This paper examines the perception of beauty in Yoruba history and culture. The ancient Yorubas see beauty as a gift from God and believed that the individual whether male or female should try to improve him/herself. While various methods were used by Yoruba forefathers to enhance beauty for both men and women, the womenfolk were considered to be more in need of beautification.The various methods of personal beauty enhancement will be set out under different areas such as care of the hair, ears, neck, cheeks, buttocks, the body, feet and clothing. There is no part of the body that the Yoruba of old did not attempt to beautify. Of significance to this paper is the fact that Yorubas in modern times can still be traced to the following parts of Africa apart from modern day boundaries of Yorubaland: the Aswan area of Egypt, Southern Sudan, Ethiopia, Bornu Empire in Northern Nigeria and Daura near Kano also in Northern Nigeria. This discovery was made through the Yoruba custom of use of tribal cheek marks on their sons and daughters.Other highlights in this paper include the mode and type of ancient Yoruba clothing and ornamentation.The paper concludes by pointing out the fact that there was a high level of civilization among the Yorubas of old and that the advent of European civilization did not in any great manner increase the level of civilization except as it relates to the development of science and technology.

The importance of traditional and oral poetry in Yoruba culture has been studied. This traditional oral poetry is a stronghold of Yoruba cultural heritage. Being a functional art, the Yoruba traditional poetry is largely events based. Hence, such sub genres as Oriki-Orile, Ekun- Iyawo, Iremoje, Oku-pipe, Ofo, Igbala, Ege, Osare, Ijala, and Rara to mention but a few are identified with such ceremonies as marriage, naming, funeral and hunting.In this presentation, the features and importance of the orature will be examined. In view of the fact also that it is oral literature which is not written, it has nevertheless survived for ages in the unscripted form. Consequently its mode of transmission and the efforts of Yoruba authors in the development of Yoruba traditional oral poetry will also be looked into. In concluding, modern trends in the development of this art form will be set out highlighting efforts being made at the present time to incorporate this cultural attitude into the curriculum of Nigerian schools.