Category Archives: Yoruba Proverbs

Discussing as many Yoruba proverbs as possible and relating them to day to day life…

“Gbogbo ohun tó ndán kọ́ ni Wúrà” – “Not all that glitters is Gold”

Wúrà jẹ ikan ninú ohun àlùmọ́ni iyebiye, pàtàki fún ohun ẹ̀ṣọ́. Ẹwà Wúrà ki hàn, titi di ìgbà ti wọn bá yọ gbogbo ẹ̀gbin rẹ̀ kúrò pẹ̀lú iná tó gbóná rara. Àwòrán ti ó wà ni ojú ewé yi fihàn pé bi Wúrà bá ti pọ̀ tó lára ohun ẹ̀sọ́ ló ṣe má wọn tó, ki ṣé bi ohun ẹ̀ṣọ́ bá ti dán tó tàbi tóbi. Fún àpẹrẹ, àwòrán ohun ẹ̀ṣọ́ Wúrà kini tóbi, ó si dán ju àwòrán ohun ẹ̀ṣọ́ Wúrà keji, ṣùgbọ́n ohun ẹ̀sọ́ Wúrà ninú aworan keji wọn ju ohun eso Wúrà kini ni ìlọ́po mẹwa. Ìyàtọ̀ ti ó wà ni Wúrà gidi àti àfarawé ni pé, Wúrà gidi ṣe é tà fún owó iyebiye lẹhin ti èniyàn ti lo o, kò lè bàjẹ, bi ó bá kán, ó ṣe túnṣe; ṣùgbọ́n àfarawé kò bá ara ẹlòmiràn mu, bi ó bá kán, kò ṣe é túnse; kò ki léwó.

: Wúra àfarawé – Imitation Gold or Costume Jewellery set. Courtesy: @theyorubablog

: Wúrà gidi – 18k Gold set. Courtesy: @theyorubablog

Gẹ́gẹ́bi òwe Yorùbá ti ó sọ pé “Gbogbo ohun tó ndán kọ́ ni Wúrà”, bẹni ki ṣe gbogbo èniyàn ti wọ̀n pè ni Olówó tàbi Ọlọ́rọ̀ ló tó bi àwọn èniyàn ti rò. Ọ̀pọ̀ irú àwọn wọnyi, jẹ igbèsè tàbi fi èrú kó ọrọ̀ jọ lati ṣe àṣe hàn, òmiràn ja olè, gbọ́mọgbọ́mọ àti onirúurú iṣẹ́ ibi yoku. Gbogbo ohun ti wọn fi ọ̀nà èrú kó jọ wọnyi kò tó nkankan lára ọrọ̀ ti ẹlòmiràn ti ó ni iwà-irẹ̀lẹ̀ ni. Fún àpẹrẹ, owó ti àwọn Òṣèlú àti Òṣiṣẹ́-Ìjọba ilẹ̀ Aláwọ̀-dúdú fi èrú kó jọ, ti wọn nkó wá si Òkè-òkun tàbi fi mú àwọn èniyàn wọn lẹ́rú, kò tó ọrọ̀ ti ọmọdé ti ó ni ẹ̀bun-Ọlọrun ni Òkè-òkun ni.

A lè fi òwe “Gbogbo ohun tó ndán kọ́ ni Wúrà” gba ẹnikẹ́ni ni iyànjú pé ki wọn ma ṣe àfarawé, tàbi kánjú lati kó ọrọ̀ jọ. Àfarawé léwu, nitori ki ṣe gbogbo ohun ti èniyàn ri ló mọ idi rẹ̀.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION Continue reading →

Originally posted 2014-09-30 22:55:23. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

“Ọ̀rẹ́ dani kò tó pọ́n, abínibí/ẹbi a má dani” – “It is not worth dwelling on a friend’s disappointment or deceit, as such do occur from siblings/family members”.

Leave a reply

Kò si ibi ti ẹ̀tàn tàbi ká dani kò ti lè wá. Ẹni ti ó bá ni iwà burúkú bi: ojúkòkòrò, ìlara àti ìmọ-tara-ẹni nikan, lè dani tàbi tan-nijẹ. Ọmọ lè tan bàbá tàbi ìyá, ìyá tàbi bàbá lè tan ọmọ, ọkọ lè da aya, ọmọ-ìyá tàbi ẹbi ẹni lè tan ni jẹ, tàbi dani, ṣùgbọ́n ọ̀pọ̀ ìgbà, èniyàn ki reti irú iwà yi lati ọ̀dọ̀ ọ̀rẹ́. Nitori ifi ọkàn tàn si ọ̀rẹ́, ìbànújẹ́ tàbi ẹ̀dùn ọkàn gidi ni fún èniyàn ti ọ̀rẹ́ bá da tàbi tàn jẹ.

