Traditional African Art Forms and the Church Art: Incompatible Companion
Isaiah Túndé Ògúnjìmí, Foluso Modupe Abejide, Michael Adeyinka Okunade, Eyitayo Tolulope Ijisakin

Abstract
The traditional African art forms were condemned and rejected by the Western missionaries at the beginning of the nineteenth century and colonialism of African countries, especially in Nigeria, where most of this artistic heritage was destroyed because they were labeled “fetish” and “evil.” This paper attempts to evaluate the process and the eventual adoption of traditional African art forms and styles by the same missionaries for the use of the church. The paper examines the area of compatibility and incompatibility of Traditional African art and Church art with a view to establishing the relationship that exists between art and religion, irrespective of race, culture, and tradition being rooted in such an affiliated religion. Findings show that art, tradition, and religion are inseparable and that the Catholic Church realizes the importance of this in propagating the gospel of faith. The paper submits that art is significant in the service of religion irrespective of religious affiliation and that art differs from one culture to another. Hence, it is derogatory to say all African art forms are evil and fetish.

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