week 11

Question 1

Ayanmo

Answer 1

Ayanmo- “that which is chosen and affixed to one”
- it is not known who does the choosing
- if a deity chooses, there is no problem of choice, but there is a problem of responsibility

Question 2

Gbadegesin describes three inconsistent claims in Yoruba and Akan conceptions of destiny. What are these three claims, and why are they inconsistent?

Answer 2

they are inconsistent because the typical Yoruba acts as though destiny can be altered, yet also believes that an unfavorable destiny may never go away. The typical Yoruba proceeds on the assumption that a good destiny may be negatively altered by the acts of others. The Akan view is also inconsistent because it holds that the supreme being disposes destiny, that is always good, and evil is attributed to evil people, but how can destiny be good, if people do evil things?

Question 3

Akunlegba

Answer 3

“that which is received while kneeling”
- destiny imposed by the deity
- no problem of choice, but there is a problem of responsibility

Question 4

Akunleyan

Answer 4

“that which one kneels down to choose”
- the human makes the choice of a particular destiny. The body-plus-emi chooses an ori inu (inner head). this leads to a problem of choice