We’re talking language loss, revival, and cultural pride with Jalil Anibaba and Oju, creator of Awujo. Hear how Yoruba speakers and learners in the diaspora are keeping the language alive through community, curiosity, and creativity.
This week on Japa Diaries, we’re talking about the journey of losing and reclaiming your native language, and all the emotions that come with it. Abimisola and Malik sit down with Jalil Anibaba, whose love for music sparked his curiosity about the Yoruba language, and Oju, creator of the Yoruba learning community Awujo.
We talk about the real-life challenges of preserving a native language in the diaspora, how platforms like Awujo are creating safe, fun spaces for learning, and why reconnecting with your roots is about so much more than vocabulary.
And of course we had to put our Yoruba to the test in a game made by Awujo (equal parts competitive and humbling). Listeners get 10% off the entire Awujo site (game, classes, events!) with code JAPA-AWUJO. ourawujo.com.
Whether you’re a language lover, part of the African diaspora, or simply curious about Yoruba culture, this conversation will inspire you to take your first (or next) step toward cultural rediscovery.
Keywords: Yoruba language, language revival, African diaspora, cultural roots, heritage preservation, language learning, Yoruba culture, Awujo, community initiatives, language loss
