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Yoruba
Total population

Upwards of 30 million (CIA Estimate, 2005 )
Regions with significant populations
Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Togo, Brazil (Bahia), The Caribbean, UK
Languages
Yoruba
Religions
Yoruba religion, Christianity, Islam
Related ethnic groups
Nago, Itsekiri, Igala, Nupe

The Yoruba (Yorùbá in Yoruba orthography) are a large ethno-linguistic group or ethnic nation in Africa; the majority of them speak the Yoruba language (èdèe Yorùbá; èdè = language). General (rtd Olusegun Aremu Okikiola Matthew Obasanjo, GCFR (Oluṣẹgun Mathew Okikiọla Arẹmu Ọbasanjọ olúʃɛ̙́ɡũ ɒ̙básandʒɒ̙́ (born circa March King Sunny Adé ( Sunday Adeniyi, born September 22 1946) is a popular performer of Yoruba Nigerian Jùjú music. Peter Jasper Akinola (born 27 January 1944) is the current Anglican Primate of the Church of Nigeria. Nigeria, officially named the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal Constitutional republic comprising thirty-six states and one Federal Benin (bə'nɪn officially the Republic of Benin, and also known as Benin Republic, is a country in Western Africa. The Republic of Ghana is a country in West Africa. It borders Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast to the west Burkina Faso to the north Togo to the TOGO was a Japanese roller coaster design company famous for inventing the Stand-up roller coaster. |utc_offset = -2 to -4 |time_zone_DST = BRST |utc_offset_DST = -2 to -5 |cctld Bahia (baˈia is one of the 26 States of Brazil, and is located in the northeastern part of the country on the Atlantic coast The Caribbean (ˌkærəˡbiən kæ'rəbiən Cariben|Caraïben or Caraïben; Caraïbe or more commonly Antilles; Caribe is a Region consisting The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Yoruba (native name èdè Yorùbá, 'the Yoruba language' is a Dialect continuum of West Africa with over 25 million speakers The Yoruba religion is the religious beliefs and practices of the Yoruba people both in Africa (chiefly in Nigeria and Benin Republic) Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. The Itsekiri (also called the Jekri, Isekiri or Ishekiri) are an Ethnic group of Nigeria 's Niger delta area particularly The International Gender and Language Group, or IGALA is an international interdisciplinary organization that is committed to the promotion and support of research on language gender The Nupe, tradititionally called the Tapa by the neighbouring Yoruba, are an Ethnic group located primarily in the Middle belt and northern Yoruba (native name èdè Yorùbá, 'the Yoruba language' is a Dialect continuum of West Africa with over 25 million speakers The Yoruba constitute approximately 21 percent of Nigeria's total population,[1] and around 30 million individuals throughout the region of West Africa. Nigeria, officially named the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal Constitutional republic comprising thirty-six states and one Federal West Africa or Western Africa is the Westernmost Region of the African Continent. [2] They share borders with the Borgu (variously called Bariba and Borgawa) in the northwest, the Nupe and Ebira in the north, the Ẹsan Afemai and Edo to the southeast, the Igala and other related groups to the northeast, and the Egun, Fon, and other Gbe-speaking peoples in the southwest. Borgu was a country in Africa, partitioned between the Great Britain and France by the Anglo-French Convention of 1898. The Nupe, tradititionally called the Tapa by the neighbouring Yoruba, are an Ethnic group located primarily in the Middle belt and northern The Ebira (also spelt Igbira or Igbirra) are an ethno- linguistic group of Nigeria. Esan (pronounced / aysan / is one of the major Ethnic groups in Edo State, South-south geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Afenmai or' Afemai' is an Ethnic language of the group of people living in the northern part of Edo State south Geopolitical zone of Nigeria History Edo State was formed on August 27, 1991 when Bendel State was split into Edo and Delta States The 1992 gubernatorial election The International Gender and Language Group, or IGALA is an international interdisciplinary organization that is committed to the promotion and support of research on language gender FON (FON Wireless Ltd is a company that runs a system of shared Wireless networks The business was launched in November 2005 The Gbe languages (ɡ͡bè form a cluster of about twenty related Languages stretching across the area between eastern Ghana and western Nigeria. While the majority of the Yoruba live in western Nigeria, there are also substantial indigenous Yoruba communities in Benin, Ghana and Togo. Benin (bə'nɪn officially the Republic of Benin, and also known as Benin Republic, is a country in Western Africa. The Republic of Ghana is a country in West Africa. It borders Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast to the west Burkina Faso to the north Togo to the TOGO was a Japanese roller coaster design company famous for inventing the Stand-up roller coaster. The Yoruba are the main ethnic group in the states of Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo, which are subdivisions of Nigeria; they also constitute a sizable proportion of Kwara and Kogi states as well as of the Benin. History Ekiti was an independent state prior to the British conquest Lagos State is an administrative region of Nigeria, located in the southwestern part of the country Administrative Divisions The state contains the following twenty Local Government Areas Famous native sons and daughters Abeokuta is the birthplace Government and society The state contains eighteen Local Government Areas the major ones being Akoko, Akurẹ, Okitipupa, Ondo, and History The modern Osun State was created in 1991 from part of the old Oyo State. Geography Oyo State cover approximately an area of 28454 square kilometers and ranked 14th by size History and people The state was formed in 1991 from parts of Kwara State and Benue State. Benin (bə'nɪn officially the Republic of Benin, and also known as Benin Republic, is a country in Western Africa.

A significant percentage of Africans enslaved during the Atlantic slave trade in the Americas managed to maintain the Yoruba spiritual religion known as Aborisha. The Atlantic Slave trade, also known as the transatlantic slave trade, was the trade of African people supplied to the Colonies of the New World The Americas are the lands of the Western hemisphere or New World, consisting of the Continents of North America and South America

Contents

History

Main article: History of the Yoruba people

General history

The African peoples who lived in the Nigeria area, at least by the 4th Century BC, were not initially known as the Yoruba, although they shared a common ethnicity and language group. Ancient history The African peoples who lived in Yorubaland at least by the 4th Century BC were not initially known as the Yoruba although they shared a common ethnicity and language Both archeology and traditional Yoruba oral historians confirm the existence of people in this region for several millennia. Yoruba spiritual heritage maintain that the Yoruba ethnic groups are a unique people who were originally created at Ile-Ife. Ife (Ifè also Ilé-Ifẹ̀) is an ancient Yoruba City in south-western Nigeria. Legend holds that the creation was delegated by the supreme spiritual force, Olodumare. This task attributed to orisha-nla Obatala, may have actually been conducted by orisha Oduduwa, who was assisted by orisha Eshu, the divine messenger. The name "Yoruba" is most likely an adaptation of 'Yo ru ebo', meaning "will venerate (make offerings to the) Orisha". An Orisha (also spelled Orisa or Orixa) is a spirit or deity that reflects one of the manifestations of Olodumare (God in the Yoruba spiritual This refers to the Aborisha spiritual religion of the Yoruba prior to invasion and indoctrination by Islamic and Christian influences. For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings

Some contemporary historians contend that some Yoruba are not indigenous to Yorubaland, but are descendants of immigrants to the region. This version of history contends that Oduduwa was a mortal king, probably from northeast Africa, under whose leadership the Oyo region of Yorubaland was conquered sometime in the 11th century AD and the kingdom of Ife was established. Oduduwa's relatives established kingdoms in the rest of Yorubaland. One of Oduduwa's sons, Oranmiyan, took the throne of Benin and expanded the Oduduwa Dynasty east-wards. Further expansion led to the establishment of the Yoruba in what are now Southwest Nigeria, Benin, and Togo, with Yoruba city-states acknowledging the spiritual heritage primacy of the ancient city of Ile Ife. Benin (bə'nɪn officially the Republic of Benin, and also known as Benin Republic, is a country in Western Africa. TOGO was a Japanese roller coaster design company famous for inventing the Stand-up roller coaster. The southeastern Benin Empire, ruled by a dynasty that traced its ancestry to Ifẹ and Oduduwa but largely populated by the Edo and other related ethnicities, also held considerable sway in the election of nobles and kings in eastern Yorubaland. The Benin Empire or Edo Empire (1440-1897 was a large pre-colonial African state of modern Nigeria.

Between 1100 AD and 1700 AD, the Yoruba Kingdom of Ife experienced a golden age. The term Golden age is best known from Greek mythology and legend but can also be found in other ancient cultures (see below It was then surpassed by the Kingdom of Oyo as the dominant Yoruba military and political power between 1700 AD and 1900 AD, The nearby splinter Yoruba kingdom of Benin was also a powerful force between 1300 and 1850 AD. The Oyo Empire (c 1400 - 1835 was a West African empire of what is today western Nigeria. Year 1900 ( MCM) was an exceptional Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar Yoruba civilization also has strong historical exchanges with Nok civilization, which may date to 900 BC, as with other neighbouring African settlements. The exchanges have been both genetic and cultural.

Most of the city states were controlled by Obas (elected monarchs) and councils made up of Oloye, guild of noble leaders or chiefs, and merchants. A guild is an association of craftsmen in a particular trade The earliest guilds were formed as confraternities of workers Merchants function as professionals who deal with Trade, dealing in commodities that they do not produce themselves in order to produce Profit. Different states saw differing ratios of power between the kingship and the chiefs' council. Some such as Oyo had powerful, autocratic monarchs with almost total control, while in others such as the Ijebu city-states, the senatorial councils were supreme and the Ọba served as a figurehead.

In all cases, Yoruba monarchs were subject to the continuing approval of their constituents, and could be easily compelled to abdicate for demonstrating dictatorial tendencies or incompetence. The order to vacate the throne was usually communicated through a symbolic message or aroko, of parrots' eggs delivered in a covered calabash bowl by the senators. Parrots are birds of the roughly 350 Species in 85 genera comprising the order Psittaciformes, found in most warm and tropical regions

The Yoruba eventually established a federation of city-states under the political ascendancy of the city state of Oyo located on the Northern fringes of Yorubaland in the savanna plains between the forests of present Southwest Nigeria and the Niger River. The Yoruba (Yo•row•ba ( Yorùbá in Yoruba Orthography) are one of the largest ethno-linguistic or Ethnic groups in West Africa A savanna or savannah is a Tropical or Subtropical Grassland or Woodland Ecosystem. Niger ( or /ˈnaɪdʒɚ/) officially the Republic of Niger, is a Landlocked country in Western Africa, named after the Niger River. Following a Jihad led by Uthman Dan Fodio and a rapid consolidation of the Hausa city states of present northern Nigeria, the Fulani Sokoto Caliphate annexed the buffer Nupe Kingdom and began to press southwards towards the Oyo Empire. Jihad (جهاد ʤɪhæːd an Islamic term, is a religious duty of Muslims. Shaihu Usman dan Fodio (عثمان بن فودي ، عثمان دان فوديو‎ (also referred to as Shaikh Usman Ibn Fodio, Shehu Uthman Dan Fuduye or Shehu Usman dan Fodio The Fula or Fulbe or Fulani (the latter being an Anglicisation of the word in their language Fulɓe) are an ethnic group of The Sokoto Caliphate is an Islamic spiritual community in Nigeria, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’adu Abubakar. The Nupe, tradititionally called the Tapa by the neighbouring Yoruba, are an Ethnic group located primarily in the Middle belt and northern The Oyo Empire (c 1400 - 1835 was a West African empire of what is today western Nigeria. Shortly after, they overran the Yoruba city of Ilorin and then sacked Ọyọ-Ile, the capital city of the Ọyọ Empire. Ilorin is one of the largest cities in Nigeria and is the capital of Kwara State.

Following this, Ọyọ-Ile was abandoned and the Ọyọ retreated south to the present city of Oyo (formerly "Ago d'Oyo", or "Oyo Atiba") in a forested region where the cavalry of the Sokoto Caliphate was less effective. The Sokoto Caliphate is an Islamic spiritual community in Nigeria, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’adu Abubakar. Further attempts by the Sokoto Caliphate to expand southwards were checked by the Yoruba who had rallied to resist under the military leadership of the City State of Ibadan which rose from the old Oyo empire, and of the Ijebu city-states. The Sokoto Caliphate is an Islamic spiritual community in Nigeria, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’adu Abubakar. Ibadan (Ìlú Èbá-Ọdàn the town at the junction the savannah and the forest the Capital of Oyo State, is the third largest city However, the Oyo hegemony had been dealt a mortal blow. The other Yoruba city-states broke free of Oyo dominance, and subsequently became embroiled in a series of internecine wars, from which prisoners feed the slave trade conducted by Arab and European traders. These wars weakened the Yoruba in their opposition to British colonial and military invasions. Military defeat at Imagbon of Ijebu forces by the British ensured a tentative European settlement in Lagos which was gradually expanded by protectorate treaties. Imagbon Nigeria is the site of the definitive defeat of Yoruba forces by the British military. Defeat of Yoruba forces at the Battle of Imagbon, by the British military and the protectorate of Lagos, proved decisive in eventual annexation of the rest of Yorubaland and eventually of southern Nigeria and the Cameroons. In 1960, greater Yorubaland became subsumed into the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Different names and slavery-era diaspora

During the 19th century, the term Yoruba or Yariba came into wider use, first confined to the Ọyọ. The Yoruba (Yo•row•ba ( Yorùbá in Yoruba Orthography) are one of the largest ethno-linguistic or Ethnic groups in West Africa The term is often believed to be derived from a Hausa ethnonym for the populous people to their south, but this has not been substantiated by historians.

As an ethnic description, the word first appeared in a treatise written by the Songhai scholar Ahmed Baba (1500s) and is likely to derive from the indigenous ethnonyms Ọyọ (Oyo) or Yagba, two Yoruba-speaking groups along the northern borders of their territory. The Songhai are an ethnic group from western Africa akin to the Mandé. Ahmad Baba redirects here For the Algerian musician see Ahmad Baba Rachid. However, it is likely that the ethnonym was popularized by Hausa usage and ethnography written in Arabic and Ajami. Arabic (ar الْعَرَبيّة (informally ar عَرَبيْ) in terms of the number of speakers is the largest living member of the Semitic language Under the influence of Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther, a Yoruba clergyman, subsequent missionaries extended the term to include all speakers of related dialects. Bishop Samuel Adjai (Ajayi Crowther (c 1809 - 31 December 1891 was a linguist and the first African Anglican bishop in Nigeria.

Aside from "Yoruba" and its variant "Yariba", this ethnic group was in different times and places known by a variety of other names, including "Yorubo", "Akú", "Okun", "Nago", "Anago" and "Ana" and "Lucumi".

Before the abolition of the slave trade, some Yoruba groups were known among Europeans as Akú, a name derived from the first words of Yoruba greetings such as Ẹ kú àárọ? ‘good morning’ and Ẹ kú alẹ? ‘good evening. The Yoruba (Yo•row•ba ( Yorùbá in Yoruba Orthography) are one of the largest ethno-linguistic or Ethnic groups in West Africa ’ A variant of this group is also known as the "Okun", Okun being also a form of "A ku". The Yoruba (Yo•row•ba ( Yorùbá in Yoruba Orthography) are one of the largest ethno-linguistic or Ethnic groups in West Africa These are Yorubas found in parts of the states of Kogi - the "Yagba", Ekiti and Kabba. History and people The state was formed in 1991 from parts of Kwara State and Benue State. History Ekiti was an independent state prior to the British conquest Kabba is a town in Kogi State in northern Nigeria. It lies near the Osse ( ohe in Okun) River at the intersection of roads from Lokoja

The terms "Nago", "Anago" and "Ana" were widely used in Spanish and Portuguese documents to describe all speakers of the language. They derive from the name of a coastal Yoruba sub-group in present-day Benin. Yoruba in Francophone West Africa are still sometimes known by this ethnonym today.

In Cuba and Spanish-speaking America, the Yoruba were called "Lucumi" after the phrase "O luku mi", meaning "my friend" in some dialects. The Republic of Cuba (ˈkjuːbə or) consists of the island of Cuba (the largest and second-most populous island of the Greater Antilles) Isla de la Santería, also known as La Regla de Lukumi (Lukumi's Rule and The Way of the Saints is an Afro-Cuban religious tradition derived from traditional beliefs This term is at present used mainly to refer to an Afro-Caribbean religion derived from the traditional Yoruba religion, more often known as Santería. The Yoruba religion is the religious beliefs and practices of the Yoruba people both in Africa (chiefly in Nigeria and Benin Republic) Santería, also known as La Regla de Lukumi (Lukumi's Rule and The Way of the Saints is an Afro-Cuban religious tradition derived from traditional beliefs

Yoruba origin mythology

The mythology of the origin of the Yoruba, who refer to themselves as "Omo O'odua" (Children of Oduduwa), revolves around the mythical figure of Oduduwa or Odudua . Oduduwa, phonetically written as Odùduwà, and sometimes contracted as Odudua, Oòdua, is generally held among the Yoruba to be the ancestor Oduduwa, phonetically written as Odùduwà, and sometimes contracted as Odudua, Oòdua, is generally held among the Yoruba to be the ancestor Oduduwa, phonetically written as Odùduwà, and sometimes contracted as Odudua, Oòdua, is generally held among the Yoruba to be the ancestor The meaning of the name may be translated as "the Spiritual One ("O/Ohun") who created the Knowledge ("odu") of Character ("iwa"). " There are two variants of the myth of how Oduduwa became the legendary progenitor of the Yoruba. Oduduwa, phonetically written as Odùduwà, and sometimes contracted as Odudua, Oòdua, is generally held among the Yoruba to be the ancestor

Cosmogonic origin mythology

"Orisa'nla" (The Great Divinity) also known as Ọbatala was the arch-divinity chosen by Olodumare, the supreme deity, to create solid land out of the primordial water that constituted the earth and populating the land with human beings. Obatala is also a genus of spiders ( Amaurobiidae) In Yoruba orisha (also spelt orisa Ọlọrun also referred to as Olodumare as well as Eledumare, and Eleda among other names is a word for God (the Supreme Being) Ọbatala descended from heaven on a chain, carrying a small snail shell full of earth, palm kernels and a five-toed chicken. Obatala is also a genus of spiders ( Amaurobiidae) In Yoruba orisha (also spelt orisa He was to empty the content of the snail shell on the water after placing some pieces of iron on it, and then to place the chicken on the earth to spread it over the primordial water.

According to the first variant of the cosmogonist myth, Ọbatala completed this task to the satisfaction of Olodumare and he was then given the task of making the physical body of human beings after which Olodumare would give them the breath of life. Obatala is also a genus of spiders ( Amaurobiidae) In Yoruba orisha (also spelt orisa Ọlọrun also referred to as Olodumare as well as Eledumare, and Eleda among other names is a word for God (the Supreme Being) He also completed this task and this is why he has the title of "Obarisa" (King of all Deities).

The other variant of the cosmogonic myth does not credit Ọbatala with the completion of the task. Obatala is also a genus of spiders ( Amaurobiidae) In Yoruba orisha (also spelt orisa While it concedes he was given the task, it claims that he got drunk before he got to the earth and was thus unable to do the job. Olodumare got worried when he did not return on time and sent Oduduwa to investigate. Ọlọrun also referred to as Olodumare as well as Eledumare, and Eleda among other names is a word for God (the Supreme Being) Oduduwa, phonetically written as Odùduwà, and sometimes contracted as Odudua, Oòdua, is generally held among the Yoruba to be the ancestor When Oduduwa found Ọbatala in a drunken state, he took over the task and completed it. Oduduwa, phonetically written as Odùduwà, and sometimes contracted as Odudua, Oòdua, is generally held among the Yoruba to be the ancestor Obatala is also a genus of spiders ( Amaurobiidae) In Yoruba orisha (also spelt orisa

The spot on which he landed and which he redeemed from water to become land is called Ilė-Ifę and is considered the sacred and spiritual home of the Yoruba. Ife (Ifè also Ilé-Ifẹ̀) is an ancient Yoruba City in south-western Nigeria. Olodumare later forgave Ọbatala and gave him the responsibility of molding the physical bodies of human beings. Ọlọrun also referred to as Olodumare as well as Eledumare, and Eleda among other names is a word for God (the Supreme Being) Obatala is also a genus of spiders ( Amaurobiidae) In Yoruba orisha (also spelt orisa

According to Idowu, 1962, the making of land is a symbolic reference to the founding of the Yoruba kingdoms and this is why Oduduwa is credited with that achievement.

Recently, historians have attributed this cosmological mythology to a pre-existing civilization at Ilė-Ifę which was invaded by a militant immigrants from the east, led by a king named Oduduwa. Ife (Ifè also Ilé-Ifẹ̀) is an ancient Yoruba City in south-western Nigeria. Oduduwa, phonetically written as Odùduwà, and sometimes contracted as Odudua, Oòdua, is generally held among the Yoruba to be the ancestor Oduduwa and his group had been persecuted on the basis of religious differences and forced out of their homeland. Oduduwa, phonetically written as Odùduwà, and sometimes contracted as Odudua, Oòdua, is generally held among the Yoruba to be the ancestor They came to Ilė-Ifę where they subjugated the pre-existing Ugbo inhabitants (often erroneously rendered as Igbo but unrelated to the present Igbo people of Eastern Nigeria), under the leadership of Oreluere (Ọbatala). Obatala is also a genus of spiders ( Amaurobiidae) In Yoruba orisha (also spelt orisa

After Oduduwa

Upon the death of Oduduwa, there was a dispersal of his children from Ilė-Ifę to found other kingdoms (Owu, Ketu, Benin, Ila, Sabe, Popo, and Oyo). Ife (Ifè also Ilé-Ifẹ̀) is an ancient Yoruba City in south-western Nigeria. Each making a mark in the subsequent urbanization and consolidation of Yoruba confederacy of kingdoms, with each kingdom tracing its origin to Ile-Ife.

Precolonial social organization

See also Oyo Empire#Political structures

Monarchies were a common form of government in the Yoruba-speaking region, but they were not the only approach to government and social organization. The Oyo Empire (c 1400 - 1835 was a West African empire of what is today western Nigeria. The numerous Ijebu city-states to the west of Oyo and the Ẹgba communities, found in the forests below Ọyọ's savannah region, were a notable exceptions. Ijebu (also known as Jebu or Geebu) was a Yoruba kingdom in pre-colonial Nigeria. The Egba are a subgroup of the Yoruba people who live in western Nigeria. These independent polities often elected an Ọba, though real political, legislative, and judicial powers resided with the Ogboni, a council of notable elders. Ogboni (also known as Osugbo in Ijèbú) is a Fraternal institution indigenous to the Yoruba language -speaking polities of Nigeria, Republic

During the internecine wars of the 19th century, the Ijebu forced citizens of more than 150 Ẹgba and Owu communities to migrate to the fortified city of Abeokuta, where each quarter retained its own Ogboni council of civilian leaders, along with an Olorogun, or council of military leaders, and in some cases its own elected Obas or Baales. Abeokuta is a city in Ogun State in southwest Nigeria and is situated at, on the Ogun River; 64 miles north of Lagos by railway or 81 These independent councils then elected their most capable members to join a federal civilian and military council that represented the city as a whole.

Commander Frederick Forbes, a representative of the British Crown writing an account of his visit to the city in an 1853 edition of the Church Military Intelligencer, described Abẹokuta as having "four presidents", and the system of government as having "840 principal rulers or 'House of Lords,' 2800 secondary chiefs or 'House of Commons,' 140 principal military ones and 280 secondary ones. Year 1853 ( MDCCCLIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common " He described Abẹokuta and its system of government as "the most extraordinary republic in the world. A republic is a State or Country that is not led by a hereditary Monarch, but in which the people (or at least a part of its people have impact on its "

Gerontocratic leadership councils that guarded against the monopolization of power by a monarch were a proverbial trait of the Ẹgba, according to the eminent Ọyọ historian Reverend Samuel Johnson, but such councils were also well-developed among the northern Okun groups, the eastern Ekiti, and other groups falling under the Yoruba ethnic umbrella. Samuel Johnson (often referred to as Dr Johnson) (18 September History Ekiti was an independent state prior to the British conquest

Even in Ọyọ, the most centralized of the precolonial kingdoms, the Alaafin consulted on all political decisions with a prime minister (the Basọrun) and the council of leading nobles known as the Ọyọ Mesi.

Ibadan, a city-state and proto-empire founded in the 18th century by a polyglot group of refugees, soldiers, and itinerant traders from Ọyọ and the other Yoruba sub-groups, largely dispensed with the concept of monarchism, preferring to elect both military and civil councils from a pool of eminent citizens. Ibadan (Ìlú Èbá-Ọdàn the town at the junction the savannah and the forest the Capital of Oyo State, is the third largest city The city became a military republic, with distinguished soldiers wielding political powers through their election by popular acclaim and the respect of their peers. Similar practices were adopted by the Ijẹsa and other groups, which saw a corresponding rise in the social influence of military adventurers and successful entrepreneurs.

Occupational guilds, social clubs, secret or initiatory societies, and religious units, commonly known as Ẹgbẹ in Yoruba, included the Parakoyi (or league of traders) and Ẹgbẹ Ọdẹ (hunter's guild), and maintained an important role in commerce, social control, and vocational education in Yoruba polities.

There are also examples of other peer organizations in the region. When the Ẹgba resisted the imperial domination of the Ọyọ Empire, a figure named Lisabi is credited with either creating or reviving a covert traditional organization named Ẹgbẹ Aro. This group, originally a farmers' union, was converted to a network of secret militias throughout the Ẹgba forests, and each lodge plotted to overthrow Ọyọ's Ajeles (appointed administrators) in the late 1700s.

Similarly, covert military resistance leagues like the Ekiti Parapọ and the Ogidi alliance were organized during the 19th century wars by often-decentralized communities of the Ekiti, Ijẹsa, Ìgbómìnà and Okun Yoruba in order to resist various imperial expansionist plans of Ibadan, Nupe, and the Sokoto Caliphate.

The monarchy of any city state was usually limited to a number of royal lineages. A family could be excluded from kingship and chieftancy if any family member, servant, or slave belonging to the family committed a crime such as theft, fraud, murder or rape.

In other city-states, the monarchy was open to the election of any free-born male citizen. There are also, in Ilesa, Ondo, and other Yoruba communities, several traditions of female Ọbas, though these were comparatively rare.

The kings were almost always polygamous and many had as many as 20 wives and often married royal family members from other towns/city states. The term polygamy (a Greek word meaning "the practice of multiple marriage" is used in related ways in Social anthropology, Sociobiology, and

Yoruba religion and mythology

Yoruba religion and mythology is a major influence in West Africa, chiefly in Nigeria, and it has given origin to several New World religions such as Santería in Cuba, Puerto Rico and Candomblé in Brazil. West Africa or Western Africa is the Westernmost Region of the African Continent. Nigeria, officially named the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal Constitutional republic comprising thirty-six states and one Federal The New World is one of the names used for the non-Eurasian/non-African parts of the Earth specifically the Americas and Australia. Santería, also known as La Regla de Lukumi (Lukumi's Rule and The Way of the Saints is an Afro-Cuban religious tradition derived from traditional beliefs The Republic of Cuba (ˈkjuːbə or) consists of the island of Cuba (the largest and second-most populous island of the Greater Antilles) Isla de la Puerto Rico (ˌpwertoˈriko officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico ("Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico" {{lang-en|"Associated Free State of Puerto Rico"}} Candomblé (pronounced /kɐ̃dõˈblɛ/is an African-originated or Afro-Brazilian religion practiced chiefly in Brazil. |utc_offset = -2 to -4 |time_zone_DST = BRST |utc_offset_DST = -2 to -5 |cctld

Itan is the term for the sum total of all Yoruba myths, songs, histories, and other cultural components. Itan ( singular and Plural) is the Yorùbá term for the sum total of all Yorùbá myths, Songs histories and other cultural The Yoruba religion is the religious beliefs and practices of the Yoruba people both in Africa (chiefly in Nigeria and Benin Republic) A song is a Musical composition. Songs contain vocal parts that are performed 'sung' and generally feature Words ( Lyrics) commonly followed Culture (from the Latin cultura stemming from colere, meaning "to cultivate" generally refers to patterns of human activity and the symbolic

After the Ọyọ empire collapsed and the region plunged into civil war, ethnic Yoruba were among the largest in number of African peoples who were enslaved and taken by European traders to Haiti, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Trinidad and the rest of the New World (chiefly in the 19th century). The Oyo Empire (c 1400 - 1835 was a West African empire of what is today western Nigeria. Haiti ( English: ˈheɪ·tiː or haɪ·ˈjiː·tiː French Haïti a·i·ti Haitian Creole: The Republic of Cuba (ˈkjuːbə or) consists of the island of Cuba (the largest and second-most populous island of the Greater Antilles) Isla de la Puerto Rico (ˌpwertoˈriko officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico ("Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico" {{lang-en|"Associated Free State of Puerto Rico"}} |utc_offset = -2 to -4 |time_zone_DST = BRST |utc_offset_DST = -2 to -5 |cctld Trinidad ( Spanish: " Trinity " is the largest and most populous of the two major islands and The 19th century of the Common Era began on January 1, 1801 and ended on December 31, 1900, according to the Gregorian calendar The enslaved Africans carried their Orisha religious beliefs with them. An Orisha (also spelled Orisa or Orixa) is a spirit or deity that reflects one of the manifestations of Olodumare (God in the Yoruba spiritual A religion is a set of Tenets and practices often centered upon specific Supernatural and moral claims about Reality, the Cosmos These concepts were combined with preexisting African-based religions, Christianity, Native American mythology, and Kardecist Spiritism into various New World lineages:

The popularly known Vodou religion of Haiti combines the religious beliefs of the many different African ethnic nationalities taken to the island with the structure and liturgy from the Fon-Ewe of present-day Benin and the Congo-Angolan culture area, but Yoruba-derived religious ideology and deities also play an important role. Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings For indigenous peoples in the United States other than Hawaii and Alaska see also Native Americans in the United States. Spiritism is a Christian philosophical Doctrine, established in France in the mid-nineteenth century Santería, also known as La Regla de Lukumi (Lukumi's Rule and The Way of the Saints is an Afro-Cuban religious tradition derived from traditional beliefs The Republic of Cuba (ˈkjuːbə or) consists of the island of Cuba (the largest and second-most populous island of the Greater Antilles) Isla de la Puerto Rico (ˌpwertoˈriko officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico ("Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico" {{lang-en|"Associated Free State of Puerto Rico"}} Oyotunji African Village is a village located near Sheldon, Beaufort County, South Carolina that was founded by the late Oba Efuntola Oseijeman The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Nigeria, officially named the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal Constitutional republic comprising thirty-six states and one Federal Nigeria, officially named the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal Constitutional republic comprising thirty-six states and one Federal Candomblé (pronounced /kɐ̃dõˈblɛ/is an African-originated or Afro-Brazilian religion practiced chiefly in Brazil. |utc_offset = -2 to -4 |time_zone_DST = BRST |utc_offset_DST = -2 to -5 |cctld Basic beliefs and practices The Umbanda creeds and practices are an eclectic mixture from three main sources from Catholicism Umbanda adopted the ideas of |utc_offset = -2 to -4 |time_zone_DST = BRST |utc_offset_DST = -2 to -5 |cctld Candomblé (pronounced /kɐ̃dõˈblɛ/is an African-originated or Afro-Brazilian religion practiced chiefly in Brazil. |utc_offset = -2 to -4 |time_zone_DST = BRST |utc_offset_DST = -2 to -5 |cctld Nigeria, officially named the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal Constitutional republic comprising thirty-six states and one Federal vodoo, vodun, or vodoun may refer to any of West African vodun, a west African religion Haitian vodou, mostly derived Haiti ( English: ˈheɪ·tiː or haɪ·ˈjiː·tiː French Haïti a·i·ti Haitian Creole: Benin (bə'nɪn officially the Republic of Benin, and also known as Benin Republic, is a country in Western Africa.

Yoruba deities include "Ọya" (wind/storm), "Ifá" (divination or fate), "Ẹlẹda" (destiny), "Ibeji" (twins), "Ọsanyin" (medicines and healing) and "Ọsun" (goddess of fertility, protector of children and mothers), Sango (God of thunder)

Human beings and other sentient creatures are also assumed to have their own individual deity of destiny, called "Ori", who is venerated through a sculpture symbolically decorated with cowrie shells. In Yoruba mythology, Oya (Alternative spellings Oiá, Iansã, Iansan) is the Goddess of the Niger River A goddess is a Female Deity. Many Cultures have goddesses Often deities are part of a polytheistic system that includes several deities Divination process Special instruments are used to assist in the Divination to transcribe Orunmila 's wisdom through the diviner Divination (from Latin divinare "to be inspired by a god" related to Divine, Diva and Deus) is the attempt of ascertaining Destiny refers to a predetermined course of events It may be conceived as a predetermined future whether in general or of an individual Eshu (other names include Exú, Esu Eleggua, Esu Elegbara, Eshu Elegbara, Elegba, Legba, and Eleda Destiny refers to a predetermined course of events It may be conceived as a predetermined future whether in general or of an individual Ibeji is a term in the Yoruba language meaning "twins" Overview The Yoruba are a major African ethnic group in their culture twins are traditionally Twins are Offspring resulting from the same Pregnancy, either of the same or opposite Sex. Medicine is the art and science of healing It encompasses a range of Health care practices evolved to maintain and restore Human Health by the Healing, assessed physically is the process by which the cells in the Body regenerate and repair to reduce the size of a damaged or necrotic area (or Oshun) (ɔʃún in Yoruba mythology, is a spirit - Goddess ( Orisha) who reigns over love intimacy beauty wealth and diplomacy A mother goddess is a Goddess, often portrayed as the Earth Mother who serves as a general Fertility deity the bountiful embodiment of the Earth. CHILD syndrome (or congenital hemidysplasia with ichthyosiform erythroderma and limb defects) is a genetic disorder "Mom" "Mum" and "Mommy" redirect here Ori is a metaphysical concept important to Yoruba spirituality and mythology. Traditionally, dead parents and other ancestors are also believed to possess powers of protection over their descendants. This belief is expressed in worship and sacrifice on the grave or symbol of the ancestor, or as a community in the observance of the Egungun festival where the ancestors are represented as colorfully masquerade of costumed and masked men who represent the ancestral spirits. Dead parents and ancestors are also commonly venerated by pouring libations to the earth and the breaking of kolanuts in their honor at special occasions.

Today, many contemporary Yoruba are active Christians and Muslims, yet retain many of the moral and cultural concepts of the Aborisha. A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth A Muslim (مسلم pronounced Muslim, not Muzlim) is an adherent of the Religion

Yoruba calendar

Time is measured in isheju (minutes), wakati (hours), ojo (days), ose (weeks), oshu (months) and odun (years). There are 60 isheju in 1 wakati; 24 wakati in 1 ojo; 4 ojo in 1 ose; 7 ose in 1 oshu and 93 ose in 1 odun. There are 12 oshu in 1 odun.

The days are: Ojo-Orunmila/Ifa, Ojo-Shango/Jakuta, Ojo-Ogun, and Ojo-Obatala. The months are: Sere (January), Erele (February), Erena (March), Igbe (April), Ebibi (May), Okudu (June), Agemo (July). Ogun (August), Owere(Owewe) (September), Owara(Owawa) (October), Belu (November), and Ope (December).

The Yoruba calendar (Kojoda) year starts from 3rd June to 2nd June of the following year. According to this calendar, the Gregorian year 2008 A. D. is the 10050th year of Yoruba culture. To reconcile with the Gregorian calendar, Yoruba people also measure time in seven days a week and four weeks a month. The days are: Ojo-Aiku (Sunday), Oko-Aje (Monday), Ojo-Ishegun (Tuesday), Ojo-Riru (Wednesday), Ojo-Bo/Alamisi (Thursday), Ojo-Eti (Friday) and Ojo-Abameta (Saturday).

Yoruba towns

The chief Yoruba cities are Ibadan, Lagos (Eko),Modakeke-Akoraye, Ijebu Ode (Ijẹbu Ode), Abeokuta (Abẹokuta), Akure (Akurẹ), Ilorin (Ilọrin), Ijebu-Igbo (Ijẹbu-Igbo), Ogbomoso (Ogbomọṣọ), Ondo, Ota (Ọta), Ìlá Ọràngún, Òkè-Ìlá Ọràngún, Ado-Ekiti, Ikare, Shagamu (Sagamu), Ikenne (Ikẹnnẹ), Ilisan, Osogbo (Osogbo), Ilesa (Ilesa), Oyo (Ọyọ), Ife (Ilé-Ifẹ), Saki, and Ago-Iwoye, Kabba, Omu-Aran and Egbe. Ibadan (Ìlú Èbá-Ọdàn the town at the junction the savannah and the forest the Capital of Oyo State, is the third largest city Lagos ( pron ˈleɪgɒs or /ˈlɑːgoʊs/ overseas is the most populous Conurbation in Nigeria with Ijebu Ode is a city located in south-western Nigeria. With an estimated population of 222653 (2007it is the second largest city in Ogun State after Abeokuta Abeokuta is a city in Ogun State in southwest Nigeria and is situated at, on the Ogun River; 64 miles north of Lagos by railway or 81 Akure is a city in the southwestern region of Nigeria, and is the largest city and capital of Ondo State. Ilorin is one of the largest cities in Nigeria and is the capital of Kwara State. Ogbomosho (also Ogbomoso) is a city in Oyo State, southwestern Nigeria, that was founded in the mid 1600s Ondo City is the Largest city in Ondo State, Nigeria. It has a population of 275917 Ota (alternatively spelled Otta') is a town in Ogun State, Nigeria, and has an estimated 163783 residents living in or around it Òkè-Ìlá is a city in Ọṣun State, Nigeria. Location and Physiography Òkè-Ìlá Òràngún (often abbreviated as Òkè-Ìlá Ado Ekiti is a city in southwest Nigeria, in the state of Ekiti. Sagamu or Shagamu is a city in southwestern Nigeria located in Ogun State near the Ibu River Osogbo or Oshogbo is a city in Nigeria and is the capital of Osun State. Ilesa is a city located in west of Nigeria; it is also the name of a historic state (also known as Ijesha or Ijesa centered around that city Ife (Ifè also Ilé-Ifẹ̀) is an ancient Yoruba City in south-western Nigeria. Kabba is a town in Kogi State in northern Nigeria. It lies near the Osse ( ohe in Okun) River at the intersection of roads from Lokoja

Traditionally the Yoruba organized themselves into networks of related villages, towns, and kingdoms, with most of them headed by an Ọba [King] or Baale [a nobleman or mayor]. Kingship is not determined by simple primogeniture, as in most monarchic systems of government. An electoral college of lineage heads is usually charged with selecting a member of one of the royal families, and the selection is usually confirmed by an Ifa divination request. The Ọbas live in palaces usually in the center of the town. Opposite to the king's palace is the Ọja Ọba, the king's market. These markets form an inherent part of Yoruba life. Traditionally the market traders are well organized, have various guilds, and an elected speaker.

Yoruba Diaspora

See also: Nigerian American

There are large Yoruba communities around the world including the United States. See also African Immigration to the United States Nigerian Americans are citizens of the United States of America who are of an ethnicity located in Nigeria See also African Immigration to the United States Nigerian Americans are citizens of the United States of America who are of an ethnicity located in Nigeria Of such Diasporic communities include the "Egbe Omo Yoruba" society. [3]

See also

References

  1. ^ CIA World Factbook
  2. ^ Joshua Project,. Dr Obadiah Johnson (born in Freetown Sierra Leone) was a liberated African or recaptive originally from Nigeria, and he was a Krio Bishop Samuel Adjai (Ajayi Crowther (c 1809 - 31 December 1891 was a linguist and the first African Anglican bishop in Nigeria. The Egba are a subgroup of the Yoruba people who live in western Nigeria. (2007)
  3. ^ "Egbe Omo Yoruba, National Association Of Yoruba descendants in North America", yorubanation. org, 19 May 2007. Events 1535 - French explorer Jacques Cartier sets sail on his second voyage to North America with three ships 110 men and Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.

External links

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