According to the First Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of Benin in Ottawa, the Yoruba who live in the Republic of Benin speak the same language and observe the same traditional practices as the Yoruba of Nigeria (20 May 2003). The Counsellor stated that although the older generation of the Yoruba in Benin (45 years of age and over) wear tribal marks, this practice is disappearing among the younger generation "because of modernity and the awareness-raising campaigns of civil society and human rights activists" (20 May 2003). The Counsellor said, however, that currently, there is no law in the Republic of Benin prohibiting the practice of facial scarification. He stated that non-Christian Yoruba families mostly animists and Muslims still wear facial marks. He opined that a person who refuses to be marked will face ostracism, threats and harassment from members of his or her family (20 May 2003).

A Minister Counsellor for Economics in the High Commission of Nigeria in Ottawa stated that the Yoruba of the Republic of Benin fall into two groups: the Ajase and the Egun (20 May 2003). He stated that the Yoruba of the Benin Republic speak a dialect of Yoruba that is different from but intelligible to the Yoruba of Nigeria. He explained that generally, facial marks are made when a child is still small, but with the advent of "Christianity and modernity," a lot of parents are refusing to have their children marked. The Minister Counsellor was not aware of consequences of refusing to be marked (20 May 2003).

For information on the facial marks of the Yoruba and their significance please consult NGA40265.E of 10 October 2002 and the attached document.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Benin. 20 May 2003. Embassy of the Republic of Benin.Telephone interview with Counsellor.

Nigeria. 20 May 2003. High Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Telephone interview with Minister Counsellor for Economics.

Johnson, Rev. Samuel.1960. The History of the Yorubas. Lagos: C.M.S. (Nigeria) Bookshops.

Centre for Law Enforcement Education (CLEEN), Lagos, Nigeria.

The Europa World Year Book 2002

Encyclopedia of the Third World
Ethnologue:

Languages of the World

The High Commission for the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ottawa.

Women's Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON)

York/UNESCO Nigerian Hinterland Project

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