Workshop on “Religious Architectural Heritage in Ibadan” (October 19th/20th, 2022 - IAS, UI / online)

As part of both its programmes on Digital Humanities and on Nigerian religious dynamics, IFRA-Nigeria is launching a new research project on the religious architectural heritage of Ibadan. Drawing from the fields of Digital Humanities, Architecture and the Socio-anthropology of religion, the objective is to map out, research and analyse the rich history and diverse aesthetics of all religious buildings in the capital of Oyo State. 

A workshop gathering academics and professionals with a specific interest in the project will take place on Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 October 2022 at the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan. The objective is to sum-up the existing research and literature on the topic and map out key future topics of research and engagement. Click to know more about the programme and RSVP.

Click here to RSVP

Day 1 (Wednesday 19 October)

2-2.30pm : arrival of participants 

2.30-3pm : introduction 

• Dr Barbara Morovich, director of IFRA-Nigeria
• Dr Cyrielle Maingraud-Martinaud, deputy director of IFRA-Nigeria and scientific coordinator of the project

3-4pm : guest lecture : Prof Cordelia Osasona (Obafemi Awolowo University) : “The Church As “Building” : Historical Context, Liturgy & Form”

4-4.30pm : tea break

4.30-5.30pm : Panel 1 : Documenting a changing religious architectural aesthetics

• Dr Sogbesan Oluwatoyin (ÀṢÀ Heritage Africa Foundation / Ajayi Crowther University) : “Preserving the Past: the case of Hinderer House at Kudeti, Ibadan”
• Ogunmakinju Olajide (Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan) : “Sacred Spaces and Belief, Self-Perception, and Experience”

Moderator : Dr Cyrielle Maingraud-Martinaud (IFRA-Nigeria)

Day 2 (Thursday 20 October)

9-9.30am : arrival of participants

9.30-10am: discussion

10-11am : Panel 2 : Conservation, religion and palaces in Ibadan

• Gbadamosi June (Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan) : “Perspectives of a tourist on the religious architectural heritage of Irefin Palace in Ibadan”
• Prof Kolawole Adekola (Department of Archeology and Anthropology, University of Ibadan) : “Preserving the Religious Architectural heritage of Yoruba Palaces, a case study of selected palaces in Ibadan”

moderator : Prof Cordelia Osasona (OAU) 

11-11.30am : tea break

11.30am-12.30pm : Panel 3 : Documenting the heritage of Demas Nwoko in Ibadan 

• Lloyd Martin (LM Architectural Designer) : “New Culture Studio, The Architecture of Demas Nwoko”
• Rev. Fr. Francis Chiadi, OP (Dominican University, Samonda Campus / Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan) : “The Dominican Chapel : a prominent religious architectural heritage in Ibadan”

moderator : Dr Barbara Morovich (IFRA-Nigeria)

12.30-1pm : discussion 

1-2pm : lunch break

2-3pm : Panel 4 : Studying religious spaces with digital methods 

• Deng Zheyuan (Department of Religion, University of Florida) : "'The Spirit of Place' and Everyday Religion: A case study on the Yidi Praying Ground, Ibadan”
• Toyin Ajose (Department of Music, University of Ibadan) : “Sounding Religious Architecture: Disruptions and Continuities in the Soundscape of Chapel of the Resurrection, University of Ibadan, Nigeria”

 moderator : Dr Cyrielle Maingraud-Martinaud (IFRA-Nigeria)

3-4pm : closing discussion

4-6pm : guided visit of the Dominican Chapel

Project Team :

• Dr Cyrielle Maingraud-Martinaud (IFRA-Nigeria) : Scientific Coordinator
• Prof Cordelia Osasona (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife) : Senior Research Associate
• Chimaroke Kenneth Uwamanze : Project Coordinator

Organised by IFRA-Nigeria with the support of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Tags: Religion, Ibadan, digital humanities, architecture