FEATURE: The Evolution Of The Yoruba Identity
By Victor Olubiye The term “Yoruba” is an exonym originating from the Baatonu (Bariba) people of the Borgu kingdom, who referred to the people of the Oyo Empire as “Yoru” (singular) and “Yoruba” (plural). This naming reflects the interactions between the Oyo and their northern neighbors. Historically, the Yoruba people identified themselves by their polities or dialect groups, such as Ekiti, Ife, Ondo, or Egba, rather than as a single ethnic group. The Oyo Empire (c. 1300–1800) was a dominant Yoruba power, known for its political sophistication, trade networks, and indirect rule over tributary states like Dahomey and Whydah. Despite Oyo’s influence, its territories were multi-ethnic and multi-lingual, underscoring the diversity within what would later be unified as “Yoruba.” In the 19th century, the Yoruba identity began to take shape during colonial rule, influenced by the work of missionaries, scholars, and political leaders. Bishop...