The Yoruba People Of Nigeria: A Complete Guide To Their History, Culture, Traditions And Facts

The Yoruba people are one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa, making up about 15.5% of Nigeria’s population. They reside in southwestern Nigeria, but large Yoruba communities also exist in Benin and Togo, an area known as Yorubaland.

With over 50 million people in Africa and more than a million in the diaspora, their influence is worldwide. The Yoruba trace their origins to Ile-Ife, a sacred city considered the cradle of their civilization. Their history dates back as far as the 1st millennium BCE.

Great empires like Oyo flourished between the 11th and 19th centuries. Yoruba society is made up of city-states led by kings called Obas and their councils. They speak Yoruba, a major Niger-Congo language.

Their religion honors many gods known as Orishas, and they are known for colorful festivals, bronze art, and beadwork. Yoruba culture has spread worldwide, especially through Afro-Caribbean faiths like Santería and Candomblé.

Origins Of The Yoruba People

In Yoruba belief, the universe began with the sky above and a deep ocean below. Olodumare, also called Olorun, is the supreme god who rules the heavens.

He decided to create dry land where life could grow and gave this task to his son, Obatala, the god of creation. Obatala received sacred items: a golden chain, a small amount of divine mud, and a five-toed white hen.

His mission was to descend to the ocean, sprinkle the mud, and let the hen scratch it to spread land. But Obatala drank palm wine, got drunk, and failed in his mission.

Oduduwa, his younger brother, took over. He used the remaining tools, climbed down the chain, and completed the creation. Guided by a chameleon, he spread the mud and let the hen scratch it. Land formed.

Then, Oduduwa became the “God of the Earth” and the first king of the Yoruba. Obatala, ashamed, promised never to drink again. He took on the role of influencing humans from clay and became the protector of people with deformities.

In symbolism, Obatala and Oduduwa are shown as parts of a closed calabash, Obatala as the lid (heaven) and Oduduwa as the base (earth).

Ile-Ife, in today’s Osun State, is the birthplace of the Yoruba people. It is where the creation story began and is known as the “Land of Expansion.”

The Ooni of Ife, the city’s spiritual leader, is believed to be a direct descendant of Oduduwa. The city holds great religious importance and hosts festivals like the Itapa Festival, which honors the original sixteen Yoruba clans.

Archaeologists have found artifacts in Ile-Ife dating back to at least 500 B.C. Its art reached a high point between the 11th and 15th centuries.

Naturalistic bronze, stone, and terracotta works from this period are among Africa’s finest, proving the city’s early urban development.

While myths describe Oduduwa as a god, some scholars believe he was a real leader who migrated from the northeast, possibly from the Nile Valley or the Sahel regions.

From Ile-Ife, Yoruba influence expanded. City-states like Oyo, Ekiti, and Ijebu trace their royal lines to Oduduwa. Yoruba culture also spread to places like Benin and Togo through trade and migration.

Geographic Distribution And Demographics Of Yoruba People

Geographic Distribution

The Yoruba are mostly based in southwestern Nigeria, a region called Yorubaland. This includes Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, and Ogun states, as well as parts of Kwara and Kogi.

The area stretches to the Atlantic coast, with Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city, as its economic and cultural center. According to the CIA World Factbook, Yoruba people make up about 15.5% of Nigeria’s population.

With Nigeria’s population estimated at 230.8 million in 2024, this means roughly 35.7 million Yoruba people are living in Nigeria.

Large Yoruba communities also live in southeastern Benin and southwestern Togo. These cross-border groups share language, religion, and customs with the Nigerian Yoruba.

The Yoruba are also found far beyond West Africa. Due to the transatlantic slave trade, Yoruba descendants live in Brazil, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, and other parts of the Caribbean.

In modern times, Yoruba people have moved to Europe and North America. In places like the U.K., the U.S., and Canada, they continue to practice their traditions while blending into new cultures.

Demographics

As of mid-2025, Nigeria’s total population is estimated at 234.5 million, making it the sixth most populated country in the world.

Based on a 15.5% share, the Yoruba number around 36 million in Nigeria alone, which does not include those in other countries.

Nigeria’s population grows fast, about 2.53% per year. The country has a birth rate of 34 per 1,000 people, and women have an average of 4.57 children. The population is very young, with a median age of 18.6 years.

Also, the Yoruba are more urban than many other ethnic groups in Nigeria. Cities like Lagos, Ibadan, and Abeokuta are major Yoruba hubs. Nationally, about 54.3% of Nigerians live in cities, and the Yoruba play a large part in this figure.

