Tibullus’ poems and issues on Yoruba beliefs

Abstract

The human society has a history of exposure to strange or incomprehensible experiences. Different explanations and interpretations have been employed in coming to terms with puzzling occurrences for ages, and here is a consideration of superstition, the subjective pattern that often guides or accounts for human perceptions and behaviours, either as individuals or as a group, which may be overt and obvious to others or inward. Superstition in this context is treated as a belief that is held on to, even when an empirical basis is lacking. The paper employs the work of the Roman poet, Tibullus and some Yoruba beliefs to examine behaviours to which human beings attach a specific meaning or set of meanings that are challenged from time to time by reasoning considered more enlightened. In addition to underlining the personal subjective meanings of Roman and Yoruba beliefs, the paper partly depicts how social and religious structures influence self-goals, and problem-solving activities, calling on man to bear some responsibility for his action or inaction.