Every Tribe, Clan and Race on Earth has it own cultural taboo and the tribe Yoruba is not an exception.
In Yorubaland, every clan & family has it own distinct taboo apart from the collective ones.
Notable people that died going against the taboos of the land.
*. IFAGBENLE ODEBUNMI- IBADAN
*. ADEYEMI OYEDOKUN- MOPA
*. MAKINDE EKUNRIN- OYO

Sad thing is, New generation Yorubas don't even know about most of these taboos, most weren't born here. And what more...speaking the language in some homes & schools is a "taboo" talk more of knowing about thier culture.

*. The consequence of most of these taboos is certain death.

*. I'm not posting this to affirm these stuffs or dispute their authenticity, I just think it's worth sharing.

1. No King in the whole of Yorubaland must ever set his eyes inside the crown of his head.

2. If someone dies in a river, he must be buried beside the river. His corpse must never be returned home for burial to avoid mass death in that house. Even the whites know about this, yeah, Mungo Park.

3. Used Cotton bud that's got ear wax on it must never find it ways to the private part of both sexes.

4. Okètè (Grasscutter) It is believed that once it stands on it hinds leg, you must never kill it. Why? well, A child born to the killer of this weird animal will die the day he/she makes the first attempt to walk on his/her two legs.

5. Igbeti, OYO State- Iyamopo mountain(Rock) No visitor must climb this mountain on "Ajakuta day"(the day after Igbeti's market day)

6. The DunDun Drum also known as Gangan a very popular two-sided drum in yoruba land. Very popular for its unique sound, it can be used to pass across messages(talking drum). But, no matter how angry or offended the hearer is about the message being passed across, he must never pierce this drum with a knife in the midst of a crowd or gatherings. The one who does will end up with diseases and sicknesses that will eventually end his life.

7. The Cry of a Chameleon it is a belief in Yoruba land that a ear that hears the cry/wail/sound made by this animal will forever go deaf.

8. Onikoyi clan/family of OYO State must never taste the meat of a Okete(grasscutter). There is a story behind this.

9. Oyan & Iresi towns of Osun state- Isoko River An Oyan born person must never drink from the waters of "Isoko River". why?
The story goes that, many years ago, an Oyan born lady went to Iresi town to marry. And after a very long years of childlessness, she gave birth to a boy. On a fateful day, the boy was easing himself when a dog came along and ate up the boy's you-know-what and the boy died. The woman cried and wailed "Ko sí oko ni idi omo mi mo o"(my boy's penis is gone) "Aja ti ja oko ni'di omo mi"(the dog has cut off my boy's penis). The pain and agony of this is what got the woman angry and she turned into a river(the river was named after the word the woman kept shouting that day "Kos'oko" years of contraction of words gave birth to the word "Isoko". And it became a taboo for anyone born in Oyan town to drink from that water.(since she's one of their own).

10. Otun-Ekiti- Ekiti State Once a King(OORE) is crowned in this town, he must never set his eyes on his parents henceforth..

Copyright Owner: Omobode Ayanda, he released a video cd years back "ÈÈWÒ Ile Yoruba". I selected some, interpreted and decided to share it with you guys.

share the taboos in your own tribe too if you wish

Proudly Omo oduha....

oduha tokan tokan

I see great potential in dis trend...space booked

cirmuell:

Every Tribe, Clan and Race on Earth has it own cultural taboo and the tribe Yoruba is not an exception.
In Yorubaland, every clan & family has it own distinct taboo apart from the collective ones.
Notable people that died going against the taboos of the land.
*. IFAGBENLE ODEBUNMI- IBADAN
*. ADEYEMI OYEDOKUN- MOPA
*. MAKINDE EKUNRIN- OYO

Sad thing is, New generation Yorubas don't even know about most of these taboos, most weren't born here. And what more...speaking the language in some homes & schools is a "taboo" talk more of knowing about thier culture.

