Salvador, Bahia, Brazil–
The historic city of Salvador da Bahia, renowned for its deep-rooted African heritage, became the focal point of global Yoruba cultural discourse as scholars, traditional rulers, policymakers, and members of the African diaspora gathered at the Noble Hall of the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA) Rectory for an international conference themed “Oyo: A City of Yoruba Cultural Heritage.”
The landmark conference marked another significant milestone in the growing international campaign to secure global recognition for Oyo as one of the foremost centres of Yoruba civilisation. The event reinforced Oyo’s enduring historical, cultural, and spiritual importance while strengthening cultural ties between Nigeria and Brazil.
The conference brought together an impressive array of participants, including the Alaafin of Oyo, Nigerian and Brazilian cultural representatives, academics, historians, traditional custodians, researchers, and members of the Yoruba diaspora. Together, they explored the profound contributions of the ancient Oyo Kingdom to the development of Yoruba civilisation, governance, language, religion, arts, and cultural traditions that continue to influence millions across the world.
A book presentation during the comference in Bahia
A major highlight of the conference was the presentation of the publication “OYO: A City of Yoruba Cultural Heritage,” a scholarly work documenting the city’s historical significance and its invaluable contributions to global African heritage. The publication represents an important step in preserving the legacy of one of Africa’s most influential kingdoms while providing a comprehensive academic resource for future generations.
Speakers at the conference emphasized that Oyo occupies a unique place in African history as the political and cultural heartland of the Yoruba people. For centuries, the Oyo Empire shaped systems of governance, diplomacy, commerce, military organisation, and cultural practices whose influence extended far beyond present-day Nigeria into other parts of West Africa and eventually across the Atlantic through the African diaspora.
The conference also underscored the remarkable cultural connections between Yorubaland and Brazil. Salvador da Bahia remains one of the world’s most prominent centres of Afro-Brazilian culture, where Yoruba traditions continue to thrive through religion, language, music, cuisine, festivals, and traditional customs preserved by descendants of Africans transported during the transatlantic slave trade.
Researchers noted that many Afro-Brazilian religious and cultural practices retain strong Oyo Yoruba influences, reflecting centuries of resilience in preserving ancestral identity despite historical displacement. This shared heritage continues to foster academic collaboration and cultural exchanges between institutions in Nigeria and Brazil.
The active participation of universities, research institutions, and cultural organisations from both countries further demonstrated the growing international scholarly interest in documenting, promoting, and safeguarding Yoruba heritage. Participants called for increased collaboration in research, heritage conservation, cultural tourism, and educational exchanges aimed at preserving the rich history of Oyo for future generations.
Beyond its academic significance, the conference is expected to strengthen ongoing efforts to position Oyo as a globally recognised cultural destination and reinforce its candidacy for international heritage recognition. Delegates agreed that preserving Oyo’s historical legacy is not only a responsibility to Nigeria but also to the global community, particularly the millions of people of Yoruba descent across Africa and the diaspora.
As the conference concluded, participants reaffirmed their commitment to advancing research, documentation, and international partnerships that celebrate the enduring legacy of Oyo. The event stands as another important chapter in promoting Yoruba cultural heritage on the global stage, highlighting how history, scholarship, and cultural diplomacy can unite communities across continents while preserving one of Africa’s greatest civilisations for generations to come.
