The American word "dude" refers to a man (particularly a cool masculine man). It was popularized in California by Black cowboys during the western expansion in the early-mid 1800s. It derives from the Yoruba word "dudu" which means "Black." It was originally a term of endearment between Black males showing verbal recognition and respect for being Black.
Many of these Black cowboys were themselves of Yoruba origin, particularly from the Oyo Empire where there were many equestrians working in the calvary of the Alaafin (Emperor).
This painting is by Yoruba artist Oladejo Lawal. It is of traditional Nigerian equestrians. The best equestrians were in the calvary. When the Oyo Empire collapsed in the early 1800s, many Oyo calvarymen (along with Hausa) were captured by European infantry slaveraiders and brought to the Americas.
Many of these Oyo equestrians on the southeast USA's plantations, were able to steal a horse and escape to the Western USA. The enslaved who escaped but were not previously trained to ride horses well and in combat in Africa, usually did not make it far before being captured. Only the African equestrians who had already known calvary life survived the journey for freedom to the West Coast. These African equestrians united with each other in bands to protect their freedom, they were the first cowboys, the dudu (Black)...the dude.
Source
Ifa: Orisa Scientific Spirituality
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