The Yoruba people trace their origins to Ile-Ife, considered the spiritual and ancestral homeland of the Yoruba nation. Archaeological evidence suggests sophisticated civilizations existed in this region as early as the 4th century BCE. The city of Ile-Ife became renowned for its exceptional bronze and terracotta sculptures, demonstrating advanced metallurgical skills.
Between the 11th and 19th centuries, several powerful Yoruba kingdoms emerged, including the Oyo Empire, which became one of the most powerful West African states. These kingdoms developed complex political systems, religious practices centered around the Orisha pantheon, and sophisticated artistic traditions.
Yoruba has a rich oral tradition including extensive poetry (oríkì), proverbs (òwe), and folklore. The language was first written using the Latin alphabet by missionaries in the 19th century. Today, Yoruba literature thrives in both traditional oral forms and modern written works, including novels, plays, and poetry.
Through the transatlantic slave trade, Yoruba culture and religious practices spread to the Americas, evolving into religions such as Santería in Cuba, Candomblé in Brazil, and Vodou in Haiti. Yoruba music has also influenced global genres, from Afrobeat pioneered by Fela Kuti to contemporary Afropop.