*. The consequence of most of these taboos is certain death.

*. I'm not posting this to affirm these stuffs or dispute their authenticity, I just think it's worth sharing.

1. No King in the whole of Yorubaland must ever set his eyes inside the crown of his head.

2. If someone dies in a river, he must be buried beside the river. His corpse must never be returned home for burial to avoid mass death in that house. Even the whites know about this, yeah, Mungo Park.

3. Used Cotton bud that's got ear wax on it must never find it ways to the private part of both sexes.

4. Okètè (Grasscutter) It is believed that once it stands on it hinds leg, you must never kill it. Why? well, A child born to the killer of this weird animal will die the day he/she makes the first attempt to walk on his/her two legs.

5. Igbeti, OYO State- Iyamopo mountain(Rock) No visitor must climb this mountain on "Ajakuta day"(the day after Igbeti's market day)

6. The DunDun Drum also known as Gangan a very popular two-sided drum in yoruba land. Very popular for its unique sound, it can be used to pass across messages(talking drum). But, no matter how angry or offended the hearer is about the message being passed across, he must never pierce this drum with a knife in the midst of a crowd or gatherings. The one who does will end up with diseases and sicknesses that will eventually end his life.

7. The Cry of a Chameleon it is a belief in Yoruba land that a ear that hears the cry/wail/sound made by this animal will forever go deaf.

8. Onikoyi clan/family of OYO State must never taste the meat of a Okete(grasscutter). There is a story behind this.

9. Oyan & Iresi towns of Osun state- Isoko River An Oyan born person must never drink from the waters of "Isoko River". why?
The story goes that, many years ago, an Oyan born lady went to Iresi town to marry. And after a very long years of childlessness, she gave birth to a boy. On a fateful day, the boy was easing himself when a dog came along and ate up the boy's you-know-what and the boy died. The woman cried and wailed "Ko sí oko ni idi omo mi mo o"(my boy's penis is gone) "Aja ti ja oko ni'di omo mi"(the dog has cut off my boy's penis). The pain and agony of this is what got the woman angry and she turned into a river(the river was named after the word the woman kept shouting that day "Kos'oko" years of contraction of words gave birth to the word "Isoko". And it became a taboo for anyone born in Oyan town to drink from that water.(since she's one of their own).

10. Otun-Ekiti- Ekiti State Once a King(OORE) is crowned in this town, he must never set his eyes on his parents henceforth..

Copyright Owner: Omobode Ayanda, he released a video cd years back "ÈÈWÒ Ile Yoruba". I selected some, interpreted and decided to share it with you guys.

I strongly disagree wt point no 1: the ologotun of ogotun-ekiti is the only king that can look inside his crown...
I stand to be corrected if I'm wrong.

Ok

Scary Taboo especially Numbers 4 and 7 . Then No 9, seriously that dog is a demon .







Here are the Taboos and consequences in Igbo Land.


ADULTERY; When a married woman commits
adultery,she is likely to run mad and the husband is
liable to die if he eats her meal knowingly.When a
married man commits adultery,he is likely to have a
set-back in his business. (I heard this from an Arochukwu woman, Arochukwu is in Abia State)

TEENAGE PREGNANCY; This happens when a young
girl gets pregnant outside wedlock. It hinders the
young woman's ability to get married and when she
eventually gets married, she is either married as a
second or third wife OR married to an old dying Man though some of them are still lucky to get married to a young man that has not married before.

MARRIAGE BLESSINGS; If one gets married without
consulting his/her parents for blessing, problems
such as Barreness,divorce or death are bound to
occur while the man's business may wreck.
(except for orphans mind you)

HAVING intimate RELATIONSHIP WITH SIBLINGS;
This is considered as the Highest taboo,the
consequences are Epilepsy,blindness, being deaf
and dumb,poverty or even death might occur.

