Arts of Being Yoruba: Divination, Allegory, Tragedy, Proverb, Panegyric

There is a culturally significant way of being Yor?bá that is expressed through dress, greetings, and celebrations—no matter where in the world they take place. Adélék? Adék documents Yor?bá patterns of behavior and articulates a philosophy of how to be Yor?bá in this innovative study. As he focuses on historical writings, Ifá divination practices, the use of proverbs in contemporary speech, photography, gendered ideas of dressing well, and the formalities of ceremony and speech at celebratory occasions, Adéékó contends that being Yor?bá is indeed an art and Yor?bá-ness is a dynamic phenomenon that responds to cultural shifts as Yor?bá people inhabit an increasingly globalized world.