“African People: Yoruba”

The Yoruba people are the largest inhabitants of Nigeria, with a whopping 18.8

million first language speakers. In Nigeria, after the English language, Yoruba is the

second most used language, out of the total 400 languages spoken in Nigeria. When the

slave trade came about in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, the Yoruba language survived

to Cuba, where it is called Lukumi, and to Brazil, where it is called Nago.

The Yoruba people inhabit the Southwest region of Nigeria and Benin. The

Yoruba people are known for the invention of their own forms of artistic works in

pottery, basket weaving, beadwork, metalwork, and mask making. Almost all of the

artwork is made to honor the gods of the Yoruba, which include about 401 deities. The

Yoruba people have been greatly compared to Ancient Greeks because of their worship

for so many gods. Yoruba is considered more of a nation than a tribe or group because of

its size and impact in the Nigerian country.

Yoruba is spoken in many government positions and schools and a large amount

of government paperwork are processed in Yoruba. Yoruba has also had a large impact in

the musical world. The music from the Yoruba people is known for its extremely

advanced drumming technique, especially a form called dundun. Yoruba folk music

became the most important kind of West African music in Afro-Latin and Caribbean

musical styles. Yoruba music left an enormous influence on the music used in Lucumi

practice and Cuban music as a whole.

 The Yoruba people are an interesting group of individuals and have played a large

part in Nigeria, Cuba, and Brazil. I believe that the Yoruba people have impacted cultures

and I am glad I was able to learn a little bit about them.

Music

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000005BAG/002-7917862-7090457?
v=glance#product-details

(Scroll down a bit until you see “Listen to Samples” and select one of the Yoruba music
samples)

Pictures
 References

“African People and Culture”<http://www.africaguide.com/culture/tribes/yoruba.htm>.

September 28, 2006.

“Languages of the World”< http://www.nvtc.gov/lotw/months/september/yoruba.html>.

September 29, 2006.