Language Of The Yoruba People

The Yoruba language is spoken mostly in southwestern Nigeria and parts of Benin and Togo. With over 50 million native speakers, it is among the most widely spoken languages in Africa.

Yoruba holds official status in Nigeria alongside English, Hausa, and Igbo. However, Yoruba is part of the Niger-Congo language family, under the Defoid subgroup of Benue-Congo.

It shares history with Igala, Itsekiri, and the Ede dialects. Most speakers live in Nigeria, but the language also reaches into Ghana, Togo, and Sierra Leone.

Dialects

Yoruba has many dialects. Some major ones include:

Egba
Ijebu
Oyo/Ibadan
Ekiti
Ijesa
Ikale
Ife
Onko

These dialects differ in tone and words but are still understood across regions.

Sounds And Pronunciation

Yoruba has seven oral vowels: /a/, /e/, /ẹ/, /i/, /o/, /ọ/, /u/

And five nasal vowels: /an/, /ẹn/, /in/, /ọn/, /un/

There are 18 consonants, including two rare ones: /kp/ and /gb/

Yoruba syllables are usually open (end in a vowel), and words do not use consonant clusters.

Tonal System

Yoruba uses high (´), mid, and low (`) tones. The same word with different tones can have different meanings.

Example:

bá – to meet
bà – to spoil
ba – neutral

Yoruba uses a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) word order:

Mo ni alafia – I am happy

Adjectives come after nouns:

Ọkọ ni gigun – The man is tall

Religion And Spirituality Of The Yoruba People

The Yoruba religion is one of the oldest and richest spiritual traditions in Africa. Practiced by millions in Nigeria, Benin, Togo, and across the world, it began long before Christianity or Islam arrived.

Everything revolves around Olodumare, the supreme being. Olodumare is the creator of all things and holds àṣẹ, the divine power behind life and order.

This god is neither male nor female and is too great to be approached directly. However, worshippers connect through Orishas.

Orishas are divine spirits. Some have existed since the beginning of time. Others were once human and became sacred after death.

Many live in nature, rivers, trees, or mountains. Each Orisha has a name, color, symbol, and drum rhythm. They guide, help, or punish humans. Notable Orishas include:

Shango – god of thunder
Ogun – god of iron and war
Yemoja – mother of the seas

A key belief is Ashe, the sacred life force in all things. It powers speech, ritual, and creation. It’s not idol worship, but a way of seeing everything as alive and divine.

Yoruba religion also warns of Ajogun, harmful spirits that cause sickness and misfortune. Priests and diviners perform rituals to fight these forces.

Ifá divination is the Yoruba way of seeking truth. Priests called Babalawos use sacred texts (Odù Ifá) to guide people through life. Worship includes music, dance, offerings, prayers, and festivals like the Osun-Osogbo Festival.

Culture And Traditions Of The Yoruba People

Yoruba society is built on community and family. Extended families live together or nearby, grandparents, parents, children, aunts, uncles, and cousins all form a close-knit unit.

Elders are seen as wise and are consulted for advice and blessings. Greetings are formal and respectful, young men prostrate, while young women kneel to greet elders.

Festivals And Ceremonies

Yoruba festivals are spiritual and communal.

Isese Festival (August 20) honors traditional religion with prayers, dancing, and animal sacrifices.
Eyo Festival in Lagos features white-robed, masked figures in a grand procession.
Osun-Osogbo Festival celebrates the river goddess Osun and draws global visitors.
The Egungun Festival involves masked dancers who represent ancestral spirits.

Art, Music, And Craftsmanship

Yoruba art is both beautiful and meaningful. They are famous for bronze heads, wood carvings, and colorful beadwork.

Each bead color or pattern tells a story. The Adire fabric, made using resist-dyeing, is worn at special events. Music is lively and sacred. The talking drum (dùndún) speaks in rhythm, used in stories and ceremonies.

Marriage Customs

Marriage is a major tradition. It begins with an introduction, followed by the engagement (Idana), where families exchange gifts and blessings.

The groom prostrates before the bride’s family. The bride wears a traditional outfit and receives blessings. Rings, prayers, and food mark the wedding day. Music, dancing, and local dishes like moin moin are served.

Economic Activities Of The Yoruba People

The Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria have a diverse economy built on farming, trade, crafts, and modern industries.

Agriculture

Farming is the main job for most Yoruba people, especially those in villages. Across Nigeria, farming makes up about 37% of the country’s GDP and gives jobs to nearly 65% of the adult population.

