Yoruba Religion
Big idea
The Yoruba religion teaches belief in one supreme God, Olodumare, and many Orishas who guide different parts of life and nature. Followers live their faith by respecting ancestors, honouring spirits through rituals and ceremonies, and showing respect for the natural world. These beliefs help keep family traditions, moral values, and cultural identity alive in everyday life.
Key words
Animistic religion - a religion which believes that spirits inhabit nature.
Babalawo - a priest.
Creation myth - a story about how the world was created.
Divination - a way of gaining insight into a situation or making a decision.
Ethics - a theory of how to live a good life.
Moral behaviour - the good ways we ought to act.
Odu Ifá - the collection of texts used in divination.
Oral tradition - passing on a religion to the next generation through telling stories.
Olodumare - the supreme God who created the universe.
Orisha - a spirit that governs some part of the natural world.
Orun - the spiritual realm (heaven).
Pantheon of gods - a collection of gods.
Possession - when a person is temporarily ‘taken over’ by an Orisha.
Reincarnation - the idea that the soul is reborn after death.
Key facts
Founder
The Yoruba religion,also known as Isese, developed gradually over hundreds of years as the Yoruba people from West Africa tried to understand the world around them. Their beliefs came from their experiences of nature, family life, and community. These ideas were shared through stories, rituals, festivals, and oral tradition rather than written books. Elders and priests helped teach younger generations, which allowed the religion to continue and grow over time.
Place of Origin
The Yoruba religion is a traditional African religion that originates from the Yoruba people in Nigeria and surrounding areas in West Africa.
Sacred Texts
Odu Ifá is a large oral collection of sacred verses used in the Yoruba religion. These verses are remembered and recited by trained priests called Babalawos. During divination, the Odu Ifá helps people understand problems they are facing and guides them in making good decisions. The verses contain stories, advice, moral lessons, and wisdom that help explain how to live a balanced and responsible life.
Number of Followers
Yoruba religion remains an important part of the lives of millions of people in Nigeria and in Yoruba communities around the world.
Key story
Shango
Shango was once a real king of the Oyo Empire, a powerful Yoruba kingdom in West Africa. He was known for his great strength, leadership, and strong personality. Stories say he had control over fire and thunder, which made people both admire and fear him. After his death, the Yoruba people believed his spirit did not disappear. Instead, he became an Orisha, a powerful spiritual being. Shango is now known as the Orisha of thunder and lightning. Today, when people hear thunder or see lightning, they remember Shango’s authority, power, and ability to bring justice.
The lesson of the story
The key messages are:
Respect power, responsibility, and natural forces - Power should be used wisely, and natural forces like thunder and lightning remind people that some things are greater than humans.
Stories of heroes or gods teach courage, leadership, and morality - These stories help people understand how to behave, make good choices, and learn from both the strengths and mistakes of important figures.
Remembering and honouring important figures keeps values alive in daily life - By retelling stories and celebrating these figures, important beliefs and moral values continue to guide people today.
The divine
God
The Yoruba believe in Olodumare, the one supreme God who created the universe and all living things. Olodumare is all-powerful and responsible for life, destiny, and order in the world. However, Olodumare is considered too great and distant to communicate directly with humans. Because of this, people do not usually pray to Olodumare every day. Instead, they connect with God through spiritual beings called Orishas, who act as helpers and messengers between humans and the divine.
Orishas
Orishas are powerful spirits created by Olodumare. Each Orisha is responsible for different parts of nature and human life. They help guide people, protect communities, and maintain balance in the world. Yoruba believers may pray to different Orishas depending on their needs.
Some important Orishas include:
Ogun – the Orisha of iron, metal, and war. He is associated with strength, work, tools, and protection, especially for blacksmiths and soldiers.
Shango – the Orisha of thunder and lightning. He represents power, authority, and justice. Thunderstorms are often seen as signs of his presence.
Yemoja – the Orisha of rivers and motherhood. She is seen as a protector of women and families and is linked to care and nurturing.
Oshun – the Orisha of love, fertility, beauty, and fresh water. She represents kindness, harmony, and emotional wellbeing.
Animism
The Yoruba religion is animistic, meaning it teaches that spirits live within nature. Natural features such as rivers, forests, and storms are believed to contain spiritual energy. This encourages respect for the natural world, as nature is not just physical but also spiritual.
Afterlife
The Yoruba religion has a distinctive and meaningful view of life after death. Followers believe that when a person dies, their soul does not disappear, but continues to exist in a spiritual realm known as Orun. Orun is the world of the spirits and ancestors, where the soul rests after physical life ends.
Ancestors
Ancestors are highly respected in Yoruba belief. It is believed that ancestors continue to watch over their families and can influence events in the lives of their descendants. Because of this, ancestors are treated with honour and respect rather than fear. They are seen as guides who can offer protection, wisdom, and blessings.
To maintain this relationship, families perform ceremonies and rituals to honour their ancestors. These ceremonies may include prayers, offerings, and festivals. They are believed to help ensure the ancestor’s well-being in Orun and keep harmony between the spiritual and physical worlds. These practices help strengthen family identity and remind people of the importance of respect, responsibility, and tradition.
Reincarnation
Many Yoruba people also believe in reincarnation, particularly within the family line. This means that when an older family member dies, their spirit may be reborn into a new child within the same family. This belief shows the strong importance of family continuity and heritage.
