Category Archives: Yoruba Folklore

Yoruba Folktale: A Bird Steals Iyawo’s Baby

There was a man who had two wives. The senior wife is Iyale and the junior wife is Iyawo. Iyale made it so that Iyawo never had enough food to feed her children or nice clothes to wear. Iyawo tried to be nice to Iyale but the nicer Iyawo was, the meaner Iyale became.

One day, Iyawo needed to get some firewood. Iyale would not help her watch her baby so she took her baby into the forest with her. She placed her baby under a tall tree while she went to gather some wood. She finished gathering her firewood and returned to get her baby but the baby was gone. “Ye!” she cried. “Tá lo gbọ́ mọ mí ooo!?” <Who took my baby!?> she screamed. She ran back and forth looking for her baby, crying and yelling but couldn’t find her baby anywhere. Then she looked up, and she saw a bird perched high up in the tree, holding her baby in its clutches. “Ìwọ ẹyẹ́ yìí lorí igi! Fún mi lọmọ mí nísísiyí!” <You this bird in tree! Give me my baby right now!> she called to the bird. The bird threw down a bundle and the Iyawo quickly ran to get it. But it was not her baby. It was a bag of coral beads.

She screamed at the bird saying “Ọmọ mí ní mo fẹ! Kíni maá fí ìlẹkẹ iyùn ṣe!? Fún mi lọmọ mí nísísiyí!” <I want my baby, what will I do with coral beads!? Give me my baby right now!>. The bird sang to her saying that corals are worth more than her baby but the Iyawo would not hear of this. She insisted on her baby. The bird threw down another bundle and the Iyawo ran to get it. But again, it was not her baby, it was a bag of gold. She cried to the bird “Ọmọ mí ní mo fẹ! Kíni maá fí wura ṣe!? Fún mi lọmọ mí nísísiyí!” <I want my baby, what will I do with coral beads!? Give me my baby right now! >. This scene was repeated again with the bird throwing down precious stones, but Iyawo refused to take these in place of her baby. Finally, the bird flew down and placed the baby on the ground. “Oya gbà, ọmọ rẹ nì yìí. Nítoripe o ko ṣ’ojukokoro, gbogbo nkán ti mo gbé fún rẹ o le mú wọn lo” <Here’s your baby. And as you have proven not to be a greedy person, you can go with all that I have offered you>. Now Iyawo had not only her baby, but also the bag of corals, the bag of gold and the precious stones.

When Iyale saw her come home with all these items, she demanded to know how Iyawo had got all the expensive goods. Iyawo told her story and the Iyale decided to get her own goods too. The following morning Iyale took her baby into the forest and laid the baby under the same tall tree. Then she went away pretending to gather firewood. When she got back, her baby was gone. She looked up and saw her baby in the clutches of the bird perched high up on the tree. “Mú ìlẹkẹ iyùn, wura t’o dán, okutá níyebíye atí ọmọ mi wa fún mi!” <Give me corals, gold, precious stones and my baby!> she called to the bird?. The bird threw down a bundle. The Iyale eagerly ran towards this bundle, but instead of coral beads or gold or precious stones, she found stones. “Olodo! Mo sope k’o mú ìlẹkẹ iyùn, wura t’o dán, okutá níyebíye atí ọmọ mi wa fún mi!” <Idiot! I said give me corals, gold, precious stones and my baby!> she called to the bird again. This time the bird threw down a bag of trash. The Iyale screamed at the bird demanding corals, gold and precious stones. But this time, the bird threw down a bag containing the bones of the Iyale’s baby.

Yoruba folktale. Adapted from Allfolkales.com By Babajide Oluwadare Author of Yoruba counting book “Onka 123” available on amazon here

Link to original folktale on Allfolkales.com

Originally posted 2022-11-20 05:31:04. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Gbẹ̀dẹ̀ bi Ogún Ìyá, Ogún Bàbá ló ni ni lára – Maternal Inheritance comes with ease, while paternal inheritance brings about trouble

Leave a reply

Ogún jẹ́ gbogbo ohun ìní ti bàbá tàbi ìyá bá fi silẹ́ ti wọn bá kú. Ni ìgbà àtijọ́, kò wọ́pọ̀ ki olóògbé ṣe ìwé-ìhágún, bi wọn ṣe má a pín ohun ini wọn lẹhin ikú. Ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ obìnrin ki i ni ọrọ̀ bi ti àwọn ọkùnrin nitori wọn ki i ni ogún bi ilé, ilẹ̀ tàbi oko. Bi wọn ba ti fẹ ọkọ pàtàki bi ẹbi bá ti gba nkan orí ìyàwó, wọn kò tún lè padà wá gba ilé, ilẹ̀ tàbi oko ni ilé bàbá wọn, nitori eyi, ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ obìnrin kò ni ohun ini púpọ̀. Ọkùnrin ló ni oko, ilé àti ilẹ̀ gẹ́gẹ́ bi àṣà àdáyé ba nitori àwọn ni ‘’Àrólé’’ ti ó njẹ́ orúkọ ìdílé.

