CROWTHER JOURNAL OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES

This paper examines worship within the context of two religious traditions in Nigeria: African traditional religion and Christianity, with particular reference to Igala religion and Four-Square Gospel Church in Igala-land. The aim was to find out the similarities and dissimilarities in acts of worship between the Igala religion and Four-Square Gospel Church. The study adopted qualitative research design. Materials were obtained from primary and secondary sources. Primary sources involved the use of oral interview from twenty resource persons who were chosen through systematic sampling in three Local Government Areas of Idah, Ofu and Onyedega. Secondary materials were obtained from books, articles, journals, research documents, the internet and print media. The paper adopted descriptive and comparative method of analysis. The descriptive method describes the phenomenon of worship as it is applied in Four Square Gospel Church and Igala religion. The comparative method of analysis examines the similarities and dissimilarities in acts of worship between Four Square Gospel Church and Igala Religion. Findings revealed that worship in both Igala religion and Four-Square Gospel Church are carried out through acts such as: prayers, singing, dancing, use of musical instruments as well as animal and non-animal materials for sacrifice and thanksgiving. Findings also revealed that in both religious traditions, the role of priest in leading worship is sacrosanct. The study also found that there exist some remarkable differences in materials used for worship in both religions; while the Igala religion make use of charms and magic during worship, the Four-Square Gospel Church make use of the bible and hymn books during worship. In addition, Igala religion make use of local musical instrument, the Four-Square Gospel Church make use of foreign musical instrument. The study concludes that there is so much in common between worship in Christianity and African traditional religion such that both can be seen as essentially one in different cultural expressions.

Open Full Text (PDF)