If there is one thing the Yoruba culture is well known for, it is the culture of respect. We hold respect highly when it comes to our elders. Who or what is an elder? In the Yoruba culture anybody older than you is regarded as an elder and should be treated as such. Even if […]
Ogun jíjà refers to warfare that can occur between communities, different people in the same ethnic group, various ethnic groups, regions, countries, religious factions etc. The common causes of war in ancient Yorubaland include: Boundary dispute To enlarge one’s region and dominate others To fight against domination and agitate for freedom when already dominated, […]
Origin of Àmàlà Àmàlà, a cherished Yoruba delicacy, has delighted people for ages. It holds immense popularity in Nigeria, serving as a staple main course. This blog post delves into Àmàlà’s origins, health advantages, and its significant role in Yoruba culture. What is Àmàlà? Àmàlà is a staple food in Nigeria, particularly in […]
AGOGO EEWO Agogo Eewo is the sequel to Saworoide, which we have already reviewed here. If you’ve given that a watch, you will find characters and locations in this movie familiar. To watch it all at once, I would recommend you do so on Olayemi Olatunji’s youtube channel. There it is titled ‘AGOGO EEWO – […]
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 […]
In the beginning…. In the beginning, there was only the sky above and waters below, and this was ruled by the mighty Orisha, the council of gods. Olorun ruled the sky above and Olokun was master of all that was in the waters below. One day, a god named Obatala decided to create dry land. […]
Ajala The Traveller Who was Ajala? Moshood Adisa Olabisi Ajala, renowned as Ọlábísí Àjàlá, was a multifaceted Nigerian personality who excelled as a journalist, travel writer, and actor, and eventually became a prominent figure in Lagos’ social scene. He was born on April 3, 1934, in Ghana and was raised in a polygamous household […]
Yoruba Insults Language is a phenomenon that is used in communication. The environment we live in is largely verbal, therefore, language serves as an expressive function used in everyday conversation. Yoruba is an ethnic group which has an exciting history and rich culture. Yoruba people are known for numerous things, one of those things […]
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti ( 1900-1978) Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was born on 25th October 1900 as Frances Abigail Olufunmilayo Thomas in Abeokuta, Nigeria, and died in Abeokuta on 12th April 1978. She was the daughter of Daniel Olumoyewa Thomas (a farmer and trader) and Phyllis Moyeni Dese (a dressmaker). She was married to Reverend Israel Oludotun Ransome-Kuti […]
This is the story according to a Yoruba tale of how language came to be in short picture form. Do let me know how your language believes language came to be in the comment section!
The Gateway State History Ogun State is located in western Nigeria and was established in 1976. It was formed by merging the former Abeokuta and Ijebu provinces, which were part of the former Western state. The state shares borders with Oyo and Osun states to the north, Lagos state to the south, Ondo state to […]
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 […]
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 […]
Origin of Ikokore On our culinary journey today, we delve into the tantalizing world of Ikokore, a traditional pottage dish originating from the Ijebu people of Ogun State, Nigeria. With its unique blend of flavors and rich cultural heritage, Ikokore has captured the hearts and palates of many food enthusiasts across the country. What […]
Origin of Ewa Agoyin What is Ewa Agoyin? Have you ever indulged in a culinary experience that transcends boundaries and captures the essence of culture in every bite? Ewa Agoyin is a beloved street food that perfectly embodies the rich flavors and traditions of Nigeria. This iconic dish features soft or mashed beans paired with […]
Sunshine State History Ondo is a state located in the western part of Nigeria. It was established in 1976, carved out of the former Ondo province which was part of the erstwhile Western state. It shares borders with Kwara and Kogi to the north, Edo to the east, Delta to the southeast, and Osun and […]
IWURE/ISURE Iwure, breaking down the words would give us iwu and ire which mean to bring forth/unearth and goodness/blessings . Isure on the other hand is from isu and ire which means to come/break forth from underneath a surface and goodness/blessings respectively. The unearthing and breaking forth come from the ground (ile), holds important significance […]
Centre of Excellence History Lagos is situated in the southwestern region of Nigeria, along the coastline of the Bight of Benin. It shares borders with the state of Ogun to the north and east, while its southern boundary is formed by the Bight of Benin. To the west, it is bordered by the Republic of […]
Land of Honour and Integrity History Ekiti State is located in the South Western region of Nigeria. Ekiti State (Yoruba: Ìpínlẹ̀ Èkìtì) shares borders with Kwara State to the north, Kogi State to the northeast, Ondo State to the south and southeast, and Osun State to the west. Established in 1996, Ekiti State was carved […]
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: […]
Osun State – The state of the Living Spring
The State of the Living Spring History According to…