Arnold' s biography says his father was a Yoruba man and it was from his family's oral traditions that he learnt that they were from ancient priestly family of Israel.

Hati13:

I read Saladin existed in the 12th century, not early 1st century like you stated.
How many Yorubas practice Judaism this days?

You seems not to get the drift. Saladin existed around 11th century. I emphasise on migration at different period. And pinned down the major last onslaught carried out in ancient Egypt when Islam conquered Egypt and North Africa environment. This was the period when people migrated in droves toward the Savannah region.
Yes, Like I had said, the Yoruba religion has gone through a lot name changing which has been through migration and partly because of language development. However, the IFA religion can be known and practice by any one. IFA religion is practice by using sixteen palm nut or strings of beads like rosary in such a way to interpret 4,096 stories that the priest must have memorised. And once anyone seek interpretation to any problems ,the priest interpret through any of 4,096 stories. The Yoruba tradition IFA tradition is enshrined in ritualism in the manner likened to many groups in the world but has semblance more with HEBREWS. Take for instance, the Supreme head priest of IFA in the world is known as “ARABA"—RABBI(HEBREW PRIEST). Do any group in the whole of Africa that claimed Israel bears such, even Falasas?
Yoruba believe that their version of worship is superior to all and by so doing, no one is willing to leave it. This only attest to the fact that YORUBA ARE MORE DEEPER IN THE ABRAHAMIC RELIGION than the rest . And IFA tradition, has been identified to have binary code embedded in it . Even there are claim that songs of David's are in it. Yoruba tradition stand out among all because it doesn't preach violence but,preaches nearly the Old Testament tradition such as one supreme God , tolerance, peace and to be weary of evil people. And wage war once need arises. Encourages and guide people's thoughts and path to righteousness.

feelgoodInc:


it's not orthodox there's more of traditional worship than Judaism or Christianity.

Yoruba tradition picked up so many things from migration. But did not let go off their original identity. Coming to your argument, what is been practice in Yoruba were also practice in Hebrew land before they were sent packing to every corner of the world. Go and do your study on things like, ancestors worship by the Hebrew or Canaan, worship of water goddess, celebration of new moon, worship of good plantations and harvest etc. Yoruba people are no where older than Abraham's religion. Abraham founded it and they are largely his descendants. People joined among the Yorubas and history keep records of it. Even if Yoruba are defeated, they hold on to their identity because they have a SPIRIT IN THEM THAT NATURALLY make them feel,they ARE DIVINE HUMAN BEINGS. IT IS ONLY Descendants of ISRAEL'S that have that in the HISTORY OF THE WHOLE WORLD. IT IS A JOKE FOR ANYONE TO CLAIM MY OWN HISTORY STARTED FROM ILE IFE. No radio carbon shows it. And my own father's history in Yoruba land acknowledge one Almighty God and that God has no known IMAGE BUT IS DESCRIBED AS ANCIENT OF DAYS WITH GRAY HAIR ,POWERFUL AND SUPREME. THIS IS THE SAME DESCRIPTION WITH ISRAEL'S GOD .


The attach Bronze Art similar to Yoruba are found in MIDDLE EAST. NO PART OF SUB SAHARA AFRICA HAVE SIMILAR ART EITHER BEADS PRODUCTION OR BRONZE SCULPTURE. ETHIOPIA DIDN'T EVEN HAVE THIS KIND OF BRONZE OR TERRACOTTA. Compare these three BRONZE ; TWO ARE YORUBA'S AND ONE BABYLONIAN'S

