Yoruba Culture Square

At the Square, we share the amazing world of Yoruba and it’s Rich Culture.

Ilé-Ifẹ̀, was an ancient African town/city which flourished between the 11th and 15th century CE in what is today Nigeria in West Africa. The Ilé-Ifẹ̀ town lies close to Ibadan, Ilesha, and Ondo. Ilé-Ifẹ̀ is probably the oldest town of the Yoruba people.Ilé-Ifè is known for their ancient and naturalistic bronze, stone sculptures. You can find some of these sculptures in museums all over the world. It is said that the history of the Yoruba people began in ile-ife and the Yoruba kingdom was founded by Oduduwa and Obatala, Yoruba deities! The traditional King of the Yoruba kingdom of Ile-Ife is referred to as the Ooni of Ife. Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi,is the current Ooni of Ilé-Ifẹ̀ and a Nigerian monarchy.
Enjoy this lovely Ile Ife Anthem by Team Definition. The music, the drums, the dancing and swaying, the scenery and lovely voices are all Pure Joy!  

 

NUMBERS, are a good way to start learning any Language. Did you know we have a Website for kids called Yoruba for Kidz? The Yoruba for Kidz Website and YouTube channel both have a fun song to learn the Yoruba Numbers. Typically people teach Yoruba numbers as Òkan, Ééjì, Ẹ́éta etc. However  we like to teach the cardinal form of Yoruba Numbers as used in counting, because that is often heard more in conversation than the “Òkan, Ééjì, Ẹ́éta…” form. Like Bàtà Mẹ́ta or Àbúrò Mẹ́ta..etc. We also teach the ordinal form in our Lessons; ìkíní ( 1st) , ìkejì ( 2nd)  etc….. .But this song focuses on the ordinal form and even though our video is animated for kids, people of all ages can enjoy and learn! Enjoy!   
Another Original Number song by US, to learn the numer 11-20. Check out our kids Website for kids called Yoruba for Kidz! The Yoruba for Kidz Website and YouTube channel both have a fun song to learn the Yoruba Numbers.Yoruba numbers have a pattern to it! It’s Simply Math! For the number 11-14 they end in “….la” from number 15 -19 , its is simple 20 – x. For instance 16 = 20 – 4 ( mẹ́rìndínlógún) . Check out the song and see if you can figure out the pattern for number 15-19! 
The talking drum   is an hourglass-shaped drum from West Africa. It has two drum heads made of goat, sheep or calf skin , and connected by leather tension cords. The drummer uses these cords to change the pitch of the drum by squeezing the cords between their arm and body. The drums imitates the tonal language of Yoruba when played.There are different types of  talking drums and identified based on their sizes.  The different types are Dùndún, Bẹ̀mbẹ́,  Ìyá Ìlù, Gọ́ngọn and Omele. They all produce their own unique sounds. Traditionally Bẹ̀mbẹ́  is played only in the kings palaces and for the king. It should not be played outside of the palace.   Talking drums was used especially in the olden days  as a form of communication. Ayangalu is believed to have been the first Yoruba drummer and is now deified as the “God of Drums”. The word “Ayan” means drummer in the Yoruba Language. So if you see a Yoruba person with the name ” Ayan’ in front of it , they are from this lineage or specialists in the art of drumming. Enjoy this simple tutorial  video from Ayanlere a skilled player!   

 

DÙNDÚN (fried yam) and Ata Dindin ( Fried Red Stew)  is a very popular Nigerian street food combo. Dundun is just fried yam, while Ata Dindin is the Yoruba language interpretation of fried stew. Fried Yam is absolutely tasty and is usually sold on the streets, especially at night. It is commonly paired with Fried Plantain (Dodo). YUM!! ✨😍✨🤤✨
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Dundun is very simple to prepare, it’s a simple recipe that you can follow and cook . Check out this Recipe by Shola Jay on how to prepare Dùndún àti ata díndín