Kingdoms of the YorubaThis third edition of what has been described as "this minor classic" has been extensively revised to take account of advances in Nigerian historiography. The twenty million Yorubas are one of the largest and most important groups of people on the African continent. Historically they were organized in a series of autonomous kingdoms and their past is richly recorded in oral tradition and archaeology. From the fifteenth century onwards there are descriptions by visitors and from the nineteenth century there are abundant official reports from administrators and missionaries. Yoruba sculpture in stone, metal, ivory, and wood is famous. Less well-known are the elaborate and carefully designed constitutional forms which were evolved in the separate kingdoms, the methods of warfare and diplomacy, the oral literature, and the religion based on the worship of a "high god" surrounded by a pantheon of more accessible deities. Many of these aspects are shown in the drawings and photographs which have been used-for the first time-to illustrate this distinguished work. |
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Common terms and phrases
Abeokuta according Africa Alafin already apparently army attack authority Benin Borgu British called capital centre chiefs claim Clapperton coast continued crown Dahomeans death described dynasty early east Egba Ekiti especially established European evidence example extended followed force forest former Fulani head Ibadan Ijaye Ijebu Ijesha Ilorin important independence influence Johnson Ketu king kingdom known Lagos land later leading living major miles military missionaries neighbours Niger Nigeria nineteenth century northern noted Nupe Oduduwa Ondo origin palace passim perhaps period political present probably recorded refers reign remained River royal rule ruler seems sent slaves suggests territory tion took town trade tradition usually walls wars West West Africa Willett writes Yoruba Yorubaland