Ọ̀rọ̀ Yorùbá sọ pé, “Ọ̀rẹ́ dani kò tó pọ́n, abínibí/ẹbi a má dani”. Òwe yi fihàn pé kò si ẹni ti kò lè dani tàbi tan ni jẹ, nitori “Àgbẹ́kẹ̀lé enia, asán ló jẹ́”. A lè fi òwe yi ṣe ìtùnú fún ẹni ti irònú bá nitori ọ̀rẹ́ da a, tàbi ti ó sọ ohun ribiribi nù nitori ẹ̀tàn ọ̀rẹ́.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Disappointment or deception can come from anyone or anywhere. Anyone with bad character such as: Greed, envy and selfishness, can disappoint or deceive others. Disappointment or deceit could come from children to parents, mother or father to children, husband to wife or vice versa, or from siblings or family members, but most times, people never expected such from friends. As a result of placing great confidence in a friend, it often causes sorrow or depression for people that are disappointed or deceived.

According to the Yoruba adage that said “It is not worth dwelling on a friend’s disappointment or deceit, as such do occur from siblings/family members”. This proverb showed that anyone could disappoint or deceive because “Trust/confidence in people is vanity”. The adage can be used to console or comfort those that are depressed as a result of friend’s disappointment or those who have incurred losses as a result of a friend’s deceit.

Originally posted 2014-10-28 19:45:27. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

ẸNITÍ ỌLỌRU KÒ DÙN NÍNÚ TÓ NLA ṢÚGÀ, JẸ̀DÍJẸ̀DÍ LÓ MA PÁ: WHOEVER GOD HAS NOT MADE GLAD THAT IS LICKING SUGAR WILL DIE OF PILE”

Leave a reply

Yorùbá ní “Ẹnití Ọlọrun kò dùn nínú, tó nla ṣúgà (iyọ̀ ìrèké), jẹ̀díjẹdí ló ma pá”. Ọ̀rọ̀ Yorùbá yi ṣ̀e àtìlẹhìn fún iwadi tó fihàn wípé ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ ènìyàn ti ìrẹ̀wẹ̀sì mbaja ma mu ọtí àti jẹ oúnje ọlọra, ti iyọja tàbí tí iyọ̀ ìrèké pọ̀ nínú rẹ. Ó ṣeni lãnu wípé, kàka ki ẹni bẹ͂ jade nínú ìrẹ̀wẹ̀sì, oúnje tó kún fún ọ̀rá, iyọ̀ àti iyọ̀ ìrèké (ṣúgà) mã dákún àìsàn míràn bi: jẹ̀díjẹdí, ẹ̀jẹ̀ ríru àti oniruuru àìsàn míràn.

Oúnje dídùn àti ọtí mímu kò lè mú ìrẹ̀wẹ̀sì kúrò tàbí fa ìdùnnú, ṣùgbọ́n àyípadà ọkàn sí ìwà rere àti ìgbẹ́kẹ̀lé nínú Ọlọrun ló lè mú inú dùn.

Ẹkú ọdún Ajinde o, ẹ ma jẹ́un ju, Jesu ku fun ẹlẹ́sẹ̀ àti aláìní, nítorí nã ti ẹ ba ri jẹ, ẹ rántí áwọn ti ko ri. Yorùbá ni “ajọjẹ kò dùn bẹni kan o ri”.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

The Yoruba adage that “Whoever has not been made glad by God that is licking sugar will die of pile” is in support of the research that showed that most people drink and eat more fatty, salty and sugary food when they are depressed. Unfortunately, instead of coming out of depression, bad diet containing too much fat, salt and sugar will only add more health complications such as pile, hypertension and a host of other diseases.

Tasty food or alcoholic drink would not lift anyone out of depression or gladness of spirit, but only positive attitude and trust in God.

Happy Easter, do not over feed, Jesus died for the sinners and the poor, as a result if you have, remember those who have none. Youruba said “Eating together is not sweet, if one person is left out”.

Originally posted 2013-03-30 00:03:05. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Àjàpá rẹ Erin sílẹ̀ – “Ìjàlọ ò lè jà, ó lè bọ́ ṣòkòtò ni idi òmìrán”: The Tortoise humbled the Elephant – “Soldier ant cannot fight, but can cause the giant to remove pant”.

