Yorubaland Time
Yorubaland Time is a regional time system[1] used in Yorubaland, the Yoruba-speaking region of West Africa which includes portions of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. It is an alternative timekeeping system that coexists alongside the internationally recognized Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)[2] and serves as a cultural marker and symbol of Yoruba identity.[3]
Origins and development
Yorubaland, inhabited by the Yoruba people, has long maintained a distinct cultural identity.[4] Yorubaland Time emerged as a response to the desire to assert and preserve this cultural identity in the face of globalization.[citation needed]
The development of Yorubaland Time can be traced to the late 20th century, when Yoruba scholars, cultural activists, and community leaders recognized the need to uphold Yoruba cultural practices and symbols.[5] Timekeeping was identified as one area where the Yoruba people could assert their distinctiveness while simultaneously participating in the globalized world.
Principles and features
Yorubaland Time follows a unique approach to timekeeping that incorporates Yoruba cultural elements.[6] It is based on the traditional Yoruba cosmology, which centers on the concept of cycles and the interconnectedness of life. The system reflects the Yoruba worldview, emphasizing harmony, community, and the rhythms of nature.
One of the key features of Yorubaland Time is the division of the day into four quarters, each corresponding to a significant phase of the sun's movement.[7] These quarters are known as Ojo Merin in the Yoruba language. Each quarter lasts for six hours, resulting in a 24-hour day similar to the international standard.[8]
Additionally, Yorubaland Time incorporates the Yoruba calendar, which is based on the agricultural and celestial cycles and carries cultural and religious significance within Yoruba society.
Yorubaland Time also recognizes the importance of celestial bodies in Yoruba cosmology.[9] The movement and positions of the moon and stars are taken into account to determine significant events and festivals within the Yoruba calendar.
Usage and cultural significance
Yorubaland Time serves as a cultural marker and symbol of Yoruba identity, reinforcing a sense of community and shared heritage. It is utilized in various contexts, including traditional ceremonies, cultural events, and informal gatherings. While Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) remains the standard for official and international purposes, Yorubaland Time is employed in parallel, allowing the Yoruba people to retain their cultural practices and expressions.
The adoption and recognition of Yorubaland Time have gained momentum within Yoruba communities, particularly among cultural activists, educators, and those involved in promoting Yoruba language and traditions. Efforts have been made to integrate Yorubaland Time into educational curricula, ensuring that future generations are aware of and appreciate their cultural heritage.
Criticism and controversy
The introduction of Yorubaland Time has not been without controversy. Critics argue that it complicates international[10] communication and trade, creating potential confusion and inconveniences. Skeptics question the need for a separate time system, suggesting that cultural preservation could be achieved through other means.[4]
However, proponents of Yorubaland Time emphasize its importance in preserving Yoruba identity and cultural practices.[citation needed] They argue that it is a crucial element in maintaining the richness and diversity of the world's cultural landscape, providing a counterbalance to the homogenizing forces of globalization.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Yorubaland". Anthony Shintai. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
- ↑ Afolayan, Funso S. (1993). "Reconstructing the past to reconstruct the present: the nineteenth century wars and Yoruba history". Passages. hdl:2027/spo.4761530.0006.008.
- ↑ Akinjogbin, Isaac Adeagbo (2004). "The Impact of iron in Yorubaland". UNESCO (in English and français). Retrieved 9 August 2023.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Johnson, Samuel (1966). The History of the Yorubas: From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the British Protectorate. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-108-02099-2. Search this book on
- ↑ Musa, Afiz Oladimeji; Ibrahim, Hassan Ahmad (2015). "Jalabi Practice: a Critical Appraisal of a Socio-Religious Phenomenon in Yorubaland, Nigeria". European Journal of Social Sciences Education and Research Articles. 2.
- ↑ Adediran, Biodun (2013-02-21). "The Early Inhabitants of Western Yorùbáland". The Frontier States of Western Yorubaland. African Dynamics. Ibadan: IFRA-Nigeria. pp. 25–53. ISBN 979-10-92312-14-0. Retrieved 2023-07-08. Search this book on
- ↑ Johnson, Obadiah; Johnson, Samuel, eds. (2010). "Origin and Early History". The History of the Yorubas. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 3–14. doi:10.1017/CBO9780511702617.006. ISBN 978-0-511-70261-7. Retrieved 2023-07-08. Search this book on
- ↑ Atanda, J. A. (1971). "Government of Yorubaland in the pre-colonial period". Tarikh. 4 (2): 1–12.
- ↑ First, Think Yoruba (2023-04-10). "Yorùbá Land Time". Medium. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
- ↑ Falola, Toyin; Adebayo, Akanmu (2018-02-06). ""Time of Plenty": The Oil Boom and Money Supply". Culture, Politics, and Money Among the Yoruba. Routledge. pp. 277–314. doi:10.4324/9780203794050-12. ISBN 9780203794050. Retrieved 2023-07-08. Search this book on
See also
- Kazeem, Fayemi Ademola (2016). "Time in Yorùbá Culture" (PDF). Al-Hikmat: A Journal of Philosophy. University of the Punjab. 36: 27–41. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- Sogbesan, Oluwatoyin (June 2022). "Primordial Yoruba Concept of Time and Calendar: The Case of The Aboòrìsàs of Oyo Town". Journal of Culture, Society and Development. 67. doi:10.7176/JCSD/67-08. ISSN 2422-8400. Retrieved 1 November 2023. Unknown parameter
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- Diagne, Souleymane Bachir; Kimmerle, Heinz (1 January 1998). Oluwole, Sophie B., ed. "Temps et développement dans la pensée de l'Afrique subsaharienne / Time and Development in the Thought of Subsaharan Africa". Brill: 139–150. doi:10.1163/9789004458048_015. Retrieved 1 November 2023(paywalled)
- Adesola, Oluseye; Akinlabi, Akinbiyi; Orie, Olanike Ola (9 October 2018). Data-Rich Linguistics: Papers in Honor of Yiwola Awoyale. chapter 17: Cambridge Scholars Publishing. ISBN 978-1-5275-1845-2. Retrieved 1 November 2023. Search this book on
- Drewal, Margaret Thompson; Drewal, Henry John (July 1987). "Composing time and space in Yoruba art". Word & Image. 3 (3): 225–251. doi:10.1080/02666286.1987.10435383. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- Fadamiro, Joseph Akinlabi; Adedeji, Joseph Adeniran (February 2016). "Cultural Landscapes of the Yoruba of South-Western Nigeria Demystified as Solidified Time in Space". Space and Culture. 19 (1): 15–30. Bibcode:2016SpCul..19...15F. doi:10.1177/1206331215595751. ISSN 1206-3312. Retrieved 1 November 2023. Unknown parameter
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