The Yoruba People of Nigeria
The Yoruba People of Nigeria: The Yoruba people are of the largest ethnic groups in Nigeria and in West Africa. The majority of the Yoruba speak the Yoruba language. The Yoruba constitute between 30 and 50 million individuals throughout West Africa and are found predominantly in Nigeria with around 21 percent of its total population. While the majority of the Yoruba people live in western Nigeria, there are also substantial indigenous Yoruba communities in the in many West African countries, plus large groups of Yoruba migrants living in the USA and the United Kingdom. Most of the city states were controlled by Obas (or royal sovereigns with various individual titles) and councils made up of Oloyes, recognized leaders of royal, noble and, often, even common descendants, who joined them in ruling over the kingdoms through a series of guilds and cults. Different states saw differing ratios of power between the kingships and the chiefs' councils. They are highly educated and industrious. ((Yoruba Men, Women, art and culture pictures)