Leave a reply

Erin jẹ ẹranko ti Ọlọrun da lọ́lá pẹlu titobi rẹ ninu igbo. Yorùbá ni “Koríko ti Erin bá ti tẹ̀, àtẹ̀gbé ni láyé”, oko ti Erin bá wọ̀, olóko bẹ wọ igbèsè tori ibajẹ ti o ma ṣẹlẹ̀ si irú oko bẹ. Gbogbo ẹranko bọ̀wọ̀ fún Erin, nitori Kìnìún ọlọ́là ijù kò lè pa Erin.

Bi Erin ti tóbi tó, ni ó gọ̀ tó. Ni ọjọ́ kan, gbogbo ẹranko pe ìpàdé lati pari ìjà fún Kọ̀lọ̀kọ̀lọ̀ àti Kìnìún. Kọ̀lọ̀kọ̀lọ̀ ni bi ohun ba pa ẹran, Kìnìún a fi ògbójú gba ẹran yi jẹ. Kàkà ki Erin da ẹjọ́ pẹ̀lú òye, ṣe ló tún dá kun. Ìhàlẹ̀ àti ìgbéraga ni àwùjọ yi bi awọn ẹranko yoku ninu. O bi Kọ̀lọ̀kọ̀lọ̀ ninu to bẹ gẹ ti kò lè fọhùn. Àjàpá nikan lo dide lati fún Erin ni èsì ọ̀rọ̀, ṣùgbọ́n gbogbo ẹranko yoku bú si ẹ̀rín nitori wọn fi ojú di Àjàpá. Dipo ki Àjàpá panumọ́, ó pe erin níjà.

Ni ọjọ́ ìjà, Erin kò múra nitori ó mọ̀ pé bi Àjàpá ti kéré tó, bi ohun bá gbé ẹsẹ̀ le, ọ̀run lèrọ̀. Àjàpa mọ̀ pé ohun ko ni agbára, nitori eyi, ó dá ọgbọ́n ti yio fi bá Erin jà lai di èrò ọ̀run. Àjàpá ti pèsè, agbè mẹta pẹlu ìgbẹ́, osùn àti ẹfun ti yio dà lé Erin lóri lati dójú ti. Ó tọ́jú awọn agbè yi si ori igi nitosi ibi ti wọn ti fẹ́ jà, ó mọ̀ pé pẹ̀lú ibinu erin á jà dé idi ibi ti yio dà le lori.

Awọn ẹranko péjọ lati wòran ijà lãrin Àjàpá àti Erin. Àjàpá mọ̀ pe bi erin bá subú kò lè dide, nigbati ti ijà bẹ̀rẹ̀, ẹhin ni Àjàpá wà ti o ti nsọ òkò ọ̀rọ̀ si erin lati dá inú bi. Pẹ̀lú ibinú, ki ó tó yípadà dé ibi ti Àjàpá wa, Àjàpá a ti kósi lábẹ́, eleyi dá awọn ẹranko lára yá.

: Erin múra ìjà – Elephant charged for a fight. Courtesy: @theyorubablog

: Àjàpá – Tortoise. Courtesy: @theyorubablog

: ẹranko péjọ lati wòran ijà – animals gathered to watch a fight. Courtesy: @theyorubablog

Yorùbá ni “Bi ìyà nla ba gbeni ṣánlẹ̀, kékeré á gorí ẹni” ni ikẹhin, Àjàpá bori erin pẹ̀lú ọgbọ́n, gbogbo ẹranko gbé Àjàpá sókè pẹ̀lú ìdùnnú gun ori ibi ti erin wó si.

Ìtàn Yorùbá yi fihan pé kò si ẹni ti a lè fi ojú di. Ti a bá fẹ́ ka ìtàn yi ni ẹ̀kún rẹ́rẹ́ ni èdè Gẹẹsi, ẹ ṣe àyẹ̀wò rẹ ninu iwé “Yoruba Trickster Tales” ti Oyekan Owomoyela kọ.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION Continue reading →

Originally posted 2013-10-25 17:02:09. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

“Ọ̀kọ́lé, kò lè mu ràjò” – “Home-owner cannot travel with his/her house”

Leave a reply

IIé ihò inú àpáta – Cave House

Òrùlé wà lára ohun ini pàtàki ti ó yẹ ki èniyàn ni, ṣùgbọ́n èniyàn kò lè sun yàrá meji pọ̀ lẹ́ẹ̀kan. Ki ṣe bi èniyàn bá fi owó ara rẹ̀ kọ́ ilé ni ìbẹ̀rẹ̀ ilé gbigbé. Bàbá á pèsè òrùlé fún aya àti ọmọ, ki ba jẹ: ilé ẹbi, abà oko, ihò inú àpáta, ilé-àyágbé tàbi kọ́ ilé fún wọn.