Olu317:
Yoruba tradition picked up so many things from migration. But did not let go off their original identity. Coming to your argument, what is been practice in Yoruba were also practice in Hebrew land before they were sent packing to every corner of the world. Go and do your study on things like, ancestors worship by the Hebrew or Canaan, worship of water goddess, celebration of new moon, worship of good plantations and harvest etc. Yoruba people are no where older than Abraham's religion. Abraham founded it and they are largely his descendants. People joined among the Yorubas and history keep records of it. Even if Yoruba are defeated, they hold on to their identity because they have a SPIRIT IN THEM THAT NATURALLY make them feel,they ARE DIVINE HUMAN BEINGS. IT IS ONLY Descendants of ISRAEL'S that have that in the HISTORY OF THE WHOLE WORLD. IT IS A JOKE FOR ANYONE TO CLAIM MY OWN HISTORY IS STARTED FROM ILE IFE. No radio carbon shows it. And my own father's history in Yoruba land acknowledge one Almighty God and that God has no known IMAGE BUT IS DESCRIBED AS ANCIENT OF DAYS WITH GRAY HAIR ,POWERFUL AND SUPREME. THIS IS THE SAME DESCRIPTION WITH ISRAEL'S GOD .

are you sure you're in Nigeria, because I know the Yoruba history, so what are you saying?

9jakool:

Hati13, please you have to hear me out here. There is no such thing as "Yoruba Judaism." As for your question, you will hardly find a Yoruba person practicing Judaism. You would come across more Atheists than you will ever come accross Jews. Most of the so-called "Nigerian Jews" are from the Igbo ethnicity. In fact, many Yoruba don't take the Igbo jews seriously. Yorubas see it as claiming something. The Yoruba kingly lineage is from a legendary figure known as Oduduwa, not Judah or David or something like that. Also, Arnold Ford is not Yoruba, he's from the country of Barbados.

Yorubas do not claim Jewish ancestry. Any mentioning of Isreal or Judaism is not found in the literary corpus called Ifa.
Yorubas are African to the core!

Thanks wenedem

It's confusing, because there are others who say the opposite. But I should take your words.

Hati13:
Ethiopian here

The Ethiopian Jews(Falashas) had been recognized by Israel Jews and most of them live in Israel nowadays. Some of them also live in USA and here in northern Ethiopia. Most of Ethiopian Jews looks like us, but we aren't Jewish. I believe most of them to be Judaism convert Agew people. There are also Christian Agews and few Muslim Agews in northern Ethiopia.

There is no such thing as Jewish ethnic group, so if Nigerian Jews practice Judaism and it's culture, why aren't they be recognized like their fellow Ethiopian Jews?

What is Nigerian Jew, what would he look or be like?

Olu317:
Yoruba tradition picked up so many things from migration. But did not let go off their original identity. Coming to your argument, what is been practice in Yoruba were also practice in Hebrew land before they were sent packing to every corner of the world. Go and do your study on things like, ancestors worship by the Hebrew or Canaan, worship of water goddess, celebration of new moon, worship of good plantations and harvest etc. Yoruba people are no where older than Abraham's religion. Abraham founded it and they are largely his descendants. People joined among the Yorubas and history keep records of it. Even if Yoruba are defeated, they hold on to their identity because they have a SPIRIT IN THEM THAT NATURALLY make them feel,they ARE DIVINE HUMAN BEINGS. IT IS ONLY Descendants of ISRAEL'S that have that in the HISTORY OF THE WHOLE WORLD. IT IS A JOKE FOR ANYONE TO CLAIM MY OWN HISTORY IS STARTED FROM ILE IFE. No radio carbon shows it. And my own father's history in Yoruba land acknowledge one Almighty God and that God has no known IMAGE BUT IS DESCRIBED AS ANCIENT OF DAYS WITH GRAY HAIR ,POWERFUL AND SUPREME. THIS IS THE SAME DESCRIPTION WITH ISRAEL'S GOD .

are you sure you're in Nigeria, because I know the Yoruba history, so what are you saying? the people of South south and south east claim to come from Israel, this is what their parents tell everybody. you think it's a joke until one day when your kids ask you, all you're left with is to tell them what your parent told you. I know the Yoruba tradition, I've stayed there, it's more diabolic than you think, even the Christian's there don't practice Christianity, instead is more of traditional and doing assignment and assignment, the people who practice Christianity are few but they still lay claim of their roots, the problem is there's untrustworthiness in the yorubas, 70% of them are Muslims but the northerners don't believe them, 30% are Christian's but the Southerners don't believe them and 10% out of the 30% Christian's are hardcore traditionalists. I think it's just trust issues affecting us that's just it.

