Evil

Deji Ayegboyin & Charles Jegede

The concept of evil appears in most African societies. In the construction of African religion, the people have always recognized that all things were not good. However, there are some significant differences between the African concept and others. To demonstrate how evil operates in one particular society, this entry concentrates on the Yoruba culture of Nigeria. Evil, among the Yoruba, is generally referred to as ibi , which is the negative dimension of life. Evil in its widest and all principal sense is the antithesis and reverse of ire (good). Nevertheless, ire and ibi are held to be so closely knit that good is believed to be of no special relevance without evil. In Yoruba philosophy, ire (good) and ibi (evil) are held to be the two major forces that control the universe. This accounts for the saying tibi tire la dale aye (“the world is created with an ire ...

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