Dozens of worshippers, mostly women, were seen smearing their faces with charcoal during a church service in Nigeria a ritual the prophetess claimed would spiritually “destroy shame” in their lives.
The dramatic scene, captured in viral videos on social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, shows participants fervently praying, chanting, and rubbing charcoal across their faces in obedience to the preacher’s command.
According to eyewitnesses, the event took place in a Pentecostal-style church, where the congregation was instructed to use charcoal as a “symbol of cleansing and deliverance” from humiliation and setbacks.
However, the bizarre ritual has stirred widespread controversy online, drawing sharp criticism and debate among Nigerians. Many questioned the scriptural basis of the act, labeling it as superstition masked in religion.
Religious scholars and theologians have since described the practice as a form of syncretism the blending of traditional African spiritual beliefs with Christian elements noting that such rituals have no foundation in mainstream Christian doctrine.
While supporters of the prophetess defended the act as a “faith exercise,” critics warned that such unconventional practices risk distorting core Christian teachings.
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As videos of the charcoal-covered congregants continue to circulate online, the incident has reignited discussions about the rise of extreme and unorthodox religious practices in some Nigerian churches.