TOWARDS A RECONSTRUCTION OF YORUBA CULTURE

Abstract

This paper discusses the signifi cance of toponymy in historical and archaeological reconstructions especially as it relates to the culture history of Yorubaland. Drawing case studies from two extreme areas of the region; Igbominaland and Badagry coastal area, it is observed that toponymy provides useful information which is relevant as sources for many aspects of the culture history and archaeology of the region. It is concluded that, even though the hints provided by toponymy are of very high reliability, they however need to be corroborated by oral, historical, and archaeological sources.