“Psychotherapy by environmental manipulation” and the observed symbolic rites on prayer mountains in Nigeria

Abstract

In Africa, life misfortunes, including states of illness especially psychiatric disorders, are attributed to the activities of external causes such as evil spirits, enemies, and the gods, etc. Over the years, orthodox psychiatric practitioners in Nigeria have found that the Western forms of psychotherapy are of little relevance to their clients. However, the traditional practitioners, which include the “Babalawos,” “Dibias,” and religious healers, especially the syncretic church, largely patronized by the citizenry irrespective of their educational status, have been found to carry out activities of psychotherapeutic values that are more culturally accepted by the people. The syncretic church movement emerged in Nigeria in 1915, and their prophetic healing activities as well as trips to selected “prayer mountains” to solve difficult life problems have been noticed since then. Thus, the activities of these syncretic Aladura Church Movement on selected prayer mountains in southwest Nigeria were explored in this study. A large number of such activities were found to be of psychotherapeutic importance through the manipulation of the clients’ cultural environment and the “prescription” of such “symbolic rites” as the use of “Holy water,” “Anointing oil,” “mantles,” etc. The need to incorporate this practice into mental-health care in the country for the benefits of patients who believe in them was emphasized.

Acknowledgements

The author is very grateful to the following clergymen for their assistance in gaining good access to the Prayer Mountains and in data/information gathering:

• Rev. T. O. Asojo of the End-time Revival International Church, Baruwa junction, Ipaja, Lagos, Nigeria.

• Pastor Samuel Ojo of Fountain Street, Baruwa, Ipaja, Lagos.

• Pastor Olatunji of Prayer Mountain at Ikoyi.

• Pastor Aduloju of Prayer Mountain at Ikeji-Arakeji.