Journal of Christian Religious Studies

Symbols, as the name implies, generally represent objects that could be linked to tradition, culture, and religion. The interpretation of religious symbols occupies an important place in the study of indigenous religion because symbols serve as vehicles through which beliefs, values, and spiritual realities are communicated. Among the Gbagyi people of Central Nigeria, religious symbols play significant roles in expressing traditional beliefs, preserving cultural identity, and maintaining the relationship between humanity, ancestors, and the spiritual world. However, contemporary society has witnessed increasing difficulties in interpreting these symbols due to modernization, urbanization, globalization, religious conversion, and the gradual decline of indigenous knowledge systems. This study examines the challenges encountered in interpreting Gbagyi religious symbols and seeks to unveil the hidden truths embedded in them. The objectives of the study are to examine the nature and significance of Gbagyi religious symbols, identify the challenges associated with their interpretation, and propose measures for their preservation and proper understanding. The study adopts a qualitative research methodology using secondary sources of data. Here, data are collected from books, journal articles, theses, archival materials, and relevant scholarly publications on Gbagyi religion and African Traditional Religion. Findings revealed that the loss of oral traditions, religious transformation, language decline, and inadequate documentation of the culture have contributed significantly to the misunderstanding of Gbagyi religious symbols. The study recommends documentation, cultural education, scholarly research, and intergenerational transmission of knowledge as means of preserving the symbolic heritage of the Gbagyi people.

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