Yoruba Beliefs and Oral Health: Exploring the Spiritual and Cultural Significance of the Mouth in Indigenous Healthcare Practices

Illustrative Image: Yoruba Beliefs and Oral Health: Exploring the Spiritual and Cultural Significance of the Mouth in Indigenous Healthcare Practices
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A recent study by Alabi, T. O. (2024) titled “Mouth matters: Exploring the intersection of Yoruba cultural beliefs, metaphysical significance, and oral health practices” published in African Anthropologist, reveals that among the Yoruba, the mouth is not merely a biological organ but a spiritually potent entity intertwined with cultural identity, destiny, and oral health practices

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The Yoruba view the mouth as a sacred, spiritual organ, shaping oral health practices through deep cultural, symbolic, and metaphysical beliefs.
– Alabi, T. O. 2024

This study delves into how Yoruba cultural beliefs—particularly metaphysical and spiritual perspectives—influence oral health behaviors and practices. Drawing on both field data and literature, the research uncovers how the Yoruba people perceive the mouth as more than a biological organ. It is also a sacred vessel tied to speech, identity, destiny, and communal values. At the core of Yoruba thought is a concept of tripartite personhood, which defines the human being as comprising Ara (body), Emi (life force), and Ori (head or spiritual consciousness). This framework informs perceptions of health and illness, shaping how oral health is understood and managed within the culture. The metaphysical status of the mouth is central to this worldview. In Yoruba belief, the mouth possesses spiritual potency, capable of blessing, cursing, invoking, and sealing fate through spoken word. It serves both functional and symbolic purposes, and its care is often entwined with cultural rituals and spiritual responsibility.

Traditional oral hygiene practices—such as the use of chewing sticks (pako) and herbal remedies—reflect this metaphysical understanding. These practices are passed down generations not merely for their health benefits but for their symbolic and spiritual significance. Interestingly, Yoruba cultural expressions often emphasize aesthetic and symbolic value over biomedical considerations. Proverbs and sayings highlight the beauty of white teeth and the social implications of speech yet reveal gaps in modern oral health knowledge. Despite these gaps, the research identifies a strong foundation for culturally informed health interventions. The study advocates for aligning oral health education with Yoruba cultural narratives, using familiar metaphors and beliefs to foster behavior change. Rather than dismissing traditional views, it calls for respectful integration—merging ancestral wisdom with modern science to promote sustainable, community-based oral health outcomes.

How the Study was Conducted

The study employed a mixed-methods approach, integrating both fieldwork (primary data) and textual analysis (secondary data) to investigate Yoruba cultural beliefs surrounding the mouth and oral health. The fieldwork took place in Ile-Ife, a city revered as the spiritual and historical heartland of the Yoruba people. Data collection was conducted part-time over ten days, from October 18 to 28, 2023, between 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM daily. A total of 58 adult Yoruba speakers (aged 30 and above) participated in the study. They were selected based on their fluency in the Yoruba language and their willingness to contribute. The fieldwork was facilitated by a postgraduate Yoruba Language student, referred to as “Mr. T,” who possessed expertise in Yoruba oral traditions. Through this process, 163 Yoruba proverbs and maxims referencing the mouth, teeth, lips, gums, and tongue were collected.

After a rigorous data curation process, 71 duplicate expressions were removed, and 47 sayings were excluded due to their reference to animal or plant mouths or their irrelevance to human oral health. This resulted in a refined corpus of 24 items—16 proverbs and 8 maxims—that directly address Yoruba beliefs about the mouth. To explore the metaphysical and symbolic dimensions of these beliefs, four verses were also selected from Ijinle Ohun Enu Ifa (2006), a monograph by Wande Abimbola, which offers deep insights into the spiritual significance of body parts within the Ifa corpus. This textual analysis was complemented by academic literature, including relevant books and peer-reviewed journal articles, to provide a broader sociocultural and historical context.

The method of suspicion interpretation was employed to uncover latent meanings, cultural subtexts, and metaphysical beliefs embedded in the traditional language. This interpretive lens proved particularly valuable in analyzing the symbolic and spiritual connotations found within oral expressions and religious texts. No personal or demographic data were collected during the study. Oral informed consent was obtained from all participants, and no formal ethical approval was required due to the non-invasive and culturally respectful nature of the research.

What the Author Found

The study reveals that among the Yoruba, the mouth is not merely a biological organ but a spiritually potent entity intertwined with cultural identity, destiny, and oral health practices—highlighting the need for culturally informed healthcare approaches that align with indigenous beliefs rather than override them.

Why is this important

Bridging Culture and Healthcare: The study emphasizes that traditional Yoruba beliefs deeply shape oral health behaviors. Culturally sensitive approaches—rather than dismissive ones—can enhance the effectiveness and acceptance of healthcare interventions.

The Mouth as a Spiritual Power Center: Among the Yoruba, the mouth holds metaphysical significance as the source of àṣẹ (spiritual authority), not merely a biological organ. This belief can be harnessed to promote oral health in meaningful, resonant ways.

Traditional Practices vs. Biomedical Gaps: While cultural practices like chewing sticks support oral hygiene, some beliefs downplay dental diseases. This reveals a need—and opportunity—for health education that respects tradition while addressing biomedical realities.

Language, Belief, and Healing: Yoruba proverbs show that words are seen as powerful—capable of healing, cursing, or blessing. Public health messaging that reflects this worldview can better connect with and motivate local communities.

Filling a Global Research Gap: This study contributes to the underexplored field of African cultural influences on oral health and supports global calls for culturally competent, community-based healthcare strategies.

What the Author Recommended

• The author advocates designing oral health programs using Yoruba metaphors, proverbs, and traditional narratives. Align messages with community values—spiritual, aesthetic, and cultural—rather than relying solely on biomedical language.
• The study emphasizes partnership with respected figures such as traditional healers, elders, and spiritual leaders. Their cultural authority and trust can help bridge traditional beliefs and modern healthcare practices. Support the safe, evidence-based use of culturally accepted practices like chewing sticks and herbal remedies. Educate communities to differentiate between beneficial customs and potentially harmful ones.
• The author also advocates fostering collaboration across fields—anthropology, dentistry, and public health—to explore how cultural beliefs shape oral health behaviors in Nigeria and other contexts.
• In addition, use this analytical approach to decode symbolic meanings in oral traditions and religious texts. It helps uncover hidden cultural messages that influence health perceptions and practices.
• Furthermore, portray the mouth not just as a site of disease or hygiene, but as a powerful source of identity, beauty, speech, and spiritual energy. Celebrating its holistic significance can make health messages more resonant and effective.

In conclusion, Alabi’s study underscores the profound interconnection between culture, spirituality, and oral health within Yoruba society, revealing the mouth as a powerful symbol of identity, destiny, and sacred authority. By embracing these cultural dimensions rather than sidelining them, healthcare practitioners and policymakers can foster more inclusive, effective, and respectful oral health interventions. This culturally grounded approach not only enhances health outcomes but also affirms the value of indigenous knowledge systems in shaping sustainable, community-centered healthcare solutions.