Digitalisation of Yorùbá Culture in YouTube Children’s Performances

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The rapid advancement of digital technologies has transformed how cultures are preserved, communicated, and appreciated. In recent years, YouTube has emerged as a powerful platform for cultural dissemination, particularly among younger audiences. However, the digitalisation and aesthetics of the Yorùbá culture and language remain underexplored, especially in the context of content created by and for children on YouTube. Despite the richness and diversity of Yorùbá culture including its language, folklore, music, and visual arts, there is a significant gap in understanding how these cultural elements are being adapted and presented in the digital sphere. This is particularly critical for younger generations, who are increasingly consuming content online and may have limited access to traditional forms of cultural transmission. Thus, this study analysed the elements of Yorùbá culture, and assessed the fidelity and authenticity of Yorùbá cultural portrayals in the content created by YouTube children’s performances. The study employed functionalist theory and analysed two children’s performances. We found that YouTube Children’s performances adopt various storytelling techniques (folktale, proverbs, and idioms), music, dance, and visual elements to suit digital platforms. Both performances effectively engage contemporary audiences while maintaining the essence of Yorùbá culture. By addressing these objectives, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of how digital platforms can be utilised to preserve and promote cultural heritage, ensuring that younger generations remain connected to their roots in an increasingly digitalised world.