Sacrifice

Propitiatory Sacrifice

This sacrifice is often prescribed by a diviner. The Yoruba call it Ebö ètùtù. In this sacrifice, the offering belongs entirely to the deity; the sacrifice is never shared, but burnt or buried. It is performed during a crisis like an epidemic, famine, drought, or serious illness. This sacrifice is also made when a worshipper violates a prohibition. For example, among the Akans, if a man indulges in sexual intercourse in the bush, Asase Yaa, the Earth goddess, has to be propitiated. Among the Mendes of Sierra Leone, sexual intercourse in the bush is also regarded as a violation of Maa-nsoo, the Earth goddess. On such occasions, sacrifice should be offered at the sacred groves to propitiate the Earth mother and the ancestors.

Preventive Sacrifice

This sacrifice is prescribed as a precautionary measure to prevent danger or disaster. For example, when a particular community learns that an epidemic is raging in a nearby village, it may offer this sacrifice to prevent the scourge from entering the village. Among the Yoruba, the preventive sacrifice is known as Ogunkoja, “that which wards off attacks.” Among the Akans, palm nuts, raw meat, and raw food are often placed at the entrance of the town or village to ward off evil spirits. Among the Yoruba, the animal victim that is slain and offered to the deity may be buried or exposed at the entrance to the town, village, or house.

Substitutionary Sacrifice

The substitutionary sacrifice has an element of propitiation and prevention. It is offered in place of the person who might have suffered some kind of misfortune. It may also be offered to avert danger or misfortune that might befall someone. Among the Yoruba, usually a sheep is used as a substitute for the human being. The sheep is rubbed against [Page 583]the body of the offerer to transfer the illness or misfortune to the sheep. It is believed that the destiny of the offerer is exchanged, hence the name Ebo Irapada (Redemption or Exchange Sacrifice). Among the Mendes, a fowl is sometimes offered as a substitute. The leg of the chicken is broken, accompanied by words such as “We have observed this man; we see a big trouble coming on him, but now as we break the leg of this chicken (he breaks one of its legs), may it, now disabled, carry his trouble; and may the trouble return and fall on anyone who was going to cause it.”

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