Olu317:
You seems not to get the drift. Saladin existed around 11th century. I emphasise on migration at different period. And pinned down the major last onslaught carried out in ancient Egypt when Islam conquered Egypt and North Africa environment. This was the period when people migrated in droves toward the Savannah region.
Yes, Like I had said, the Yoruba religion has gone through a lot name changing which has been through migration and partly because of language development. However, the IFA religion can be known and practice by any one. IFA religion is practice by using sixteen palm nut or strings of beads like rosary in such a way to interpret 4,096 stories that the priest must have memorised. And once anyone seek interpretation to any problems ,the priest interpret through any of 4,096 stories. The Yoruba tradition IFA tradition is enshrined in ritualism in the manner likened to many groups in the world but has semblance more with HEBREWS. Take for instance, the Supreme head priest of IFA in the world is known as “ARABA"—RABBI(HEBREW PRIEST). Do any group in the whole of Africa that claimed Israel bears such, even Falasas?
Yoruba believe that their version of worship is superior to all and by so doing, no one is willing to leave it. This only attest to the fact that YORUBA ARE MORE DEEPER IN THE ABRAHAMIC RELIGION than the rest . And IFA tradition, has been identified to have binary code embedded in it . Even there are claim that songs of David's are in it. Yoruba tradition stand out among all because it doesn't preach violence but,preaches nearly the Old Testament tradition such as one supreme God , tolerance, peace and to be weary of evil people. And wage war once need arises. Encourages and guide people's thoughts and path to righteousness.

Thanks

BabaRamota1980:


What is Nigerian Jew, what would he look or be like?

The so called Yoruba and Igbo Jews. I don't know much about them, maybe @Oli317 can explain it to you better.

9jakool:

Hati13, please you have to hear me out here. There is no such thing as "Yoruba Judaism." As for your question, you will hardly find a Yoruba person practicing Judaism. You would come across more Atheists than you will ever come accross Jews. Most of the so-called "Nigerian Jews" are from the Igbo ethnicity. In fact, many Yoruba don't take the Igbo jews seriously. Yorubas see it as claiming something. The Yoruba kingly lineage is from a legendary figure known as Oduduwa, not Judah or David or something like that. Also, Arnold Ford is not Yoruba, he's from the country of Barbados.

Yorubas do not claim Jewish ancestry. Any mentioning of Isreal or Judaism is not found in the literary corpus called Ifa.
Yorubas are African to the core!

Yorubas are not claiming to be Jews.
However, can you explain what Eternal knots (Solomon knots) design is doing on Aare Crown of Ooni, the 8-day-naming ceremony and circumcision, the twins' story of the last one becoming the Elder, and Yorubas' unexplainable resilience, tactics, priesthood and blessings in land, culture, wealth, etc?

feelgoodInc:


are you sure you're in Nigeria, because I know the Yoruba history, so what are you saying? the people of South south and south east claim to come from Israel, this is what their parents tell everybody. you think it's a joke until one day when your kids ask you, all you're left with is to tell them what your parent told you. I know the Yoruba tradition, I've stayed there, it's more diabolic than you think, even the Christian's there don't practice Christianity, instead is more of traditional and doing assignment and assignment, the people who practice Christianity are few but they still lay claim of their roots, the problem is there's untrustworthiness in the yorubas, 70% of them are Muslims but the northerners don't believe them, 30% are Christian's but the Southerners don't believe them and 10% out of the 30% Christian's are hardcore traditionalists. I think it's just trust issues affecting us that's just it.

YOU DON'T KNOW MY HISTORY DEAR. IT IS EVEN AN INSULT ON MY ETHNICITY WITH YOUR COINED WORD OF DIABOLISM. You don't know my history. And stop peddling this unfathomable lies. ARE YOU SAYING ISRAELITE DIDN'T DO EXACTLY THE SAME THING YORUBA DID or You still find few do? The only outstanding GROUP THAT HAD BEEN RESEARCHED IN THE WHOLE OF SUB SAHARAN AFRICA IS YORUBA by White Researchers. Where did you get your own information ? people can claim Israelites. Even our ancient names like ISERI(ISRAEL), ODU'A(JUDUA), ATAPA(ATAKPA–MEMPHIS), ILE IFE(NINEVEH) bears similarity. Were the Israelites not diabolical, when they used human as sacrifice? or when people see them spill blood on Ram's horn to defeat their enemies? Unlike some of the other tribes, YORUBA DON'T WORSHIP HORN but use it to conjure like the Hebrews.....

