Yoruba

The Yorùbá are the second largest ethnic group in Nigeria, after the Hausa and Fulani (21%). The Yorubas constitute approximately 21% percent of Nigeria's total population, and numbering upwards of 30 million individuals throughout the region of West Africa. While the majority of the Yorùbá live in the south-west of Nigeria, there are also substantial Yorùbá communities in Benin, Togo, Sierra Leone, Cuba and Brazil. The Yorubas (or rather the ruling classes) consider themselves to be descendants of Oduduwa, who came from the far northeast. Oduduwa is now revered as a demi-god.

Related Topics:
Nigeria - Hausa - Fulani - West Africa - Benin - Togo - Sierra Leone - Cuba - Brazil - Oduduwa

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The Yorùbá are the main ethnic group in the states of Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo; they also constitute a sizable proportion of the citizens of the Republic of Benin. Yoruba gods include "Oya" (river goddess), "Ifa" (divination), "Eleda" (destiny), "Ibeji" (twins), "Osanyin" (ifa's constant companion) and "Osun" (goddess of fertility, protector of children and their mothers). Majority of modern day Yorubas are Christians with indigenous churches having the largest memberships. Muslims comprise about a quarter of the Yorùbá population, with traditional Yorùbá religion accounting for the rest.

Related Topics:
Ekiti - Lagos - Ogun - Ondo - Osun - Oyo - Republic of Benin - Muslims

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The chief Yorùbá cities are Lagos, Ibadan, Abeokuta, Akure, Ilorin, Ijebu Ode, Ogbomoso, Ondo, Ota,Ado-Ekiti, Shagamu, Iseyin, Osogbo, Ilesha, Oyo, Ilé-Ifè.

Related Topics:
Lagos - Ibadan - Abeokuta - Akure - Ilorin - Ijebu Ode - Ogbomoso - Ondo - Ota - Ado-Ekiti - Shagamu - Iseyin - Osogbo - Ilesha - Oyo - Ilé-Ifè

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