KILLING/EATING OF CERTAIN ANIMALS; Some parts
in Ala Igbo consider the killing of Python, monkey,
Cats, Alligator, Vulture, Bats as taboo. This might
attract a fine from the victim. Consequences are
Poverty and Death.

OSU; This is another highly respected tradition. An
Osu is someone who is considered an outcast
because he/she is owned by the gods, as a
result,no one is expected to have any dealings with
an osu in terms of marriage or business. Women
Osu are known to remain unmarried till the rest of
their life or marry late or marry a man who is also an OSU. While male osu are known to
be poor. (I don't know how true this is because I know many OSU men that are very very rich, I mean very rich).

USE OF LEFT HAND; you shouldn't eat,write,Give or
receive with your left hand. This is considered an
act of disrespect and highly frowned at. It has no
Consequences but it's better you write or eat with left hand but not to give or accept with the left hand. It shows sign of disrespect especially if you're dealing with an elderly person.


NB: some of these listed taboos have been obliterated especially with the emergence of Christianity and education.

Jennydoris: Scary Taboo especially Numbers 4 and 7 . Then No 9, seriously that dog is a demon .







Here are the Taboos and consequences in Igbo Land.


ADULTERY; When a married woman commits
adultery,she is likely to run mad and the husband is
liable to die if he eats her meal knowingly.When a
married man commits adultery,he is likely to have a
set-back in his business. (I heard this from an Arochukwu woman, Arochukwu is in Abia State)

TEENAGE PREGNANCY; This happens when a young
girl gets pregnant outside wedlock. It hinders the
young woman's ability to get married and when she
eventually gets married, she is either married as a
second or third wife OR married to an old dying Man though some of them are still lucky to get married to a young man that has not married before.

MARRIAGE BLESSINGS; If one gets married without
consulting his/her parents for blessing, problems
such as Barreness,divorce or death are bound to
occur while the man's business may wreck.
(except for orphans mind you)

HAVING intimate RELATIONSHIP WITH SIBLINGS;
This is considered as the Highest taboo,the
consequences are Epilepsy,blindness, being deaf
and dumb,poverty or even death might occur.

KILLING/EATING OF CERTAIN ANIMALS; Some parts
in Ala Igbo consider the killing of Python, monkey,
Cats, Alligator, Vulture, Bats as taboo. This might
attract a fine from the victim. Consequences are
Poverty and Death.

OSU; This is another highly respected tradition. An
Osu is someone who is considered an outcast
because he/she is owned by the gods, as a
result,no one is expected to have any dealings with
an osu in terms of marriage or business. Women
Osu are known to remain unmarried till the rest of
their life or marry late or marry a man who is also an OSU. While male osu are known to
be poor. (I don't know how true this is because I know many OSU men that are very very rich, I mean very rich).

USE OF LEFT HAND; you shouldn't eat,write,Give or
receive with your left hand. This is considered an
act of disrespect and highly frowned at. It has no
Consequences but it's better you write or eat with left hand but not to give or accept with the left hand. It shows sign of disrespect especially if you're dealing with an elderly person.


NB: some of these listed taboos have been obliterated especially with the emergence of Christianity and education.

In addition, women don't:

Wear masquerade or go close to it.
Break kolanuts.
Climb trees.
Attend Age Grade meetings.

Etc

jnrbayano:

In addition, women don't:

Wear masquerade or go close to it.
Break kolanuts.
Climb trees.
Attend Age Grade meetings.

Etc

True.
As for climbing of trees it all depends on the state, town and which tree. In Anambra, am not sure of other town but in my own town women are allowed to climb any tree except for palm tree, Kola nut tree and Iroko tree.

1goodman:

I strongly disagree wt point no 1: the ologotun of ogotun-ekiti is the only king that can look inside his crown...
I stand to be corrected if I'm wrong.

really? You're from there right?

Jennydoris: Scary Taboo especially Numbers 4 and 7 . Then No 9, seriously that dog is a demon .