Hati13:

The so called Yoruba and Igbo Jews. I don't know much about them, maybe @Oli317 can explain it to you better.

So why not say Ibo Jew, instead of Nigerian Jew?

Yoruba is not Jew. We have our own spiritualism and it predated judaism.

BabaRamota1980:


So why not say Ibo Jew, instead of Nigerian Jew?

Yoruba is not Jew. We have our own spiritualism and it predated judaism.

I thought Yorubas and Igbos only claim to be Jews in Nigeria. Now, I know Ibo also claim to be Jews.

It's confusing, because your fellow Yoruba @Olu317 is saying they are Jews.

hornyofife:


you are a goat. The claim of being jew has been there even before our great grand fathers, to whom it was passed down to them orally. The igbos are Hebrews, and their religion before the white men came was Judaism. Even the white missionaries acknowledge it in the documentations about the igbos when they came in 1845. in fact it was the Portuguese merchants who have first had contact with the igbos that first observe that we have connection with the biblical hebrews.That is why the first five books in the bible is a reflection of the igbo ancient culture and religion.

Again Go and read about Eri in genesis and exodus. Eri is still existing till today in Anambra, which is where igbos claim to from and ErI is one of the sons of Gad, also dont forget that eri is the oldest kingdom in Nigeria dating back to the 9th century

also have you asked yourself why hebrew sounds like igbo.. it started from hebrew to Heebo to Ebo to Ibo to now igbo. Hence the word igbo is a corruption of the biblical hebrew.

Again don't get it twisted the presented day Jews in Israel are not the real Jewish people, they are migrants from eastern Europe who conquered the black natives and settled there a long time ago and even in the Jewish torah which is equivalant to the christian bible described Jesus as a black man, that is why you still see the Egyptian Nubians are still black as it was in the days of Jesus, same as Ethiopian Jews.

I once asked my late grandmother where igbos came from, she specifically told me we came from Israel. whether that is true or not can be contested but what it means is that igbos for generations have always known they have connection with israel even before the white men came. . this is a woman who dead 15yrs ago at the age of 101yrs and obviously it must have been what her parents and grand parents told her too

Your father is a goat and your mother is a dog.
Eri Ko Area ni

Hati,
Without my explaining them, Im sure, as an Etheopean you know what rituals these are and can relate. Correct?

Hati13:

I thought Yorubas and Igbos only claim to be Jews in Nigeria. Now, I know Ibo also claim to be Jews.

It's confusing, because your fellow Yoruba @Olu317 is saying they are Jews.

Hebrew is different from Jew.
Olu never said Yoruba is Jew.

BabaRamota1980:
Hati,
Without my explaining them, Im sure, as an Etheopean you know what rituals these are and can relate. Correct?

Sorry, but I don't know them. Can you explain them?

BabaRamota1980:


Hebrew is different from Jew.
Olu never said Yoruba is Jew.

Really?
Go and check the definition of Hebrew and you will find that it means Ancient Israelis who practiced Judaism. The language of Ancient and modern Israelis was/is also called Hebrew.

And, he said Yorubas were/are Jews. He even said, they worship Orthodox Judaism among others. Read his comments very well.

