Sects as an Urban Phenomenon in Contemporary Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

It has been rightly stated that the Aladura type of religious organizations (prophetic and healing sects) in Nigeria are found in both the rural areas and the urban centres (see e. g. Ifeka-Moller 1974: 62). This is not a particularly significant observation since, in the ever increasing contact between the traditional and the modern only very few aspects of contemporary Nigerian society are now restricted to either the rural or the urban centres. However, in the discussion of the emergence, spread, and persistence of 'successful sects' in Eastern Nigeria it is important to note that those sects which have made the greatest impact on sectarianism were initially an urban phenomenon; that they have remained essentially identified with urban centres and that, despite their spread into rural areas and even the emergence of some new sects in certain rural environments, their character and activities are still influenced decisively by problems closely associated with urbanization. There is no attempt here to imply that all those issues which motivate some people to seek out the sects are found only in urban centres. These issues have been discussed at length in another place (Nwanunobi 1976), and I would reiterate that many of them are not specifically urban. However, urban conditions complicate them in addition to creating others with which the rural resident is not familiar. Besides, the rural and traditional areas have their own array of institutions and stress-relieving mechanisms which are in competition with those of the sects and can be substituted for them.

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