In the heart of Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, the Egba people come together annually to celebrate the eponymous Lisabi festival in honour of the Egba legendary warrior and liberator, Lisabi Agbongbo-Akala, who freed the people of Egbaland from the servitude imposed on them by the Oloyo. Continue reading Lisabi Festival In Abeokuta: A Celebration Of Egbaland's Independence
In the heart of Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, the Egba people come together annually to celebrate the eponymous Lisabi festival in honour of the Egba legendary warrior and liberator, Lisabi Agbongbo-Akala, who freed the people of Egbaland from the servitude imposed on them by the Oloyo. Continue reading Lisabi Festival In Abeokuta: A Celebration Of Egbaland’s Independence
In the rustic and serene town of Okemesi which is located in the heart of Ekiti State, Nigeria, people gather every two years to celebrate and honour their long gone ancestors through a colourful festival known as Oladunwo. Oladunwo is the name of the most revered Egungun (masquerade) in Okemesi. It is highly respected because of its importance and the role it played in the history of Okemesi and her people.
Continue reading Oladunwo Festival- The Pride of Okemesi-Ekiti
Below is the Oríkì (panegyric, also praise poetry) of Ọ̀yọ́
A ki rọ’ ba fin la lẹ de Ọyo
O ya ẹ jẹ a lo ree ki Alaafin
Ọmọ a jowu yọ kọ lẹnu
A bi Ila tọ-tọ lẹhin
Pan-du-ku bi soo ro Continue reading Oriki Oyo (Panegyric of Oyo)
The Oke’badan festival is one of the many colourful and glamorous festivals celebrated in the city of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State and the third largest city in Africa. Oke’badan festival is held annually to celebrate the founding of Ibadan and show gratitude to its founders as well; and also to unite the sons and daughters of Ibadan at home and in the diaspora.
The Oke’badan festival is one of the many colourful and glamorous festivals celebrated in the city of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State and the third largest city in Africa. Oke’badan festival is held annually to celebrate the founding of Ibadan and show gratitude to its founders as well; and also to unite the sons and daughters of Ibadan at home and in the diaspora.
Egungun (masquerade) is a popular practice found in the cultures of the Yourba people who dwell in the south western part of Nigeria. It is a means of connecting the people to their long gone ancestors who appear in form of human-spirit to give warnings or shower their blessings on the land. Oloolu is a very powerful Egungun/ eegun (masquerade) in the Yoruba city of Ibadan. The name Oloolu is not in any way new to the ears of any Ibadan indigene or dweller. At the mention of Oloolu, Ibadan people, women especially, shiver in cold and fear which ascertain the claim that Oloolu is the most feared masquerade in Ibadan and one of the most revered in the entire Yorubaland and Africa.
Continue reading Oloolu- The Father of all masquerades in Ibadan
The people of Ondo inhabit the south western region of Nigeria and are one of the largest subgroups of the Yoruba ethnic group. Ondo people live as one big family because they are bounded by the same historical background, traditions and cultural heritage which defines who they are. The culture and traditions of Ondo people are very rich, fascinating and exciting as well.
Continue reading Obitun: Initiation of girls into womanhood in Ondo Town
The Yoruba people of south western Nigeria are known for their varieties of delicious and tantalizing soups that sends the bowel yearning for a lick. The delicacies of the Yoruba people comprises predominantly solid foods (what Nigerians call SWALLOW) like: Amala, Eba, Fufu, Iyan, etc. that are needed to be eaten with soup for sweet and easy passage down the throat. One of such soups is ‘Gbegiri‘ which is prepared with beans. Are you surprised that a soup is prepared with beans?! Do not be surprised! Gbegiri is one of the best soups in Yoruba land that helps a woman construct a pathway to the heart of a man.
Here are the ingredients needed to prepare Gbegiri soup:
* 150g of beans (brown or black eyed)
* A tablespoon of grounded crayfish
* 1 cooking spoon of palm oil
* 1 smoked Titus
* Pepper, stock cubes and salt (adequate) Continue reading Gbegiri Soup- A Pathway To The Heart Of Yoruba Men
In Yoruba land, one of the most important things done when a child is born is to give the child a name. This comes after the child’s ritual birth, massage of specific body parts and other rites as well. Names are given to the child by the father, mother, grandparents (paternal and maternal) and some close relatives also. But sometimes, the circumstance of a child’s birth will automatically give the child a name. This name is known as ‘orúko àmútọ̀runwá’ (pre-destined or generic name) in Yorubaland. Continue reading Oruko Amutorunwa (Pre-Destined Names) In Yorubaland
The Yoruba people are one of the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria. They inhabit the south western part of the country and are the second most populated of the three major Nigerian ethnic groups, followed by the Igbos of eastern Nigeria. The Yoruba people are well known for their strong desire for peace and unity at home and in diaspora. They are also known for their rich cultures and traditions which include: lifestyle, religions, dressings, beliefs and so on. The Yorubas, also called ‘Omo Odua’ (offspring of Oduduwa- the progenitor of the Yoruba tribe), cherish every aspect of their cultures and traditions; none is being overlooked or handled with less importance and care because they practice them daily.
Ethics is a vital aspect of the Yoruba culture. The Yoruba attach great importance to ethical significance because they believe that this aspect of their culture is highly essential to every individual’s life. They also believe that it will be easy for someone with good ethics to succeed in life and the other way round for the one who lacks it. Therefore, the Yoruba people use all means to teach their children good manners and morals and how to use them in the society. Some of the means they use are: storytelling, songs, poetry, oral lecturing and so on. Continue reading Yoruba Culture and the Left Hand
Hundreds of years ago, the drawing of Ila (tribal/facial mark) was a common practice among the Yoruba tribe of Western Nigeria. Ila are special marks drawn on the face or body of an individual shortly after birth or during childhood. Those who have this marks are refered to as Okola. Continue reading Ila– Yoruba Tribal Mark
Osun Osogbo is a festival celebrated annually in Osogbo land, Osun State, in the month of August. The Osun goddess is believed to symbolise wealth, fertility, beauty, prosperity and love. Below is a video of the festival….
Watch the 2015 Ojude Oba Festival celebration
Ojude Oba is an annually celebrated festival in the heart of Ijebu- Ode, the capital of the whole Ijebu nation, with an estimated population of 30,000 attendants. The colourful and glamorous festival is celebrated on the third day of the Muslim’s Eid-El-Kabir festival, otherwise known as ‘Ileya’ among the Yoruba people. The festival is used as a medium of uniting the sons and daughters of the Ijebu nation at home and abroad.
The origin of the Ojude Oba festival can be traced back to the period, Continue reading Ojude Oba- The Colourful Festival of the Ijebu Nation
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