Yoruba

1. Yoruba By Danny Yang and John Galindo

2. Origin • The Yoruba's of Nigeria were in close tack with Egypt and the Jews. • The Yoruba’s migrated to Nigeria from Egypt because of the land. • Origin of the Yoruba people is generally traced to a single ancestor, Oduduwa. • Oduduwa (the father of the Yoruba) was sent by God from heaven to create the earth and the Human race. • The Yoruba people are predominantly farmers and highly skilled artists.

3. History • Migrated from the Middle-Eastern part of the world during the medieval period. • he Yoruba people are mainly involved in the financial, press and educational sectors of the country. • Yoruba are traditionally a very religious people.

4. Adherents Worldwide • There are about 36 million worldwide. • About 34 million in Nigeria • About 1 million in Benin.

5. God(s) and Universe • Yoruba believe that there is a god, Ori, who supervises people's choices in heaven. • Orimeans 'head' or 'mind', because that is what one chooses before birth. • Ori could be considered as a personal god, a sort of guardian angel who will accompany each of us for life. • There are many deities such as Sango (god of thunder), Ogun (god of iron), Soponna (god of smallpox), Yemoja and so many other gods. These are believed to be intermediaries between God (Olodumare) and man.

6. Purpose in Life • The Yoruba (Nigeria) believe that the success or failure of a man in live depends on the choices he made in heaven before he was born. • The Yoruba (Nigeria) believe that each person has at least three spiritual beings. Firstly there is the spirit, emi, and the shadow. • This emi is the vital force which makes a man live, that is, breathe, rise up, walk, be aware, be active, work, speak, see, and hear. • There is the shadow or shade, ojiji, which follows its owner like a dog. • The third is the eleda 'spirit' or ori 'head', also translated as 'guardian soul'; from time to time it has to be 'fed' by sacrifices.

7. Afterlife • All traditional African peoples agree that the soul of an individual lives on after death. • If, however, an individual had a strong personality, a rich and famous man, a mother of many children, or someone who was loved or admired, that soul will live on for many generations. • The oldest concept of the place where the dead continue their existence is the forest. • After death, the good souls will go to the Good Heaven and the bad souls will go to the Bad Heaven.

8. Practices and Rituals • Rituals are led by priests. • There are ritual in connection with the worship of God and the other gods. • The ritualistic worship offered to Him takes place in the open and not in building like temples and mosque. • The worshipper makes a circle of ashes, within the circle, which is a symbol of eternity, he pours a libation of cold water, and in the center he places his kolanut (cotton wool) and then he splits it in half. • Usually done in the morning.

9. Texts • The music of the Yoruba people is perhaps best known for an extremely advanced drumming tradition. • Much of Yoruba music is spiritual in nature. • Yoruba music is regarded as one of the more important components of the modern Nigerian popular music scene.

10. Symbols • Birds: Birds are symbols of the mystical powers of women whose support is needed for the oba to rule effectively. • Elephant: A symbol of longevity and power. • White: White represents Obatala, the king of the orisha. He is considered to be highly ethical, merciful, cool, composed, and patient. • Red: Red is often associated with the Shango, a god who is often characterized as being proud and a great warrior. He is the protector and guardian of people.