The Yoruba people are one of the ethnic groups of southwestern Nigeria and southern Benin in West Africa. The Yorubas are a distinctive people who are bound together by a common language with various different dialects. They also share a rich history and culture.
Apart from Nigeria and Africa,Other populations with Yoruba influence howbeit not fluent in the language include Brazil, Cuba and Trinidad and Tobago. Brazil has the largest population of Yoruba culture.
According to Yoruba Mythology, the Yoruba people descended from the deity Ọodua or Ọduduwa. Many historians however believe that Yoruba people migrated west from Ancient Kush or modern-day South Sudan.
- There are variations in the Yoruba dialect. The Ègbas, Ijẹbus and Ẹkitís all have advanced variations of the Yoruba language that other Yoruba groups may struggle to understand. The common (Oyo dialect of the) language is generally understood by all.
- Monarchy is the type of government practiced by the Yoruba people up till date. The Ọoni of Ife, Ọlu of Ibadan, Tìmí of Èdé are all functional monarchical titles in our modern day Nigeria. The monarch is called Ọbá or Kabiyesí
The ceremonial garb of the people is called aṣọ-ọke
or ọfí. The material of the aṣọ-ọke is woven into several shapes, colors and patterns. It
is worn during ceremonies like weddings, burial, and chieftancy
coronation. The women wear ìrọ and bubá (wrapper and blouse) while
the men are clad in àgbada´ and ṣọkọtọ
- Music is a very important aspect of the daily life of the people. The type of music played determines what an occasion is, and sets the tone for the day. The Ọba is usually followed and heralded by a group of praise singers and drummers. The drummers and percussion is used to pleasure the kings
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· The staple food of the people include ìyán (pounded yam) amalá, ẹba (made with cassava flour), different types of fúfú. These meals are incomplete without the fusion of vegetable soup like ẹgusí and ẹfọ rìrọ.
- Polygamy has been practiced traditionally in the Yoruba culture, more so in the older generations. The communal spirit of the people fostered this type of marriage. The family unit is seen as the most important aspect of the society. Sometimes a man’s wealth is associated with the number of wives he has
- Music is a very important aspect of the daily life of the people. The type of music played determines what an occasion is, and sets the tone for the day. The Ọba is usually followed and heralded by a group of praise singers and drummers. The drummers and percussion is used to pleasure the kings - See more at: http://yorubaculturalinstitute.org/main/facts-about-yoruba-people-and-culture/#sthash.k4aar5oX.dpuf
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