Ni ayé òde oni, ilé ṣi jẹ ohun pàtàki fún èniyàn, ṣùgbọ́n á ṣe akiyesi pé ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ Yorùbá, kò ránti ọ̀rọ̀ Yorùbá ti ó sọ pé “Ọ̀kọ́lé, kò lè mu ràjò” mọ́. Ọ̀pọ̀ nkọ́ ilé àìmọye ti èniyàn ò gbé, lai ronú pé, bi àwọn bá ràjò, wọn ò lè gbé ikan ninú ilé yi dáni. Ọ̀pọ̀ nkọ́ ilé fún àwọn ọmọ – fún àpẹrẹ, ẹni ti ó kọ ilé marun nitori ohun bi ọmọ marun si ilú ti wọn ngbé tàbi bi ọmọ si.

: Abà oko – Farm Huts. Courtesy: @theyorubablog

: Ilé – House. Courtesy: @theyorubablog

: Ilé rẹpẹtẹ – Many Houses Courtesy: @theyorubablog

Ò̀we Yorùbá sọ pé “Ọ̀nà ló jin, ẹru ni Baba”. Ẹ jẹ́ ki á fi òwe yi ṣe iranti pé, ayé ti lu jára, ọmọ, ẹbi àti ará kò gbé pọ̀ mọ́ bi igbà ayé-àgbẹ̀. Bi wọn bá ti ẹ̀ gbé ilú kan naa, ìṣòro ni ki ọmọ bá Bàbá àti Ìyá gbé lọ lai-lai. Bi ó pẹ́, bi ó yá, ọmọ tó dàgbà, á tẹ si iwájú nitori bi Bàbá bá kọ́ ilé rẹpẹtẹ si Agége, kò wúlò fún ọmọ ti o nṣiṣẹ ni Ìbàdàn, Àkúrẹ́ tàbi Òkè-òkun. Bi Bàbá ti ó kọ ilé rẹpẹtẹ bá fẹ́ lọ ki àwọn ọmọ, ẹbi tàbi ọ̀rẹ́ ni ilú miran, ìṣòro ni ki ó gbé ikan ninú ilé rẹpẹtẹ yi dáni.

Ọ̀pọ̀ oníjìbìtì, Òṣèlú, Oníṣẹ́-Ìjọba ti ó ni ojúkòkòrò ló nkó owó ilé lọ sita lati lọ ra ilé si Òkè-Òkun lai gbé ibẹ̀, ju pé ki wọn lo o ni ọjọ melo kan lọ́dún. Ìnáwó rẹpẹtẹ ni lati tọ́jú ilé si Òkè-Òkun tàbi ilé ti èniyàn kò gbé , nitori eyi, ọ̀pọ̀ ilé yi kò bá àwọn ti ó kọ́ ilé tàbi ra ilé kiri yi kalẹ̀. Àwọn Òṣèlu àti Oníṣẹ́ Ìjọba ti ó nja ilú lólè, lati fi owó ti wọn ji pamọ́ nipa ki kọ́ ilé rẹpẹtẹ tàbi ra ilé si Òkè-Òkun ni “Orúkọ ọmọ, òbí tàbi orúkọ ti kò ni itumọ”, kò lè gbé ilé wọnyi lọ irin àjò tàbi lọ si ọ̀run ti wọn bá kú.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION Continue reading →

Originally posted 2014-09-16 21:28:09. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

“Àṣejù Baba Àṣetẹ́” – Ìtàn bi Ojúkòkòrò àti Ìgbéraga ti jẹ́ Àṣejù – “Excessive behaviour is the father of Disgrace” The Story Depicting Greed and Pride as Excess”

2 Replies

Ni ìgbà àtijọ́, ọkùnrin kan wa ti orúkọ rẹ njẹ́ Ìgbéraga. Wọ́n bi Ìgbéraga si ilé olórogún, àwọn ìyàwó bàbá́ rẹ yoku ni ó tọ nitori ìyá rẹ kú nigbati ó wà ni kékeré. Lẹhin ti o tiraka lati pari iwé mẹ́fà, gẹ́gẹ́ bi ọ̀dọ́, ó gbéra lọ si ilú Èkó nibiti ó ti bẹ̀rẹ̀ iṣẹ́ pẹ̀lú ilé-iṣẹ́ Ẹlẹ́ja.

