Beschreibung
Aladura is a sociological study of two independent
churches among the Yoruba of Western Nigeria. It discusses their
origins in a period of rapid social change between the wars, as
well as their current beliefs, practices, membership, and
organization. It is based on close relations with congregations
and leaders all over Western Nigeria, particularly in Ibadan. The
local membership of Aladura and non-Aladura churches in Ibadan is
analysed in detail. Government and church archives have been used
in addition to the large religious and historical literature
produced by the churches.
In appraising earlier work on African
religious movements the author concludes that explanations in
terms of political subjection and/or socio-economic deprivation
are inadequate. Sociological analysis of religion, he argues, must
begin with a careful consideration of doctrines and beliefs in
the subjective terms of the believer, and move from there to
analyse the social situation as perceived, to which they are
a response. The central Aladura tenet, Divine Healing, is
interpreted in this manner. The study concludes with a comparison
with other Christian beliefs which are the expression of peoples
affected by modern change.