Aspect of Dietary Pattern, Farming Practices and Organisations Amongst the

Yoruba of Southwestern Nigeria
Kola Adekola

Department of Archaeology and Anthropology

University of Ibadan
E mail: [email protected]

Abstract
The Yoruba of Southwestern Nigeria exploit a wide range of resources in the quest for
sustenance, nourishment and survival. These resources featured prominently in their
dietary complexes and other cultural manifestations. Studies carried out in selected
cities of Southwestern Nigeria revealed a pattern of maintaining equilibrium with the
environment while cultural and other historic sources gave insights into the food items
introduced to the Yoruba dietary complexes. This paper throws light on some of these
as well as changes in the dietary pattern occasioned by cultural contacts and
modernity.
Keywords: Diet; Culture; Environment; Food Taboos; Yoruba