TOWARDS AN INDIGENOUS MODEL FOR PASTORAL AND COUNSELING AND CARE, BASED ON SOME SOCIO-CULTURAL, ANTHROPOLOGICAL AND THEOLOGICAL PRESUPPOSITIONS OF CERTAIN NIGERIAN PEOPLE

Abstract

This dissertation develops a model of pastoral counseling and care indigenous to the people of Nigeria. The study explores the socio-cultural, anthropological and theological presuppositions affecting illness for the Nigerian. With over 500 tribal groups and languages in Nigeria, it is not possible to examine every tribe. The study has therefore dealt with a few essential attributes common to the Nigerian people. Emphasis is placed on the traditional world view, the social structure, socialization, healing and the life cycle; the impact of change on the traditional presuppositions and social structures and on the concept of disease and healing; the response of the missionary and native churches to the mental and emotional needs of the people.