Category Archives: Yoruba Proverbs

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

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”.

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

“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”

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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

“Ọ̀run ńyabọ̀, ki ṣé ọ̀rọ̀ ẹnìkan”: “The sky is falling, is not a matter limited to a person”.

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Ọ̀run ńyabọ̀ – the sky is falling. Courtesy: @theyroubablog

Òwe Yorùbá yi ṣe gba àwọn ti o nbẹ̀rù nigba gbogbo níyànjú wípé ó yẹ ki èniyàn fara balẹ̀ lati ṣe iwadi ohun ti ó fẹ́ ṣẹlẹ̀ ki ó tó “kú sílẹ̀ de ikú”.

Ẹlòmíràn, kò ni ṣe iwadi ohun ti àwọn èniyàn fi ńsáré, ki ó tó bẹ̀rẹ̀ si sáré. Ọpọlọpọ ti sa wọ inú ewu ti wọn rò wípé àwọn sá fún. Fún àpẹrẹ, nigbati iná ajónirun balẹ̀ ni àgọ́ Ológun ni Ikẹja ni ìlú Èkó ni bi ọdún mẹjọ sẹhin. Bi àwọn kan ti gbọ́ ìró iná ajónirun yi, wọn sáré titi ọpọ fi parun si inú irà ni Ejigbo ni ọ̀nà jínjìn si ibi ti ìṣẹ̀lẹ̀ ti ṣẹlẹ̀.

Àpẹrẹ miran ti a lè fi ṣe àlàyé pé “Ọ̀run ńyabọ̀, ki ṣé ọ̀rọ̀ ẹnìkan” ni ẹni ti ó sọ pé ohun ri wípé ayé ti fẹ parẹ́, àwọn kan gbàgbọ́, wọn bẹ̀rẹ̀ si ta ohun ìní wọn. Àti ẹni ti ó ta ohun ìní àti ẹni ti ó ra, kò si ninú wọn ti ó ma mú nkankan lọ ti ayé bá parẹ nitotọ.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

This Yoruba proverb can be used to encourage those who are always afraid, that it is good to be patient enough to find out the happenings before “dying in readiness for death”.

Some, will not enquire about why people are running before they begin to run too. Many have ran into danger that they thought they were trying to escape. An example, was when there was bomb explosion at the Ikeja Cantonment, Lagos about eight years ago. When some heard the explosion, they ran until they perished at the Ejigbo marsh, a far distance from the incident.

Another example that can be used to buttress the proverb that “The sky is falling, is not a matter limited to a person”, was when a soothsayer predicted that the world was coming to an end at the beginning of the new millennium, many believed and they began to sell off their properties. Both the property seller and the property buyer, none would take along anything were the world to have come to an end as predicted.

Originally posted 2013-09-27 18:37:30. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

“Orí ọti ọlọ́tí ni eṣinṣin nkúlé” – “Fly often dies on top of other people’s palm wine”.

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Ìsọ̀ Ẹmu – Local Palm wine bar @theyorubablog.

“Ọ̀mùtí gbàgbé ìṣẹ́” fún ìgbaì diẹ ni, nítorí bí ọ̀mùtí bá jí tán, ìṣẹ́ rẹ kò tán. Gbogbo àlàyé àti ìpolongo wípé ọtí àmun jù nfa oriṣiriṣi àìsàn burúkú àti wípé o ndójútini láwùjọ, ọpọlọpọ ọ̀mùtí á fi owó ilé-ìwé, owó ounjẹ ati ohun tó wúlò fún ọ̀mùtí àti ẹbi mu ọtí lai ro ìnira ti ó nfa fún ẹbí, ọ̀rẹ́ àti aládũgbò. Bí Ìjọba, ẹbí àti ará ti ṣe ìkìlọ̀ tó nipa ọtí àmunpara, bi o ti ngba etí ọ̀tun wọlé lo ngba ti òsì jade fún àwọn ti ọ̀tí ba ti wọ lẹ́wù̀.