Àwọn obìnrin Yorùbá bi Ìyá Tinubu, Ẹfúnṣetán Iyalode Ìbàdàn, Ìyá Tẹ́júoṣó, mọ nipa iṣẹ́ òwò púpọ̀ àti pé láyé òde òni àwọn obìnrin ti bẹ̀rẹ̀ si kàwé lati lè ṣe iṣẹ ti àwọn ọkùnrin nṣe tẹ́lẹ̀. Nitori eyi, lati ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ ọdún sẹhin, àwọn obìnrin Yorùbá ti bẹ̀rẹ̀ si ni ohun ini bi ilé, ilẹ̀, owó tàbi oko ti ọmọ lè jogún.

Lẹhin ikú bàbá tàbi ìyá, lai si ìwé-ìhágún, àwọn ẹbí ni àṣà àdáyébá ti wọn fi le pín ogún fún àwọn ọmọ olóògbé. Àwọn ẹbí miran lè lo ‘’orí ò jorí’’ tàbi idi-igi (oye ìyàwó) ti ó bá jẹ ogún bàbá. Ọ̀rọ̀ Yorùbá ni “Bàbá gbogbo ayé”, nitori ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ bàbá lo ni iyawo púpọ̀. Ìdí ti ogún bàbá ṣe lè mú ìnira wá ni wi pé ohun ti wọn bá pín fún idi-igi kan lè fa owú jijẹ fún idi-igi miran eyi si ma a ndá ìjà silẹ̀ lẹhin ikú bàbá. Eyi pẹ̀lú idi ti ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ ọmọ ki i náání ohun ini bàbá lẹhin ikú irú bàbá bẹ́ ẹ̀. Ìgbà miran idi-igi ti o jogún ilé, lè má lè tọ́jú rẹ titi yio fi wó.

Àwọn ilé ti wọn kò tọ́jú – Abandoned houses

Ogún ìyá ko ti bẹ̀rẹ̀ si fa ìjà bi ti bàbá. Ó lè jẹ́ wi pé nitori àwọn obìnrin ti o ni ogún ti wọn lè jà lé kò ti pọ̀ tó bi ti àwọn ọkùnrin ti o ni ìyàwó àti ohun ìní rẹpẹtẹ. Yoruba ni ‘Ọmọ ti a kò kọ́ ló ngbé ilé ti a bá kọ́ tà’. Ọmọ ti ó bá njà du ogún ma nba ogún jẹ ni. Lati din rògbòdiyàn ti ogún ma nfà, ó yẹ ki bàbá tàbi ìyá ṣe ìwé-ìhágún, ki wọn fún ọmọ ni ẹ̀kọ́ ilé àti ẹ̀kọ́ ilé-iwé ti ọmọ kò ni fi jà du ogún bàbá tàbi ti ìyá.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION Continue reading →

Originally posted 2017-10-27 10:54:25. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Oríkì Àjọbí, Àṣà Yorùbá ti ó nparẹ́ lọ – Family Lineage Odes, a Dying Yoruba Culture

Leave a reply

Oríkì* jẹ ọ̀rọ̀ ìwúrí ti Yorùbá ma nlò lati fi sọ ìtàn àṣà àti ìṣe ìdílé lati ìran dé ìran. Ninú oríkì ni a ti lè mọ ìtàn ìṣẹ̀dálẹ̀ ẹbí ẹni àti ohun ti a mọ ìdílé mọ́, bí i irú iṣẹ ti wọn nṣe ni ìdílé, oriṣiriṣi èdè ìbílẹ̀ Yorùbá, oúnjẹ ti wọn njẹ àti èyí ti wọn ki i jẹ, ẹ̀sìn ìdílé, àdúgbò ti wọ́n tẹ̀dó si tàbi ìlú ti a ti ṣẹ̀ wá, àṣeyọrí ti wọn ti ṣe ni ìran ẹni àti bẹ́ ẹ̀ bẹ́ ẹ̀ lọ.

