MOVIE REVIEW: Saworoide
Saworoide Saworoide is a Yoruba movie written by Akinwunmi Isola and produced by Tunde Kelani. It is available on Youtube in two parts on Tunde Kelani’s channel. It was released in 1999 but its message still rings true to date. Saworoide, referring to the brass bell talking drum, is both the name of the movie […]
Movie Review: MAGUN-THUNDER BOAT
MAGUN-THUNDER BOAT I set out to watch Magun Thunderbolt as it came highly recommended but accidentally watched Magun Thunderboat instead. After watching for a bit, I realised that I seemed to be watching something else but did not think it fair to discard Magun Thunderboat without giving it a chance. Magun Thunderboat is available on […]
6 Stereotypes About Yoruba People
Yoruba People Are… Yoruba people are an ethnic group from the Southwestern and North Central Nigeria. They are a collection of diverse people bound together by a common language, history, and culture. Reports have it that they make up 21% of Nigeria’s population, making them one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa. Yoruba people, […]
Nadine Ibrahim’s ‘Marked’ documentary on Netflix
Yoruba Lessons Rating: 6.5/10 Are you seeking a melting pot reflection of Nigeria? Then, ‘Marked’ is a must-watch! Directed by Nadine Ibrahim, Marked recounts the long-preserved tradition of African tribal marks. The film provides a non-judgemental space to explore why and how these tribal marks are performed. It showcases how tribal marks are intertwined within […]
MAAMI by Tunde Kelani – NOLLYWOOD MOVIE REVIEW NETFLIX
Yoruba Lessons Rating – 6/10 Background / Plot Maami which means mother is a 2011 film directed by […]
Burial and Funerals in the Yoruba Culture – ÌSÌNKÚ
Ìsìnkú – Burial Introduction Ìsìnkú refers to the burial rites which are the final steps carried out for or regarding a person or people who have passed on. For someone who has lived a good and long life, their passing is celebrated with dancing, merriness and joy. However, there are other types of death […]
Yoruba Dialects
In African linguistics, Yoruba is categorized as a member of the Benue-Congo branch of the Niger-Congo language family related to Igala, Edo, Ishan, and Igbo etc. Yorùbá language spans across a spectrum of dialects ranging in pronunciations and understandability. Ethnologue lists 20 distinct varieties of Yoruba dialects which are assembled into five regional geographic groupings: […]
How to Use Accent Marks in Yoruba – A Melodious Language
Today, we’ll be looking at a really important part of the Yoruba language which is the accent marks on the words. As a Yoruba language learner, you may have noticed the various pronunciations and tonations within the language. Yoruba has eighteen consonants, seven oral vowels, and five nasal vowels, plus a syllabic nasal. Understanding the […]
Yoruba Traditional Weddings
Introduction Yoruba Traditional weddings are usually the 1st wedding out of 3 weddings that Yoruba couples engage in, before the white and court wedding. It is called an ‘Engagement’ and can be done weeks, months or days apart from the other weddings. The bride’s family is typically responsible for covering the ceremony costs, […]
Naming Ceremonies
Introduction Yoruba naming Ceremonies are held 8 days after the child is born and the child is named using a name of items to prophesy into the child’s life. This is done regardless of the parent’s religion. Naming Ceremonies are taken seriously because it is believed a child will eventually live out his/her name. The […]