Religious and Political Leaders. The heads of the West African traditional religions are often powerful kings. Among the Yoruba, for example, the Ooni of Ile-Ife in Nigeria, the traditional religious center of the Yoruba people, is believed to be the political as well as spiritual head of all the Yoruba. The Yoruba religions trace the common origins of their beliefs to the same god, who is believed to have created the first humans. The secret power of all creation, the fount of divine knowledge, is invested in the Yoruba sacred book, the verses used in Ifa divination. The Ooni is considered an authoritative guardian of the Ifa, including the clerical system. A similar hierarchical system also existed among the Fon and the Igbo. The high priest of Vodon, Da Ayido Hwedo, is also the political leader of the Fon people. Among...