Ni inú oríkì ti a ó bẹ̀rẹ̀ si i kọ, a ó ri àpẹrẹ ohun ti Yorùbá ṣe ma a nsọ oríkì pàtàki fún iwuri nigbati ọkùnrin, obinrin, ọmọdé àti ẹbí ẹni bá ṣe ohun rere bi ìṣílé, ìgbéyàwó, àṣeyorí ni ilé-iwé, oyè jijẹ tàbi ni ayé òde òni, àjọyọ̀ ọjọ́ ìbí.

Oríkì jẹ ikan ninú àṣà Yorùbá ti ó ti nparẹ́, nitori ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ ọmọ Yorùbá bẹ̀rẹ̀ si kọ èdè àti àṣà wọn sílẹ̀ fún èdè Gẹ̀ẹ́sí. Ẹ ṣe àyẹ̀wò àpẹrẹ oríkì ti ìyá Olùkọ̀wé yi sọ fún ni ibi ayẹyẹ ọjọ́ ìbí rẹ̀ ni ojú ìwé yi. A ó bẹ̀rẹ̀ si kọ oríkì oriṣiriṣi ìdílé Yorùbá.

Ọmọ ẹlẹ́ja ò tú mù kẹkẹ
Ọmọ a mẹ́ja yan ẹja
Ọmọ ò sùn mẹ́gbẹ̀wá ti dọ̀ ara rẹ̀
Ọmọ gbàsè gbàsè kẹ́ ṣọbinrin lọyin
Ọmọ kai, eó gbé si yàn ún
Ọmọ a mú gbìrín eó b’ọ̀dìdẹ̀
Ìṣò mó bọ, òwíyé wàarè
Ọmọ adáṣọ bù á lẹ̀ jẹ
Ọmọ a má bẹ̀rẹ̀ gúnyán k’àdó gbèrìgbè mọ mọ̀
Ọmọ a yan eó meka run
Ọmọ a mẹ́ kìka kàn yan ẹsinsun t’ọrẹ
É e ṣojú un ríro, ìṣẹ̀dálẹ̀ rin ni
Ọmọ a mi malu ṣ’ọdún ìgbàgbọ́
Ọmọ elési a gbàrùnbọ̀ morun
Ọmọ elési a gbàdá mo yóko
Èsì li sunkún ètìtù kọ gbà àrán bora li Gèsan Ọba
Ọmọ Olígèsan òròrò bílẹ̀
Ọmọ alábùṣọrọ̀, a múṣu mọdi
Àbùṣọrọ̀ lu lé uṣu, mọ́ m’ẹ́ùrà kàn kàn dé bẹ̀
Kare o ‘Lúàmi, ku ọdún oni o, è í ra ṣàṣe mọ ri a (Àṣẹ)

ENGLISH TRANSLATION Continue reading →

Originally posted 2017-04-07 21:57:06. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Àjàpá sọ Ẹlẹ́dẹ̀ di ọ̀bùn – “Alágbára má mèrò; baba ọ̀le; Ọgbọ́n ju agbára” – The Tortoise turned the Pig to the filthy one – One who has strength but is thoughtless is the father figure of laziness –wisdom is mightier than strength

Leave a reply

Ọ̀rọ̀ Yorùbá ni “Àlébù ki ṣe ẹ̀gàn tàbi agọ̀; ṣùgbọ́n, ẹ̀gàn àti agọ̀ ni fún ẹni ti ojú rẹ fọ́ si àlébù ara rẹ”. Irú ẹni bẹ̃, kò lè ri àtúnṣe tàbi sọ àlèbú yi di ohun ini. Ninú ìtàn bi Àjàpá ti sọ Ẹlẹ́dẹ̀ di ọ̀bùn ti a mọ̀ si titi di oni, Àjàpá jẹ́ ẹranko ti kò lè yára rin tàbi ni agbára iṣẹ́ àti ṣe lówó, ṣùgbọ́n ó ni ọgbọ́n lati bo àlébù rẹ.