Ó nṣe dáradára ni ibi iṣẹ́ ki ó tó gbọ́ ìròyìn ikú bàbá rẹ. Ìgbéraga pinu lati padà si ilú rẹ lati gba ogún ti ó tọ́ si lára oko kòkó rẹpẹtẹ ti bàbá rẹ fi silẹ̀. Ohun fúnra rẹ ra oko kún oko bàbá rẹ ti wọn pín fun. Ó di ẹni ti ó ri ṣe ju àwọn ọmọ bàbá rẹ yoku. Eyi jẹ ki gbogbo àwọn ọbàkan rẹ gbójú le fún ìrànlọ́wọ́.

Ni igbà ti ó yá, o ni ilé àti ọlà ju gbogbo àwọn yoku ni abúlé ṣùgbọ́n kò to, ó bẹ̀rẹ̀ si ra oko si titi dé oko àwọn ọmọ bàbá rẹ yoku. Eyi jẹ́ ki ó sọ àwọn ọmọ bàbá rẹ yoku di alágbàṣe ni oko ti wọn jogún. Inú àwọn ọmọ bàbá rẹ wọnyi kò dùn si wi pé wọn ti di atọrọjẹ àti alágbàṣe fún àbúrò wọn ninú ilé ara wọn.

Yorùbá ni “Àṣejù Baba Àṣetẹ́”. Ìgbéraga bẹ̀rẹ̀ si ṣe àṣejù, kò dúró lati má a fi ọrọ̀ rẹ yangà si gbogbo ará ilú pàtàki si àwọn ẹ̀gbọ́n rẹ, ó jọ ara rẹ lójú, ó si nsọ ọ̀rọ̀ lai ronú tàbi gba ikilọ̀ àwọn àgbà ti wọn mọ ìbẹ̀rẹ̀ rẹ. Kò mọ̀ wi pé ohun ngbẹ́ ikòtò ìṣubú fún ara rẹ́. Ni ọjọ́ kan, ó pe ọ̀kan ninú àwọn ẹ̀gbọ́n rẹ ti ó sọ di alágbàṣe ninú oko rẹ tẹ́lẹ̀ ó si bu, ó pe e ni aláìní dé ojú rẹ. Ẹ̀gbọ́n ké pẹ̀lú omijé lójú pé “Bi ó bá jẹ ìwọ ni Ọlọrun, ma ṣe iwà burúkú yi lọ, ṣùgbọ́n bi ó bá jẹ́ enia bi ti òhun, wà á ká ohun ti o gbin yi”.

Alágbàṣe ni oko Kòkó ti wọn jogún – Working as Labourers in their inheritted Cocoa farm.

Ni àárọ̀ ọjọ́ kan, Ìgbéraga ji ṣùgbọ́n kò lè di de nitori ó ti yarọ. Wọ́n gbe kiri titi fún itọ́jú ṣùgbọ́n asán ló já si. Ìṣòro yi jẹ ki ó ta gbogbo ohun ini rẹ ti ó fi nyangàn titi o fi di atọrọjẹ.

Ẹ̀kọ́ ìtàn yi ni pe àṣejù ohunkóhun kò dára pàtàki ki enia gbójúlé ọrọ̀ ilé ayé bi ẹni pé àwọn ti ó kù kò mọ̀ ọ́ ṣe, nitori Yorùbá sọ wi pé “kìtà kìtà kò mọ́là, Ká ṣiṣẹ́ bi ẹrú kò da nkan, Ọlọrun ló ngbé ni ga”.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

In the olden days there was a man named “Igberaga”, he was born into a polygamous home and raised by the other wives of his father because his mother died when he was a child. He migrated to Lagos (a big city) where he joined a Fishing company after struggling through his teenage life and obtaining Primary Six certificate.

He was prospering in his business, while his father died. Igberaga decided to return to his father’s estate to claim his own of his father’s vast Cocoa Plantation. He was able to acquire more plantation beside what was allocated to him as his inheritance. Prosperity smiles on him more than any of his siblings. Many of his half brothers and sisters relied on him for financial support.

After a while, he owned more houses and prospered more than anyone in the community. Beside he continued to acquire more farms, till he acquired his siblings’ inheritance and making them to become tenants. To crown it all, he began to use them as a labourer in the farm they once owned. This did not settle well with his brothers as they were now reclined into beggars in their homes and servants to a younger brother.

According to a Yoruba adage, “Excessive behaviour is the father of Disgrace”. Igberaga engaged in excessive behaviour as he did not stop flaunting his wealth, he was arrogant and flippant at all times, despite warnings from those that know and understand his upbringing. He refused all the warnings by the elders. Little did he know that, he was working towards his doom? One day, he called one of his brothers whom he employed as a labourer, in his original farm and humiliated him because he was poor. The poor brother lamented, by crying out that; “if you are God you go ahead with your plan, but if you are human like me, you will certainly reap what you sow”.

