GST201 MODULE 3 79
Africans believed that political authority was an act of God and the Spirits. It was beyond human reach. This is evident when you look at the so-called well established kingdoms and empires which can be regarded
as nation states such as Oyo, Benin, Nupe, Jukun, Kanem-Bornu and the Hausa. Rulers who combined priestly functions with political power headed all these Nation States. The priest-kings were regarded as representatives of God on earth. They made their people believe that they were supernatural This is true of the Oba of Benin. There was the belief that the Oba descended from the sky and therefore was divinely ordained to rule the world. This was also
the case with the Alafin of Oyo, Aku of Jukun and Etsu of Nupe.
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