Yorùbá ni “Alágbára má mèrò; baba ọ̀le; Ọgbọ́n ju agbára”. Àjàpá́ jẹ́ ọlọ́gbọ́n ẹwẹ, nigbati Ẹlẹ́dẹ̀ jẹ́ alágbá̀ra ti kò mèrò. Kò si ohun ti Àjàpá lè ṣe lai ni idi tàbi ọgbọ́n àrékérekè, nitori eyi, ó sọ ara rẹ di ọ̀rẹ́ Ẹlẹ́dẹ̀ nitori gbogbo ẹranko yoku ti já ọgbọ́n rẹ. Ẹlẹ́dẹ̀ kò fi ọgbọ́n wá idi irú ọ̀rẹ́ ti Àjàpá jẹ́. Laipẹ, Àjàpá lọ yá owó lọ́dọ̀ Ẹlẹ́dẹ̀ pẹ̀lu àdéhùn pe ohun yio san owó na padà ni ọjọ́ ti ohun dá. Ẹlẹ́dẹ̀ rò pé ọ̀rẹ́ ju owó lọ, ó gbà lati yá Àjàpá lówó nitori àdéhùn rẹ.

Nigbati ọjọ ti Àjàpá dá pé, Ẹlẹ́dẹ̀ reti titi ki ó wá san owó ti ó yá, ṣù̀gbọn Àjàpá kò kúrò ni ilé rẹ nitori ó mọ̀ pé ohun kò ni owó́ lati san. Àjàpá fi ohun pẹ̀lẹ́ ṣe àlàyé pé bi ohun ti fẹ́ ma kó owó lọ fún Ẹlẹ́dẹ̀ ni olè dá ohun lọ́nà, ti wọn gba gbogbo owó lọ. Inú Ẹlẹ́dẹ̀ kò dùn nitori kò gba iṣẹ̀lẹ̀ yi gbọ́, ṣùgbọ́n ó gba nigbati Àjàpá tún dá ọjọ́ miran lati san owó na. Bi Ẹlẹ́dẹ̀ ti kúrò ló bá aya rẹ “Yáníbo” dìmọ̀pọ̀ bi ohun kò ti ni san owó padà. Ó ni bi ọjọ́ bá pé, bi Yáníbo bá ti gbọ́ ìró Ẹlẹ́dẹ̀, kó yi ohun padà, ki ó bẹrẹ si lọ ẹ̀gúsí ni àyà ohun lai dúró bi Ẹlẹ́dẹ̀ bá wọlé bèrè ohun.

Àjàpa ninu ẹrọ̀fọ̀ ti Ẹlẹ́dẹ̀ ju si – The Tortoise thrown by the Pig into the swamp. Courtesy: @theyorubablog

Ni ọjọ́ ti Àjàpá dá pé, Ẹlẹ́dẹ̀ dé lati gba owó rẹ, Yáníbo ṣe bi ọkọ rẹ ti wi. Ẹlẹ́dẹ̀ fi ibinu gbé ọlọ àti ẹ̀gúsí sọnù si ẹrọ̀fọ̀ ti ó wá ni ìtòsí lai mọ̀ pé Àjàpá ni ọlọ yi. Yáníbo fi igbe ta titi ọkọ rẹ fi wọlé. Àjàpá yọ ara rẹ̀ kúrò ninú ẹrọ̀fọ̀, ó nu ara rẹ̀, ó ṣe bi ẹni pé ohun kò ri Ẹlẹ́dẹ̀ nigbati ó délé. Ó bèrè ohun ti ó fa igbe ti Yáníbo ńké. Yáníbo ṣe àlàyé.

Ẹlẹ́dẹ̀i fi imú tú ẹrọ̀fọ̀ – The Tortoise prout in the swamp. Courtesy: @theyorubablog

Yorùbá ni “Ọ̀bùn ri ikú ọkọ tìrọ̀ mọ́, ó ni ọjọ́ ti ọkọ ohun ti kú ohun ò wẹ̀”. Àjàpá ri ohun ṣe àwá-wi, ó sọ fún Ẹlẹ́dẹ̀ pé ọlọ ti ó gbé sọnù ṣe pataki fún idilé àwọn, nitori na ó ni lati wá ọlọ yi jade ki ohun tó lè san owó ti ohun yá. Ẹlẹ́dẹ̀ wọnú ẹrọ̀fọ̀ lati wá ọlọ idile Àjàpá. Lati igbà yi ni Ẹlẹ́dẹ̀ ti bẹ̀rẹ̀ si fi imú tú ẹrọ̀fọ̀ titi di ọjọ́ oni.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION Continue reading →

