ABSTRACT

The belief in reincarnation is, of course, a central theme of many Eastern religions. Belief in rebirth has been reported amongst people scattered the length and breadth of the African continent. Their beliefs ranges from ‘partial’ reincarnation of an ancestor in one or several individuals strictly within the same family, to that of an endless cycle of rebirths linked to a notion of cleansing and refinement of the inner nature. There have been divergent views in response to the question of what happens to the soul after death and reincarnation is one of them. Many African cultures holds to the belief in reincarnation, of which the Yorùbá of South-West Nigeria is not an exception. They actually believe that the souls of some individuals do return after death to live again in a different body. However, could it be possible that life continues in some way after one is dead? Can the dead still live? This is a major question which this study has interrogated.

The purpose of this research is to carry out a philosophical discuss on the concept of reincarnation among the Yorùbá of South-West, Nigeria, in order to commend their impression where necessary and to correct them where they are getting it wrong. 

To achieve this, historical and phenomenological methods were employed. As a result, relevant academic books, journals and other scholarly materials were explored. Apart from this, the use of interview was adopted to keep one familiar of primary information on the concept of reincarnation among the Yorùbá of Southwest Nigeria.

At the end of the study, the work finds out that Ábὶkù and Ákùdάàyά is believed to be another manifestation of reincarnation. It is usually interpreted in relation to untimely death, and the mystery of Ákùdάàyά is not restricted to the Yoruba speaking in South-West Nigeria or Africa alone, but to other continents in the world. The researcher therefore concluded that, “The Dead can Still Live” and the concept of reincarnation is very real. 

“CAN THE DEAD STILL LIVE?” A PHILOSOPHICAL DISCOURSE OF THE CONCEPT OF REINCARNATION AMONG THE YORÙBÁ OF SOUTH-WEST,NIGERIA

OUTLINE

TITLE PAGE i.   

CERTIFICATION ii

DEDICATION iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iv

ABSTRACT vi

TABLE OF CONTENTS vii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

1.2 Statement of Problem

1.3 Purpose of the Study

1.4 Objectives of the Study

1.5 Research Methodology

1.6 Scope of the Study

1.7 Definition of Terms

Notes and References

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 The Philosophical Concept of Reincarnation

2.2 The Religious Concept of Reincarnation

2.3 The Immortality of the Soul: A Review

2.4 The Nature of the Soul

Notes and References

CHAPTER THREE: THE YORÙBÁ PEOPLE OF SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA

3.1 The History Yorùbá People

3.2 Geographical Location of Yorùbá People

3.3 The Yorùbá Socio-Cultural Worldview

3.4 The Yorùbá Religious’ View

3.5 Yorùbá in the Contemporary Time

Notes and References

CHAPTER FOUR: THE YORÙBÁ AND THE CONCEPT OF REINCARNATION

4.1 The Concept of Reincarnation among the Yorùbá

4.2 Ábὶkù and the Concept of Reincarnation

4.3 Ákùdάàyά and the Concept of Reincarnation

4.4 A Philosophical Discuss of Reincarnation in Yorùbá Worldview

Notes and References

CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION

5.1 Summary of the Work

5.2 Observation/Findings

5.3 Recommendations

BIBLIOGRAPHY