The Yoruba Culture and
Heritage

The history of the Yoruba people begins in
Ile-Ife (Ife Empire).

Global Yoruba History & Heritage Celebration

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Preservation of Yoruba Culture & Heritage
Yorubaniwa aims to preserve, celebrate and promote Yoruba Culture, Language and Heritage in all Yoruba Communities and Families Worldwide

Preservation of Yoruba Culture & Heritage

CELEBRATING YORUBA COMMUNITIES Worldwide

CELEBRATING YORUBA COMMUNITIES Worldwide

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CELEBRATING YORUBA COMMUNITIES

CELEBRATING YORUBA COMMUNITIES

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Olumo Rock was a natural fortress for the Egbas during inter-tribal warfare in the 19th century. Its patron spirit is venerated in the Yoruba religion as an orisha. The name olumo is the combination of two words: "olu" which means god/deity, and "mo" which means moulded.

Olumo Rock

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See Olumo Rock Visiting Hours & Info below:

  • Opening times
    Opening times

    Monday – Sunday:
    09.00-18.00

  • Buy Ticket
    Buy Ticket

    Currently Tickets are only available at location Buy Ticket Online

  • Where You Visit
    Where You Visit

    588R+GMJ, Ikija Rd, Ikija, Abeokuta 110101, Ogun State, Nigeria

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The Yoruba People

The Yoruba People

Yoruba People

The Yoruba people (Ìran Yorùbá, Ọmọ Odùduwà, Ọmọ Káàárọ̀-oòjíire) are a West African ethnic group who mainly inhabit parts of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. The areas of these countries primarily inhabited by the Yoruba are often collectively referred to as Yorubaland. The Yoruba constitute more than 50 million people in Africa, are over a million outside the continent, and bear further representation among members of the African diaspora.

Names

The word "Yoruba" has roots in a term Ori Obba meaning "the Head King". In the work, Abeokuta and the Camaroons Mountains c.1863, the English ethnologist Richard F. Burton reports of a Yoruba account in 1861 stating this. Based on oral and written sources, this name existed before the 1500s. It was applied in reference to the Yoruba sociolinguistic group as a whole. Synonymous terms such as Nago or Anago, Lucumi or Olukumi, and Aku, used in identifying the Yoruba people, is also widely used in areas where ethnic Yoruba, all or sub-groups can be found.Ref: Yoruba names

The History

By the 8th century, a powerful kingdom already existed in Ile-Ife, one of the earliest in Africa. It was viewed by the Yoruba as capital of the realm of humanity, based on the oldest pre-dynastic traditions of it being associated with Oba Tala, Sango, Yemoja, Oduduwa, Orunmila and a host of primordial beings believed to have descended from the heavens (Ode Orun) in Yoruba godlore.

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Oyo, Ile-Ife and Lagos
The strong heritage of Yoruba

Oyo, Ile-Ife and Lagos

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Check What's Open

Your safety is our first priority. Entry to the National Maritime Museum is still free, but to help us ensure social distancing.

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Booking Online

Exhibition curator Venetia Porter presents this new exhibition of works by artists from Iran to Morocco drawn from the Museum collection.

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Keep Your Distance

Take a look at our past exhibitions and enjoy the articles, videos and photo galleries still available to view online.

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Yoruba godlore

Premordial beings

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Sango
third Alafin of Oyo

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Yemoja
Water spirit, mother of all Orishas

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Oduduwa
creator deity (orisha)

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Obatala
an Orisha, Yoruba Deity

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Orunmila
high priest of Ifá

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