Ẹ káàbọ̀ to the Ilẹ̀ Abínibí culture digest. Yoruba culture (àṣà Yorùbá) lives in woven cloth, in the marks carried on the face, in the food on the table and, more and more, in videos that travel from Lagos to London in a single afternoon. This digest brings together our key culture guides and stories in one place, with links to the full articles.
Yoruba Traditional Attire: Aso Oke, Agbada, Gele, Iro and Buba
Few things say Yoruba faster than dress. Aṣọ òkè is the prestige hand-woven cloth worn at weddings, naming ceremonies and chieftaincy events, while the flowing agbada, the sculpted gẹ̀lẹ̀ headtie, the wrapper (ìró) and the blouse (bùbá) complete the look. Our explainer on Yoruba traditional attire shows what each piece is called and when it is worn.
Adire: The Indigo Cloth with a Story
Adire is Yoruba resist-dyed indigo cloth, with patterns made by tying, stitching or painting before the dye takes. See adire in a gallery setting at the Nike Art Gallery in Lagos.
Yoruba Tribal Marks (Ìlà): Meaning and Memory
Ìlà, the traditional facial marks of the Yoruba, once signalled lineage, hometown and belonging. Today the practice is fading. Our article on Yoruba tribal marks, their types and meanings explains what the marks meant and why the tradition is changing.
Culture Goes Viral
Heritage is also finding a young, online audience. A little girl in Yoruba attire went viral on TikTok and was crowned Ìyálọ́de by the internet in our story on the viral Yoruba outfit runway moment, and UK schoolchildren singing a Yoruba classic won hearts too: read how they sang Lábẹ́ Igi Òròmbo.
Frequently Asked Questions About Yoruba Culture
What is aso oke?
Aso oke is hand-woven Yoruba cloth, traditionally made in narrow strips that are sewn together, and worn for important celebrations.
What is adire?
Adire is Yoruba indigo-dyed cloth made with resist techniques such as tying, stitching and painting.
Where can I learn more about Yoruba traditions?
Start with our Abínibí section and explore Names and Meaning for more on heritage and language.
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