Ife (Yoruba: Ifè, also Ilé-Ifẹ̀) is an ancient city in south-western Nigeria. Evidence of habitation at the site has been discovered to date back to as early as 600 BCE. It is located in the present day Osun State. The meaning of the word “ife” in Yoruba is “expansion” and “Ile-Ife”  is a reference to the myth of origin “The Land of Expansion”. Due to the Ife’s origin it is commonly regarded as the cradle of not just the Yoruba culture, but all of humanity. The Oòni (or king) of Ife  is counted first among the Yoruba kings as well as the chief priest and custodian of the holy city of the Yoruba.