History of Africa usually governed by an "oba" and an "iwarefa", a council of chiefs who advised the "oba." by the 18th century, the Yoruba city-states formed a loose confederation, with the "Oni" of Ife as the head and Ife as the capital. As time went on, the individual city-states became more powerful with their "obas" assuming more powerful spiritual positions and diluting the authority of the "Oni" of Ife. Rivalry became intense among the city-states. The Oyo Empire rose in the 16th century. The Oyo state had been conquered in 1550 by the kingdom of Nupe, which was in possession of cavalry,
History of the Yoruba people farm work. The men grow foods such as corn, yams, staples, nuts, and cocoa which is a major cash crop. Men were also traders and craftsmen as well. Women did less work on the farms and their status on what they did depending on their husband's status. The people practice a multiple of cultural skills that are useful in life which are pottery, beadwork, weaving, metalwork, and mask making. The Yoruba were known for their sculptors, beautiful clothing designs and patterns, and their food. Some of these foods included are moin-moin ( steamed bean pudding), ila asepo (okra soup), and