Olu317:
YOU DON'T KNOW MY HISTORY DEAR. IT IS EVEN AN INSULT ON MY ETHNICITY WITH YOUR COINED WORD OF DIABOLISM. You don't know my history. And stop peddling this unfathomable lies. ARE YOU SAYING ISRAELITE DIDN'T DO EXACTLY THE SAME THING YORUBA DID or You still find few do? The only outstanding GROUP THAT HAD BEEN RESEARCHED IN THE WHOLE OF SUB SAHARAN AFRICA IS YORUBA by White Researchers. Where did you get your own information ? people can claim Israelites. Even our ancient names like ISERI(ISRAEL), ODU'A(JUDUA), ATAPA(ATAKPA–MEMPHIS), ILE IFE(NINEVEH) bears similarity. Were the Israelites not diabolical, when they used human as sacrifice? or when people see them spill blood on Ram's horn to defeat their enemies? Unlike some of the other tribes, YORUBA DON'T WORSHIP HORN but use it to conjure like the Hebrews.....

you know oduduwa fell from the sky, every Yoruba man knows that, but some of them has decided to say it was from the hills which is a lie, and in the Bible do you know the demon that fell from the sky? Please don't quote me, you use only four words to claim that you are Jewish meanwhile Nineveh wasn't even Jewish so that's how many let me count.

Hati13:

Really?
Go and check the definition of Hebrew and you will find that it means Ancient Israelis who practiced Judaism. The language of Ancient and modern Israelis was/is also called Hebrew.

And, he said Yorubas were/are Jews. He even said, they worship Orthodox Judaism among others. Read his comments very well.

JEWS WAS A RELATIVELY MODERN TERM AFTER THE CONQUEST OF NORTHERN ISRAELITE. AND AFTER THAT THEY BEGUN TO CLASSIFY THEMSELVES WITH THE NAME JEWS. THE HOUSE OF DAVID RECOGNISED ISRAEL. IF YOU SEE MY CLASSIFICATION, IT WAS DUE TO THE MODERN USAGE OF IT. BUT I EMPHASISE MORE ON HEBREWS OR ISRAELITES IDENTITY.


I hope I have clarified it.

feelgoodInc:


you know oduduwa fell from the sky, every Yoruba man knows that, but some of them has decided to say it was from the hills which is a lie, and in the Bible do you know the demon that fell from the sky? Please don't quote me, you use only four words to claim that you are Jewish meanwhile Nineveh wasn't even Jewish so that's how many let me count.

My friend, I pointed at the names to make see the location that Yoruba had knowledge on. And those names were probably a replica .These were on theory. Stop these unethical opinion. Go and feed yourself with books written by Western scholars written about world history and people's identity. It seem you haven't read books at all. I posted pictures of three BRONZE SCULPTURE that's different from the whole of Western Africa, even ancient Ethiopia doesn't have anything close to IT but Middle East or Mediterranean Arts etc . And you have hatred towards the Bitter truth. Let me hit you more with the truth.. THE ANCIENT ISRAEL ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT SAID THEY WERE FROM GOD AND THEIR FATHER IS GOD. What is the difference between Yoruba and Israelites claim? Lastly, I am a descendant of ODUA.... NOW YOU SEE THE BITTER TRUTH.... AND MY PANEGYRIC SAYS “I AM FROM ABOVE "...The theory of descended from the sky isn't only Yoruba theory, so don't get biased because we don't need to claim it as some people need unnecessary attention BUT THE RESEARCHERS POINT IT FROM OUR TRADITION AND HISTORY ACCOUNT.....





LIVE WITH IT.....

feelgoodInc:


you know oduduwa fell from the sky, every Yoruba man knows that, but some of them has decided to say it was from the hills which is a lie, and in the Bible do you know the demon that fell from the sky? Please don't quote me, you use only four words to claim that you are Jewish meanwhile Nineveh wasn't even Jewish so that's how many let me count.

My friend, I pointed at the names to make see the location that Yoruba had knowledge on. And those names were probably a replica .These were on theory. Stop these unethical opinion. Go and feed yourself with books written by Western scholars written about world history and people's identity. It seem you haven't read books at all. I posted pictures of three BRONZE SCULPTURE that's different from the whole of Western Africa, even ancient Ethiopia doesn't have anything close to IT but Middle East or Mediterranean Arts etc . And you have hatred towards the Bitter truth. Let me hit you more with the truth.. THE ANCIENT ISRAEL ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT SAID THEY WERE FROM GOD AND THEIR FATHER IS GOD. What is the difference between Yoruba and Israelites claim? Lastly, I am a descendant of ODUA.... NOW YOU SEE THE BITTER TRUTH.... AND MY PANEGYRIC SAYS “I AM FROM ABOVE "...The theory of descended from the sky isn't only Yoruba theory, so don't get biased because we don't need to claim it as some people need unnecessary attention BUT THE RESEARCHERS POINT IT FROM OUR TRADITION AND HISTORY ACCOUNT.....