Here are the Taboos and consequences in Igbo Land.


ADULTERY; When a married woman commits
adultery,she is likely to run mad and the husband is
liable to die if he eats her meal knowingly.When a
married man commits adultery,he is likely to have a
set-back in his business. (I heard this from an Arochukwu woman, Arochukwu is in Abia State)

TEENAGE PREGNANCY; This happens when a young
girl gets pregnant outside wedlock. It hinders the
young woman's ability to get married and when she
eventually gets married, she is either married as a
second or third wife OR married to an old dying Man though some of them are still lucky to get married to a young man that has not married before.

MARRIAGE BLESSINGS; If one gets married without
consulting his/her parents for blessing, problems
such as Barreness,divorce or death are bound to
occur while the man's business may wreck.
(except for orphans mind you)

HAVING intimate RELATIONSHIP WITH SIBLINGS;
This is considered as the Highest taboo,the
consequences are Epilepsy,blindness, being deaf
and dumb,poverty or even death might occur.

KILLING/EATING OF CERTAIN ANIMALS; Some parts
in Ala Igbo consider the killing of Python, monkey,
Cats, Alligator, Vulture, Bats as taboo. This might
attract a fine from the victim. Consequences are
Poverty and Death.

OSU; This is another highly respected tradition. An
Osu is someone who is considered an outcast
because he/she is owned by the gods, as a
result,no one is expected to have any dealings with
an osu in terms of marriage or business. Women
Osu are known to remain unmarried till the rest of
their life or marry late or marry a man who is also an OSU. While male osu are known to
be poor. (I don't know how true this is because I know many OSU men that are very very rich, I mean very rich).

USE OF LEFT HAND; you shouldn't eat,write,Give or
receive with your left hand. This is considered an
act of disrespect and highly frowned at. It has no
Consequences but it's better you write or eat with left hand but not to give or accept with the left hand. It shows sign of disrespect especially if you're dealing with an elderly person.


NB: some of these listed taboos have been obliterated especially with the emergence of Christianity and education.

wow...yeah I kinda agree with your last sentence. But people still belief and keep to some of these stuffs though especially in Yorubaland.

Wow

Seeing a mouse (okete/ewu) in the afternoon, yoruba believes something tragedy is going to happen if you see a mouse in the afternoon.thats why they say 'a n kin ri ewu losan'

Happy independence day Nigeria....wishing u what u wish Nigeria

Good to knw....Tnx op

Taboos are endangered species!!

All those Taboo na Faboo!!! Ogbeni, anything goes!

In yoruba land king must not see corpse...

The surest death penalty is when a woman set her eyes on oro

Booked

Kings are not to set their eyes on corpse[i don't know how true that is]

Women are not allowed to go out wen the ORO masquerade is out

Oh Africa my Africa!
I love this thread!

Ipledge: In yoruba land king must not see corpse...

The surest death penalty is when a woman set her eyes on oro

U read my mind

GBAM

Are you tired of life ??
Do you want to die ??
If your answer is #Yes !!!!!!!!!
Smell a Yoruba girl's pant

..

You've forgotten,the most common one.

Any king whosoever in yorubaland must never set his eyes on a corpse no matter how close the person is to him.

Ipledge: In yoruba land king must not see corpse...

What if someone accidentally dies in the presence of the king, what will happen ??

Informative thread. And by the way, today I was passing by one of the diners in my school and they were playing a traditional yoruba (those ones they play with the Yoruba native drum) song!

A proud Yoruba Son.
Son of the soil.

Jennydoris: Scary Taboo especially Numbers 4 and 7 . Then No 9, seriously that dog is a demon .



Here are the Taboos and consequences in Igbo Land.

You have done well!

I remember hearing if a man see's his wife's private part while giving birth he will go blind at an early age.
Committing Suicide is a taboo and if the corpse is not put through a cleansing ritual before burial the land would be cursed.