ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the adoption, by the Nupe, of originally alien beliefs and practices. The adoption of alien features, or indeed of a whole alien creed, may conceivably have taken place under pressure; in which case none of our assumptions would apply, or would apply without considerable qualifications. Again, the situation is simplified in Nupe; for only in the case of Islam was the adoption of the alien creed backed by social and political pressure; all other adoptions (or rejections) were spontaneous and voluntary. The chapter outlines the chances of this nature that were offering to the Nupe. The southern neighbours of the Nupe, the Yoruba, possess a religious system which contains many features diametrically opposed to those characterizing Nupe religion. Yoruba religion is based upon a pantheon of deities, all anthropomorphously conceived, who severally govern the universe.
