Precursors of the 1930 Great Indigenous Revival among the Yoruba People of Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Many scholarly works have been written about the 1930 indigenous Great Revival in Nigeria which bothered about its impact and successes. However, the underlying factors that contributed to its successes have not been well emphasized. These factors in this paper are referred to as precursors. This paper appraises six precursors of Aladura Revivals of 1930 in Nigeria so as to identify how they helped in the overall success of the revival. Relevant literatures about the revival were consulted. Six precursors were identified namely: Yoruba society and religion, Islam, Christian Mission, Colonial Administration, Faith Tabernacle and Cherubim and Seraphim Movement. All six precursors contributed to the success and perpetuation of the revival. The culture and worldview of the Yoruba people were important ingredients for the founders and followers of the revival for the smooth and successful take of the revival. Though Islam was a proselytizing religion, it was able to enhance the success of the Aladura revival though indirectly through certain identified similarities between it and Aladura Christianity. While the missionary oriented Christian missions and the Colonial Administration related offensively with the Aladura progenitors, Aladura mission benefited immensely from them through the experiences gained by its founders while they were with the missionary churches. The Faith Tabernacle acted as the springboard for the revival as many of the leaders of the revival were groomed in the F.T Society and they abided by its doctrines. The Cherubim and Seraphim Society being the first indigenous society to become a church among the Yoruba was connected with the revival as from 1928. The society projected some of Aladura beliefs such as prayer and exorcism. The six precursors played significant roles in the overall success of the revival. Aladura Christianity in southwestern Nigeria at the time related with the traditional religion both directly and indirectly making converts from them. These precursors created the basis for the emergence of the revivalists and the motivation for their activities among the Yoruba people of Southwestern Nigeria.

DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2013.v3n2p149