COMMUNITY VALUES AND SOCIAL COHESION: TRADITIONAL AFRICAN RELIGIOUS PRACTICES IN CONTEMPORARY NIGERIAN SOCIETY

Abstract

Indigenous practices enhance social stability by fostering collective identity, contributing to conflict resolution and act as networks of mutual support. This study examined the contributions of traditional African religious rituals in modern Nigerian society to community values and social cohesiveness. The research is anchored on the social identity theory. Through the use of the participant observation and interview approaches of the qualitative research method, the researcher sourced and analyzed his data. Findings suggest that indigenous African religious traditions have been met with challenges from urbanization, modernization, and religious pluralist festivals and rituals but have continued to contribute to society through the enhancement of traditional communality. The study concludes that modern Nigerian society will continue to benefit heavily from traditions as they continue to foster social cohesion and reinforce communal values.