Most of the food grown comes from small farms. About 90% of Nigeria’s crops are grown by farmers with less than 5 hectares of land.

Yoruba farmers are a big part of this. They mix old farming methods with new tools like fertilizers and simple machines. This helps them grow more food while still taking care of the land.

Some of the key Crops are:

Food crops: Yams, cassava, maize, and plantain are the most common. These are mostly grown to feed families.
Cash crops: Cocoa is king. Southwestern Nigeria, where many Yoruba live, is a top cocoa-producing area. Cocoa brings in money from exports and gives people jobs.
Other crops: Cowpea farming is growing fast, with rates between 4.7% and 5.3% in recent years.

Many Yoruba farmers still use methods passed down through generations. They plant different crops on the same land (intercropping), use mulch to keep the soil moist, and choose strong crop types.

To fight pests, they use wood ash or neem leaves instead of chemicals, which helps the land stay healthy and productive.

Trade and Market Activities

Trade is an integral part of Yoruba life, especially for women. In many towns and cities, markets are full of life and activity. Markets like Balogun Market in Lagos and Oja Oba in Ibadan are some of the busiest in Nigeria.

Women lead in market trading. They are the backbone of local trade networks, traveling between rural and urban areas to sell goods.

These markets are centers of culture and community. From early morning until night, traders and buyers fill the stalls. Goods move quickly, and money changes hands constantly. It’s a system that has worked for centuries.

Trade provides jobs, helps farmers sell what they grow, and connects rural areas to cities. It’s one of the strongest and oldest economic activities among the Yoruba people.

Artisanship And Craftsmanship

Crafts are a proud part of Yoruba culture, and they also help people earn a living. Skilled workers make goods that are used at home, in festivals, and sold to tourists.

Textiles:

Yoruba people are famous for Adire, a hand-dyed indigo cloth. This fabric is known for its bright patterns and cultural roots.

Beadwork And Jewelry:

These items are worn during ceremonies and sold in local and international markets. Beads show beauty and status and are handmade.

Wood Carving And Bronze Work:

Yoruba carvers create masks, statues, and tools with great skill. Bronze casting, especially from Ife, has a rich history and is still in demand today.

These crafts support more than just the makers. They bring money into the community through tourism and exports.

Urban Economy And Modern Sectors

In cities like Lagos, Ibadan, and Abeokuta, traditional work continues alongside modern jobs.

Lagos, the economic center of Nigeria, is full of banks, factories, and tech firms. It’s a place where Yoruba professionals and business owners thrive.

Key Sectors:

Finance and Banking
Telecommunications
Entertainment
Manufacturing

Many Yoruba people now work in offices, run businesses, or provide services in health, law, or teaching. The city economy is helping more families move out of poverty and into stable, professional careers.

Services And Technology

The service sector is one of the fastest-growing parts of the Yoruba economy. Education, health, and tech are opening new doors, notably in urban areas.

Startups are booming in Lagos. It’s called the “Silicon Valley of Africa” by some. Yoruba tech founders are building apps, fintech companies, and e-commerce platforms.

Private schools and hospitals are growing. These offer jobs for teachers, nurses, and doctors, many of whom are Yoruba. Young people are driving digital change. They’re coding, designing, and running online businesses.

Facts About The Yoruba People

The Yoruba trace their origins to Oduduwa, the legendary founder of the ancient city of Ile-Ife, which is their spiritual and cultural heartland.
They have the highest twin birth rate in the world, about 4.4%, a phenomenon celebrated through special rituals and names such as Taiwo and Kehinde.
The Yoruba language is tonal and rich in dialects. Spoken by over 50 million people, it’s known for its use of proverbs and strong oral traditions.
The Yoruba homeland covers southwestern Nigeria and extends into parts of Benin and Togo, with major cities including Lagos and Ibadan.
Traditional Yoruba religion is based on the worship of Orishas, deities like Ogun, Shango, and Eshu, under the supreme god Olodumare.
Yoruba cuisine includes staples like pounded yam (iyan), amala, and garri, often served with richly flavored stews such as melon and vegetable soups.
Traditionally, Yoruba men engage in farming, growing yams, maize, and cocoa, while women dominate market trade.
The Oyo Empire, one of the most powerful Yoruba kingdoms, was renowned for its military prowess and system of governance from the 11th century onward.
In 1959, the Yoruba made history by launching Africa’s first television station, Western Nigeria Television (WNTV) in Ibadan.