HomeBlogWAEC West African Traditional Religion Syllabus 2026/2027 & Textbooks

WAEC West African Traditional Religion Syllabus 2026/2027 & Textbooks

By November 21, 2025 Blog, WAEC Syllabus 2026, WAEC Textbooks 0 Comments

The WAEC syllabus for West African Traditional Religion covers beliefs, practices, and the relationship between religion and society through an essay and multiple-choice exam. It is divided into three sections for the essay paper: a general introduction to West African Traditional Religion, the individual and the community, and contemporary society.

Key topics include the structure of traditional religion, religious personalities, festivals, ethics, and the influence of modernity on these practices. covers beliefs, practices, and the relationship between religion and society through an essay and multiple-choice exam.

It is divided into three sections for the essay paper: a general introduction to West African Traditional Religion, the individual and the community, and contemporary society. Key topics include the structure of traditional religion, religious personalities, festivals, ethics, and the influence of modernity on these practices.

Aims and Objectives

  • Candidates have gained insight into and have an appreciation of the traditional religious beliefs and practices and their impact on the lives of the people
  • Candidates have worked out practical ways of confronting the challenges that West Africans face in utilizing acceptable traditional moral ideas and principles
  • Candidates must understand how our traditional principles can be applied in their daily lives
  • Candidates have analyzed the major traditional religious factors that influence the political, social, and economic life of West Africa.

Examination Guides

There will be two papers, Papers 1 and 2, both of which will be a composite paper and will be taken in one sitting.

PAPER 1:

Will consist of fifty multiple-choice objective questions, all of which must be answered within 50 minutes for 40 marks.

PAPER 2:

Will consist of three sections, Sections A, B and C, each consisting of three essay-type questions. The sections shall cover the following areas of the syllabus

  • Section A: General Introduction to West African Traditional Religion
  • Section B: The Individual and the Community
  • Section C: Contemporary Society

Candidates will be required to answer four questions in all, choosing at least one question from each section, for a total of 60 marks. The paper will take 2 hours 10 minutes.

WAEC West African Traditional Religion Syllabus 2026/2027

SECTIONTOPICS
SECTION A: GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO WEST AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGIONIntroduction to the Study of WATR
Nature
Characteristics of WATR
Belief in the Supreme Being
Divinities, Ancestors, Mystical Powers
Purpose/Reasons for Studying WATR
Terms Used to Describe WATR
Fetishism and Paganism
Animism and Ancestral Worship
Polytheism and Monotheism
Totemism
Primitive
Sources of WATR
Non-Oral Sources
Traditional Arts/Crafts
Oral Sources
Names and Attributes of God
Theophorous Names
Proverbs/Wise Sayings
Songs/Dirges
Myths/Legends and Drum Language
Approaches to the Study of WATR
Thematic Approach
Comparative Approach
Historical Approach
Enumerative Approach
The Structure of WATR
God in West African Belief
The Ancestors
The Divinities
Charms and Amulets
Worship in WATR
Introduction to Worship
Main Features
Prayer/Libation
Sacrifice
Spirit Possession
SECTION B: THE INDIVIDUAL AND THE COMMUNITYReligious Personalities
Concept/Types of Religious Personalities
Processes for Selecting Religious Personalities
Functions of Religious Leaders
Festivals
Types of Festivals
Significance of Festivals
Religion and Medicine
Introduction
Herbal Medicine
Traditional and Orthodox Healing
Concept of Time, Work & Wealth
Concept of Time
Definition of Time
Concept of the Future
Importance of Time
Concept of Wealth
Meaning/Attitude Towards Wealth
Ways of Acquiring Wealth
Consequences of Acquiring Wealth
Concept of Man
Concept of Destiny
Enemies of Life
Witchcraft and Magic
Meaning of Witchcraft & Magic
Acquisition of Witchcraft
Role of Witchcraft & Magic
Malevolent Spirits
Religion and Ethics
Main Features of Ethics
Sources of Ethics
Moral Values/Virtues
Taboos and Sin
Covenant in WATR
Rites of Passage
Stages: Birth, Naming, Puberty, Marriage, Death
Importance of Rites of Passage
SECTION C: CONTEMPORARY SOCIETYTraditional Political Institutions
Chieftaincy
Structure of Chieftaincy
Selection of Chiefs
Importance of Chieftaincy
Asafo Companies
Introduction/Background
Importance
Religion and Tourism
Introduction
Religion and Tourism
Use of Leisure Time
Sacred Personalities and Tourism
Sacred Places and Tourism
Sacred Objects and Tourism
Religion and Stress Management
Meaning & Types of Stress
Causes & Effects of Stress
Management of Stress
Conflict Resolution in WATR
Concept of Conflict
Causes of Conflict
Effects of Conflict
Conflict Resolution and Management
Reproductive Health
Hygiene, Sexuality, Promiscuity/Abortion
Circumcision Rites
WATR and Modernity
Impact of Christianity & Islam on WATR
Impact of WATR on Christianity & Islam
Impact of Science & Technology
Environmental Conservation
Impact of Urbanization
New Religious Movements
Afrikania Missions (Ghana)
Godianism (Nigeria)
Future of WATR.

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