Yoruba Studies

Yoruba Studies at UT began as a student-driven initiative from the African Student Association in collaboration with the Center for African and African American Studies.  ASA and CAAAS were concerned about the absence of instruction in indigenous African languages at UT.  The students circulated petitions, consulted with faculty, met with administrators and eventually, the Yoruba Studies Program was born in 2002.  Dr. Akin Alao of Obafemi Awolowo University was hired to teach Yoruba Language as well as Yoruba History and Culture.  When Dr. Alao returned to OAU, Dr. Fehintola Mosadomi from Tulane University was hired to teach the Yoruba courses.  In addition to Dr. Mosadomi, Dr. Toyin Falola teaches courses in Yoruba history, Rev. Aina Olomo teaches Yoruba Religious Studies, Dr. Jossiana Arroyo Martinez teaches literature courses with Yoruba diasporic content, and Dr. Joni L. Jones/Omi Osun Olomo teaches courses in Yoruba theatrical and ritual performance.

The Yoruba Studies Program fosters an understanding of Yoruba politics, aesthetics, and spiritual cosmology that is diasporic in focus.  Not only is Yorubaland of Nigeria considered, but Brazil, Cuba, Trinidad, Benin, U.S.A. (particularly Miami and New York City), and Puerto Rico are positioned as integral components of any contemporary understanding of Yoruba reality.

CAAAS is developing a Yoruba Study Abroad Program that will allow students to experience Yoruba in the U.S. and in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.