Jester Center A232A; Austin, TX 78705 :: (512) 471-1784 Fax (512) 471-1798 Main Menu Home About the Center Programs Courses ... Site Map Upcoming Events War and Citizenship Conference 4/4/03 in the Texas Union YORUBA DAY 4/11/03 in Jester A232A click here to see more... Calendar of Events Current Events Past Events Conferences News ... News Archives YORUBA: AN ENDURING LEGACY AKIN ALAO CENTER FOR AFRICAN AND AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN. Friday, January 24, 2003 ::Jump to Footnotes:: Preliminary statements on the Yoruba The Yoruba as an ethnic and cultural group is one of the most researched ethnic groups in the world. By 1976, the available literature on the Yoruba, despite many omissions, numbered 3,488 items, an unrivalled feat in sub-Saharan Africa. A Yoruba civilization with a set of ideas, values, practices, philosophical thought, beliefs, traditions, institutions, material goods and technologies is well established and never in doubt. Concrete historical realities show that the Yoruba possess a rich civilization that is comparable with other civilizations of the world. The major aspects of this culture are expressed in visible attributes and in sublime values. The material culture is exhibited in commerce, manufacturing technology, arts and crafts and of course music and dance. Yoruba values are best seen in respect for elders and constituted authorities, honesty, integrity, diligence and a profound religious belief system. The Yoruba Homeland The Yoruba country lies roughly between latitudes 60 and 9 N and longitudes 20 30 and 60 30 East with a total land area of about 181,300sq kilometers in what is now known as Southwestern Nigeria. The Yoruba culture area is however, not coterminous with this geographical delimitation as it spreads from the present Edo State in Nigeria, over the whole of the south west and across to the Republics of Benin and Togo on the West African coast. Significant aspects of Yoruba culture is also found in such places as Sierra Leone, the Gambia, Brazil, Cuba, Trinidad, Puerto-Rico and of course the United States of America. Worldwide, it is estimated that they have a population of over forty million. The major sub-ethnic groups include the; | |
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