A Living Tradition: Studies on Yoruba Civilisation

This collection of essays, written during the last couple of decades on Yoruba cultural heritage, brings together a wealth of material on Yoruba history, art, and institutions within a framework of writing on the phenomenon, history and sociology of tradition. The essays demonstrate a strong philosophical context, and new insights into the nature and behavior of the Yoruba tradition. A main theme is that there is no antithesis between tradition and modernity and that to examine how the Yoruba synthesize tradition and modernity is a useful way to understand how their society functions and changes. The author further brings perspectives to current concerns about why there is at present a resurgence of violent ethnic clashes. He reflects on the divisiveness of violent conflicts arising from tribalism and ethnic consciousness, illustrating how these need not be a threat to Nigerian unity, and considers roles of traditional authorities in modern political structures.