Ọ̀rúnmìlà and the Yorùbá Intellectual Tradition: Words and Language vis-à-vis Western Modernity

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Main author: Bello, Saheed Adesumbo
Format: Journal Article           
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id eprints-39950
recordtype eprints
institution SOAS, University of London
collection SOAS Research Online
language English
language_search English
topic BL Religions. Mythology. Rationalism
B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion
J Political Science
P Language and Literature
description The essay offers a decolonial reading of the thought of Ọ̀rúnmìlà, the ancient legendary Yorùbá African messenger and interpreter of the spiritual tradition of Ifá with the aim to address the problem of hegemonic languages (such as English and French) and epistemic bias that have affected the Yorùbá intellectual tradition. The essay argues that reflection on the deep history of Yorùbá and the applied philosophy of Ọ̀rúnmìlà can better clarify the problem of language and epistemic injustices that European modernity has generated in modern Africa. The essay therefore explores what could be described as the interaction of nature-culture in the Yorùbá African intellectual tradition that continues to be silenced and distorted by imposed hegemonic languages and cultures. Through a new reading of the thought of Ọ̀rúnmìlà within the context of Ifá, the essay highlights how the problem of language and epistemic injustices disrupts the continuity of inherited African philosophical and historical traditions in modern times. Ultimately, such reading aims at revealing the contribution of the Yorùbá intellectual tradition to the global philosophical and historical discourse.
format Journal Article
author Bello, Saheed Adesumbo
author_facet Bello, Saheed Adesumbo
authorStr Bello, Saheed Adesumbo
author_letter Bello, Saheed Adesumbo
title Ọ̀rúnmìlà and the Yorùbá Intellectual Tradition: Words and Language vis-à-vis Western Modernity
publisher Brill
publishDate 2023
url https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/39950/

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