Half length side portrait of a Yoruba woman, turned slightly.

The Yoruba are a patrilineal ethnic group and as such women occupy a somewhat subordinate role in their everyday life. Traditionally Yoruba women are not involved in the agricultural side of food production but they play a central role in the market aspects of food. Emphasis is placed on marriage and the family as a unit. Being a polygamous society, once women are married they move to their husband's compound where their primary role is raising children, often living amongst other wives or sub-families.

Teacher, scientist and photographer Edward Harland Duckworth was recommended to the post of Inspector of Education in Nigeria in 1930 following the commendation of his teaching work in Cheltenham. During his time in Nigeria he taught science, developed teaching methods and was elected as editor of Nigeria Magazine, adding his own photographs to articles.