Contrary to the view upheld by Anthony Buckley in ‘Yoruba medicine’ (1985) that Yoruba medicine is distinct from Yoruba religion, the present author contends that the art of medicine among the Yoruba of Nigeria is anchored in the world of the gods. It is in firm contact with divination. Moreover, it is impossible to keep a sound body without sacrifice. The Yoruba see good health as a gift of God. In the Yoruba view, disturbed relations between man and God or the divinities are the main cause of disease and accidents. These problems are solved on a religious level. A good society is stabilized by sacrifice and also through the work of herbalists and diviners. In such a system, it is a matter of course that wealthy and healthy persons have God on their side. Like traditional Yoruba religion, Aladura churches also offer their members a ‘theology of success’. The Aladura idea that broken relations with God explain famine, disease and death, and that these relations can be repaired by prayer, corresponds very closely to traditional Yoruba thought. Note, ref.
