The Yoruba are one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa, with an estimated population of well over 40 million speakers, but they are not a single uniform community. The Yoruba subgroups share a language, history and religion, while each keeps its own dialect, customs and royal tradition. This guide introduces the main groups.
The Main Yoruba Subgroups
- Oyo: the people of Oyo and the old Oyo Empire. Read about the Oyo Empire.
- Ife: the people of Ile-Ife, regarded as the spiritual home of the Yoruba.
- Ijebu: the people of Ijebu-Ode and surrounding towns, led by the Awujale.
- Egba: the people of Abeokuta, led by the Alake.
- Ibadan: a major city founded in the early nineteenth century, led by the Olubadan.
- Ekiti: a hill-country people in the north-east of Yorubaland, known for many small kingdoms.
- Ijesha: the people of Ilesha, led by the Owa Obokun.
- Ondo, Akure and Owo: eastern Yoruba kingdoms with their own distinct customs.
- Awori and Egun (Lagos area): peoples of the Lagos coast.
- Egbado (Yewa), Ketu and Sabe: western Yoruba groups, some living in the Republic of Benin.
Where Do the Yoruba Live?
The core of Yorubaland covers south-western Nigeria (Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states) with extensions into Kwara and Kogi. There are also Yoruba communities in Benin and Togo, and large diaspora populations in Brazil, Cuba, the UK, the USA and Canada. See how the diaspora keeps tradition alive in Yoruba events in London.
Dialects and Standard Yoruba
Each subgroup speaks a dialect, and the written standard draws on several of them. The alphabet is explained in our Yoruba alphabet guide, and you can start speaking with how to learn Yoruba.
What Unites the Yoruba?
Despite the differences, Yoruba groups share the story of Oduduwa and Ile-Ife (see the origin of the Yoruba), a common faith system described in Yoruba religion explained, shared values in Yoruba culture and leadership by Obas, covered in Yoruba kings and Obas. For general reading, see the Yoruba people page on Wikipedia.
Yoruba Subgroups FAQs
What are the Yoruba subgroups?
Main subgroups include Oyo, Ife, Ijebu, Egba, Ibadan, Ekiti, Ijesha, Ondo, Akure, Owo, Awori, Egbado and Ketu.
Do all Yoruba speak the same dialect?
No. Each group has its own dialect, but they share a standard written Yoruba.
Where do Yoruba people live?
Mainly in south-western Nigeria, with communities in Benin, Togo and across the world.
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