COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF GREEK GODS AND AFRICAN GODS
May 4th, 2007 by kendi
-A comparative analysis of the Greek gods and African Yoruba gods highlights some of the interesting characteristics that they share. This is the basis of a study carried out by a Nigerian classist Dr. Folake Onayemi who says that her analysis stemmed from the fact that ancient Greek and African religion exhibit such close parrallels easily identifiable in the myths. She believes that its not easy to transfer every concept from one cultural meduim to another
culture and categorically states that not everything in ancient Greek culture is exactly like the Yoruba traditional culture. But there are enough common cultural elements to make the comparative study between the ancient Greek gods and African gods viable.
Q WHAT ARE THE FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THESE GODS?
A. As the Greek gods are numerous so the Yoruba gods are innumerable, moreover the deities of both are localized meaning each god has a favourite city of worship. Athena was mostly worshipped in Athens, Hera mostly worshiped in Argos. At the same time, Ogun the Yoruba god is the favourite of the Ondos and Ijeshas. Just like Zeus is universal to all Greeks, Oludumare
is universal to all the Yorubas. Zeus became the father God and Oludumer the supreme being of the Yorubas. Unlike Zeus who was naturally born, Oludumare in the concept of the yorubas is an uncreated diety and the source of all things and his name Oludumare is a symbol of his supremacy and owesome power
B. Zeus is often depicted wearing the aegis of goat skin. Pictural representation show him in his prime about to hurl thunder and lightening. On the other hand there is no physical and pictural representation of Oludumare and his name is invoked in
virtually all endeavours. On the other hand, sacrifices were made to Zeus, while sacrifices were and are not made to Oludumare and there are no priests, images temples and
symbols because he is supposed to permeate every being. Zeus on the other hand is represented in anthromorphic terms. Oludumare is not conceieved in such terms as there are no activities like eating, sex attributed to him. Oludumare is not answerable to anybody according to the concept of the Yoruba. Thats why he is refered to as Kabeyesi, a title for kings. Though Zeus wills absolute power and authority he is still answerable to the Olympic goddesses the sisters who ruled the lives of mortals. The main similarlity is both are gods of mortals
Q HOW RELEVANT IS THIS KNOWLEDGE TODAY?
A. I will quote from Mary Lefkowitz who said that the Greek gods are still part of our lives even though we do not literally believe in them. Maybe in western civilization, she would say the Greek gods are still part of our lives, but in Africa we say that the gods are still part of our lives. The bottom line is that, the way the ancient Greeks thought, we thought that way too. a typical example is why the mythology of the yorubas reflect the the thinking of the of the
ancient greeks. I have realized that the African culture is closer to the ancient Greek culture than the western world, that inherited the ancient Greek culture.
Q SO HOW MUCH HAVE WE MOVED AWAY FROM THE TRADITIONAL WAY OF LIFE?
I would say: not very much. If we say that we have moved away, it would be a misconception. I have observed that antiquities has in a lot of ways patterned our reasoning and the way we do things in life. There is no in gain saying that the classical antiquity has not shaped our reasoning. Even for every day use the impact is very great.
Q THERE IS A DEITY IN GREEK ANTIQUITY CALLED APHRODITE REPRESENTING LOVE, ANY SUCH IN AFRICA?
No, there is no such diety, but the ancient Greek concept of love wasnt much different from the African traditional way. For example, ancient Greek marriage was legally monogamous but the concept of courtesans was there, marriage between the man and woman was for procreation and the man could satisfy his sexual urge by going to courtesans.
Q WHATS YOUR CONCLUSION THEN?
A. Not every aspect of the study can be compared. It is almost impossible to find the connection between the two cultures because it was only North Africa that had contact with the classical world. When it comes to West Africa its difficult to prove, but in order to understand ourselves better it is necessary to interpret classical antiquity from our own cultural
viewpoint. Most important is the fact that the reasons the ancient Greeks created gods were the same as the Yorubas. Probably because each was an agrarian culture or society and there were needs to be met and the people had to make gods to meet those needs.
Congratulations Kenny keep the flag flying and I believe sky is your limit