Culture and the Contemporary Religious Dynamics in Nigeria: A Study of Soyinka’s Drama
Culture and the Contemporary Religious Dynamics in Nigeria: A Study of Soyinka’s Drama

Author(s): Megbowon Funmilola Kemi, Uwah Chijioke
Subject(s): Sociology, Theology and Religion
Published by: Scientia Moralitas Research Institute
Keywords: Religion; Postcolonial; Materialism; Merchandise; Politics
Summary/Abstract: The role of religion and culture in socio-economic development can not be underestimated. Coupled with socio-economic advancement, the postcolonial and contemporary African society is characterised by unprecedented rise in the level of religious movements with diverse contradicting beliefs championed by so called spiritual and religious leaders. The overwhelming socio-economic downturn in the society has meant that people have turned to religion for solutions to their problem but the church has not really lived up to expectation which writer likeSoyinka portrayed in his text. Considering the above mentioned, this study textually analysed Wole Soyinka’s The Trials of Brother Jero from a postcolonial theoretical perspective with the aims of exploring religious dynamics vis-à-vis cultural /moral degradation as portrayed in the text. It further resonates the place of culture in the contemporary religious environment. Moral degradation is captured from the characters of brother Jero, the old prophet, Jeroboam and the drummer boy where lack of respect for elders, covetous exploitation by spiritual leaders, materialism, falsehood and deceit are exemplified in religious setting as depicted in the text.

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