Vanessa Evers; 163; Yoruba Body Attitude in Communication

The Yoruba’s attitude toward the necessary balance between good and evil is the complete opposite of western cultural views. Further, although body language is a crucial form of communication in all cultures, it is clear that the Yoruba put far more emphasis on the importance of this type of communication.
The fact that parents train their children in appropriate ways to move their bodies and good stance exemplifies this difference. In the western world, dance and body movements and posture are considered separate talents or hobbies. If parents are interested in teaching their children to move creatively, they generally will encourage their daughters (not their sons) to take dance classes. The responsibility does not fall on the parents, and the culture of dance does not permeate day-to-day life. In fact, dance is seen as a compartmentalized special interest (similar to our notions the separation between good and evil). On the other hand, our society does emphasize athletic ability and physical competition. Although one could argue that there are aspects of playing sports that involve creative movement, this type of bodily engagement is generally thought to be much more linear, regulated, and goal-driven.
Similarly, the Yoruba approach to attractiveness is far more global than the western approach. According to the article, attractiveness in Yoruba culture is an amalgamation of outward physical appearance and inward beauty. Although western cultures ultimately acknowledge the difference and the interaction between these two types of attractiveness, we generally put much more emphasis on the superficial form.
Overall, the Yoruba focus on balance seems to lead to a much more integrated world perspective in terms of ideas about good and evil, body movement, and attractiveness than the western worldview.