In Africa, ethics are encapsulated their various religious and social activities. Among the Yoruba, ethnical codes are propagated in religious activities especially, Ifá and in socio-cultural activities such as ayò ọlọ́pọ́n. Ifá, the springboard on which Yoruba culture rests have specialized formal and informal rules regulating its activities. This informs why violation of rules guiding Ifá profession is regarded as ethical misconduct; the punishment of which may attract severe spiritual and/or human sanctions. Likewise, ayò ọlọ́pọ́n- indigenous Yoruba sociocultural board game have informal ethical rules. However, despite the national and international nomenclatures of Ifá and ayò ọlọ́pọ́n, no study is known that undertakes ethical interrelationship between the two cultural elements together. Employing code- a semiotic element, a channel through which communication is encoded. Ethical code of Ifá is compared with ayò ọlọ́pọ́n. It is found out that, there are affinities between operational rules guiding against Ifá divination profession and rules guiding against ayò game. This study concludes that, among the Yoruba, ethical codes of Ifá and ayò ọlọ́pọ́n are activated for sustainability of peace and development. Ethics of Ifá and ayò ọlọ́pọ́n are found related and therefore, ayò ọlọ́pọ́n ethical code is an extension of Ifá ethical code.
In Africa and among the Yoruba Christians in particular, the orientation that there are divergences in their religious beliefs sometimes results in religious intolerance culminating in religious conflict. Therefore, this study investigated the beliefs of the Babakérésì (Father Christmas) and Egúngún (Masquerade). Egúngún is a religious event whereby, the spirit of the dead and ancestors interact with the living and Father Christmas is an annual Christian Festival. However, Father Christmas, as a socio-religious event has not been related to any form of Yoruba Egúngún. This gap is filled by this study. This study employs a cultural approach, which implies the social power that encodes culture in a society, using the comparative method. Cultural and religious elements of Egúngún- the divinity of the ancestors are compared with Nicholas and/or Santa Claus and Father Christmas to establish their relationship. It is found that religious elements of Egúngún are related to Father Christmas and Nicholas and/or Santa Claus in symbolisms- the spirits of the dead, ancestors, or saints manifest in humans to bless the children. It is equally found out that, Egúngún, Nicholas and/or Santa Claus and Father Christmas are imitated, especially in voice by the traditional and Christians during Christmas and Egúngún festivals, apart from the fact that both festivals are celebrated annually. This study concludes that there are convergences of beliefs on Father Christmas and Egúngún mediated by the spirit of the dead- ancestor inhibits in human-being. The two religions teach the same values in different modes and, therefore, the worshippers should tolerate one another by peaceful co-existence.
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