Ife

Ife (or Island-Ifè ) is an old city Yoruba located at the south-west of the Nigeria.

History

Archaeological research attests presence of population as of the VI {{E}} front century J. - C.

According to the Yoruba legend, Ife is the place where the creative divinities Odùduwà and Obàtálá began creation from the world, directed by the supreme god Olódùmarè. Obàtálá created the first human ones with ground, whereas Odùduwà became the first king of Yorubas. The Òòni (king) of Ife is claimed direct descendant of the Odùduwà god, and is most important of kings Yorubas.

With the VIII {{E}} and IX {{E}} century, Ife became a major artistic center, and remained an important city until the 12th century. The city remains universally famous for its antiques and naturalists sculptures out of bronze, stone or terra cotta, whose artistic expression reaches its apogee between the XII {{E}} and XIV {{E}} century. After this period the production declined whereas the political power and economic passed to the Royaume of Benign the close.

Economy

Ife is the economic center of an agricultural area where cultivate mainly the Igname, the Manioc, the Maïs, the Tabac and the Coton. This last being also with the source of an important industry of weaving of clothing.

Culture

Ife is the seat of the university Obafemi Awolowo and the museum of natural history of Nigeria . It remains an important spiritual center of the Yoruba people.

Example of bronze. Head of Oba characteristic of the production of the royal craftsmen of Ifé.

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