Originally posted 2014-02-18 23:03:39. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Ajá dúró dèmί lọna, fẹrẹ kun fẹ 2ce
Bί ὸ bá dúró dèmί lọna fẹrẹ kun fẹ
Makékéké Olóko á gbọ fẹrẹ kun fẹ
Á gbọ á gbéwa dè, fẹrẹ kun fẹ
Á gbéwa dè, á gbàwá nίṣu fẹrẹ kun fẹ
Ajá dúró dèmί lọna, fẹrẹ kun fẹ 2ce

You can also download a recital by right clicking this link: Ajá dúró dèmί lọna

“Àjàpá fẹ́ kó bá Ajá – Kàkà ki eku májẹ sèsé, á fi ṣe àwàdànu” – “Tortoise tried to implicate the Dog – The rat, even if it can’t eat the grain, would rather waste it”

Ni ayé atijọ, ìyàn mú ni ìlú àwọn ẹranko gidigidi, ti àwọn ẹranko fi ńwá oúnjẹ kiri. Iṣu je oúnjẹ gidi ni ilẹ Yorὺbá. Àjàpá àti Ajá gbimọ̀ pọ, lati lọ si oko olóko lati lọ ji iṣu.

Àjàpá jẹ ara ẹranko afàyà fà, ti ko le sáré bi ti Ajá ṣùgbọ́n o lọgbọn gidigidi. Nίgbàtί Àjàpá́ àti Ajá ti jίṣu ko tán, ajá nsáré tete lọ, ki olóko má ba kawọn mọ.

Yorὺbá ni “Kàkà ki eku májẹ sèsé, á fi ṣe àwàdànu”. Àjàpá́ ri wipe ὸhun o le bá Ajá sáré, ó bá ti orin ikilọ bẹnu kί Ajá ba le dúró de ὸhun ni tipátipá. Bί Ajá ko ba dúró, nitotọ olóko á gbọ igbe Àjàpá́, yio si fa àkóbá fún Ajá. Àjàpá́ ko fẹ dá nìkan pàdánú nίtorί olóko á gba iṣu ti ohun jί kó, á sì fi ìyà jẹ ohun.

Titi di ọjọ́ òni, àwọn èniyàn ti o nhu iwà bi Àjàpá pọ̀, ni pàtàki àwọn Òsèlú. . Ikan ninú ẹ̀kọ́ itàn àdáyébá yi ni, lati ṣe ikilọ fún àwọn ti o nṣe ọ̀tẹ̀, ti o nhu iwà ibàjẹ́ tàbi rú òfin pé ki wọn jáwọ́ ninú iwà burúkú. Ìtàn yί tún dára lati gba èniyàn ni iyànjú wίpé ki a má ṣe nkan àṣίrί si ọwọ́ ẹnikẹni pàtàkì ohun ti ko tọ́ tàbί ti ó lὸdì si ὸfin. Yorὺbà ni “Mo ṣé tàn lówà, kὸ sί mo ṣégbé” bó pẹ bó yá, àṣίrί á tú.

Ẹ̀yin ọmọ Yorὺbá nίlé lóko, ẹ jẹ ká hὺwà otitọ kί á sì pa ὸfin mọ, kί a má ba rί àkóbá pàtàkì ọmọ Yorὺbá nί Òkèokun/Ìlúὸyìnbó.

: Iṣu – Yam. Courtesy: @theyorubablog

: Ajá sá fún olóko – The Dog running away from the farmer.

: Àjàpá – Tortoise. Courtesy: @theyorubablog

ENGLISH TRANSLATION Continue reading →

Originally posted 2014-11-14 10:15:01. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

“Ẹni bá wá iwa-kuwa, ojú rẹ á ri irikuri” – Ìtàn bi imú Erin ti di gigùn: “Whoever pry unnecessarily, will witness an offensive sight” – The story of how the Elephant’s nose became a trunk.

2 Replies

Ni igbà kan ri, imú Erin dàbi ti àwọn ẹranko tó kù ni, ṣùgbọ́n Erin fi aigbọ tara ẹni, di o ni imú gigùn. Gbogbo nkan tó nlọ ni ayé àwọn ẹranko yoku ni Erin fẹ tọpinpin rẹ.

