Religion, Religiosity, Leadership Nexus and the Marxist Ideology in Adeoluwa Owu’s Adire

Abstract

The complex religious background and diverse cultural setting of Nigeria make it a nation to investigate the intersections of religion, religiosity, leadership style and ideological drive. With roughly half of its population as Christians and the other half as Muslims, Nigeria has been the site of ongoing tensions and debates around women's rights, religious identity, leadership and the role of religion in public life. This study, therefore, examines religion, religiosity and the Marxists ideology in Adeoluwa Owu’s widely celebrated film, Adire. The study adopts the content analysis method, and reveals that religious beliefs and practices often shape economic behaviour and vice versa. It is also revealed that religion empowerment and traditional power structures often shape social norms and perpetuate inequalities in Nigerian and indeed, most African societies. The study concludes that religious syncretism promotes cultural resilience, and that the fusion of traditional African spirituality with contemporary expressions of faith demonstrates the adaptability of religious beliefs and practices in the face of social change and external pressures.