Yoruba culture is not limited to south-western Nigeria. The Yoruba diaspora stretches across the Americas, Europe and Africa, and each community has kept parts of the heritage alive in its own way. This guide traces how Yoruba language, religion, food and festivals travelled around the world.
The Old Diaspora: Brazil, Cuba and the Caribbean
During the Atlantic slave trade, many Yoruba-speaking people were taken to Brazil, Cuba and the Caribbean. They preserved their faith, language and music, which blended with other traditions to form Candomblé in Brazil, Lucumí (Santería) in Cuba and Orisha worship in Trinidad. Read more about the Museu Afro-Brasileiro in Salvador, and see the beliefs in Yoruba religion explained.
Returnees to West Africa
Some freed Africans and their descendants returned to West Africa, settling in places such as Lagos and Sierra Leone and adding to the culture of those cities. Learn how Lagos grew in the history of Lagos.
The New Diaspora: UK, USA and Canada
Since the twentieth century, many Nigerians have moved to the UK, the USA and Canada. They run language classes, cultural associations, festivals and church and mosque communities. See examples in Yoruba events in London and the story of Oyotunji African Village in the USA.
How the Culture Travels
- Music: see Yoruba music.
- Food and fashion: from Yoruba dishes to traditional attire.
- Social media: read why Yoruba is going viral.
- Language: start with how to learn Yoruba.
Keeping Roots Alive
Communities are also organising abroad; see the story of the Alaafin’s call to the diaspora. For general reading, see Wikipedia’s page on the Yoruba diaspora, and browse our News & Trends.
Yoruba Diaspora FAQs
Where is the Yoruba diaspora?
Mainly in Brazil, Cuba, the Caribbean, the UK, the USA, Canada and other parts of Africa.
What is Candomblé?
It is a Brazilian religion with Yoruba roots that honours the orisha.
