The Beninese or Beninois Yoruba, also referred to as the Yoruba of Benin Republic, are ethnic Yoruba people native to areas primarily situated in southeastern and central Benin. They form part of the larger Yoruba ethnolinguistic group found mainly in southwestern Nigeria but also present in parts of central Togo and the diaspora. In Benin, they are concentrated in the departments of Ouémé, Plateau and Collines with smaller numbers in Borgou, and Donga.
Distribution The Yoruba are found natively in seven of Benin's twelve Departments, which are the first level administrative divisions of Benin. Just as in Nigeria, they exist in series of cluster groups speaking dialects such as; Ohori (Holli), Isha/Ica, Kura, Shabe/Cabe, Ife (Ana) and more.
Major Yoruba towns in Benin include Porto-Novo, Pobè, Kétou, Sakété, Ifangni, Dassa (Igbo Idaasha), Savé, Glazoue (Gbomina), Tchaourou, Takon, Bante, Adjohoun, Adja-Ouèrè . These communities maintain strong historical and cultural ties with the Yoruba of southwestern Nigeria. The Yoruba language is recognized as one of Benin's national languages, and is spoken chiefly in the southeastern and east-central parts of the country as well as in major urban centres across the country by itinerant trading Yoruba communities.
Indiginious Yoruba communities, and their administrative locations
Alibori Department Kandi Angaradébou Guénè Saah
Borgu Department Tchaourou (Shaworo) Papane (Kpakpanin) Wari-Maro
Collines Department Bantè Agoua Akpassi Atokoligbé Bobè Gouka Koko Lougba Pira Dassa (Igbo Idaatcha) ★ Akofodjoulè Kèrè Kpingni Lèma Idaasha Tré Glazoue (Gbomina) Gomè Kpakpaza Magoumi Sokponta Zaffé Ouèssè (Wese) ■ Challa-Ogoye Kèmon (Ikemon) Kilibo Toui Savalou ■ Djaloukou (Ija Oku) Doumè Lèma Ifè Ottola Tchetti (Itcheti) Savé (Tchabe) ★ Adido Bèssè Boni Kaboua Ofè Okpara (Opara) Sakin ◆
Donga Department Bassila ■ Aledjo-Koura ■ Boutou Kaoute (Kawute) Katoulanga Kpartao (Partago) Bassila Dogue Igbomakoro Kikele Modogui Prekete ◆ Aworo Manigri (Manyibiri) Igbere Manigri Oke/Ikanni Odola Wannou Pénéssoulou ● Bodi ◆ Djougou ● Bougou ■
Pélébina ■ Yarakeou Ouake ● Semere I ● Awotebi (Awotobi) Mami
Oueme Department Porto-Novo (Ajase) 1st Arrond (Akoro) 2nd Arrond 3rd Arrond 4th Arrond
Plateau Department Adja-Ouèrè (Aja Were) Ikpinlè Kpoulou Massè ◆ Oko-Akarè Ifangni (Ifonyin) Banigbe Daagbé ◆ Kokumolu ◆ Lagbé Tchaada Ketu ★ Idigny (Idiyin) Ilara-Kanga Odometa Okpometa Kpankou (Panku) ◆ Pobè (Ipobe) Ahoyéyé Igana Issaba Towé Sakété (Itakete) ★ Agidi Ita-Djèbou (Ita Ijebu) Takon (Itakon) Yoko
Zou Department Zagnanado (Zañanado) ● Kpedekpo Ouinhi ■ Dasso ◆
★ − Commune headquarters that are ancient historic capitals of Yoruba kingdoms and are recognized by the constitution of the Republic of Benin as homes of constituent monrchies. ■ − Commune or arrondissement headquarters that are partially Yoruba and have other 'Yoruba-speaking' towns/villages/communities (arrondissements) within their official borders. ◆ − Mixed (Yoruba and another ethnicity) towns/villages/communities or arrondissements that are not commune or arrondissement headquarters. ● − Commune headquarters and arrondissement chief towns that are completely Non-Yoruba but have 'Yoruba-speaking' towns/villages/communities/quarters (arrondissements) within their official borders.
Language As members of the Yoruba language continuum, the Yoruba spoken in Benin consists of several dialects mutually intelligible both with standard Yoruba spoken in Nigeria as well as with other dialects across the border. Some of these dialects, such as; Ohori, Anago (of Ketu and of Shabe actually straddle the Nigeria-Benin international border, with several towns and villages of the afore mentioned groups falling into either side, some such as Ilara even straddle it.
The language is used in daily communication, media, and religious practices. Variation is present, often influenced by neighboring languages such as Fon (including Gun) and other Gbe and Gur languages.
Culture and religion Beninese Yoruba retain and maintain traditional Yoruba cultural practices including music, dance, festivals, and oral literature such as; Oríkì, Ifá, Oro and Egungun festivals. Religious life is diverse: many worship the Orishas and practice traditional Yoruba religion, while others are adherents of Christianity and Islam.
The Vodun religion, which shares roots and several deities with Yoruba religion, also influences spiritual practices in the region.
Contemporary issues Beninese Yoruba participate in national politics, education, commerce and social life. However, there have been concerns regarding political persecution and cultural marginalization. Cultural groups and Yoruba scholars in Benin and Nigeria continue to advocate for the preservation and promotion of Yoruba identity across West Africa.
See also Yoruba people Languages of Benin Porto-Novo Ketu (Benin) Ife/Ana people Idaasha people Oyo Empire Mokole People
References