The word "sex" can refer to several things. It can mean physical intimacy between two people, it can also be used to describe biological differences that distinguish male from female, and it can also refer to various forms of behavior associated with sex, including romantic love, desire, attraction, pleasure, and even pornography.
These different aspects of sex are often understood differently across cultures, religions, countries, and time periods. This article explores how traditional Nigerian religions view sex outside of Western moral categories.
Traditional Nigerian religious teachings about sex tend to focus more on its function as procreation rather than recreation. According to the Bible, for example, sex is primarily intended to produce children and maintain family lineages.
Genesis 1:28 says, "And God blessed them; and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it." In other words, sex is seen as an important part of creating new life and perpetuating humanity.
Traditional African religions place great emphasis on purity and chastity before marriage. According to Yoruba mythology, the goddess Oya created a man named Orunmila who fell in love with her when she was bathing. The couple had a child together, but because they were not married, their relationship was considered incestuous and Orunmila was banished to the sky. Similarly, according to Igbo beliefs, couples should refrain from having sex until after they have been initiated into adulthood and are ready to take on adult responsibilities.
Western societies tend to see sex as something that can occur without any consideration for reproduction or cultural values. As a result, there is less emphasis on waiting until marriage and no expectation that sexual partners will remain committed to each other forever. Instead, many people in Western cultures use birth control methods so that sex does not always lead to pregnancy, and there are also laws protecting individual privacy during sexual encounters.
Traditional Nigerian religions do acknowledge some forms of non-reproductive sexuality.
Among the Yoruba people, men may visit their wives' homes while they are menstruating, which is a time of spiritual power for women. This practice is called "dodum" and involves ritual bathing, drumming, and dancing to help ease menstrual cramps. In addition, the Ashanti people believe that men may engage in homosexual acts to enhance fertility by giving birth to twins. These practices demonstrate how different religious systems view sex outside of reproductive norms.
Traditional African religions place more importance on maintaining sexual purity and chastity before marriage than Western moral categories. They also recognize that sex can be used for purposes beyond procreation, such as healing or spiritual growth.
These views diverge from modern Western understandings of sexuality, where individuals are free to explore their desires without regard for cultural expectations.