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The Beninese or Beninois Yoruba, also referred to as the Yoruba of Benin Republic, are ethnic Yoruba people living primarily in southeastern and central Benin. They form part of the larger Yoruba ethnolinguistic group found mainly in southwestern Nigeria and also present in parts of Togo and the diaspora. In Benin, they are concentrated in the departments of Ouémé, Plateau, Collines, Borgou, and Donga.[1]
Distribution
editMajor Yoruba towns in Benin include Porto-Novo, Pobè, Kétou, Sakété, Ifangni, Dassa (Igbo Idaasha), Savé, Glazoue (Gbomina), Bantè, Manigri, Tchaourou, Takon, Adjohoun, Adja-Ouèrè and Angaradébou. These communities maintain strong historical and cultural ties with the Yoruba of southwestern Nigeria.[2] The Yoruba language is recognized as one of Benin's national languages,[citation needed] and is spoken chiefly in the southeastern and east-central parts of the country as well as in major urban centres across the country by itinerant trading Yoruba communities.[3]
Language
editAs members of the Yoruba language continuum, the Yoruba spoken in Benin consists of several dialects mutually intelligible both with standard Yoruba spoken in Nigeria as well as with other dialects across the border. Some of these dialects, such as Ketu and Shabe actually straddle the Nigeria-Benin international border, with several towns and villages falling into either side.[1] It is used in daily communication, media, and religious practices. Variation is present, often influenced by neighboring languages such as Fon and other Gbe and Gur languages.[4][failed verification]
Culture and religion
editBeninese Yoruba retain and maintain traditional Yoruba cultural practices including music, dance, festivals, and oral literature such as; Oríkì, Ifá, Oro and Egungun festivals. Religious life is diverse: many worship the Orishas and practice traditional Yoruba religion, while others are adherents of Christianity and Islam.[5]
The Vodun religion, which shares roots and several deities with Yoruba religion, also influences spiritual practices in the region.[6]
Contemporary issues
editBeninese Yoruba participate in national politics, education, commerce and social life. However, there have been concerns regarding political persecution and cultural marginalization.[7] Cultural groups and Yoruba scholars in Benin and Nigeria continue to advocate for the preservation and promotion of Yoruba identity across West Africa.[citation needed]
See also
editReferences
edit- 1 2 "Yoruba Diaspora", African Studies, Oxford University Press, 2022-03-23, doi:10.1093/obo/9780199846733-0226, ISBN 978-0-19-984673-3, retrieved 2025-07-03
- ↑ Insa Nolte (2008). "Yorùbá Identity and Power Politics (review)". Africa: The Journal of the International African Institute. 78 (2): 309–311. doi:10.1353/afr.0.0009. ISSN 1750-0184.
- ↑ Kehinde, Michael Olujimi (2010). Implications of Colonially Determined Boundaries in (West) Africa: the Yoruba of Nigeria and Benin in Perspective (PDF) (Doctoral thesis). Durham University.
- ↑ "Yoruba | History, Language & Religion | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 2025-06-13. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
- ↑ "Exploring Yoruba Traditions and Their Influence in Benin". www.mexicohistorico.com. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
- ↑ Sègla, Aimé Dafon (2008), "The Cosmological Vision of the Yoruba-Idààcha of Benin Republic (West Africa): A Light on Yoruba History and Culture", African Cultural Astronomy, Astrophysics and Space Science Proceedings, Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands, pp. 189–207, doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-6639-9_14, ISBN 978-1-4020-6638-2, retrieved 2025-07-03
- ↑ "Yoruba people in Benin Republic facing political persecution –Monarch". The Punch. 3 October 2020.