Yoruba in Benin


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Islam (Sunni)
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The ancestors of today’s Yoruba people were the dominant people in what is now Nigeria as early as the 1200s. They were among the most urbanized people in West Africa. This was especially true during the 1100s-1300s where they excelled in stone and copper artwork. They moved to their present West African location in the 1700s because of tribal warfare. As a powerful people group, the Yoruba demanded slaves from neighboring peoples. Most of these slaves were used in the Atlantic slave trade.

Though they are best represented in southern Nigeria, the Yoruba also live in other countries of West Africa. Smaller numbers have managed to migrate to Western nations like Italy, Greece, the UK, the US, Canada and Australia.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Many Yoruba still live in urban centers, but they are also represented in villages. They are well-known for their cultural contributions, especially their unique drum music. In West Africa one can identify a Yoruba individual by their modest but colorful attire.

The Yoruba have contributed to the cuisine of the countries where they reside. People enjoy ofada rice (a spicy dish made with rice and meat) and the deep-fried akara. Moin moin is a Yoruba pudding dish.

The Yoruba diaspora in Western countries falls into two broad categories. There are those who left West Africa desperate for work and the basics of life. Others are well-educated and taking on high-paying jobs.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Yoruba have a deep respect for the spirit world. In West Africa they are divided into both Sunni Muslim and Christian camps. Members of both of these world religions also engage in ancient African religious practices.

In some countries the majority of Yoruba are Muslim, but they have a Christian population that is capable of taking Christ to everyone. Togo is the country where the gospel witness is weakest.


What Are Their Needs?

Like peoples all over the world the Yoruba need to put all their faith in Jesus Christ, the only one who can bless them with abundant, eternal life.


Prayer Points

Pray for a Holy Spirit directed revival among the Yoruba people that will bless them for eternity.

Pray for an abundance of Yoruba disciplers who will teach others to make more disciples.

Pray for the Lord to bless Yoruba families economically and spiritually, leading them to eternal faith in Christ.

Pray for Yoruba family leaders to point the way to Jesus Christ for entire clans.


Scripture Prayers for the Yoruba in Benin.


References

https://www.yorubaness.com.ng/2022/07/yoruba-indigenous-people-of-togo.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoruba_people

https://www.facebook.com/africanhistoryarchive/photos/a.2082593228639994/3260656210833684/?type=3&eid=ARAQhMnU67fNJk7oGpEj1BZQnhDeCr2t8Cg8wxOnAI0uG4JYfSPwTh0WI2mxzY97cI--ugK5SdnvoPqA&paipv=0&eav=Afa9RH9kPqQ1O9QGmkXH3-pagxtN8HijHKojxmtwVtP1ODygvOxC_62A84frJrvy82g&_rdr


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Yoruba
People Name in Country Yoruba
Pronunciation YORE-oo-bah
Alternate Names Anago; Ekiti; Ijebu; Nago; Ondo; Oyo; West African
Population this Country 242,000
Population all Countries 40,859,000
Total Countries 17
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 5
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 16057
ROP3 Code 111095
Country Benin
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Widespread. Porto-Novo city, towns, and major villages.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Benin
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Widespread. Porto-Novo city, towns, and major villages..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

No people group map currently available. Use the above button to submit a map.


Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam (Sunni)
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 13.00 %)
45.30 %
Ethnic Religions
4.08 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
48.00 %
Non-Religious
0.60 %
Other / Small
2.02 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Yoruba (242,000 speakers)
Language Code yor   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Yoruba (242,000 speakers)
Language Code yor   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Yoruba

Primary Language:  Yoruba

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1850-1960)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1862-1993)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1884-2022)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings DAVAR Partners recording, complete Bible DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories Story Runners
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Yoruba Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Walking with Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Cru
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Voice of the Martyrs resources Voice of the Martyrs
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Yoruba YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Yoruba Contemporary Bible Biblica
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Yoruba YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Yoruba Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Kerry Olson  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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