Ìrònú pẹ̀lú nkan ti ó nfa ọtí àmun jù ṣùgbọ́n ọ̀tí kò lè pa ìrònú rẹ àfi ki ó dá kun, nítorí bi ọtí bá dá lójú ọ̀mùtí, ìrònú á padà. Ohun ti ẹbí àti ọ̀rẹ́ omuti lè ṣe ni ki wọn gbã ni ìyànjú lati lọ gba ìtọ́jú, ki irú ẹni bẹ̃ ma ba kú lọ́jọ́ àìpé.

Ohun gbogbo níwọ̀ntúnwọ̀nsìn, ọtí àmunpara kò yẹ ọmọ ènìà.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

“The drunkard forgets his sorrow” but for a while, because he/she often discover that his/her sorrow is still very much around after waking up eventually. With all the enlightenment and advertisement that alcoholism is associated with various severe diseases and the embarrassment it causes, many drunkards would forgo money for education, food and other basic need for him/herself and the family to drink without thinking of the consequences to family, friends and neighbours. In spite of Government, family and friends’ warning to the drunkard, as the warning is going in through the right ear, it is escaping through the left for those addicted.

Depression is one of the major cause of excessive drinking, but drinking cannot cure depression except to increase it when a drunkard wake

up after his/her slumber. What family and friends of people with alcoholism can do is to encourage him/her to seek help to avoid untimely death.

Everything should be done in moderation, excessive alcohol intake is not good for anyone.

Originally posted 2013-07-02 16:15:53. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Ọ̀dọ́ Kọ̀yà Ọlọpa orílẹ̀-èdè Nigeria – Nigeria Youths protest Police brutality

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Ọlọpa ti fi iyà jẹ ará ilú fún igbà pípẹ́, nitori iwà-ibàjẹ́ àti gbi gba àbẹ̀tẹ́lẹ̀ ni iṣẹ́ Ọlọpa àti ni orilẹ̀-èdè Nigeria. Ọlọpa ti tori àti gba àbẹ̀tẹ́lẹ̀ fi iyà jẹ ọlọ́jà, àgbẹ, oníṣẹ́ọwọ́ àti bẹ́ ẹ̀ bẹ́ ẹ̀ lọ tàbi pa ọlọ́kọ̀. Wọn kò mọ àgbà yàtọ̀ si ọ̀dọ́ lati kó enia si àtìmọ́lé lainidii, ṣùgbọn wọn kò jẹ ṣe iwà burúkú yi fún Òṣèlú ti wọn ńjalè orilẹ̀-èdè àti olówó ti ó ngbé Ọlọpa kiri. Ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ ará ilú ló ti jẹ ìyà lọ́wọ́ Ọlọpa tàbi mọ enia ti ó jẹ iya lainidii. Bi ẹni pé iwa burúkú Ọlọpa kò tó, Ìjọba dá “Ọlọpa Pàtàki fún Ìgbógun ti Adigun-jalè” silẹ̀ lati ara Ọlọpa. Orúkọ Ọlọpa kò dára tẹ́lẹ̀, ṣùgbọ́n àwọn Ọlọpa Pàtàki yi bẹ̀rẹ̀ si gbógun ti ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ ọ̀dọ́ ti kò ṣẹ̀, wọn kò bikità fún ẹ̀mi. Ìwà-ibàjẹ́ ti àwọn Ọlọpa Pàtàki yi burú ju ti àwọn adigun-jalè lọ.

ọ̀dọ́ tú jade lati kọ̀yà Ọlọpa Pàtàki fún Ìgbógun ti Adigun-jale – Protest against Police Brutality in Nigeria

Òwe Yorùbá wi pé “Ọjọ́ gbogbo ni ti olè, ọjọ́ kan ni ti olóhun”. Òṣùwọ̀n Ọlọpa Pàtàki kún ni ọjọ́ kẹjọ, oṣù kẹwa ọdún Ẹgbàá, àwọn ọ̀dọ́ tú jade lati kọ̀yà Ọlọpa Pàtàki fún Ìgbógun ti Adigun-jalè. Lẹhin idákẹ́ ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ ọdún, àwọn ọ̀dọ́ ṣe ipinu lati “Sọ̀rọ Sókè” ni pẹ̀lẹ́pẹ̀lẹ́, ṣùgbọ́n jàndùkú àwọn Òṣèlú àti Ọlọpa bẹ̀rẹ̀ si dà wọ́n rú. Àwọn ọ̀dọ́ ni “Ó tó gẹ́”, wọn tẹnumọ pé wọn kò fẹ Ọlọpa Pàtàki fún Ìgbógun ti Adigun-jalè mọ́.