If a family believes reincarnation has taken place, the child may be given a meaningful name. For example, Babatunde means “father has returned” and is used if the child is believed to be the father or grandfather reborn. Yetunde means “mother has returned” and is used if the child is believed to be the mother or grandmother reincarnated. These names reflect the belief that life is continuous rather than ending at death.
Overall, Yoruba beliefs about the afterlife emphasise respect for ancestors, strong family bonds, and the idea that life continues beyond death, linking past, present, and future generations together.
Living the faith
Babalawos
Babalawos, who are trained priests and teachers of Ifá, play an important role in guiding ethical behaviour. They use the Odu Ifá during divination to offer advice, help people understand their destiny, and guide them toward making wise moral decisions. The Babalawo helps individuals reflect on their actions and encourages them to improve their character.
Character
At the core of Yoruba ethics is the importance of character, known as iwa. Having good character means being honest, kind, patient, respectful, and responsible. A person who shows good character is respected within the community and is believed to be living in harmony with the Orishas.
The Yoruba believe that every person is born with a personal destiny, chosen before birth. However, destiny can only be fulfilled through making good moral choices and developing strong character. Good behaviour is not just about following rules, but about becoming a balanced and responsible person who contributes positively to family and community life.
Developing good character is essential for maintaining spiritual balance between humans, nature, and the spiritual world. It is believed that people who live morally and respectfully are more likely to receive the blessings of the Orishas, such as protection, success, and wellbeing. Living with good character also prepares the soul for a positive afterlife in Orun, reinforcing the importance of ethical living in everyday life.
Worship & rituals
Worship in the Yoruba religion involves a wide range of rituals and ceremonies designed to honour the Orishas and maintain harmony between the spiritual and human worlds. These acts of worship are not only about asking for help, but also about showing respect, gratitude, and obedience to the spirits.
Offerings
Offerings are an important part of worship. These may include food, drink, animals, or symbolic items believed to please specific Orishas. For example, honey is offered to Oshun, representing sweetness and love, while palm wine may be offered to Shango, reflecting power and energy. These offerings show devotion and help strengthen the relationship between humans and the Orishas.
Babalawos
Babalawos, who are priests of Ifá, play a central role in worship and rituals. They are highly trained religious specialists who memorise the Odu Ifá and guide ceremonies. Babalawos lead divination rituals, interpret messages from the spiritual world, and advise individuals and communities on how to restore balance when problems occur. They help decide which Orisha should be honoured and what type of ritual or offering is needed.
Music
Music and dance are essential elements of Yoruba worship. Drumming, singing, and rhythmic movement are believed to attract the Orishas and invite their presence. Each Orisha has specific rhythms, songs, and dances associated with them. Worship is therefore lively, expressive, and communal, allowing everyone to take part.
Festivals
Festivals are held throughout the year to celebrate different Orishas. These events bring communities together, strengthen cultural identity, and remind people of shared beliefs and values. Worship is not limited to temples but often takes place in homes, shrines, and open community spaces.
Spirit possession
One of the most distinctive features of Yoruba worship is spirit possession. During ceremonies, an Orisha may temporarily take control of a worshipper’s body. This is seen as a sacred moment when the Orisha communicates directly with the community. The possessed person may dance, speak, or move in ways that reflect the personality of the Orisha.
For example, if Shango possesses someone, they may display powerful movements, loud expressions, and strong gestures that symbolise authority and justice. During possession, the person is believed to be acting as a vessel for the Orisha rather than acting on their own will.
After the possession ends, the individual slowly returns to their normal state and often has no memory of what happened. This experience is treated with great respect and is understood as a powerful sign of the close relationship between humans and the divine. Through worship and ritual, Yoruba believers actively live their faith, keeping spiritual balance and maintaining strong connections with the Orishas, ancestors, and community.
Influence on society
The Yoruba religion has had a strong influence on art, music, literature, and culture in Nigeria and beyond. Traditional Yoruba art, such as sculpture, beadwork, masks, and textiles, often shows the Orishas or the symbols associated with them. These artworks are not only beautiful but also teach and remind people about Yoruba beliefs, values, and stories, passing them from one generation to the next.
Music and dance are central to Yoruba culture and religion. Yoruba music is known for complex rhythms and energetic movements, often played with drums and percussion instruments. These performances are used in religious ceremonies, festivals, and community events. Music and dance do more than entertain—they connect people to the Orishas, ancestors, and each other, reinforcing social bonds and spiritual life.
Wole Soyinka
Yoruba religion also influences literature and modern creative work. The Nigerian author, poet, and playwright Wole Soyinka grew up in a community shaped by both Christianity and Yoruba beliefs. Soyinka shows particular respect for Ogun, the Orisha of iron, war, and creation. According to Yoruba myth, Ogun first cleared the way between the spiritual and physical worlds, allowing humans to be born. Soyinka draws inspiration from Ogun as a symbol of creativity, guidance, and courage, showing how Yoruba beliefs continue to influence thought, writing, and artistic expression today.
Overall
Overall, Yoruba religion is deeply embedded in society. Its art, music, rituals, and stories not only help people live their faith but also provide a shared cultural identity, connecting communities to their history, values, and the spiritual world.