Africa facts 108: “Dutch sources have pointed out that the Oba (King) could mobilise 20,000 soldiers in a single day, and raise an army of 80,000 to 180,000 men.”
– Wysinger 2008
Photo: Ivory Oba hip mask British Museum
The Yoruba traditional calendar, called Kọ́jọ́dá, starts the new year on June 3rd and ends on June 2nd the following year. It’s a lunar calendar with a 4-day week (each day honoring different Orisa), 7 weeks in a month, and 13 months in a year—so their year is 364 days long. The months and weeks are deeply tied to farming cycles, moon phases, and religious rituals.The traditional Yoruba week has four days. The four days that are dedicated to the ...