ABSTRACT

This work examines the impact of globalization on the traditional Igbo hierophanies. The study adopts the philosophical methods of analysis and hermeneutics as the investigation deals with traditional cultural elements and symbols of a given locality in Africa. The focus is on sacred places particularly traditional shrines. The shrine serves as the community center that houses the tutelary deities. Given their hierophanic status, the shrines are believed to serve as avenue or link to Transcendence; a means of sacralization of the cosmos; spiritual and ontological energizer for the worshippers. They are places of worship, sacrifices, festivities and administration of oaths. On the social aspect, the activities in the shrines serve as cohesive means of bringing together members of the community. The phenomenon of globalization which is an inevitable two-way traffic and process in the ongoing human evolution and integration comes with twofold impact on the traditional hierophanies, one positive, and the other, negative. The encounter with the outside world especially Christianity exposes Igbo culture to foreign forms of hierophanies with attendant religious pluralism including religious hybridization, thus dismantling the monopoly of traditional hierophanies. Traditional morality, values and ideals are enhanced. But these are not without some severe repercussions. Yet the resilience of the traditional hierophanies persists. The positive elements therein should therefore be preserved even as the good aspect of foreign hierophanies and cultures appropriated and possibly harmonized with the local ones.