Wrathful Gods: Ethnography of Religion, Myths and Interpretations of Coronavirus in Nigeria

Ojebode, Ayokunmi O.; Solanke, Stephen O.; Okunloye, Oluwabusayo S.

Abstract

Although religious beliefs have historically influenced people’s perceptions and understanding of their quotidian experiences, the diversity of Nigeria’s religious terrain has further encouraged divergent interpretations of the coronavirus. This study makes sense of these interpretations and examines the underlying rationale for holding such conceptions of the virus. This study further develops rubrics for explaining prevailing social and mythological perceptions of the coronavirus. Based on ethnographic research conducted within five months spanning pre- and post-COVID phases, the data comprised interviews with a random sample of commoners, artisans, professionals, paramount chiefs, religious and community leaders in Atiba LGA Oyo State, Ede-South LGA Osun State and Irepodun LGA Kwara State representing the South-West and North-Central regions of Nigeria. Building on the theory of Cognitive Polyphasia from the works of Falade Bankole (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020), this study combines scientific and religious knowledge systems, especially the liberality of Nigerians, with two realities during the coronavirus pandemic. Findings indicated that about 70% of the 300 respondents interpret the virus as the “wrath of god/s” due to evils perpetrated in Nigeria and the world. The myth indicates the strategic role of religious institutions and leaders, which could be harnessed to enhance or endanger the public health of Nigerians.

Citation

Ojebode, A. O., Solanke, S. O., & Okunloye, O. S. (2023). Wrathful Gods: Ethnography of Religion, Myths and Interpretations of Coronavirus in Nigeria. In S. Arndt, B. Yacouba, T. Lawanson, . E. Msindo, & P. Simatei (Eds.), Covid-19 in Africa: Societal and Economic Implications (55-80). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-40316-3_3

• Online Publication Date: Dec 17, 2023
• Publication Date: Dec 17, 2023
• Deposit Date: Feb 21, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 18, 2025
• Publisher: Springer
• Pages: 55-80
• Series Title: African Histories and Modernities
• Series ISSN: 2634-5781
• Book Title: Covid-19 in Africa: Societal and Economic Implications
• Chapter Number: 2
• ISBN: 978-3-031-40315-6
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-40316-3_3
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/31611663
• Publisher URL: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-40316-3_3
• Additional Information: First Online: 17 December 2023