Nigerian [Yoruba Tribe] Culture

Made By Ariel Adelanwa

Here are your Yoruban culture cards! View each culture card below by hovering them with your mouse!

Foods

Pounded Yam

Ariel loves pounded yam. Another name for it is swallow food since Nigerians don’t chew it.

Goat Stew

I love goat stew with rice!

Drinks

Hibiscus Drink

Hibiscus Tea is good hot or cold! It tastes great with sugar too. In Nigeria it is called zobo. They add ginger & other ingredients to enhance taste. I have only tried caribbean versions of hibiscus cold drinks with spices [sorrel] & hot plain hibiscus tea with occasional sugar added.

Attire

Materials

Traditional Fabric

I personally like breathable, biodegradable fabrics. Traditional Cotton Fabrics [Aso-oke], Raw Moth Silk.

Silkworm Cocoons

Traditional Dyes

Blue, Red

Modern Imported Fabrics

Bazin Riche, Bazin Brocade, & Bazin Damask, all translated “rich fabrics”, are European cotton fabrics, coated with silicone to give a shiny appearance. I have personally wore Bazin fabrics for an outfit (headwrap, top, & skirt) with embroidery attached.

Metals

Gold & Silver for jewelry! I am very into stiff jewelry that does not dangle & move a lot unless bent or opened. It is simply wire with molten designs. Sometimes I like ones with jewels or beads. Some examples: necklace, bangle. I personally do not prefer chains.

Traditional Outfits & Headwraps

Agbada

Agbadas today are worn by males & females. Think of it as a “big poncho” open or closed at the sides, where you can wear a top, skirt, or pants underneath.

Gele

Gele is basically a headwrap wrapped in stylish, taller ways. Some examples are:

Example 1

Hair & Self Care Products

Hair

Natural hair in Nigeria is commonly worn & embraced even with British colonialism effects, preference of traditional hairstyles instead of loose hair before & after colonialism & modern social pressures for women derived from wanting to achieve European beauty standards or straight hair.

Today Nigerian women adults often straighten it, wear natural twists & braids, or wear loose naturally afro hair at any size. In West African schools for girls, girls may only wear loose, short natural afro hair or natural hair Didi braids. Integrated & private school’s hair policies are more lax. Do keep in mind these policies are put in place so girls can focus on school and not appearance.

Didi braids [same technique as French/Inverted braids] have been around for ages in Yoruba culture and are still worn today by all ages! I like the 3D effect & fullness they give!

Hair Extensions & Wigs

Nigerian women often braid & add hair with extensions. Wigs are also very popular for taking on & off. Didi braids are popular for this purpose as well since they make weaving wig nets easier. Today, hair extensions made from safe chemicals & bio-degradable materials are emerging in popularity internationally.

I personally like wearing the most healthiest, sustainable hairstyles that suit my routine & environment. Whether it’s wearing natural hair (loose afro, braids, twists) or breathable, bio-degradable extensions (plant-based or my shed hair). I do not like using too much heat either as it causes damage to hair.

Language

Yoruba

Sylabols

I personally am still learning Yoruba, but I know a few words from media, my favorite foods & clothing. All I know off hand to say is hello & goodbye.