Ni alẹ́ ọjọ́ Ìṣẹ́gun, Ogún ọjọ́, oṣù kẹwa ọdún Ẹgbàá, àwọn tó wọ aṣọ Ológun yinbọn lati tú àwọn ọ̀dọ́ ti ó dúró lati kọ̀yà ni òpópó Lẹkki/Ẹ̀pẹ́ ni ipinlẹ̀ Èkó. Ni àárọ̀ Ọjọrú, ọjọ́ kọkànlélógún, ìroyin kàn pé ibọn ti àwọn tó wọ aṣọ Ológun yin si àárin èrò, ṣe ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ ọ̀dọ́ leṣe àti okùnfà ikú omiran, nitori eyi, ìlú Èkó gbaná. Lára ibi ti àwọn ọ̀dọ́ dáná sun ni, ọkọ̀ akérò ipinlẹ̀ Èkó, ilé iṣẹ amóhùnmáwòrán, ilé ìyá Gómínà ipinlẹ̀ Èkó Babájídé Sanwó-Olú, ilé-iṣẹ́ Bèbè Odò àti bẹ́ ẹ̀ bẹ́ ẹ̀ lọ. Jàndùkú da Àfin Ọba Akinolú ti ilú Èkó rú wọn si gbé ọ̀pá oyé.

Gbogbo Akọ̀wé Èdè Yorùbá lóri ayélujára rọ gbogbo àwọn ọ̀dọ́ ti ó ńbínú pé ki wọn fọwọ́ wọ́nú, ki wọn dẹkun àti ba ọrọ̀ ipinlẹ̀ Èkó jẹ́. Ki Èdùmàrè tu idilé àwọn ti ó kú ninú.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Nigerian Police has always been brutal towards Nigerians in their efforts to extort bribe due to the level of corruption in the Police and Nigeria. Drivers, traders, farmers etc had fallen victim or killed by Police over bribe. Police was no respecter of the young or old in locking people up for no just cause, except the politicians and the rich ones moving around with escort. As if the reputation of the Police was not bad enough, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) was formed using staffing from existing Nigerian Police. Overtime, SARS began to terrorise mostly the youths on trump up charges without respecting lives. SARS became worse than the armed-robbers.

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Originally posted 2020-10-22 19:34:49. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

“Ọmọdé ò jobì, àgbà ò jẹ oyè” Èrè Òbí tó kọ ọmọ sílẹ̀: The consequence for parents that neglect their children

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Yorùbá ni “Ọmọdé ò jobì, àgbà ò jẹ oye”, òwe yi bá àwọn òbí ti ó kọ ọmọ sílẹ̀, ìyá ti ó ta ọmọ, bàbá ti ó sá fi ọmọ sílẹ̀ àti àwọn ti o fi ìyà jẹ ọmọ, irú ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ òbí bayi ni òṣì má ta pa. Kò sí àyè fún ọmọ irú àwọn bayi lati mọ wọn lójú nítorí wọn o si nílé lati ṣe ojuṣe wọn gẹ́gẹ́bí òbi ati lati kọ́ ọmọ aláìgbọràn. Irú orin bayi ló tọ́ sí irú òbí bẹ̃:

MP3 Below:

