One thing about WAEC is that they will never ask you something that is not inside the syllabus. That’s the reason I encourage students to actually know what is in the syllabus before the exam. If you know everything in the syllabus and practice past questions, you are already halfway to having an A.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE
(Written in very simple English)
| No. | By the end of this Subject, students should be able to: |
|---|---|
| 1 | Understand and respect the beliefs and practices of West African Traditional Religion and how they affect people’s daily lives. |
| 2 | Identify good traditional moral values and show how they can be used to solve modern problems. |
| 3 | Apply traditional religious principles in their own personal life and behaviour. |
| 4 | Explain how traditional religion has shaped politics, social life, and the economy in West Africa. |
SCHEME OF EXAMINATION
(Written in very simple English with clear tables)
| Paper | Type of Paper | Duration | Marks | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (Objective) | 50 multiple-choice questions (You must answer ALL) | 50 minutes | 40 marks | Tests the whole syllabus |
| Paper 2 (Essay) | 3 sections (A, B and C) Each section has 3 essay questions Total = 9 essay questions | 2 hours 10 minutes | 60 marks | You must answer ONLY 4 questions in total • At least ONE question from Section A • At least ONE question from Section B • At least ONE question from Section C • The fourth question can come from any section |
What Each Section in Paper 2 Covers
| Section | Name of Section | Topics Covered |
|---|---|---|
| A | General Introduction to West African Traditional Religion | • Meaning and features of W.A.T.R. • Sources, structure, worship • Names of God, divinities, ancestors, etc. |
| B | The Individual and the Community | • Religious leaders • Festivals • Rites of passage • Ethics, destiny, witchcraft, time, wealth, medicine, etc. |
| C | Contemporary Society | • Chieftaincy and politics • Religion and tourism • Stress management • Conflict resolution • Reproductive health • Modernity, new religious movements, etc. |
Summary Table
| Activity | Number of Questions | Time | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple-choice (Paper 1) | 50 (answer all) | 50 minutes | 40 |
| Essay (Paper 2) | 4 (answer only 4) | 2 hours 10 min | 60 |
| Total | 100 |
You can copy and use this exact format for your own school notes, syllabus document, or scheme of work. It is simple, clear, and student-friendly! Let me know if you want sample questions or marking schemes too.
WAEC West African Traditional Religion Syllabus
| SECTION A: INTRODUCTION AND FOUNDATIONS OF W.A.T.R. |
|---|
| 1. Introduction to the Study of West African Traditional Religion |
| • Nature and Characteristics of W.A.T.R. • Belief in the Supreme Being • Divinities, Ancestors, Spirits, and Mystical Powers • Purpose/Reasons for Studying W.A.T.R. |
| 2. Terms Used to Describe West African Traditional Religion |
| • Fetishism and Paganism • Animism and Ancestral Worship • Polytheism and Monotheism • Totemism • Primitive Religion |
| 3. Sources of West African Traditional Religion |
| A. Non-Oral Sources • Traditional Arts and Crafts • Symbols, Sculptures, Architecture, etc. B. Oral Sources • Names and Attributes of God • Theophorous Names • Proverbs and Wise Sayings • Songs and Dirges • Myths, Legends, Folktales • Drum Language |
| 4. Approaches to the Study of W.A.T.R. |
| • Thematic Approach • Comparative Approach • Historical Approach • Enumerative/Descriptive Approach |
| 5. The Structure of West African Traditional Religion |
| • God (Supreme Being) in West African Belief • The Ancestors • The Divinities (Lesser Deities) • Spirits and Mystical Powers • Charms, Amulets, and Medicine Objects |
| 6. Worship in West African Traditional Religion |
| • Introduction to Worship • Main Features: – Prayer and Libation – Sacrifice (Blood and Non-blood) – Offerings and Gifts – Spirit Possession and Trance – Dance, Music, and Drumming |
| SECTION B: THE INDIVIDUAL AND THE COMMUNITY |
|---|
| 1. Religious Personalities in W.A.T.R. |
| • Concept and Types (Priests, Diviners, Herbalists, Rainmakers, etc.) • Processes of Selection (Hereditary, Possession, Training, etc.) • Functions of Religious Leaders |
