In a traditional Yoruba town the large and elaborate palace of the oba lies at the centre, and grouped around it are the compounds of the patrilineages. The palace and the compounds are now often modern structures. There is much diversity in social and political organization among the Yoruba, but they share many basic features.
Inheritance and succession are based on patrilineal descent; members of the patrilineage live together under the authority of a headman, share certain names and taboos, worship their own deity, and have rights in lineage lands. The Yoruba also have several kinds of voluntary associations, including the egbe , a male recreational association; the aro , a mutual-aid association of farmers; and the esusu , whose members contribute a fixed amount of money and from which they can receive loans.
Political authority is vested in the oba and a council of chiefs; constituent towns each have their own ruler, who is subordinate to the oba. The oba is also a ritual leader and is considered sacred. Many Yoruba are now Christians or Muslims, but aspects of their traditional religion survive. The traditional Yoruba religion has an elaborate hierarchy of deities, including a supreme creator and some lesser gods and spirits, most of whom are associated with their own cults and priests.
The Yoruba language has an extensive literature of poetry, short stories, myths , and proverbs. You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience and security. Article Media. Info Print Cite.
Faction fights bring turmoil to the Yoruba
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Due to this, the aborigines became a serious threat to the survival of Ife. They became marauders, and began raiding the towns dressed in costumes made of raffia with frightening appearances.
She was rewarded for her patriotism and selflessness by becoming immortalized, and is now celebrated at the Edi festival amongst her Yoruba descendants. Diverse traditions comprised of traditional and spiritual concepts and practices make up the Yoruba religion. There is no single founder, and the religion is comprised of complex songs, stories, and histories which all play a role in Yoruba society.
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Yoruba religion is practiced throughout the world including countries such as Brazil, Cuba and parts of North America. Ogun — God of metal, war and victory. Shango Jakuta — God of thunder, lightning, fire and justice — manifests as a king always wielding a double-edged axe which represents his divine authority and power.
He conveys the wish of men to the gods.
He has two avatar forms which are manifestations of his dual nature of positive and negative energies. The Supreme God manifestations.
Articulate — The Cultural Legacy of Yoruba
Most of the Yoruba artifacts date from between the end of the 19th century and the middle of the 20th century and can often be attributed to a specific carver by name — an exception in African art An array of materials are used by the Yoruba including bronze, leather, terracotta, ivory, wood, glass and more. Art from this Tribe Sale! Archaeological findings in Ile-Ife prove to feature a high level of artistic skills in the 12th—14th century era.
Artists sculpted traditional and cultural significance out of terracotta, stone, ivory, brass, bronze and copper as far back as CE. Yoruba mythology states that, in the beginning, the universe was made up of only two elements: the sky above and a watery chaos below. Oduduwa a servant of the Supreme Being, Olodumare was tasked with creating the Earth. The belief is that he ventured down from heaven with a long chain, carrying a calabash filled with sand, along with a five-toed fowl.
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Not a single patch of dry land could be found as the whole Earth was covered in water, and so Oduduwa poured the sand on the water and the fowl on top of it. What remains as water today are all the places not touched by the sand. And today, it is said that some of the objects Oduduwa brought from heaven are still in Ile-Ife, including the chain he used to climb down to earth. A similar school of thought believes that Oduduwa was a mortal who had supernatural powers.
He fathered sixteen children, making them all kings in other territories.