Yoruba Female Maternity Brass Figure Cameroon

The Yoruba, the largest cultural group in Nigeria and one of Africa's most significant, possess extensive political influence both nationally and regionally. With a history dating back centuries, they endured the hardships of the Slave Trade era while preserving a rich tapestry of beliefs and rituals, often expressed through statuary and masks.

Yoruba art, originating from Nigeria, Benin, and Togo, is revered for its beauty, craftsmanship, and cultural significance. It encompasses various forms like sculpture, mask-making, textiles, beadwork, and pottery. Yoruba artists excel in creating stylized sculptures depicting figures from mythology, daily life, and animals.

Among the renowned Yoruba artworks are Gelede masks, used in ceremonies to honor female spirits, adorned with intricate beadwork and shells. Additionally, Ifa divination trays hold importance in divination rituals, featuring symbolic designs representing Yoruba mythology and culture. Yoruba art remains integral to the culture and is cherished worldwide.

According to Yoruba oral tradition, the myth of origin narrates the descent of Oduduwa, ancestor of all, who brought land, a cock, and a palm kernel to earth. The land emerged from the water, shaped by the cock, and the kernel grew into a tree symbolizing the original sixteen kingdoms. Oyo Empire rose in the 15th century, aided by Portuguese weaponry, and expanded with the acquisition of horses. However, civil strife ensued in the late 18th century, leading to Fulani conquests by the 1830s. This invasion pushed Yoruba southward, founding Ibadan and Abeokuta. By the late 1880s, a British-mediated treaty resolved conflicts, leading to British colonization in 1901. Nonetheless, indirect rule was established, mirroring Yoruba governance structures.

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