THE YORUBAS




Yoruba is the first language of approximately 30 million West Africans in the South-western area of Nigeria, Togo, Republic of Benin and Sierra Leone. There are many different dialects spoken in different parts, but there is a standard Yoruba language which is understood by speakers of the different dialects. Yoruba Language has also survived in Cuba, where it is called Lukumi, in Brazil, where it is called Nago, in Trinidad and Tobago and the United States

This days Yoruba people can be found in every part of the world. It is a known fact that when foreign nationals, especially Asians reside outside their countries of origin, they always successfully pass on their languages and cultures to their children. It is the contrary with some people from Africa.

While Africans who where involuntarily taken out of Africa through slavery are enthusiastically identifying with and promoting their African heritage, it saddens one to know that there are children of Yoruba parentage living in Yorubaland who are encouraged not to speak the Yoruba language, renouncing their language and culture. This is obviously because their parents believe that the English Language is superior to their own mother tongue, they embrace everything Western and discard their own culture and heritage. This must be changed.

Now is the time to educate both Yoruba adults and children to have a pride in who they are. OUR MISSION STATEMENT is "to uphold the dignity of YORUBA throughout the world - to keep our heritage alive"

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