If you want to know Yoruba history, visit a Yoruba well educated priest and hear stories about their IFA'S STORIES THAT MENTIONED THINGS THAT HAPPENED IN THE PAST IN MIDDLE EAST.

YORUBA IS THE ONLY GROUP THAT USES SOLOMON KNOT AS INSCRIBED ON KINGS ATTIRE, ROYALTIES...etc


Where are you from?

lx3as:


Yorubas are not claiming to be Jews.
However, can you explain what Eternal knots (Solomon knots) design is doing on Aare Crown of Ooni, the 8-day-naming ceremony and circumcision, the twins' story of the last one becoming the Elder, and Yorubas' unexplainable resilience, tactics, priesthood and blessings in land, culture, wealth, etc?

Eternal knot is used in cultures around he world from China to ancient Ireland. It's not unique.
Actually before modern time, circumcision in Yorubaland had variations, a lot of the time it was done weeks or months after, Also, unlike in Judaism, Yoruba male and female traditionally go through circumcision, the only exception is the Ijebus. In Judaism, only the male goes through circumcision as the woman is considered "pure" from birth. I sure hope you are not trying to establish a pseudo theory to form some sort of link.

Zopheriel:
The reason Ethiopic Jews were recognized but not "Nigerian Jews" is simply because Ethiopic Jews did not lose their identity, they still had the Torah and observed it in quite much detail that it was very clear that they were of Jewish descent. Nigerian Jews on the other hand - the Igbos as the example here, didn't have a Torah, nor did they preserve the religion of the Jewish Torah, they had first assimilated into the African population and worship system and later embraced Christianity. So for all intent and purposes Ethiopian Jews remained Jews till they were accepted by Israelis, Nigerian Jews on the other hand had abandoned the practice of Judaism, and are only re-adopting it in recent times.

Well said.

9jakool:

Eternal knot is used in cultures around he world from China to ancient Ireland. It's not unique.
Actually before modern time, circumcision in Yoruba land had variations, a lot of the time it was done weeks or months after, Also, unlike in Judaism, Yoruba male and female traditionally go through circumcision, the only exception is the Ijebus. In Judaism, only the male goes through circumcision as the woman is considered "pure" from birth. I sure hope you are not trying to establish a pseudo theory to form some sort of link.

I do like your take on this but I guess you have not done the study very well on knot. The eternal knot is connected to different culture and religion with different part of the world and with its meaning. But it is only in Yoruba the KNOT is connected to ROYALTIES..... Can you explain the reason? Considering the position ascribed to SOLOMON. Then on circumcisions, I disagree with you because it is important to emphasize here that Yoruba circumcisions is originally 7 days/8 days /9 days respectively. Truly Some part in Yoruba land do a lot of females mutilation but not all Yoruba do it. It is not only Ijebus. Even among some Yoruba people in part of Ekiti,Kwara, Akoko too. Not all Yoruba do mutilation. And those that did it was as result of diversion from the tradition. Study carried out showed that it was to discourage females from promiscuity that led to such practices. There is no where in the history of Yoruba that children circumcisions were originally older than seven (7) , eight ( days and nine (9) days . The first 7 and 8 days are some times used for female, while 8 days is specifically for male child and 9 days is twin etc naming ceremonies . The Yoruba tradition on circumcision is interwoven with cleansing. So do more research on this because all these information aren't sixty (60) years old research but ancient. The Yoruba identity on circumcisions is different from many groups in Africa. Apart from Ibos, whose circumcisions is a bit close to Yorubas. It's only on complication or IFA consultations that could hinder naming ceremony cum circumcision if such arise but naturally, it was within a week after bbirth.
If you think, some of us are attaching sentiment to Hebrews, then, isn't it right for you to verify the semblance and compare? Then dispel it if you have evidence against someone like me who and others that have knowledge on this information. The Bible is the oldest book with written spans of 1,600 years before its completion. No written book match the Bible in terms of its accuracy on prediction of events that took place 100+ of years after many prophesies . It is the Hebrews that there were mentioned with record of twin birth, how do Yoruba have the highest rate of twins in the world? May be you have a defence on it. I posted the ritual worshipping of Olodumare/Olorun/Eleda/Eledua on here and compare it with fowl sacrificing with Hebrews of old?

