The Concept of Destiny and its Social Implications among the Esans

Abstract

Belief in destiny permeates most cultures of the world. The central focus here is the Esan concept of destiny. The work undertakes a conceptual clarification of the concept ‘destiny’. It made a brief exposition of its belief in some other cultures of the world. It then focused principally on the Esan conception. It examined its spheres of influence and the principal sources from which destiny attend mankind. It held that in Esan destiny can affect individual, family or community. It also held that the action of an individual can affect the family or community, vice visa. Thereafter, it expressed the Esan belief that people can play active role in shaping their destiny. It argued that discrimination is inherent in the operation of destiny. It showed how belief in destiny permeates the social life of the people in their daily engagements. It also showed how belief in destiny is at variance with some elemental beliefs and practices among the Esan people and beyond. The work concluded that although a discussion of destiny among the Esan people is not completely bereft of inconsistencies, but when compared with some other conceptions elsewhere, the Esan account seems to be less riddled with contradictions.

Keywords: Destiny, retribution, waiveable consequences, discrimination, incompatibility