Yorùbá ni “Ẹni bá wá iwa-kuwa, ojú rẹ á ri irikuri”. Ni ọjọ́ kan, gẹgẹbi iṣe Erin, ó ri ihò dúdú kan, ó ti imú bọ lati tọpinpin lai mọ pe ibẹ̀ ni Òjòlá (Ejò nla ti o ngbe ẹranko tàbi enia mi) fi ṣe ibùgbé. Bi o ti gbé imú si inú ihò yi ni Òjòlá fa ni imú lati gbe mì. Erin pariwo lati tú ara rẹ̀ silẹ̀ ṣùgbọ́n Òjòlá kò tu imú rẹ silẹ̀. Ìyàwó Erin gbọ́ igbe ọkọ rẹ, o fa ni irù lati gbiyànjú ki ó tú ọkọ rẹ silẹ̀. Bi àwọn mejeeji ti ṣe ́gbìyànjú tó, ni imú Erin bẹ̀rẹ̀ si gùn si titi o fi já mọ́ Òjòlá lẹ́nu.

Imú Erin di gigùn – Elephant’s nose became a trunk. Courtesy: @theyorubablog.com

Imú gigùn yi dá itiju fún Erin, ó fi ara pamọ́ titi, ṣùgbọ́n nigbati àwọn ẹranko ti ó kù ri imú rẹ gigun wọn bẹ̀rẹ̀ si ṣe ilara irú imú bẹ. Èébú dọlá, ohun itiju di ohun ilara.

Ọ̀bọ jẹ ẹranko ti ó féràn àti ma ṣe àfarawé gbogbo ẹranko yoku. Ni ọjọ́ kan, Ọ̀bọ lọ si ibi ihò dúdú ti Erin lọ lati ṣe ohun ti Erin ṣe. Yorùbá ni “Ohun ojú wa, lojú nri”. Bi ó ti gbé imú si inú ihò dúdú yi ni Òjòlá gbe mi, ó si kú. Àwọn ẹranko tó kù fi ti Ọ̀bọ kọ́gbọ́n, nitori eyi ni o fi jẹ imú Erin nikan ló gùn ni gbogbo ẹranko.

Ẹkọ pataki ninu itàn yi ni pe “àfarawé” lè fa àkóbá bi: ikú òjijì, àdánù owó àti ara, ẹ̀wọ̀n àti bẹ̃bẹ̃ lọ.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

A long time ago, the Elephant’s nose was just normal like that of other animals, but the Elephant for not minding his business became a long nose/hand animal. The Elephant is always prying at all other animals’ matters. Continue reading →

Originally posted 2015-06-12 09:30:01. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Ìtàn Yorùbá bi Àdán ti di “Ko ṣeku, kò ṣẹyẹ” – Yoruba Folklore on how the Bat became “Neither Rat nor Bird”

1 Reply

Àdán fò lọ bá ẹyẹ – Bat flew to join the birds @theyorubablog

Ìtàn sọ wí pé eku ni àdán tẹ́lẹ̀ ki ìjà nla tó bẹ́ sílẹ̀ laarin eku àti ẹyẹ. Àdán rò wípé àwọn ẹyẹ fẹ́ bori, nitorina o fo lati lọ darapọ̀ mọ́ ẹyẹ lati dojú ìjà kọ àwọn ẹbi rẹ eku.

Eku àti ẹyẹ bínú si àdàn nitori ìwà àgàbàgebè ti ó hu yi, wọ́n pinu lati parapọ̀ lati dojú ìjà kọ àdán. Nitori ìdí èyí ni àdán ṣe bẹ̀rẹ̀ si sá pamọ́ lati fi òkùnkùn bora ni ọ̀sán fún eku àti ẹyẹ títí di òní.

A lè fi ìtàn yi wé àwọn Òṣèlú tó nsa lati ẹgbẹ́ kan si ekeji nitori ipò̀ ati agbára lati kó owó ìlú jẹ. Ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ ìgbà, wọ́n ma “lé eku meji pa òfo” ni. Ọkùnrin ti o ni ìyàwó kan, ni àlè sita ma fara pamọ́ lati lọ sí ọ̀dọ̀ obìnrin keji ti wọ́n rò wípé́ á fún wọn ní ìgbádùn. Nígbàtí ìyàwó ilé bá gbọ́, wọn a pa òfo lọdọ ìyàwó ilé, wọn a tún tẹ́ lọ́dọ̀ àlè.

