The Yoruba Nation: Culture and Identity: Why is it so Important? authored by Adeyemi Majek Fss
The Yoruba people are a diverse group of over 20 million people who inhabit the southwestern region of Nigeria. Yoruba culture is not just a culture but also a way of life. It has been passed down for generations and preserved through oral tradition, ritual practices, and storytelling, making it one of Africa’s most vibrant cultures.
The Yoruba nation remains an important part of Nigerian culture today. Still, some challenges have arisen due to globalization and modernization, leading to cultural disintegration among this ethnic group.

What is Culture and the Importance to Yorubas?

Culture is the way of life of a group of people. It is the beliefs, values and norms that the members of a society share. It is what makes it different from other societies. Yorubas have their beliefs, language, religion, values and tradition. However, the Yoruba traditions and language have been short-changed by western culture, foreign religions and cultures. Culture shapes our behaviour, thoughts and actions.
Culture has always been important to humans as it gives us a sense of belonging and identity. It helps us understand who we are about others in our society. We must protect and preserve Yoruba heritage if the yoruba race wants to continue to exist.

What is Identity and the Importance to Yorubas?

Identity is a complex word that can be interpreted in many different ways. It is defined as the “being, essence, or nature of a person”. People have different identities depending on who they are and where they live. For example, race, ethnicity, gender identity and sexual orientation determine how they identify themselves. Yoruba has different tribal marks, games, dances and ways of dressing. The Yoruba’s dresses and styles are unique. Still, the western styles, even in the offices and social gatherings, have been adopted, making Yoruba dresses and styles less important even in the west region of Nigeria.
A person’s identity is not just what they are but also what they do; their actions shape who they are. A person’s identity changes over time as life progresses through various stages such as childhood, adulthood, and age.

How Do Yorubas Preserve Their Cultural Heritage

How do Yoruba people see themselves today? Does Yoruba cultural heritage and language preserve? When I was serving in the Nigerian Airforce, a Yoruba senior officer punished me for speaking Yoruba with him in the office. However, in the same Nigerian Airforce, many of my Hausas colleagues interacted and engaged in the Hausa language with the senior officers who were Hause/Fulani. The senior officers welcomed and gave them a sense of belonging.

How Yoruba Language and Culture Were Devalue By Those That Suppose To Protect Them
When I was in secondary school in the ’80s at CMS Grammar School 2, now Ajayi Crowther Grammar School Bariga, Lagos, the Yoruba language was considered a ‘phanacola’ forbidden language during the class school hours. If you dared speak the Yoruba language in the class, you would be punished severely because the English language, a language of the English ethnic nationality in the Uk, was considered the only legal means of communication in the school. Mental slavery is worst than physical slavery because, unlike physical slavery, where one can escape by fleeing, there is no way out of mental slavery. You are a slave to your thoughts and ignorance.

The Yoruba political leaders

The Yoruba political leaders prefer to speak the English language to the Yoruba community in the west during electioneering and campaign and official duties to distinguish themselves. The English language means communication like Swedish, Germany, Spanish, Hausa, and Igbo. Still, it is not the actual knowledge and wisdom to solve the socio-economic problems. The Scottish people preserve their language and cultural heritage in the UK despite being part of the UK. Similarly, the Irish and Walsh. How do I know? I have lived in three nations in the UK out of four countries that made up the UK.

Why is the Yoruba culture important?

Yoruba culture is important because it gives the Yorubas a sense of belonging and promotes Yoruba tradition and values. Yoruba culture has been around for centuries, and its history is rich in tradition. Yoruba culture has been passed down from generation to generation.

In conclusion, It is essential to recognize the difference between culture and identity when discussing society. Cultural norms are shared by a group of people who may share other characteristics, such as race or disability. But share the cultural norm. For example, one cultural norm might be that people in a particular country wear their traditional clothes to a specific holiday; however, what is considered “traditional” varies among cultures. The Yoruba culture and identity are different from Hausa, Fulani, Igbo and other ethnic nationalities in Nigeria. The leadership need to protect the Yoruba culture and identity.
Identity is the shared beliefs and values of a group from an ordinary background and experience. For example, two people born into the same family with the same beliefs and values are said to have a shared identity.