Akoko Sub-Ethnic Group of Yorubaland: An Historical Assessment of the Pre-Colonial Belief System and the Advent of Christianity

Abstract

Since Christianity came in contact with the traditional belief system of the people of Akokoland, there has always been a sharp conflict between traditionalists and Christians. The paper strives to examines the history and historiography of some of the existing religion institutions and belief system in Akoko sub-ethnic group before the advent of Christianity in the twentieth century, while focusing on the transformative roles played by Church Missionary in the development of the region. The paper also considered the evolution and the growth of Akoko Sub-Ethnic group into towns and villages in Akokoland. During this period of emergence, the advent of Christianity was very significant and contributory factors to the urbanisation processes that took place in western and southeastern Yorubaland in the nineteenth century. In spite of their significant contributions to the major growth and development, much scholarly attention has not been given to the study of Akoko sub-ethnic group.
However, this paper complements the paltry existing literatures, which are of course, considerable works on Akoko history. The paper identifies the prehistoric histories that had existed before the colonial era. The paper concludes that local history is a valuable source of historical reconstruction.