2025; year Yorubas became ‘it’

By Titi Adegolu-Oniyesan.

The Yoruba people of Nigeria have always been a race of excellent folks. They have ethos that distinguish their belief systems, expectations and conducts; a people that teach honour, respect and orderliness. Widely regarded as the ‘omoluabis’, the Yorubas possess enduring qualities and a manner of carriage that are quite distinguishable, and expected of their adults, youth and children. Roles are spelt out unequivocally, and might be described as the engine oil on the wheels of the ethos that have kept order and sanity in the community of the Yorubas.

The elders are expected to be wise; the custodian of truth and honour. They exude same, and in appreciation of their wisdom are accorded respect and reverence. Of the younger generation. There is a non debatable expectation of hard work, resilience and strength.
Children are expected to be respectful bearers of the torch of light and future hope. A mirror that reflects to society the picture of what is to come.
Order and systems
Long before it became a modern thing, the Yorubas established lasting traditional hierarchical systems that spelt out parts and roles to avoid confusion and disruption.

Favoured by the gods to see far ahead of their time, the elders in their well-defined monarchy, as practiced in ancient kingdoms, allowed participatory debates, so that a majority vote in the Council of Chiefs, though themselves subordinates, was reason enough to condemn a monarchical king to exile, or cause them to ‘si igba fun’ (open calabash for him; a humiliating way to end both the existence and reign of an inept, dictatorial king.) A leader was expected to do the best for his people, no shortcuts. Also, because of the inherent values these systems hold, sound traditional values of respect such as prostrating or kneeling to salute the elders, are still being passed through generations. A recent case in point was, when during a brief meeting with Ogun state governor, world- renowned fighter, Anthony Joshua acknowledged the presence of the older man with a genuflect.

Talk about impeccable traditions, it was showcased in the past year when best- selling billionaire businessman, Otedola prostrated to salute President Tinubu on a visit to the older man, sparking conversations that seemed to question the logic behind such an influential, successful man stretching out to almost full crouching position before another man in public glare.

Words, parables and knowledge –
It is impressive that most of the views the Yorubas of old held are substantial till now. A standing favourite would be the very core of this writing; that parables are the horses that convey words, and the slight play on words, within the same parable, that says words too are the horses that convey parables (owe Lesin oro, oro lesin owe.) Simply put, as far as parables and words go, a smooth ride requires interchanging which is horse, and which is the rider per time.

The ultimate goal is a safe landing. Or the making of sound, undisputable sense within any context.
The views of the Yorubas on money, and wealth have held true:
‘Kirakita o dola’ (striving alone does not make rich), is now re- invented to support the acknowledgment that the most hardworking man does not always become the richest, prioritizing smartness over hard labour.

Fashion, recreation and style –
If anything about the Yorubas have transcended national borders, it is their sense of style. The fabrics of their cloth, their choice of adornments and their choice of accessories. ‘Agbada,’ the flowing Kaftan robe for stylish men, and ‘oleku style’ for fashion forward ladies were pleasant global sights in 2025. Coral beads, bridal adornments and even old Yoruba hairstyles such as ‘koroba,’ returned and were accepted with a fervour that complimented the choices the Yorubas have made for centuries. ‘Adire,’ the tie- and- die material often perceived as common and simple rose to global stage, to become the most eye-catching piece on runways and a cult fave among celebrities. Before tie-and-die shirts outfits ever surfaced on the internet, the Yorubas were making them as ordinary fabrics commonly used as backdrop designs in movie scenes and live performances, almost to the point of being known as clothing for the theatre.

Yoruba festivals now enjoy global patronage because they are deeply rooted in culture, traditionally flavoured and dyed in excitements.
Ojude Oba, the age- long Ijebu-ode festival and Eyo festival of Lagos added immense colours and vibrancy to the social atmosphere in the Nigerian space in the past year, especially towards the end of the year.
So remarkable was the display of colours at the Ojude Oba festival, that similar outings (Ojude this, Ojude that) were curated on many fronts, including Varsities, to enjoy similar ambiance.

Without mincing words, the most popular indigenous clothing in social and entertainment culture last year through to 2026, were ‘adire’ and ‘aso-oke.’ Asides being exported in large demands, the prices of both clothing items increased tremendously and put Nigerian fashion on top shelves in the international space.
Incidentally, the name ‘aso-oke’, given to the impressive woven material which the Yorubas have always worn for special events translated in English literarily, to mean, ‘top cloth’, or ‘special cloth.’
It was as if the Yorubas always knew that they were curating pieces that would take their race to the corridors of foreign worlds.