The term religion is widely defined as the act of offering services or worship to a supreme being, usually an omniscient being or a deity. There are different religion or gods worshipped in different part of the world. The Indians have theirs, the Chinese have theirs, the Amazon Americans have theirs and the Africans are not left out. Infact the African culture and tradition is deeply rooted in their religious beliefs. They appoint their leaders through their religion and even Carryout their business activities in line with their religion.

Quick history of religion in Africa (Nigeria in particular)

Africa is blessed with different languages, culture and tradition. Religion is an important aspect of the African life. There is no history of any African clan that doesn't have it root from the metaphysical realm.

Before the coming of Christianity and Islam, Africans (Nigeria in particular) already have their own religion. These religion are practiced in respect to worshipping a god or demi-god. Some of these gods include: Ogun, obatala, orunmila, sango, chi, ayelala and so on. These gods are believed to be the source of goodluck, direction, protection, power and blessing to them. Africans are very conscious of their tradition and would not joke with it. At times, some taboos are spelt out to deter and control the people from committing crimes and also to ensure peace and order in the society. This really worked out well with very minimal crimes being committed and humanity sewn into the very fibre of their hearts.

Festival times and seasons

Some times were appointed as their festival times and seasons. Take for example, the osun festival in osun state where the gods are invoked to send down rain even though it's the dry season. A white woman who visited the festival some years past decided that this festival shouldn't be what is done in secret. She made it public and before soon, tourist from all part of the world started flooding the site. It is also believed that he osun goddess grants the prayer requests of pregnant women by giving them children.

Another festival celebrated is the eegun festival. Although this festival is very common in all Yoruba lands, it is elaborately done in Lagos State with the masquerade dressed in white robe and a big round hat on his head. He holds a long whip with which he inflict pain on those that dare to stand in his way.

Another festival is the mare festival in idanre. It is an international festival that attracts tourist, investors and athletes from all parts of the world. There are many fun activities to be done there like: mountain climbing, step climbing, adventure tour, history unfolding sights, etc. The idanre hills is actually a historical ground of the idanre people. It was said that the hill gave them shelter from the enemies during war times. There is a river there that has healing properties. Whoever goes into this water would be cured of his/her disease.

Wonders of Idanre hills

There are many remarkable sites on the Idanre hills. Some of them are

• The mysterious foot hole. There is a hole shaped like a foot on the hill. It is said that no matter how big or tiny any feet is, it will surely fit into the foot hole perfectly! If a giant dips his feet inside, it will fit. If a baby dips it foot inside it will surely fit.

• The over 500years old tree.

• The ancient huts and bury ground of the ancient kings. And so on.

African is blessed with diversities of traditions and religion. They use charms, voodoo, sacrifices and incantations in the worship of their gods. The object of their worship includes; stones, river bodies, iron and other metals, tree, land, heaven images and statues. One major evil in most African religion is human sacrifices. Although it dwindled to a point of extinction some years back, but now it is on rampage again due to the quick-money fever ravaging Nigeria. Apart from this negative side, the African religion is actually really sweet, entertaining, peaceful, and community binding.

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