Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka has stirred fresh conversations after openly declaring his preference for traditional Orisa worship over Christianity and Islam.
Speaking during an interview with Larry Madowo on CNN, Soyinka reflected on his upbringing, revealing that he was exposed to both Christian and traditional belief systems from an early age.
According to him, his deeper connection leaned toward the Orisa tradition, which he described as more fascinating and spiritually engaging.
“I was fortunate to be born in two worlds – the Christian world and traditional Orisa worshippers. My grandfather, until he also got converted, was an Orisa person and a chief, and his side fascinated me a lot more,” he said.
Explaining further, Soyinka highlighted what he sees as the unique qualities of Orisa worship.
“For me, it was more artistic, creative, and also more mysterious. I don’t find much of the mysterious in Christianity and even less in Islam,” he stated.
He also described the belief system as open and non-violent, noting that its inclusiveness is both its strength and vulnerability.
“Orisa is open and very ecumenical, and that is why these foreign religions were able to penetrate it and even distort the truth. Because of the generosity of this spirit, it is not violent,” he added.
Clarifying his personal stance, Soyinka did not hold back.
“I don’t believe in the Islamic or Christian God and for the adherents of these religions, if that makes me an atheist, so I say, I am an atheist,” he said.
Despite identifying that way, he emphasized that he still believes in a deeper spiritual essence within humans.
“I insist that all human beings have a certain spiritual core in their being; I believe myself to be a more spirit-sensitive person,” he concluded.
The statement has since sparked mixed reactions online, with many debating his views on religion, spirituality, and African traditional beliefs.
