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The Yoruba History

The Yoruba history begins with the migration of an East African population across trans-African routes from the mid-Nile river area to the mid-Niger region over 2,000 years ago. To fully understand the Yoruba religion and culture, it is important to have some knowledge of the historical conditions that gave rise to them. The origins of the Yoruba people and culture can be traced back to antiquity in Nigeria, West Africa, though pinpointing exact dates and locations is impossible.

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Elpidio Valdez
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21 views

The Yoruba History

The Yoruba history begins with the migration of an East African population across trans-African routes from the mid-Nile river area to the mid-Niger region over 2,000 years ago. To fully understand the Yoruba religion and culture, it is important to have some knowledge of the historical conditions that gave rise to them. The origins of the Yoruba people and culture can be traced back to antiquity in Nigeria, West Africa, though pinpointing exact dates and locations is impossible.

Uploaded by

Elpidio Valdez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Chapter 1

THE YORUBA HISTORY


IN ORDER TO STUDY the religious and cultural definitions
of the Yoruba it is important to be somewhat versed in the
historical conditions that gave birth to them. Students or
aspirants of any religious system are guided by the
priestly order and teachers of that system. They are edu-
cated in the geographical and political dynamics which
clearly have influenced the beginnings and the expansion of
their religion. The same holds true for Yoruba aspirants-
especially the New World descendants. Although the
aspirants seek religious heritage, as well as ancestral
origins, many know little or nothing of the history of
Yorubaland in Nigeria, West Africa.
As an introduction to this area let it be stated that the
origins of the people and culture known as Yoruba are so
wrapped in antiquity that to exactly say where and when it all
began is impossible. However, the sincere attempt to
present a viable description will be undertaken.
The Yoruba history begins with the migration of an East
African population across the trans-African route leading
from the mid-Nile river area to the mid-Niger. Basil Davidson
writes, ".... migrating peoples undoubtedly used this route
from times that were exceedingly remote ... that two thousand
years ago and more the climate and vegetation would have
treated trans-African travelers in a gentler way than they do
now."1 Davidson continues, ". . . they came this

1
Basil Davidson, The Lost Cities of Africa (Boston: Little, Brown & Co,
1959), p. 60.

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