In 1978, Chief Awolowo, the political leader of the Yoruba people in the 20th century, and our spiritual leader since then, wrote an anthem for the Yoruba people. His words cause hairs on the back of your neck to stand up and for you to beat your chest in pride.

Isẹ́ wà fún ilẹ̀ wa

Fún orilẹ ìbí wá

K'agbégá k'agbégá k'agbégá f'áyérí

Ìgbagbo wa ni wipé 

b'áati b'ẹ́rú lab'ọ́mọ

Káṣiṣẹ́ káṣiṣẹ́ káṣiṣẹ́ kájọlà

Ìsọ̀kan àt'òmìnira 

ni k'ẹ́ẹjẹ ká máa lépaa

'Tẹsiwáju ọ̀pọ̀ ire at'ohun tó dáraa

Ọmọ Odu'a dide 

bọ́sí ipò ẹ̀tọ́ rẹ

Iwọ́ ní, imọ́lẹ́ gbogbo adúláwọ̀.

I have translated Awolowo’s words into English for the benefit of Yoruba people worldwide especially for the descendants of enslaved Yoruba people who now domicile in the Diaspora particularly in Brazil, Caribbean and Cuba. Yorubaland will forever be your Homeland.

Our responsibility to our Homeland

To the land of our birth

Is to lift it up, for the world to see

It is our belief

That we birth the slave same as we birth the child

That we work work work to liberate us all

Unity of purpose and freedom

Are what we should strive for

To advance in abundance and in what is good

The child of Oduduwa

Assume the position that befits you

For you are the light for all the dark skinned peoples