The Animal is Not Just Meat: A Critical Appraisal of Yoruba Ethics of Animal Consumption

Currently, Non-human animals have the popular identity of beingregarded as food on the plate or tool for exploitation. In response, philosopherslike Peter Singer and Tom Regan objected from the place sentience andentitlement to rights. However, this issue persists, where some scholars calledthe pretentious claim of change in practice to be a modification of theirapproach to exploit, which we consider, is due to the failure to emphasis onthe ontology of these animals. Hence, this research paper aims to approach itfrom an African perspective of spirituality, particularly from the Yorubaworldview. To the Yoruba, the environment, just like humans, has itsrespective spirits, purposes, and relevance. It is not to be treated with disdainor abused. In the case of animals, they, in their traditional settings, have alwaystreated animals with respect and reverence, considering their ontologicalbeing. Even if used for the purpose of consumption, or sacrifices, animals aretreated with a certain dignity, and not just as meats, as against the unethicalview of animals, most especially the consumable ones as mere foods on theplate. As a framework for ensuring the responsible consumption of animals inpresent time, this research paper presents the Yoruba approach to givingreverence to animals, which is well-documented in their folklores. It surveyshow within the Yoruba settings animals are treated with dignity and reverence,considering their communal belonging, spiritual consciousness, andecological relevance, all of which would contribute to the global walk toenvironmental sustainability.