| 2. Festivals in West African Traditional Religion |
| • Types of Festivals (Harvest, Purification, Ancestral, Installation, etc.) • Significance of Festivals |
| 3. Religion and Medicine in W.A.T.R. |
| • Introduction: Holistic Nature of Healing • Herbal Medicine • Spiritual Healing • Comparison: Traditional vs Orthodox Medicine |
| 4. Concept of Time, Work, and Wealth |
| A. Concept of Time • Definition of Time in West Africa • Concept of the Future (Limited or Expanded) • Importance of Time B. Concept of Wealth • Meaning and Attitude towards Wealth • Legitimate Ways of Acquiring Wealth • Consequences of Wealth (Positive & Negative) |
| 5. Concept of Man and Destiny |
| • Concept of Man (Body, Soul, Spirit) • Concept of Destiny (Predestination vs Free Will) |
| 6. Enemies of Life in W.A.T.R. |
| A. Witchcraft and Magic • Meaning of Witchcraft and Magic • Acquisition of Witchcraft Powers • Role and Effects of Witchcraft/Magic B. Malevolent Spirits |
| 7. Religion and Ethics in W.A.T.R. |
| • Main Features of Traditional Ethics • Sources of Ethics (God, Ancestors, Community, Taboos) • Moral Values and Virtues • Taboos and Concept of Sin • Covenants and Oaths |
| 8. Rites of Passage |
| • Stages: Birth → Naming → Puberty/Initiation → Marriage → Death • Description of Each Rite • Importance of Rites of Passage |
| SECTION C: W.A.T.R. AND CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY |
|---|
| 1. Traditional Political Institutions |
| A. Chieftaincy • Structure of Chieftaincy Institutions • Selection and Enstoolment/Destoolment Process • Religious Role and Importance of Chiefs B. Asafo Companies (especially among Akan) • Background and Organization • Functions and Importance |
| 2. Religion and Tourism in W.A.T.R. |
| • Introduction • Religion as a Tourist Attraction • Uses of Leisure/Free Time • Sacred Personalities, Places, and Objects as Tourist Sites |
| 3. Religion and Stress Management |
| • Meaning and Types of Stress in Traditional Society • Causes and Effects of Stress • Traditional Mechanisms for Managing Stress |
| 4. Role of W.A.T.R. in Conflict Resolution |
| • Concept of Conflict in Traditional Society • Causes and Effects of Conflicts • Traditional Methods of Conflict Resolution (Oaths, Mediation, Rituals, etc.) |
| 5. Religion and Reproductive Health |
| • Hygiene, Sexuality, Promiscuity, and Abortion in W.A.T.R. • Circumcision Rites (Male & Female) and Health Implications |
| 6. W.A.T.R. and Modernity |
| • Impact of Christianity and Islam on W.A.T.R. • Impact of W.A.T.R. on Christianity and Islam (Syncretism) • Impact of Science and Technology • W.A.T.R. and Environmental Conservation • Effects of Urbanization and Modern Education |
| 7. New Religious Movements (NRM) in W.A.T.R. |
| • Afrikania Mission (Ghana) • Godianism (Nigeria) • Other African Initiated Traditional Movements • The Future of West African Traditional Religion |
Recommended Textbooks for West African Traditional Religion
No syllabus guide is complete without the right textbooks. The textbooks I’m going to list below are all recommended by WAEC, so anyone can serve.
- Opoku, A. A. – West African Traditional Religion (FEP International): The gold standard! Covers all sections with tribal case studies—perfect for beginners building a strong base.
- Awolalu, J. O. & Dopamu, P. A. – Yoruba Beliefs and Sacrificial Rites (Onibonoje Press): Deep dive into Yoruba specifics, ideal for Section B. Rich on rituals with vivid examples.
- Parrinder, E. G. – West African Religion (Epworth Press): Comparative gems across regions—use for Section F’s interfaith dynamics. A bit academic, but rewarding.
- Mbiti, J. S. – African Religions and Philosophy (Heinemann): Broader African lens with WATR focus. Excellent for morals (Section D) and philosophy buffs.
- Idowu, E. B. – Olodumare: God in Yoruba Belief (Longman): Supreme Being mastery (Section A). Theological yet accessible.
This subject is important for every West African student because it shows that our traditional religion is rich, meaningful, and still useful today. Let us be proud of it, protect it, and use its good lessons to build a stronger and more peaceful society.
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