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YOR316

Introduction to the Culture of the Yoruba People

  • Arts
  • 300 level
  • 2 credit units
  • 129 pages
  • 1 units

This course introduces students to the culture of the Yorùbá people. It explores their traditional practices, customs, and beliefs. The course covers various aspects of Yorùbá culture, including festivals, social structures, marriage traditions, and artistic expressions. It also examines the impact of modernization on Yorùbá culture and the efforts to preserve it.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
150 hours
Maths
None
Content
Theoretical, case study
Practical work
No
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor marked assessments
  • Final examination

What you'll read

The real module and unit structure of YOR316, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.

Module 1

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

YOR316 · YOR316

Síwájú sí i, àkẹ́kọ̀ọ́ yóò le mọ̀ nípa bí àwọn nǹkan àjogúnbá kan ṣe wáyé àti àwọn ìyípadà tí ó ń dé bá àwọn nǹkan wọ̀nyí lóde òní.

What you should be able to do

  1. Explain the core values and beliefs of Yorùbá culture.
  2. Describe the major Yorùbá festivals and their significance.
  3. Identify the traditional occupations and economic activities of the Yorùbá people.
  4. Discuss the concept of Ìwà Ọmọlúàbí and its importance in Yorùbá society.
  5. Analyze the role of traditional religion in Yorùbá culture.
  6. Compare and contrast traditional and modern Yorùbá marriage practices.
  7. Explain the customs and rituals associated with childbirth and naming ceremonies.
  8. Evaluate the impact of modernization on Yorùbá culture.

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Cultural Anthropologist
  • Historian
  • Linguist
  • Museum Curator
  • Archivist
Where it is applied
  • Tourism
  • Cultural Heritage Management
  • Education
  • Arts and Entertainment
  • Government and Public Service

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 1: Ìpín Kẹrin: Ọdún Bẹẹrẹ Ní Ìlú Ọ̀yó

    Unit 4: Ọdún Bẹẹrẹ Ní Ìlú Ọ̀yó

    Understanding the historical context and traditional political structure of Ọ̀yó is essential to grasping the full significance of the Bẹẹrẹ festival.

  • Module 2: Ìpín Kẹta: Àṣà Ìbòrìṣà Yorùbá I

    Unit 3: Àṣà Ìbòrìṣà Yorùbá I

    The complex pantheon of Yorùbá deities and their interrelationships require careful study and memorization.

  • Module 2: Ìpín Kẹrin: Àṣà Ìbòrìṣà Yorùbá II

    Unit 4: Àṣà Ìbòrìṣà Yorùbá II

    The complex pantheon of Yorùbá deities and their interrelationships require careful study and memorization.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 26 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1: Ìpín Kìnní: Àṣà àti Ìṣèṣ̣e Yorùbá
    • Unit 1: Àṣà àti Ìṣèṣ̣e Yorùbá · 2 hours

      Read the introduction to Yorùbá culture and traditions.. Define àṣà and ìṣèṣẹ and explain their relationship.. Identify the geographical location of Yorùbá people..

  2. Week 2Module 1: Ìpín Kejì: Ọdún Egúngún Ní Ìlu Ọlúpònnà
    • Unit 2: Ọdún Egúngún Ní Ìlu Ọlúpònnà · 2 hours

      Study the details of the Egúngún festival in Ọlúpònnà.. Analyze the significance of Egúngún in Yorùbá society.. Compare and contrast Egúngún with other Yorùbá festivals..

  3. Week 3Module 1: Ìpín Kẹta: Ọdún Òkèbàdàn Ní Ìlú Ìbàdàn
    • Unit 3: Ọdún Òkèbàdàn Ní Ìlú Ìbàdàn · 2 hours

      Examine the Òkèbàdàn festival in Ìbàdàn.. Discuss the historical and cultural importance of Òkèbàdàn.. Relate the festival to the founding and development of Ìbàdàn..

  4. Week 4Module 1: Ìpín Kẹrin: Ọdún Bẹẹrẹ Ní Ìlú Ọ̀yó
    • Unit 4: Ọdún Bẹẹrẹ Ní Ìlú Ọ̀yó · 2 hours

      Investigate the Bẹẹrẹ festival in Ọ̀yó.. Analyze the role of the Aláàfin in the Bẹẹrẹ festival.. Discuss the changes in the festival over time..

  5. Week 5Module 1: Ìpín Karùn-Ún: Orò Ìkègbe Ní Ìlú Ìlá-Ọ̀ràngún
    • Unit 5: Orò Ìkègbe Ní Ìlú Ìlá-Ọ̀ràngún · 2 hours

      Study the Orò Ìkègbe festival in Ìlá-Ọ̀ràngún.. Examine the rituals and ceremonies associated with Orò Ìkègbe.. Compare Orò Ìkègbe with other Yorùbá orò festivals..