If you do have information contrary kindly show on the forum.

Hati,

There are big differences between the Igbo claim to Jewishness and the Falasha claim to Jewishness. (Forgive my use of 'Falasha'; I understand it may be considered derogatory.)

The Falashas practise Judaism; Judaism has been their religion for many centuries. Culturally they are steeped in Jewishness.

Igbos on the other hand are a predominantly Christian people, a religion they embraced scarcely a hundred years ago. Before that they were all animists. Igbos who practise Judaism are an insignificant minority, and they only started converting to Judaism like a generation ago.

You are correct that Jewishness is not a genetically-united group, but largely a community of descendants of converted peoples. But Igbo, in my opinion, do not have the long history of being Jewish, are not culturally steeped in Jewishness and do not have nearly enough Judaism-practising people or self-identifying Jews to be acknowledged as Jews the way the Falashas are.

RedboneSmith:
Hati,

There are big differences between the Igbo claim to Jewishness and the Falasha claim to Jewishness. (Forgive my use of 'Falasha'; I understand it may be considered derogatory.)

The Falashas practise Judaism; Judaism has been their religion for many centuries. Culturally they are steeped in Jewishness.

Igbos on the other hand are a predominantly Christian people, a religion they embraced scarcely a hundred years ago. Before that they were all animists. Igbos who practise Judaism are an insignificant minority, and they only started converting to Judaism like a generation ago.

You are correct that Jewishness is not a genetically-united group, but largely a community of descendants of converted peoples. But Igbo, in my opinion, do not have the long history of being Jewish, are not culturally steeped in Jewishness and do not have nearly enough Judaism-practising people or self-identifying Jews to be acknowledged as Jews the way the Falashas are.

Thanks! Great reasoning and explanation.

No problem to use the word Falashas(even if it's means outsiders). We mostly call them by that and recently, they're also been identified as Bete-Israel(house of Israel).

TheShopKeeper:
Learning new things everyday...

Of course, we are all learning new things everyday and I am sure you have done a little research on some of these contentious issues. Perhaps, you want to share some sacrifices known to you within your lineage which researchers didn't come across...

9jakool:

Hati13, please you have to hear me out here. There is no such thing as "Yoruba Judaism." As for your question, you will hardly find a Yoruba person practicing Judaism. You would come across more Atheists than you will ever come accross Jews. Most of the so-called "Nigerian Jews" are from the Igbo ethnicity. In fact, many Yoruba don't take the Igbo jews seriously. Yorubas see it as claiming something. The Yoruba kingly lineage is from a legendary figure known as Oduduwa, not Judah or David or something like that. Also, Arnold Ford is not Yoruba, he's from the country of Barbados.

Yorubas do not claim Jewish ancestry. Any mentioning of Isreal or Judaism is not found in the literary corpus called Ifa.
Yorubas are African to the core!

it seems you are not a researcher but inferring your opinion. If you are so sure of your own Yoruba historical identity, kindly do me the honour. And Which of the Yoruba lineage do you belong? I am interested in reading about your personal identity, since you claim your information is based on your findings . BE INFORMED THAT I AM REFERRING SPECIFICALLY ABOUT MY OWN LINEAGE WHICH IS ORANMIYAN( Adimula Descendant) SO, DON'T EVER CLAIM WHAT YOU HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE ON. If you don't have information on an issue, kindly do your research and put it forward because your condemnation without evidences is perpetually UNINFORMATIVE.

Below do I attached partial information to nullify your view as it regard Barbados and other evidences for you to LEARN about MY ODUDUA DESCENDANTS AND ANIMAL ASSOCIATED WITH THEM; RAM and HIPPOPOTAMUS...