One morning, Igberaga woke up and could not stand on his feet, he became crippled. Many attempts were made to find a cure for his illness but to no avail. This circumstances forced him to sell all his properties and he ended up becoming a beggar.

Lessons from this story teaches that one should not equate wealth with one’s hard work alone, as if the others who are less privileged did not struggle enough. According to Yoruba proverb “Wealth is not by hard labour or slaving away, but it is by God’s blessing”.

Originally posted 2017-03-07 20:16:50. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

A kú àjọ̀dún ọgọta ọdún ti Nigeria gba òmìnira – Congratulatory message to Nigeria at 60

Leave a reply

Originally posted 2020-10-01 16:01:25. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Ohun gbogbo ki i tó olè: Òṣèlú Ilẹ̀ Aláwọ̀-dúdú – Nothing ever satisfies the thief: African Leaders/Politicians

Leave a reply

Òṣèlú Ilẹ̀ Aláwọ̀-dúdú African Union leaders

Kò si oye ọdún ti ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ Òṣèlú Ilẹ̀ Aláwọ̀-dúdú lè lò ni ipò ti wọn lè gbà lẹ́rọ̀ lati kúrò. Bi àyè bá gbà wọn, wọn fẹ kú si ori oyè. Bi a bá ṣe akiyesi ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ Òṣèlú Òkè-Òkun, bi àwọn ará ilú bá ti dibò pé wọn kò fẹ́ wọn nipa yin yan ẹlòmíràn, wọn yio gbà lẹ́rọ̀, lati gbé Ìjọba fún ẹni tuntun ti ará ilú yan, ṣùgbọ́n kò ri bẹ ẹ ni Ilẹ̀ Aláwọ̀-dúdú.

Ohun ti ó jẹ́ ki àwọn Òṣèlú Ilẹ̀ Aláwọ̀-dúdú fẹ́ kú si ipò pọ. Ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ Olóri Òṣèlú Nigeria, ki ba jẹ ti Ìjọba Ológun tàbi Alágbádá, kò si ẹni tó mọ bàbá wọn ni ilú, ṣùgbọ́n wọn kò kọ́ ọgbọ́n pé ọ̀pọ̀ ọmọ ti wọn mọ bàbá wọn ni àwùjọ kò dé ipó nla ti àwọn dé. Ó ṣe é ṣe ki ó jẹ́ wipé ìbẹ̀rù iṣẹ́ ti ó ṣẹ́ wọn ni kékeré ló jẹ́ ki wọn ni ojúkòkòrò lati fi ipò wọn ji owó ilú pamọ́ fún ara wọn, ọmọ àti aya wọn nitori ìbẹ̀rù iṣẹ́. Kò si oye owó ti wọn ji pamọ́ ti ó lè tẹ́ wọn lọ́rùn, eyi ló fa ìbẹ̀rù à ti kúrò ni ipò agbára. Ìbẹ̀rù ki ẹni ti ó bá má a gba ipò lọ́wọ́ wọn, ma ṣe ṣe iwadi wọn na a pẹ̀lú, nitori wọn ò mọ̀ bóyá yio bá wọn ṣe ẹjọ́ lati gba owó ilú ti wọn ji kó padà.

Kàkà ki ilú gbérí, ṣe ni ọlá ilú nrẹ̀hìn. Bi Òsèlú bá ji owó, wọn a ko ọ̀pọ̀ owó bẹ́ ẹ̀ lọ si Òkè-Òkun tàbi ki wọn ri irú owó bẹ́ ẹ̀ mọ́lẹ̀ lóri ki kọ ilé ọ̀kẹ́ aimoye ti ẹni kan kò gbé. Ọ̀pọ̀ owó epo-rọ̀bì ló wọlé, ṣùgbọ́n àwọn Òṣèlú àti àwọn olè bi ti wọn njẹ ìgbádùn nigbati ará ilú njìyà. Lára ìpalára ti ji ja ilú ni olè fa, ni owó Nigeria (Naira) ti ó di yẹpẹrẹ, àwọn ọdọ kò ri iṣẹ́ ṣe, àwọn ohun amáyé-dẹrùn ti bàjẹ́ tán, oúnjẹ wọn gógó àti bẹ́ ẹ̀ bẹ́ ẹ̀ lọ.

