RIVER DOES NOT REVERSE ITS COURSE: WATER, HEALING, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, AND ALADURA CHURCHES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined the healing activities of the Aladura churches in the aquatic and onshore environments, and their effects on aquatic organisms and human environmental health. The Aladura is a brand of Christianity that emerged in the south-west of Nigeria, within the background of the Yoruba religio-cultural matrix. Water and other liquids dominate the healing practice of the Aladura healing practice. The hydrotherapy is carried out inside and outside the church premises and at the river and stream sides. Members of Aladura churches believe that there are challenges that confront humans and the society that defy physical solution. What are the consequences of this healing practice on ‘the patients’ and the living organisms in the hydrospheric environment? The study used qualitative method to generate data from sampled Aladura churches in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. The study revealed the integrated faith tradition of Aladura churches, and how they carry this cultural baggage to everywhere they currently exist. It revealed that poor well-being of Nigerian citizens influences the patronage of Aladura spiritualists and the sustenance of their hydrotherapy. The study also revealed how the Aladura hydrotherapy serves as one of the sources of aquatic and onshore environmental pollutions. The organic and inorganic objects and liquids that are used in the ritual cleansing in the river and its bank pose threat to the lives of aquatic organisms and human environmental health. The study concluded that weak regulatory policies of institutions responsible for protecting marine and human physical environments need to be reviewed and strengthened for strict implementation.