yoruba—Religion. 2. Women, Yoruba—Rites and ceremonies. 3. Women, Yoruba—Social conditions. 4. Christianity and other religions—Nigeria. 5. Christianity and culture—Nigeria. 6. Sex role—Nigeria. 7. Sex role—Religious aspects—Christianity. 8. Nigeria—Religious life and customs. I. Title. II. Series. DT515.45.Y67O425 2003 299’.68333’082—dc21 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

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Contents
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Foreword Acknowledgments 1 • Concepts and Theories on Women in Yoruba Religious Sphere 2 • Women in Yoruba Culture and Society 3 • Women in Yoruba Christian Tradition 4 • Identity,