Yoruba

Linguistics

Reincarnation

Philosophy

Christianity

Gender studies

Precept

Faith

Aesthetics

Sociology

Divination

Theology

Buddhism

Religious studies

Soul

Journal of Philosophy, Culture and Religion

Reincarnation is the belief that after someone dies; his immortal soul separates from the body and lives again in another physical body. The traditional Yoruba culture holds the belief in reincarnation ( atunwaye ). null Atunwaye null is believed to be possible in three different forms which are: null ipadawaye null (ancestor’s rebirth), null akudaaya null (die and reappear) and null abiku null (born to die). The Christian culture does not accommodate such beliefs in reincarnation. Nevertheless, Yoruba people who are converted to Christianity still hold on to the belief in reincarnation and this generates for them a problem of cultural dilemma. Yoruba Christians of the Akurẹ division also hold on to the traditional belief in null atunwaye null which contradicts their Christian faith. This has negative influence on their beliefs and practices as Christians. The various reincarnation beliefs among the Yoruba people in Akurẹ have been evaluated. Oral interviews were conducted among indigenes of Akurẹ, who are also clergymen and lay Church leaders in Akurẹ from selected denominations to understand the beliefs of Akurẹ Christians on reincarnation. 200 copies of a questionnaire were administered on Akurẹ indigenous Christians to determine the extent of their belief in reincarnation and its impact on their Christian faith.Findings show that Yoruba Christians in Akurẹ still hold on to traditional belief in reincarnation ( atunwaye) null in its various forms. It has also been shown that this belief has a great influence on their other beliefs and practices, such as veneration of the dead, occult practices, worship activities and family living.It recommends that Akurẹ Christians be taught sound Biblical doctrine on the subject of reincarnation. It recommends further that the church needs to differentiate between reincarnation and resurrection, emphasising the importance of the belief in resurrection for a Christian. null null null Keywords: null Reincarnation, Yoruba beliefs, null ipadawaye, abiku, akudaaya .

The Impact of the Yorùbá Traditional Belief in Reincarnation among Yorùbá Christians in Akurẹ