Aladura: A Religious Movement Among the Yoruba

by J.D.Y. Peel

Aladura is a sociological study of two independent churches among the Yoruba of Western Nigeria. The book 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 analyzed 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 book concludes that explanations in terms of political subjection and/or socio-economic deprivation are inadequate. It argues that sociological analysis of religion must begin with a careful consideration of doctrines and beliefs in the subjective terms of the believer, and move from there to analyze the social situation as perceived, to whi

338 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1968