Yoruba Olumeye

 

Yoruba Olumeye

Yoruba sculptors carved a variety of wooden containers that were used in domestic or ritual practices. One such bowl is the olumeye, named for the female figure, "one who knows honor," that serves as a messenger to the spirits. The Yoruba have traditionally offered kola nuts to guests in a domestic hospitality ritual or to the deities in the context of religious worship. While gourd containers served these purposes for most people, honored visitors to the palace or other prestigious residences were served from elaborately decorated wooden bowls. The containers are called olumeye in reference to the kneeling female figure holding the bowl. The word means "she who brings honor," and the figure celebrates Yoruba aesthetic ideals of feminine beauty.

Olowe of Ise (Yoruba: Ọlọ́wẹ̀ of Ìsẹ̀ ) is considered by Western art historians and collectors to be one of the most important 20th century artists of the Yoruba people of what is today Nigeria. He was a wood sculptor and master innovator in the African style of design known as oju-ona. "Oju ona" in the Yoruba language translates to "design consciousness" or "the eyes for design" and is a term used to describe the visual cognition that enables an artist to select and process images from daily experience into artistic templates. This is the highest compliment that a Yoruba will give to an artist for his or her work. (This bowl is carved in the style of Olowe of Ise)

The Yoruba People

Countries the Yoruba are found

The Yoruba people are a West African ethnic group inhabiting parts of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo, known as Yorubaland, and are one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa, with a rich history and culture.

Yorubaland:

The Yoruba people are primarily found in southwestern Nigeria and parts of Benin and Togo, collectively known as Yorubaland.

Population:

They constitute a significant portion of the population in Nigeria, making them one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa.

Diaspora:

There is a significant Yoruba diaspora, with communities in various parts of the world, including the Americas, Europe, and other regions.

Language:

The Yoruba language is spoken by the Yoruba people, with numerous dialects.

Religion:

The Yoruba religion, also known as Orisa, is a traditional belief system with a pantheon of deities and spirits. They are also Christian and Muslim.

Art and Crafts:

The Yoruba are known for their artistic traditions, including woodcarving, sculpture, metalwork, textiles, and beadwork.

Social Structure:

Yoruba society is organized into villages, towns, and cities, often in the form of kingdoms.

Urbanization:

The Yoruba are among the most urbanized peoples in Africa, with major cities like Lagos, Ibadan, and Abeokuta being cultural and economic hubs.

Oral Traditions:

Oral traditions and creative oral arts form the basis of Yoruba civilization, with stories, songs, and folktales passed down through generations.

History

Ancient Kingdoms:

Evidence suggests that the Yoruba people had powerful kingdoms in the eighth century, with Ile-Ife being a prominent center.

Atlantic Slave Trade:

During the Atlantic slave trade, many Yoruba people were forcibly transported to the Americas, leading to the formation of the Yoruba diaspora.

Contemporary Practices:

Despite the challenges of the slave trade and colonialism, Yoruba traditions and beliefs have been preserved and continue to be practiced in various parts of the world.

Influence on other cultures:

Yoruba culture has influenced various religions and cultural practices in the New World, such as Santería, Umbanda, and Candomblé

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