Origin and evolution of the phenomenon of Jalabi and its socio-religious impacts in Yoruabaland Nigeria

Abstract

Jalabi is an extant historical phenomenon with strong socio-religious impacts in the Yorubaland, south-western part of Nigeria. It was among the preparatory DÑawah strategies devised by the Yoruba ÑUlamÉ’ following the general mainstream Africa to condition the minds of the indigenous people for the acceptance of Islam. This strategy is reflected in certain socio-religious services rendered to the clients, which include, but not limited to, spiritual consultation and healing, such as petitionary duÑÉ’ (prayer), divination through sand-cutting, rosary selection, charm-making, and an act of officiating at various religious functions. In view of its historicity, the framework of the thesis revolves around three stages identified to have been aligned with the evolution of Jalabi, viz. DaÑwah, which marked its initial stage, livelihood into which it had evolved over the course of time, and which, in turn, had predisposed it to the third stage, namely syncretism. Triangulation method was adopted for qualitative data collection, such as interviews, personal observation, and classified manuscript collections, and then was interpretively and critically analyzed to enhance the veracity of the thesis findings. The orality of the Yoruba culture has greatly influenced the researcher’s decision to seek data beyond the written words in order to give this long-standing phenomenon its due of study and to help understand the many dimensions it has assumed over time, as well as it’s both positive and adverse effects on the socio-religious live of the Yoruba people of Nigeria.