West African Tradition

Syncretism in the Palace: How Royal Burial Rites Blend Christian Prayer with Ancient Traditional Protocols

Royal burial rites in many West African kingdoms especially in the Niger Delta and among groups such as the Itsekiri, Edo, Yoruba, and Igbo demonstrate a complex interplay between Christianity and indigenous spirituality. These rites reflect a long history of cultural adaptation, political authority, and religious coexistence. In kingdoms like Warri, Benin, and Oyo,…