Yoruba, Nigeria

The Yoruba tribe live on the southwest coast of Africa in Nigeria and can also be found in the eastern Republic of Benin and Togo. The majority of the slaves brought to the Americas were from West Africa, Yoruban descendants can also be found in Brazil, Cuba the caribbean and the United States. Yoruba is a colonial term coined in the mid-nineteenth century as a common name to identify the Nago, Egba, Egbado, Ijubu, Ijesa, Oya, as well as other groups of people. The tribe is known for their art with beads, ivory, and brass. The earliest evidence of artistry in the Yoruba tribe dates back to about 8000 BCE. Yoruba art frequently depicts creatures that are composites of human, animal, bird, and fish forms.

The Yoruba have a story of how the Yoruba kingdoms were created, Odua became old and blind. He told his sixteen sons to go to the ocean to collect salt water to cure his blindness.  None of his sons, except the youngest, Obokun, brought any saltwater back.  Odua washed his eyes with the saltwater and his blindness was cured, however when he opened his eyes, he saw that his land and all his crowns except for the one on his head had been stolen from him by his sons.  Obokun was the only son of his who took nothing from him.  Odua thanked Obukun by giving him a sword as a gift.  Obokun then went to Ilesa and became king.  Odua's sons also built large kingdoms. The kings that rule even today are said to be ancestors of these sixteen kings.

The Yoruba tribe are worshippers of the Goddess of the Earth. They create ornaments with complex symbols and designs to show their status and beliefs. Ancient ritual procedures of elevation and separation are central in Yoruba beliefs and practices, many of the rituals are still practiced today. For instance, at particular moments the feet of a ruler or chief must not be in contact with the earth. To convey their superhuman status the chief would wear beaded shoes and place their feet on beaded cushions. The Yoruba tribe believes that women have a dual spiritual force that can make them either mothers or sorcerers. Festivals are held wearing Gelede masks to evoke the beneficent image of the role of women. The Gelede masks are worn on top of the head and bear human facial features, on top of the head it is carved forming an elaborate coiffure or representation of some kind of human activity.Gelede masks have decorative facial scars and almond eyes which are typical of Yoruba women.  In northern Yoruba kingdoms, another mask, the epa mask is found.  The Epa cult wear these masks during funerals or rited of passage ceremonies, epa masks can differ greatly depending on the area or village in which they appear.  WHen not worn these face masks are kept in shrines where thay are honored with libations and prayers. Egungun headresses are worn during the annnual Egungun masquerade, but are also worn during during funerary ceremonies held after the death of an important dignitary and in inititation ceremonies.  They are representative of heavenly creatures, known as Ara Orun, capable of bringing good fortune or punishing the guilty.

Beads serve as symbols of status, tools for history review, protective charms, seduction accessories, and declaration of beliefs. Beads have been a trade item since early times. The Yoruba of Nigeria were some of the earliest makers of glass beads in the region. Beads can represent temperament, empowerment, desire, wealth, and well-being. When threaded together beads stand for unity and togetherness. When encircling parts of the body (head, neck, arms, wrists, waist, legs, ankles, and toes) beads secure the spiritual essence of the person. Beads were originally made from shell, bone, wood, seeds, and clay. Later they were made from metal, ivory, glass, and stone. Beads made from certain materials represented specific wants, beliefs, and status. The grant land snail is one of the oldest, most easily attained and abundant food sources for the Yoruba. Wearing its shell symbolizes the hope of a long and peaceful life. Beadwork was used to decorate jewelry, belts, shoes, cushions, furniture, sculptures, paintings, clothing, and head coverings. The veil on many beaded head coverings covers the face of a chief to protect commoners from looking directly at a so powerful being. Beadwork in metal, glass, and stone was used to distinguish its owner in both life and death.

The Yoruba tribe is known form their work in metal, particularly brass. There is a close symbolic association between metal and power. Bronze collars are a currency exchange for wives, livestock, and food. Married women wear the collars permanently for the prestige they confer. Brass casters created many elaborate items such as stools, large statues, staffs, bells, and currency.

The Yoruba tribe is also known form their art in ivory. Their ivory pieces can be distinguished by their facial features. Some of the feature are separated lips, half-lowered eyelids, a flattened wide nose, and an indented hairline. Often the decorations appear flat or carved in low relief. Yoruba ivory often has decorative textured patterns.

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