Download: Ise obi fun omo – Parental responsibilities

Íya tó kọ̀ ọ̀mọ̀ rẹ sílẹẹ̀

Oṣí yo tà yà na paá

Bába tó kọ̀ ọ̀mọ rẹ́ silẹ̀

Oṣí yo tà bà nà paá

Ìyà tò fiyà jẹ ọmọ́ rẹ

Bàbà tò fiyà jẹ ọmọ́ rẹ

Íya tó kọ̀ ọ̀mọ̀ rẹ sílẹẹ̀

Oṣí yo tà yà na paá

Bába tó kọ̀ ọ̀mọ rẹ́ silẹ̀

Oṣí yo tà bà nà paá

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

According to the “Yoruba Proverbs” by Oyekan Owomoyela’s translation, “The youth does not eat kola nuts; the elder does not win the chieftaincy title” meaning (If you do not cultivate others, even those lesser than yourself, then you cannot expect any consideration from them). This is apt to describe the consequence for a mother that sells her child, a father that abandon his children and those abusing their children. Many children has no privilege of seeing their parents when they are young let alone disobey or refuse correction, hence such parents would be the ones to suffer poverty in the end. The song below is for parents that have abandoned their role:

Mother that abandoned her child

Will suffer poverty in the end

Father that abandoned his child

Will suffer poverty in the end

Mother that abuses her child

Father that abuses his child

Mother that abandoned her child

Will suffer poverty in the end

Father that abandoned his child

Will suffer poverty in the end

Originally posted 2013-07-26 20:30:36. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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

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Originally posted 2020-10-01 16:01:25. 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

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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

Jọ mi, Jọ mi, Òkúrorò/Ìkanra ló ndà – Insisting on people doing things one’s way, would turn one to an ill-tempered or peevish person

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Yorùbá ni “Bi Ọmọdé ba ṣubú á wo iwájú, bi àgbà ba ṣubú á wo ẹ̀hìn”. Bi enia bá dé ipò àgbà, pàtàki gẹ́gẹ́ bi òbí, àgbà ìdílé tàbi ọ̀gá ilé iṣẹ́, ẹni ti ó bá ni ìfẹ́ kò ni fẹ́ ki àwọn ti ó mbọ̀ lẹhin ṣubú tàbi ki wọn kùnà.

Ẹni ti ó bá fẹ ìlọsíwájú ẹnikeji pàtàki, ọmọ ẹni, aya tabi oko eni, ẹ̀gbọ́n, àbúro, ọmọ-iṣẹ, ọmọ ilé-iwé, aládúgbò, ẹbi, ọ̀rẹ́, ojúlùmọ̀ àti ará, a má a tẹnu mọ ìbáwí lati kìlọ̀ fún àwọn ti ó mbọ̀ lẹhin ki wọn ma ba a ṣìnà. Eleyi lè jẹ ki irú àgbà bẹ́ẹ̀ dàbi onikọnra lójú ẹni ti nwọn báwí. Fún àpẹrẹ ni ayé òde òní, bi òbí ba nsọ fún ọmọdé nígbà gbogbo pé ki ó ma joko si ori ayélujára lati má a ṣeré, ki ó lè sùn ni àsikò tàbi ki ó ma ba fi àkókò ti ó yẹ kó ka iwé ṣeré lóri ayélujára, bi oníkọnra ni òbí ńrí, ṣùgbọ́n iyẹn kò ni ki òbí ma ṣe ohun ti ó yẹ lati ṣe fún di dára ọmọ.

Yorùbá sọ wi pé, “Ajá ti ó bá ma sọnù, ki gbọ́ fèrè Ọdẹ”. Ki ènìyàn ma ba di oníkọran, kò si ẹni ti ó lè jọ ẹnikeji tán, àwọn ibeji pàápàá kò jọra. Bi ọkọ tàbi aya bá ni dandan ni ki aya tàbi ọkọ ṣe nkan bi òhun ti fẹ́ ni ìgbà gbogbo, ìkanra ló ńdà. Nitori èyi, bi enia bá ti ṣe ìkìlọ̀, ki ó mú ẹnu kúrò ti ó bá ri wi pé ẹni ti òhun ti báwí kò fẹ́ gbọ́.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

According to a Yoruba adage, “When a child falls, he/she looks ahead, when an elder falls, he/she reflects on the past”. When one reaches the position of an elder, particularly as a parent, family leader, a big boss, or a benevolent person would not want those coming behind or less experienced go astray or make the same mistake one has made in the past. Continue reading →

Originally posted 2018-07-24 21:38:33. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

