Philippine E-Journals

“Ori” As the Sole Determinant of Human Personality in Traditional Yoruba – African Thought

Oladele Balugun

Discipline: Philosophy, Human Personality

 

Abstract:

This paper is a follow up to my earlier paper titled “The Concepts of “Ori” and Human Destiny in Yoruba thought: A Soft Deterministic Interpretation”1 where I argued implicitly that it would be tantamount to a baseless argument if we conclude that “ori” (inner head) 2 is the sole determinant of human personality in Yoruba thought. The paper argues that the concept of “ori” (inner head) alone cannot be regarded as the sole determinant of human personality because “ori” (inner head) as it were is only limited to issues of material success at a general level in relation to human personality. Furthermore, it shall be pointed out in the paper that an exploration into the ancientYoruba scriptures such as “ifa literary corpus”, “ijala”, “Iwi” and “Esa egungun” reveal that moral character which is an essential component of human personality in Yoruba thought cannot be predetermined by one’s earlier choice of “ori (inner head). Finally the paper submits that it is the combinations of the functions of “ori” (as symbolized by both physical and inner head), “okan” (as symbolized by both physical and spiritual heart) and “ese” (as symbolized by both physical and spiritual leg) that jointly determine and constitute human personality in Yoruba thought.