before the introduction of christianity in the 16th century, like many other african groups, the itsekiris largely followed a traditional form of religion known as ebura-tsitse (based on ancestral worship) which has become embedded in modern-day traditional itsekiri culture. once the dominant form of western christianity in itsekiriland for centuries, only a minority of itsekiris are roman catholics today whilst the majority are protestants notably baptist and anglican.