Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Yorùbá Traditional and Contemporary Cultural Perspectives on Homosexuality: Questions of Human and Minority Rights

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Development in Africa

Abstract

The controversy surrounding the issue of homosexuality has been phenomenally raised in recent years. In the Nigerian context, the 2014 law banning homosexuality and prescribing punishment for violating it brought the issue into renewed discourse from different standpoints—condemnation from western countries and support from majority of Nigerians. The objective of the chapter is to use the Yorùbá ethnic group of Southwestern Nigeria as a case study in measuring views and perspectives on laws criminalizing homosexuality, with the attendant consequences for the minority and human rights concerns. This is done against the deep-rooted cultural and religious beliefs of the people, as they transit from traditional to contemporary settings.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Adefoluke, G. (2013). Oral interview, August 21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Adetona, L. (2014). Oral interview, July 14

    Google Scholar 

  • Adewale Ifabunmi. (2014). Oral interview, July 29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ajibade, G. O. (2013). Same-sex relationship in Yorùbá culture and orature. Journal of Homosexuality, 60(7), 2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Akinade, J. O. (2014). Oral interview, July 22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, B. (2007). The politics of homosexuality in Africa. Africana, 1(1), 123–124.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anele, D. (2013, January 29). Homosexuality and its enemies. Vanguard Newspaper, p. 23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bello, M. (2014). Oral interview, July 23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edet, O. (2014). Oral interview, July 24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Falola, T. (2000). Tradition and change in Africa: The essays of J. F. Ade Ajayi (p. 3). Asmara: African World Press Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg, D. (1998). The construction of homosexuality (pp. 60–61). Chicago: Chicago University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, (Anonymous Name). (2014). Oral interview, July 28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Naphy, W. (2004). Born to be gay: A history of homosexuality (pp. 23–24). Stroud: Tempus Publishing Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neil, J. (2013). The origin and role of same sex in human societies (p. 54). Jefferson: McFarland Publication.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nigeria Eye Newspaper. (2013, August 10). p. 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nigerian Federal Penal Code. (2014).

    Google Scholar 

  • Nigerian National Assembly Same sex Marriage (prohibition) Bill. (2013).

    Google Scholar 

  • Oguntola-Laguda, O. (2013). Appraising homosexuality debate in Nigeria in the context of globalization. Unpublished paper presented at African Studies Institute 2nd International Conference, University of Georgia, Athens, USA, 3–5 November, p. 10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ojelabi, C. (2013). Oral interview, July 30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ojo, J. (2014, July 30). Homosexual advocacy in Nigeria: In response to Dr. Anele. ARISE—Christian Bi-Monthly Newsletter, 7. Retrieved from www.churcharise.com.

  • Olajide, J. (2014). Oral interview, July 21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Omisore, B. (2013). African connection: Nigeria legislates against gay marriage advocacy. Ebony News, 19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ossome, L. (2013). Postcolonial discourses of queers activism and class in Africa. In S. Ekiene & H. Abbas (Eds.), Queer African reader (p. 35). Nairobi: Pambuzuka Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paris, J. M. (2011). The end of sexual identity: Why sex is too important to define who we are (p. 123). Illinois: IVP Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pew Global Attitude Project. (2007).

    Google Scholar 

  • Tamale, S. (2011). African sexuality: A reader (p. 14). Nairobi: Pambazuka Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • The American Journal of International Law. (1994). Vol. 88, No. 4, p. 89.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Nigerian. (1999). Constitution as amended.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Punch Newspaper. (2008, September 25). p. 15.

    Google Scholar 

  • YNaija.com, The Internet Newspaper for Young Nigeria. (2011, January 7). p. 14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yorùbá Nollywood Film, Ohun Ebgin, released. (2012).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Religion and African Studies Institute, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA

    Ibigbolade Aderibigbe

  2. Department of Religions and Peace Studies, Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria

    Adepeju Olufemi Johnson-Bashua

Authors
  1. Ibigbolade Aderibigbe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Adepeju Olufemi Johnson-Bashua
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ibigbolade Aderibigbe .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa

    Samuel Ojo Oloruntoba

  2. University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

    Adeshina Afolayan

  3. Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria

    Olajumoke Yacob-Haliso

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Aderibigbe, I., Johnson-Bashua, A.O. (2020). Yorùbá Traditional and Contemporary Cultural Perspectives on Homosexuality: Questions of Human and Minority Rights. In: Oloruntoba, S., Afolayan, A., Yacob-Haliso, O. (eds) Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Development in Africa. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-34304-0_15

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation