Yoruba Culture and Language

Geographic Distribution

• The Yoruba primarily inhabit southwestern Nigeria, extending into parts of Kwara and Kogi states in North Central Nigeria, and parts of Edo and Delta states in South South Nigeria.
• There are also Yoruba populations in Dahomey (modern-day Republic of Benin) and Sierra Leone, where they are known respectively as Anago and Akus.

Linguistic Classification

• Yoruba language belongs to the Kwa branch of the Congo-Kordofanian language family, highlighting its linguistic significance.

Cultural Recognition

• Sir A.C. Burns classified the Yoruba as one of Nigeria's advanced communities, with some writers considering them the most advanced community.
• William Bascom noted in 1955 that Yoruba settlements are large and permanent, emphasizing agriculture over industrialization, reflecting traditional patterns rather than acculturation.

Urbanization

• The Yoruba are recognized as the most urbanized group in Africa, with community sizes comparable to European nations.

Academic Interest

• The Yoruba are described as one of Africa's most extensively studied native groups, particularly in areas such as arts, music, religion, and oral literature.
• The prominence of Yoruba Studies is attributed to the rich cultural contributions of the Yoruba people.

Origin Myths

• The Oduduwa Legend serves as the main origin narrative of the Yoruba, with two primary versions:
  • The first version claims that Olodumare sent Obatala to create the earth, but Oduduwa took over after Obatala became incapacitated. Oduduwa is considered the ancestor of both the Yoruba and humanity, with Ile Ife as the landing site.
  • The second version portrays Oduduwa as a son of Lamurudun, fleeing from persecution in Mecca, eventually arriving in Ife and settling there.

Early Kingdoms

• Oduduwa fathered Okanbi, who had seven sons, each responsible for establishing various early Yoruba kingdoms through migration.
• Notable kingdoms founded by the descendants of Oduduwa include Owu, Popo, Ketu, Benin, Ila, Sabe, and Oyo, with the founding of Ife around the sixth century serving as a historical point of significance.
• Subsequent kingdoms like Ijebu-Ode, Ilesa, Owo, and Ode-Ondo also emerged, illustrating the expansion of Yoruba political authority over time.