ENTECOSTALISM AND THE CHANGING PATTERN OF IGBO CULTURAL LIFE: A STUDY IN SOUTHEAST NIGERIA

Abstract

Every religious sect has the potential to revolutionize its host society and Pentecostalism is no exemption. This academic study explored the extent to which the Igbo cultural pattern and identity have been influenced by the exponential growth of Pentecostalism. The paper revealed that the phenomenal expansion of Pentecostalism in igbo land could be attributed to political, economic, social and spiritual factors. It was also observed that the growth of Pentecostalism is having considerable impact on the cultural pattern of the Igbo people. Firstly, this religious trend is partly responsible for the emergence of traditional affiliated churches that are formed around syncretistic principles that originated from African traditions. Secondly, the prosperity messages of many Pentecostal churches are obviously among the main factor responsible for emergence of the Igbo society as one that now seem to worship wealth and material possession. Thirdly, many Pentecostal churches exhibit over-fraternalization, religious nepotism and spiritual ethnicity, which unfortunately have detrimental impact on the Igbo culture of oneness and brotherhood as indicated in the region’s umunna and age grades traditional systems. Lastly, Pentecostalism is also contributing to the declining state of the Igbo language as many of these churches appear to discourage the use of Igbo language in their services as well as use of Igbo names among their converts. Thus, it could be concluded that Pentecostalism is having significant impact on the cultural pattern of the Igbo society.