Author(s)

P. S. O. Aremu, O. J. Ajiboye & B. Abiodun

Abstract

The definition of art and culture is wholly embedded in the traditional architecture of the Yoruba people of the south-western part of Nigeria. This paper therefore highlights the relevance of culture and the artistic norms of the Yoruba regarding their much cherished traditional architecture with special reference to the artistic elements (figures, symbols, patterns etc,) as used to meet the aesthetic and creative ingenuity of their architecture. African traditional architecture encompasses interpretation and adaptation of cultural emblems that relate to the communities where found. When discussing African architecture generally, we are indirectly referring to art and culture that should be considered as a part of a whole. This paper mainly focuses on the kings’ and chiefs’ palaces where most of these artistic and cultural values are clearly spelt. These traditional structures are best referred to as galleries of creativity, which are gradually turning into ruins. The palaces are the custodians of artifacts, which could as well be tourist centers and can also be used to establish and interpret cultural sequence and history of the people. Keywords: traditional architecture, African, cultural values, artistic element tourism, art, Yoruba people, artifacts. 1 Introduction A sense of life is the source of art says Rand in her book titled \“The Romantic Manifesto”. She further adds that the emotion involved in art is not an emotion in ordinary meaning of the term; it is experienced more as a \“Sense” or a \“feel”

Keywords

traditional architecture, African, cultural values, artistic element tourism, art, Yoruba people, artifacts