Òwe Yorùbá ti ó ni “Ohun gbogbo ki i tó olè” fi àlébù ojúkòkòrò, ifẹ́ owó, àti à ṣi lò agbára han ni ilú, pàtàki ni Nigeria.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION Continue reading →

Originally posted 2015-02-20 09:15:08. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

“Ohun ti ajá mã jẹ, Èṣù á ṣẽ”: “What the dog will eat, the Devil will provide”

Leave a reply

Yorùbá ma nṣe rúbọ Èṣù nigba gbogbo ki ẹ̀sìn ìgbàgbọ́ tó gbalẹ̀. Ounjẹ ni wọn ma fi ṣè rúbo ni ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ ìgbà. Irú ounjẹ yi ni Yorùbá npè ni “ẹbọ”. Ìta gbangba ni wọn ma ngbe irú ẹbọ bẹ si, nitori eyi ounjẹ ọ̀fẹ ma npọ fún ajá, ẹiyẹ àti awọn ẹranko miran ni igboro.

Ajá ìgboro – Stray dog eats food on the street. Courtesy: @theyorubablog

Bi ènìyàn kò ti si ninu ìhámọ́ ni ayé òde òní, bẹni ajá pãpa kò ti si ni ìhámọ́. Ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ “ajá igboro” ma jade lọ wa ounjẹ òjọ́ wọn kakiri ni. Alãdúgbò lè pe ajá lati gbe ounjẹ àjẹkù fún pẹ̀lú, eleyi fi idi ti wọn fi nkígbe pe ajá han. Bayi ni ará Àkúrẹ́ (olú ìlú ẹ̀yà Ondo) ti ma npe ajá fún ounjẹ ni ayé àtijọ́:

Kílí gbà, gbo, gbà, gbo

Ajá òréré́, gbà̀, gbo, gbà…

A lè fi òwe Yorùbá ti o ni “Ohun ti ajá mã jẹ, Èṣù á ṣẽ” yi ṣe àlàyé awọn ounjẹ ti Èṣù pèsè ni ayé òde òni wé: ẹjọ, àìsàn/àilera, ọtí/õgun-olóró tàbi ilé tẹ́tẹ́. Ni ida keji, ajá jẹ “Agbẹjọ́rò, Babaláwo/Oníṣègùn, ilé-ọtí àti ilé iṣẹ́/ero tẹ́tẹ́”.

Adájọ́ Obinrin ati Ọkunrin – Female and Male Judge
Courtesy: @theyorubablog

Bi a bá ṣe akiyesi, Yorùbá ni “Ọ̀gá tà, ọ̀gá ò tà, owó alágbàṣe á pé”. Bi Agbẹjọ́rò ba bori tàbi kò bori ni ilé-ẹjọ́, owó rẹ á pé, aláìs̀an ni ilera bi ko ni ilera, Babaláwo/Oníṣègùn á gbowó. Bi ọ̀mùtí yó tàbi kò yó, Ọlọti/Olõgun-olóró á gbowó àti bi ẹni tó ta tẹ́tẹ́ bá jẹ bi kò jẹ owó oni-tẹ́tẹ́ á pé.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Yoruba often offer sacrifice before the advent of Christianity. Food are often used for the sacrifice. This type of food is called “Sacrifice”. Such sacrifice are usually placed in the open, as a result, there are plenty of free meals for the dogs, birds and other animals on the Streets.

As people’s movement are not restricted like in the modern time, so also are the dogs not in restriction. Many “Street dogs” roam around to source their meal. Neighbours can beckon on the stray dog to offer left over meals, hence the reason for the various style of beckoning on dogs. Check out the above recording the way people in Akure (capital of Ondo State) beckons on the Street dogs in the olden days.

We can use the Yoruba proverb that said “What the dog will eat, the Devil will provide” to compare the kind of food provided by the Devil in the modern days as: Cases, sickness, alcoholism/hard drug or gambling shop. On the other hand, the dog can be parallel with: Lawyers, Doctors/Herbalists, Pub and Gambling House/machine.

If we observe another Yoruba proverb that “Whether the boss sells or not, the labourer will collect his/her wage”. This means, whether the Lawyer/Barrister wins a case in court or not, his/her legal fees must be paid, same as whether the sick person is well or not, the Doctor/Herbalist has to be paid. Whether the Drunkard/Drug addict is intoxicated or not, the Pub-owner’s will be paid.

Originally posted 2013-10-15 20:25:03. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

“Bi a bà jẹ̀kọ à dári ji Ewé”: À-lò-tún-lò – “After eating the corn starch meal, forgive the leaf in which it is wrapped” – Recycling

Leave a reply

Ewé iran – Organic food wrapping leaves. Courtesy: @theyorubablog

Ki ariwo à-lò-tún-lò tó gbòde ni aiyé òde òni nipa àti dáàbò bo àyíká ni Yorùbá ti ńlo à-lò-tún-lò pàtàki li lo ewé lati pọ́n oúnjẹ.