  6. Week 6Module 2: Ìpín Kìnní: Àwọn Ẹ̀ka Àṣà ÌbílèŃláńlá Yorùbá
    • Unit 1: Àwọn Ẹ̀ka Àṣà ÌbílèŃláńlá Yorùbá · 2 hours

      Identify the major traditional occupations of the Yorùbá.. Discuss the importance of agriculture, hunting, and weaving.. Analyze the impact of these occupations on Yorùbá society..

  7. Week 7Module 2: Ìpín Kejì: Ìwà Ọmọlúàbí
    • Unit 2: Ìwà Ọmọlúàbí · 2 hours

      Define Ìwà Ọmọlúàbí and its significance.. Identify the characteristics of an Ọmọlúàbí.. Discuss the challenges to Ìwà Ọmọlúàbí in modern society..

  8. Week 8Module 2: Ìpín Kẹta: Àṣà Ìbòrìṣà Yorùbá I
    • Unit 3: Àṣà Ìbòrìṣà Yorùbá I · 2 hours

      Study the Yorùbá traditional religion and its deities.. Analyze the role of Òrìṣà in Yorùbá cosmology.. Discuss the rituals and ceremonies associated with Ìbòrìṣà..

  9. Week 9Module 2: Ìpín Kẹrin: Àṣà Ìbòrìṣà Yorùbá II
    • Unit 4: Àṣà Ìbòrìṣà Yorùbá II · 2 hours

      Continue studying the Yorùbá traditional religion and its deities.. Analyze the role of Òrìṣà in Yorùbá cosmology.. Discuss the rituals and ceremonies associated with Ìbòrìṣà..

  10. Week 10Module 2: Ìpín Karùn-Ún: Àṣà Ìgbéyàwó Láàrín Àwọn Yorùbá
    • Unit 5: Àṣà Ìgbéyàwó Láàrín Àwọn Yorùbá · 2 hours

      Examine the Yorùbá marriage traditions.. Discuss the steps involved in a traditional Yorùbá wedding.. Analyze the significance of marriage in Yorùbá society..

  11. Week 11Module 3: Ọmọ Bíbí Àti Ìtọ́jú Ọmọdé
    • Unit 1: Ìtọ́jú Oyún, Ọmọ Bíbí Àti Ìtọ́jú Ọmọdé · 2 hours

      Study the traditional practices surrounding pregnancy and childbirth.. Discuss the rituals and customs associated with naming ceremonies.. Analyze the significance of names in Yorùbá culture..

  12. Week 12Module 3: Àwọn Àṣà Yorùbá Kéékèèkéé
    • Unit 3: Àṣà Ìran-Ara-Ẹnilówọ · 2 hours

      Examine the Yorùbá customs related to personal relationships.. Discuss the importance of mutual support and cooperation.. Analyze the different forms of ìran-ara-ẹni-lówọ́..

  13. Week 13Module 3: Àwọn Àṣà Yorùbá Kéékèèkéé
    • Unit 4: Àṣà Oge Ṣíṣe · 2 hours

      Study the Yorùbá fashion and beauty practices.. Discuss the significance of traditional attire and adornments.. Analyze the changes in Yorùbá fashion over time..

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Create detailed notes summarizing key aspects of each festival (Egúngún, Òkèbàdàn, Bẹẹrẹ, Orò Ìkègbe) and their significance.
  • Develop flashcards for key terms like Àṣà, Ìṣèṣe, Ìwà Ọmọlúàbí, and Òrìṣà, including their definitions and examples.
  • Construct a comparative chart outlining the similarities and differences between the various Yorùbá deities discussed in Modules 2 and 3.
  • Practice essay questions on topics like the impact of modernization on Yorùbá culture, the role of Ìwà Ọmọlúàbí in society, and the significance of marriage traditions.
  • Review all Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) and identify areas where you need further clarification or study.
  • Create concept maps linking Units 3-5, connecting the different deities to their specific domains and responsibilities.
  • Focus on understanding the core principles of Yorùbá traditional religion and how they influence daily life and social interactions.
  • Practice applying the concepts of Àṣà and Ìṣèṣe to real-world examples of Yorùbá cultural practices.
  • Dedicate specific study sessions to memorizing key dates, names, and locations associated with important historical events and cultural figures.
  • Form a study group with other students to discuss challenging concepts and share insights on the course material.

Questions students ask about this course

What is YOR316 about?

This course introduces students to the culture of the Yorùbá people. It explores their traditional practices, customs, and beliefs. The course covers various aspects of Yorùbá culture, including festivals, social structures, marriage traditions, and artistic expressions. It also examines the impact of modernization on Yorùbá culture and the efforts to preserve it.

How many units does YOR316 have?

YOR316, Introduction to the Culture of the Yoruba People, has 1 unit across 1 module, over 129 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is YOR316?

YOR316 carries 2 credit units, at 300 level in Arts.

Is YOR316 hard?

YOR316 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.

How long does YOR316 take to study?

About 150 hours of study, spread across its 1 units.

How is YOR316 assessed?

YOR316 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.

What can I do with YOR316?

Cultural Anthropologist, Historian, Linguist, Museum Curator and Archivist.

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