Introduction
I am utilizing William W. Bascom’s “Ifa Divination, Knowledge, Power, and Performance” as my ethnography source for my current project. My analysis centers on the significance of divination in the Yoruba religious system. This paper outlines Bascom’s (2016) theoretical methodology and explores how it influences his understanding of Yoruba religious traditions. Specifically, I will explore how Bascom’s cultural relativist framework shapes his understanding of the role of divination in Yoruba culture and the ways in which his analysis highlights the complexities of Yoruba religious practices.
Theoretical Approach
The ethnographer exhibits a solid commitment to cultural relativism throughout his work, demonstrating great respect and sensitivity towards the Yoruba people and their traditions. According to Bascom (2016), “The study of another culture…demands a great degree of intellectual honesty and the willingness to recognize the relativity of one’s values” (p. 9). By adopting this approach, Bascom (2016) gains a detailed understanding of the Yoruba people and their religious practices without imposing his prejudices on their beliefs and practices. He acknowledges that the Yoruba religion is a complex and dynamic system that has evolved (Dopamu, 1999; “Yoruba,” n.d.). Divination has adapted to changing circumstances, including cultural contact with other groups and changes in the Yoruba social and political landscape.
Thus, the ethnographic source delves into the significance of divination in the Yoruba religion. The author asserts that divination is a crucial element of Yoruba religious beliefs as it serves as a medium of interaction between humans and the divine. Bascom’s (2016) interpretation is based on his profound respect and sensitivity towards Yoruba cultural values and norms. He states that divination is the most significant institution for regulating Yoruba society and maintaining social and cosmic order. His study emphasizes the importance of cultural relativism in comprehending religion and culture and highlights the need to approach cultural practices without bias. This work is a testament to how cultural relativism can broaden our understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures.
The author’s theoretical approach had a significant focus on fieldwork, which he deemed crucial for comprehending a culture. He believed that immersing oneself in a culture and learning directly from the people living in it was essential. This approach correlates with the definition of cultural relativism as “the view that ethical and social standards reflect the cultural context from which they are derived” (“Cultural Relativism,” n.d.). According to Bascom (2016), studying African art’s meaning and significance in the context of the culture that produced it was the only way to appreciate it. He spent several years living among the Yoruba people in Nigeria, studying their art, folklore, and religion, and creating close relationships with them. His fieldwork allowed the ethnographer to profoundly understand the Yoruba culture, which he then shared with the world through his teaching and writing.
Evidence of Bascom’s Approach
The ethnographer’s perspective on studying divination is demonstrated through his emphasis on the significance of performance in prophecy. Bascom (2016) points out that warning involves not merely the interpretation of signs or symbols but a complex and multifaceted performance. This version of divination consists of a conversation between the diviner, the client, and the divine; through this conversation, the divine message is conveyed. Furthermore, Bascom’s (2016) approach emphasizes the importance of regarding divination as a dynamic practice that evolves rather than reducing it to a static set of rituals or procedures. He highlights that various factors have influenced divination, such as historical events, cultural interactions with other groups, and changes in the Yoruba social and political landscapes, which correspond with sociological and evolutionary approaches (Steadman & Palmer, 2008). He writes, “Divination is not a fixed system, but rather a flexible one that can accommodate different interpretations, social and political changes, and new forms of contact with other peoples and cultures” (Bascom., 2016, p. 148). This approach allows the author to appreciate the complexities of Yoruba culture and avoid simplistic or reductionist interpretations.
The ethnographer’s cultural relativism informs his interpretation of the role of divination in the Yoruba religious system. Bascom (2016) argues that divination has adapted to changing circumstances and is essential to Yoruba spiritual practice. His analysis emphasizes Yoruba culture’s dynamic and adaptive nature, allowing him to appreciate its complexities and avoid reductionist interpretations. By recognizing the historical and cultural context in which divination functions, the ethnographer provides a rich and nuanced understanding of the role of divination in the Yoruba religious system.
The author’s method of comprehending divination surpasses the mere interpretation of signs or symbols, as he stresses the significance of the performance in the divination process. Such a focus highlights the importance of recognizing divination as a dynamic practice that requires more than a set of rituals or procedures (Bascom, 2016). He realizes that the performance of divination is impacted by the social and cultural environment in which it occurs and that the individual beliefs and experiences of the diviner and the client shape it. Therefore, Bascom’s (2016) approach to divination highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of Yoruba religious practice, underscoring the need for a nuanced understanding of its cultural and social context.
Conclusion
To conclude, Bascom’s theoretical perspective on cultural relativism helps comprehend the Yoruba religious system. This approach allows for a detailed comprehension of the Yoruba people and their spiritual traditions while avoiding ethnocentric biases. By acknowledging Yoruba culture’s dynamic and adaptable nature, Bascom can appreciate its intricacies and avoid oversimplified analyses. Bascom’s research highlights the significance of cultural relativism in the study of religion and culture, emphasizing the importance of understanding cultural practices on their own terms.
References
Bascom, W. W. (2016). Ifá divination, knowledge, power, and performance. (R. Abiodun & J. K. Olûpọna, Eds.). Indiana University Press.
Cultural relativism. (n.d.). Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs. Web.
Dopamu, A. (1999). The Yoruba religious system. Africa Update, 6(3). Web.
Steadman, L. B., & Palmer, C. T. (2008). Supernatural and natural selection: Religion and evolutionary success. Paradigm Publishers.
Yoruba. (n.d.). Every Culture. Web.