Colour in Yoruba Dress Culture

Abstract

People all over the world have cultures; and these cultures determine how they perceive the world; how they think about themselves and their relationship with others; how they set and achieve goals. Culture defines and sets before a people what is real and not real; what is true and untrue; what is right and not right; what is beautiful, and what is good. The Yoruba in the South-Western Nigeria, have their worldview concerning various aspects of life. It is well meant that this study investigates the Yoruba perception on colour; which may seem otherwise to others though, but binds them to one another; giving them a sense of commonality. The study employed historical and document observation research methods; and semiotics as the theoretical framework. Findings revealed that the keynote of life of the Yoruba is in their traditional religions; and it is this traditional religion that influences their art, crafts and colour preference. Traditionally, the Yoruba have names for the three main or principal colours - funfun (for white and silver), dudu (for black and other cool colours) and pupa (for red and other warm colours); and these colours and their significance are mainly associated with the Deities

Keywords: Yoruba, Culture, Traditional, Colour, Deities.

DOI: 10.7176/ADS/100-01

Publication date: April 30^th 2022