“Òjò nrọ̀, Orò nké, atọ́kùn àlùgbè ti ò láṣọ méji a sùn ihòhò – Owó epo rọ̀bì fọ́”: “The rain is falling and the call of the secret cult is sounding loudly outside, the shuttle that lacks a change of clothing will sleep naked – Crude Oil price crashed”

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Ìgbà tàbi àsikò mèji ló wà ni ọ̀pọ̀ ilẹ̀ aláwọ̀-dúdú, ìgbà òjò àti ẹ̀rùn. Ni ayé àtijọ́, òjò ni ará ilú gbójúlé lati pọn omi silẹ̀ fún ọ̀gbẹlẹ̀. Àsikò òjò ṣe pàtàki fún iṣẹ́-àgbẹ̀, omi pi pọn pamọ́ fún li lò, àti fún ìtura lọ́wọ́ ooru.

Ẹ̀rọ wi wa epo rọ̀bì – Crude Oil Rig. Oil Price Drop Deepens Nigeria Economy Concerns

A lè fi ìgbà òjò wé ìgbà ti orilẹ̀ èdè Nigeria pa owó rẹpẹtẹ lori epo rọ̀bì lai fi owó pamọ́. Lati ìgbà ti epo rọ̀bì ti gbòde, ilú ko kọ ara si iṣẹ́ àgbẹ̀ àti àwọn iṣẹ́ miran ti ó lè pa owó wọlé. Àwọn Ìjọba Ológun àti Alágbádá, bẹ̀rẹ̀ si ná owó bi ẹni pé ìgbà ẹ̀rùn kò ni dé. Àbẹ̀tẹ́lẹ̀ gbigbà àti ji jà ilú ni olè, kò jẹ ki òjò owó epo rọ̀bì rọ̀ kári. Pẹ̀lú gbogbo owó epo rọ̀bì rẹpẹtẹ, iwà ibàjẹ́ pọ̀ si, kò si ọ̀nà ti ó dára, ilé-iwé bàjẹ́ si, ilé-iwòsàn kò ni ẹ̀rọ igbàlódé, ilú wà ni òkùnkùn nitori dákú-dáji iná-mọ̀nàmọ́ná àti ìnira yoku.

Òwe Yorùbá sọ wipé “Òjò nrọ̀, Orò nké, atọ́kùn àlùgbè ti ò láṣọ méji a sùn ihòho” Ìtumọ̀ òwe yi ni pé “Ẹni ti kò bá pọn omi de òùngbẹ nigbà òjò , a jẹ ìyà rẹ ni ìgbà ẹ̀rùn”. A lè fi òwe yi ṣe ikilọ fún àwọn Òṣèlú Alágbádá ti ó nkéde fún ibò ni lọ́wọ́lọ́wọ́ pé àtúnṣe ṣi wà lati rán aṣọ kọjá méji fún ará ilú. Ni àsikò ẹ̀rùn ti owó epo rọ̀bì fọ́ yi, ó yẹ ki àwọn Òṣèlú lè ronú ohun ti wọn lè ṣe lati yi ìwà padà kúrò ni inákuná àti lati ronú ohun ti wọn lè ṣe lati pa owó wọlé kún owó epo rọ̀bì, ki ilú lè rọgbọ lọ́jọ́ iwájú.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION Continue reading →

Originally posted 2015-02-06 09:30:04. 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

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”.

“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”

“Ọ̀run ńyabọ̀, ki ṣé ọ̀rọ̀ ẹnìkan”: “The sky is falling, is not a matter limited to a person”.

“Orí ọti ọlọ́tí ni eṣinṣin nkúlé” – “Fly often dies on top of other people’s palm wine”.

Ọ̀dọ́ Kọ̀yà Ọlọpa orílẹ̀-èdè Nigeria – Nigeria Youths protest Police brutality

“Ọmọdé ò jobì, àgbà ò jẹ oyè” Èrè Òbí tó kọ ọmọ sílẹ̀: The consequence for parents that neglect their children

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

“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

Jọ mi, Jọ mi, Òkúrorò/Ìkanra ló ndà – Insisting on people doing things one’s way, would turn one to an ill-tempered or peevish person

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