Oriṣiriṣi ewé ló wà ni ilẹ̀ Yorùbá ti wọn fi má ńpọ́n oúnjẹ bi: ẹ̀kọ, ọ̀ọ̀lẹ̀/mọ́in-mọ́in, irẹsi sisè (ọ̀fadà), obì àti bẹ̃bẹ lọ. Ewé iran/ẹ̀kọ ló wọ́pọ lati fi pọ́n ẹ̀kọ, ọ̀ọ̀lẹ̀/mọ́in-mọ́in, iyán, àmàlà, irẹsi sisè àti bẹ̃bẹ lọ. Ewé obì, ewé ọ̀gẹ̀dẹ̀, ewé kókò, àti àwọn ewé yókù ni iwúlò wọn ni ilé tàbi lóko. Gbogbo ewé wọnyi wúlò fún àyiká ju ọ̀rá ti wọn ńlò lati pọ́n oúnjẹ láyé òde òni. Ewé li lo fún pi pọ́n àwọn oúnjẹ kò léwu rárá bi ọ̀rá igbàlódé.

Yorùbá ni “Bi a bà jẹ̀kọ à dári ji Ewé”. Òwe yi túmọ̀ si pé, bi a jẹ oúnjẹ inú ewé tán, à ju ewé nù. Ewé ti a kó sọnù wúlò fún àyiká ju ọ̀rá igbàlódé lọ. Bi wọn da ewé si ilẹ́, yio da ilẹ́ padà, bi wọn da sinú omi/odò, kò léwu fún ẹja àti ohun ẹlẹmi inú omi/odò, bi ọ̀rá àti ike igbàlódé ti ó ḿba àyiká jẹ́. Ẹ ṣe àyẹ̀wò àwòrán lilo ewé lójú iwé yi.

: Obì ninú ewé Obì – Kolanut on Kolanut leaves. Courtesy:@theyorubablog

: Oúnjẹ pi-pọ́n – Wrapping a meal. Courtesy @theyorubablog

: Ọ̀ọ̀lẹ̀/Mọ́ínmọ́ín eléwé – Wrapped Steamed beans paste. Courtesy: @theyorubablog

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Before the recycling campaign began in the recent times, in order to preserve the environment, Yoruba people had been recycling particularly in the use of leaves to wrap or preserve food. Continue reading →

Originally posted 2015-06-23 10:15:43. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The Yoruba Blog

Ẹ jẹ ki a gbé èdè àti àṣà Yorùbá Lárugẹ: keeping the Yoruba language alive…

Category Archives: Yoruba Proverbs

“Gbogbo ohun tó ndán kọ́ ni Wúrà” – “Not all that glitters is Gold”

“Ọ̀rẹ́ dani kò tó pọ́n, abínibí/ẹbi a má dani” – “It is not worth dwelling on a friend’s disappointment or deceit, as such do occur from siblings/family members”.

ẸNITÍ ỌLỌRU KÒ DÙN NÍNÚ TÓ NLA ṢÚGÀ, JẸ̀DÍJẸ̀DÍ LÓ MA PÁ: WHOEVER GOD HAS NOT MADE GLAD THAT IS LICKING SUGAR WILL DIE OF PILE”

Àjàpá rẹ Erin sílẹ̀ – “Ìjàlọ ò lè jà, ó lè bọ́ ṣòkòtò ni idi òmìrán”: The Tortoise humbled the Elephant – “Soldier ant cannot fight, but can cause the giant to remove pant”.

“Ọ̀kọ́lé, kò lè mu ràjò” – “Home-owner cannot travel with his/her house”

“Àṣejù Baba Àṣetẹ́” – Ìtàn bi Ojúkòkòrò àti Ìgbéraga ti jẹ́ Àṣejù – “Excessive behaviour is the father of Disgrace” The Story Depicting Greed and Pride as Excess”

A kú àjọ̀dún ọgọta ọdún ti Nigeria gba òmìnira – Congratulatory message to Nigeria at 60

Ohun gbogbo ki i tó olè: Òṣèlú Ilẹ̀ Aláwọ̀-dúdú – Nothing ever satisfies the thief: African Leaders/Politicians

“Ohun ti ajá mã jẹ, Èṣù á ṣẽ”: “What the dog will eat, the Devil will provide”

“Bi a bà jẹ̀kọ à dári ji Ewé”: À-lò-tún-lò – “After eating the corn starch meal, forgive the leaf in which it is wrapped” – Recycling

Follow The Yoruba Blog