This new fork in your treatment of the importance of Africa, now dedicated to Nigeria, is very interesting @samminator. In particular the Yorubas are an ethnic group of great value in America. I am not a specialist in anthropology or ethnology, but it is argued that a religious manifestation with great power in American countries (Cuba, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Brazil, etc.), known as santeria, derives from the Yoruba religion.
On the origin, I believe that the scientific explanation has value in that order (rational-scientific), and the mythical recreation also in its field (imaginary and oral recreation). I don't think they should be confronted, because their statutes are different.
Thanks for your post, @samminator. Greetings.