Ẹ̀kọ́ ìtàn yí ni wípé iyè meji kò dara, ọ̀dalẹ̀ ma mba ilẹ̀ lọ ni, nitorina, ojúkòkòrò kò lérè.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

According to Yoruba folklore, the bat was once a rat, until a great fight broke out between the rats and the birds. Sensing that birds might win the fight, some of the rats became bats, flying to join the birds against their rat kindred. Continue reading →

Originally posted 2015-09-11 09:20:28. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Ààntéré ọmọ Òrìṣà-Omi – “Ọmọ o láyọ̀lé, ẹni ọmọ sin lo bimọ”: Aantere – The River goddess child “Children are not to be rejoiced over, only those whose children bury them really have children”.

1 Reply

Yorùbá ka ọmọ si ọlá àti iyì ti yio tọ́jú ìyá àti bàbá lọ́jọ́ alẹ́. Eyi han ni orúkọ ti Yorùbá nsọ ọmọ bi: Ọmọlọlá, Ọmọniyi, Ọmọlẹ̀yẹ, Ọmọ́yẹmi, Ọlọ́mọ́là, Ọlọ́mọlólayé, Ọmọdunni, Ọmọwunmi, Ọmọgbemi, Ọmọ́dára àti bẹ̃bẹ̃ lọ. A o tun ṣe akiyesi ni àṣà Yorùbá pe bi obinrin ba wọ ilé ọkọ, wọn ki pe ni orúkọ ti ìyá ati bàbá sọ, wọn a fun ni orúkọ ni ilé ọkọ. Nigbati ó bá ṣẹ̀ṣẹ̀ wọlé wọn a pe ni “Ìyàwó” ṣùgbọ́n bi ó bá ti bímọ a di “Ìyá orúkọ àkọ́bí”, bi ó bá bi ibeji tabi ibẹta a di “Ìyá Ibeji tàbi Ìyá Ibẹta”. Bàbá ọmọ a di “Bàbá orúkọ ọmọ àkọ̀bí, Bàbá Ibeji tàbi Bàbá Ìbẹta”. Nitori idi eyi, ìgbéyàwó ti kò bá si ọmọ ma nfa irònú púpọ̀.

Ni abúlé kan ni aye atijọ, ọkọ ati ìyàwó yi kò bímọ fún ọpọlọpọ ọdún lẹhin ìgbéyàwó. Nitori àti bímọ, wọn lọ si ilé Aláwo, wọn lọ si ilé oníṣègùn lati ṣe aajo, ṣùgbọ́n wọn o ri ọmọ bi. Aladugbo wọn gbà wọn niyanju ki wọn lọ si ọ̀dọ̀ Olóri-awo ni ìlú keji. Ọkọ àti ìyàwó tọ Olóri-awo yi lọ lati wa idi ohun ti wọn lè ṣe lati bímọ. Olóri-awo ṣe iwadi lọ́dọ̀ Ifa pẹ̀lú ọ̀pẹ̀lẹ̀ rẹ, o ṣe àlàyé pe ko si ọmọ mọ lọdọ Òrìṣà ṣùgbọ́n nigbati ẹ̀bẹ̀ pọ, o ni ọmọ kan lo ku lọdọ Òrìṣà-Omi, ṣùgbọ́n ti ohun bá gba ọmọ yi fún wọn kò ni bá wọn kalẹ́, nitori ti o ba lọ si odò ki ó tó bi ọmọ ni ilé ọkọ yio kú, Òrìṣà-Omi á gba ọmọ rẹ padà. Ọkọ àti Ìyàwó ni awọn a gbã bẹ.

Ààntére lọ fọ abọ́ lódò – Aantere went to the River to do dishes. Courtesy: @theyorubablog

Ìyàwó lóyún, ó bi obinrin, wọn sọ ni “Ààntéré” eyi ti ó tumọ si “Ọmọ Omi”. Gbogbo ẹbi àti ará bá wọn yọ̀ ni ọjọ́ ìsọmọ lórúkọ. Ni ọjọ kan, Ààntéré bẹ awọn òbí rẹ pé ohun fẹ́ sáré lọ fọ abọ́, awọn òbí rẹ kọ. Nigbati ẹ̀bẹ̀ pọ wọn gbà nitori o ti dàgbà tó lati wọ ilé-ọkọ, wọn ti gbàgbé ewọ ti Olóri-awo sọ fún wọn pe, o ni lati wọ ile ọkọ ki o to bímọ. Ààntéré dé odò, Òrìṣà-omi, ri ọmọ rẹ, o fi iji nla fa Ààntéré wọ inú omi lai padà.

