A Brief History of the Yoruba People: Ile-Ife, Oyo and Urban Kingdoms

The Yoruba people developed in the Volta-Niger region over many centuries. Ile-Ife became a major political, cultural and spiritual centre, with Yoruba oral traditions linking its origins to figures such as Oduduwa and Obatala. Between the 12th and 15th centuries, Ife flourished as an influential kingdom across parts of present-day south-western Nigeria and neighbouring areas. Yoruba society was highly urbanised before colonial rule. Kingdoms and city-states were organised around royal capitals, palaces, markets, temples and defensive structures. Archaeological evidence from Ile-Ife points to advanced urban life, industrial-scale glass-bead production and renowned terracotta, stone, brass and bronze artworks. From the 15th century, the Oyo Empire grew into the leading military and political power in Yorubaland. Other major Yoruba centres, including Ijebu, Ibadan and Lagos, also developed distinct systems of governance, trade and culture. Ile-Ife remains the spiritual homeland of many Yoruba people, while Lagos is now the largest Yoruba city.

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