I AM NOT ONE OF THOSE THAT LEARNED THIS VIA RESEARCH ; GET IT TO YOUR HEART HENCE, THAT I, OLU317 HAD WHITE RAM WITH NO BLEMISH KILLED FOR ME BY MY FATHER AS A SACRIFICE WHEN I WAS A YOUNG ADOLESCENT.
AND AGAIN MANY YORUBA DESCENDANTS KILL WHITE RAM TO DO REMEMBRANCE FOR THEIR ANCESTORS......

Hati13:

Thanks wenedem

It's confusing, because there are others who say the opposite. But I should take your words.

Don't be easily deceived. Tell @9jakool to upload information, where Yoruba ANCIENT WOMEN dresses look exactly like WEST AFRICA and ask him why Yoruba built houses like the NORTHERN AFRICA,and why is Yoruba ancient houses aren't built like West Africa houses . IF HE CAN'T PROVIDE YOU WITH SUCH EVIDENCES, THEN DON'T BELIEVE HIM ON THIS ISSUES AT HAND. So he can NULLIFY THE SCREEN SHOT, WITH THE INFORMATION ON YORUBA IN THE ANCIENT TIMES. However, I will advise you do a careful study about Yoruba people, so that you will understand more about YORUBA identity. Yoruba aren't atheists. If you believe such, then at Your OWN PERIL. YORUBA land and people are hospitable and are merry makers. Fun to be with and always willing to accommodate. Then to the issue at hand here is another Rabbi Mathews, a colleague of Arnold Ford.. This Rabbi Matthew, specifically mentioned that he was an ETHIOPIAN JEWS BUT HIS WAS BASED IN LAGOS. Perhaps you can start believing what ARNOLD FORD SAID ABOUT HIS LINEAGE. There are very few element of Yoruba that don't believe they came from Middle East. And these few elements are probably the ones YORUBA ABSORBED INTO THEIR MIDST.

Olu317:
Don't be easily deceived. Tell @9jakool to upload information, where Yoruba ANCIENT WOMEN dresses look exactly like WEST AFRICA and ask him why Yoruba built houses like the NORTHERN AFRICA,and why is Yoruba ancient houses aren't built like West Africa houses . IF HE CAN'T PROVIDE YOU WITH SUCH EVIDENCES, THEN DON'T BELIEVE HIM ON THIS ISSUES AT HAND. So he can NULLIFY THE SCREEN SHOT, WITH THE INFORMATION ON YORUBA IN THE ANCIENT TIMES. However, I will advise you do a careful study about Yoruba people, so that you will understand more about YORUBA identity. Yoruba aren't atheists. If you believe such, then at Your OWN PERIL. YORUBA land and people are hospitable and are merry makers. Fun to be with and always willing to accommodate. Then to the issue at hand here is another Rabbi Mathews, a colleague of Arnold Ford.. This Rabbi Matthew, specifically mentioned that he was an ETHIOPIAN JEWS BUT HIS WAS BASED IN LAGOS. Perhaps you can start believing what ARNOLD FORD SAID ABOUT HIS LINEAGE. There are very few element of Yoruba that don't believe they came from Middle East. And these few elements are probably the ones YORUBA ABSORBED INTO THEIR MIDST.

Look Brother, it's not just 9jakool, but other Yorubas had said they have no link with Ancient Hebrews.

Ok let just assume Yorubas have Hebrew bloodline, but large percentage of their DNA is Bantu. Which means they are more west African than Hebrew. So they are Bantu African. Take Habesha people of Ethiopia and Eritrea for example, they have some percentage of Semite ancestor, but they are majority Cushite, so they are Cushite African.

Thanks for the explanation again.

Zopheriel:
Arnold' s biography says his father was a Yoruba man and it was from his family's oral traditions that he learnt that they were from ancient priestly family of Israel.

It's with disdain I see people when they criticise other people's information on an international forum without genuineness but based on self presumption. I have given name of another man, who categorically mentioned it again, that he is from Ethiopian Jews but was born in Lagos and his father was a shoe cobbler in during late 19th century in Lagos. Help me tell my brother to counter such bitter truth too.