Ìyá àti Bàbá Ààntéré, reti ki ó padà lati odò ṣùgbọ́n kò dé, wọn ké dé ilé Ọba, Ọba pàṣẹ ki ọmọdé àti àgbà ìlú wa Ààntéré lọ. Nigba ti wọn dé idi odò, wọn bẹrẹ si gbọ orin ti Ààntéré nkọ, ṣùgbọ́n wọn ò ri.

Continue reading →

Originally posted 2013-10-11 20:24:26. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Ìbà Àkọ́dá – Reverence to the First Being

Leave a reply

Obinrin ti ó́ nṣe Ì̀bà Aṣẹ̀dá – A woman paying reverence to the Creator. Courtesy: @theyorubablog

Ìbà Àkọ́dá, ìbà Aṣẹ̀dá
Ìbà ni n ó f’òní jú, mo r’íbà, k’íbà ṣẹ
Nínú ríríjẹ, nínú àìríjẹ
Mo wá gbégbá ọpẹ́, mo r’íbà k’íbà ṣẹ
Alápáńlá tó so’lé ayé ró
Ṣe àtúntò ayé mi
Ní gbogbo ọ̀nà tí mo ti k’etí ikún sí Ọ
Baba d’áríjì, mo bẹ̀bẹ̀
Odò Orisun Rẹ ni mí, máṣe jẹ́ n gbẹ

Ìbà! ìbà!!

Ọmọ ìkà ń d’àgbà, ọmọ ìkà ń gbèrú
Ọmọ ẹni ire a má a tọrọ jẹ
Ọmọ onínúure a má a pọ́njú
Bó ti wù Ọ ́lo ń ṣ’ọlá Rẹ
Ìṣe Rẹ, Ìwọ ló yé o; Ògo Rẹ, é dibàjẹ́
Àpáta ayérayé, mo sá di Ọ ́o
Yọ́yọ́ l’ẹnu ayé
Aráyé ń sọ Ọ ́sí láburú, aráyé ń sọ Ọ ́sí rere
Ọlọ́jọ́ ń ka’jọ́
Bó pẹ́, bó yá, ohun ayé á b’áyé lọ

Ìbà! ìbà!!

Ẹni iná ọ̀rẹ́ bá jó rí, bó bá ní’hun nínú kò ní lè rò
ọ̀rẹ́ gidi ń bẹ bíi ká f’ẹ́ni dé’nú
ọ̀rẹ́ ló ṣe’ni l’ọ́ṣẹ́ tó ku s’ára bí iṣu
Ìrètí nínú ènìyàn, irọ́ funfun gbáláhú!
ọ̀rẹ́ kan tí mo ní
Elédùmarè, Alágbára, ìbà Rẹ o Baba, Atóbijù!

Ìbà! ìbà!!

ENGLISH TRANSLATION Continue reading →

Originally posted 2015-10-02 19:50:39. 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 Folklore

Yoruba Folktale: A Bird Steals Iyawo’s Baby

Gbẹ̀dẹ̀ bi Ogún Ìyá, Ogún Bàbá ló ni ni lára – Maternal Inheritance comes with ease, while paternal inheritance brings about trouble

Oríkì Àjọbí, Àṣà Yorùbá ti ó nparẹ́ lọ – Family Lineage Odes, a Dying Yoruba Culture

Àjàpá sọ Ẹlẹ́dẹ̀ di ọ̀bùn – “Alágbára má mèrò; baba ọ̀le; Ọgbọ́n ju agbára” – The Tortoise turned the Pig to the filthy one – One who has strength but is thoughtless is the father figure of laziness –wisdom is mightier than strength

“Ẹni bá wá iwa-kuwa, ojú rẹ á ri irikuri” – Ìtàn bi imú Erin ti di gigùn: “Whoever pry unnecessarily, will witness an offensive sight” – The story of how the Elephant’s nose became a trunk.

Ìtàn Yorùbá bi Àdán ti di “Ko ṣeku, kò ṣẹyẹ” – Yoruba Folklore on how the Bat became “Neither Rat nor Bird”

Ààntéré ọmọ Òrìṣà-Omi – “Ọmọ o láyọ̀lé, ẹni ọmọ sin lo bimọ”: Aantere – The River goddess child “Children are not to be rejoiced over, only those whose children bury them really have children”.

Ìbà Àkọ́dá – Reverence to the First Being

Follow The Yoruba Blog