Yoruba
There are 20 million or more people who speak Yoruba as their mother tongue. Some 19 million of them live in Nigeria,
but a growing diaspora are dispersed around Africa and around the world. Yoruba-speaking communities have lived in other
West African countries for centuries. Yoruba culture and religion have profoundly influenced the African diaspora in Brazil,
Cuba and other New World countries, even among communities where the language itself is completely or partially forgotten.
The Yoruba people
are one of the
two largest ethnic groups of Nigeria, being concentrated in the southwestern
part of that country. Much smaller, scattered groups live in Benin and northern
Togo. The Yoruba numbered more than 24 million in the late 20th century.
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![Nigeria - Click for Information]](https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/flags/ni-flag.gif){kind=small}
![Benin - Click for Information]](https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/flags/bn-flag.gif){kind=small}
![Togo - Click for Information]](https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/flags/to-flag.gif){kind=small}