Performing Power in Nigeria: Identity, Politics, and Pentecostalism

Pentecostalism has been a powerful movement in Africa, and Performing Power in Nigeria explores how Nigerian Pentecostals mark their self-distinction as a people of power within a social milieu that affirmed and contested their desires. Abimbola A. Adelakun questions the histories, desires, knowledge, tools, and innate divergences of this form of identity and its interactions with other ideological elements.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 07 September 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Pentecostalism has emerged as a significant socio-cultural and socio-political force in Africa, exerting a profound impact on society over the past several decades. In Nigeria, the Pentecostal movement has played a central role
role in shaping the identity and aspirations of its followers. Performing Power in Nigeria delves into the ways in which Nigerian Pentecostals assert their identity as a people of power within a social context that both affirms and challenges their desires for dominance.

At the core of their faith lies a profound belief in the power of God and the ability of the Holy Spirit to transform lives. This belief manifests itself in a range of performances that are integral to the Pentecostal tradition. These performances, which include prayer, singing, dancing, and preaching, serve as powerful tools for expressing faith, building community, and asserting power.

Through extensive archival research, interviews, and fieldwork, Abimbola A. Adelakun explores the historical, ideological, and cultural factors that have shaped the Pentecostal identity in Nigeria. She questions the origins, desires, knowledge, tools, and inherent divergences of this form of identity, as well as its interactions with other ideological elements within Nigerian society.

One of the key themes of the book is the way in which Pentecostalism has transformed the social environment in Nigeria. Adelakun demonstrates how the Pentecostal performance of their identity as the people of power is reshaping the social fabric, challenging traditional hierarchies and power structures and creating new opportunities for social mobility and empowerment.

The book also highlights the role that Pentecostalism has played in shaping Nigerian politics and society. Pentecostal leaders have been vocal advocates for social justice, human rights, and gender equality, and their movement has contributed to the growth of civil society organizations and grassroots movements that promote these values.

In conclusion, Performing Power in Nigeria is a valuable contribution to the study of Pentecostalism and its impact on African society. Through its rich and detailed analysis, the book provides a comprehensive understanding of the ways in which Nigerian Pentecostals assert their identity as a people of power and the ways in which their faith and performances shape the social environment in Nigeria. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core, making it accessible to a wider audience.

ISBN-13: 9781009281744
Edition number: Revised ed