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

Ìtàn ti a o kà loni dá lórí ìdí ti ọmọ Ẹkùn fi di Ológbò – The Yoruba story being read is on “how a Tiger Cub became a Cat”

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Yorùbá ma npa ìtàn lati fi ṣe à ri kọ́gbọ́n tàbi fún ìkìlọ̀. Ẹ ṣọ́ra lati fi ìbẹ̀rù àti ojo bẹ̀rẹ̀ ọdún nitori a ma a géni kúrú. Lára ẹ̀kọ́ ti a lè ri fi kọ́ ọgbọ́n ni ìtàn ti a ka yi ni wi pé, onikálukú ni Ọlọrun fún ni ẹ̀bùn àti àyè ti rẹ̀ ni ayé. Ohun ti ó dára ni ìṣọ̀kan, ẹ̀kọ́ wa lati kọ́ lára bi ẹranko ti ó ni agbára ṣe mba ara wọ́n gbé, ó dára ki a gba ìkìlọ̀ àgbà tàbi ẹni ti ó bá ṣe nkan ṣáájú àti pé ìjayà tàbi ìbẹ̀rù lè gé ènìà kúrú bi o ti sọ ọmọ Ẹkùn di Ológbò.

Ẹ ka ìtàn yi ni èdè Gẹ̀ẹ́sì ni ojú ewé Yorùbá lóri ayélujára ti a kọ ni ọdún Ẹgbàálémẹ́rìndínlógún, oṣù kẹta, ọjọ́ kọkàndínlọ́gbọ̀n.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

In Yoruba Culture stories are told to learn from example or to warn. Be careful on stepping into the New Year with fear, because fear reduces one’s potential. Some of the lessons that can be Continue reading →

Originally posted 2018-01-19 00:47:17. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Kò si ọgbọ́n to lè dá, kò si ìwà ti o lè hù, ti o lè fi tẹ́ aiyé lọ́rùn – Ìtàn Bàbá Oní-kẹ́tẹ́kẹ́tẹ́: “No amount of wisdom or character displayed can please the world.

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Oni – kẹ́tẹ́kẹ́tẹ́ – The Horseman & his son

Ni aiyé àtijọ́, ẹsin àti kẹ́tẹ́kẹ́tẹ́ ló dàbi ọkọ̀ igbàlódé ti wọn ńpè ni mọ́tò. Ẹni ti ó jẹ́ ọlọ́rọ̀, ló lè ni ẹsin tàbi kẹ́tẹ́kẹ́tẹ́. Ẹsẹ̀ ni ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ fi ńrin irin àjò.

Ìtàn yi dá ló̀ri Bàbá àti ọmọ rẹ ti wọn ńsin kẹ́tẹ́kẹ́tẹ́. Wọn múra lati rin irin àjò. Gẹ́gẹ́ bi àṣà Yorùbá lati bu ọ̀wọ̀ fún àgbà, Bàbá ló gun kẹ́tẹ́kẹ́tẹ́, ọmọ rẹ bẹ̀rẹ̀ si rin tẹ̀lé kẹ́tẹ́kẹ́tẹ́. Àwọn enia ti o ri wọn ni “Bàbá, iwọ gun kẹ́tẹ́kẹ́tẹ́, ọmọ ńrin ni ilẹ̀”. Nitori ọ̀rọ̀ yi, Bàbá bọ́ silẹ̀, ó gbé ọmọ rẹ gun kẹ́tẹ́kẹ́tẹ́. Àwọn aiyé tún ri wọn ni “Bàbá ńrin nilẹ̀, ọmọ ńgun kẹ́tẹ́kẹ́tẹ́”. kẹ́tẹ́kẹ́tẹ́ wọn ti dàgbà, ṣùgbọ́n tori ẹnu aiyé, Bàbá àti ọmọ bá mú kẹ́tẹ́kẹ́tẹ́ gùn. Wọn ko ti rin jinà nigbati àwọn ti ó ri wọn tún ni “Ẹ wo Bàbá àti ọmọ tó fẹ́ pa kẹ́tẹ́kẹ́tẹ́”. Nitori àti tẹ́ aiyé lọ́run, Bàbá àti ọmọ bọ́ silẹ̀, wọn bẹ̀rẹ̀ si fi ẹsẹ̀ rin tẹ̀lé kẹ́tẹ́kẹ́tẹ́. Àwọn arin irin àjò yókù tún ri wọn, wọn ni “Ẹrú aiyé ni àwọn eleyi, bawo ni wọn ṣe lè ni kẹ́tẹ́kẹ́tẹ́, ki wọn ma fi ẹsẹ̀ rin?”

Nigbati Bàbá ti gbìyànjú titi, ti kò mọ ohun ti ó tún lè ṣe mọ́, lati tẹ́ aiyé lọ́rùn ni ó ránti ọ̀rọ̀ Yorùbá tó ni “Kò si ọgbọ́n ti o lè dá, kò si iwà ti o lè hù, ti o lè fi tẹ́ aiyé lọ́rùn”.

Yorùbá ni “Ẹni à ḿbá ra ọjà là ńwò, a ki wó ariwo ọjà̀”. Lára nkan ti itàn yi kọ́ wa ni pé: ohun ani là ńlò; ibi ti à ńlọ ni ká dojú kọ lai wo ariwo ọjà àti pé enia ni lati ni ọkàn tirẹ̀ nitori kò si ẹni ti ó lè tẹ́ aiyé lọ́rùn.

Ẹ gbọ bi ògúná gbòngbò ninú àwọn ọ̀gá ninú olórin ilẹ̀ Yorùbá àti ilẹ̀ aláwọ̀ dúdú – “Chief Ebenezer Fabiyi” ti a mọ si “Olóyè Adarí” ti fi itàn yi kọrin.

Ebenezer Obey – The Horse, The Man and The Son

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Originally posted 2014-04-15 22:41:38. 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

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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.

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

“Ìtàn bi Ìjàpá ti fa Àkóbá fún Ọ̀bọ: Ẹ Ṣọ́ra fún Ọ̀rẹ́ Burúkú” – “The Story of how the Tortoise caused the Monkey an unprovoked trouble: Be careful with a bad Friend”

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Ni ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ itàn Yorùbá, Ìjàpá jẹ ọ̀lẹ, òbùrẹ́wà, kò tóbi tó àwọn ẹranko yoku, ṣùgbọ́n ó ni ọgbọ́n àrékérekè ti ó fi ngbé ilé ayé.

Ò̀we Yorùbá sọ wi pé, “Iwà jọ iwà, ni ọ̀rẹ́ jọ ọ̀rẹ́”, ṣùgbọ́n ninú itàn yi, iwà Ìjàpá àti Ọ̀bọ kò jọra. Ìjàpá pẹ̀lú Ọ̀bọ di ọ̀rẹ́ nitori wọn jọ ngbé àdúgbò. Gbogbo ẹranko yoku mọ̀ wi pé iwà wọn kò jọra nitori eyi, ó jẹ́ ìyàlẹ́nu fún wọn irú ọ̀rẹ́ ti wọn bára ṣe.

Ọgbọ́n burúkú kó wọn Ìjàpá, ni ọjọ́ kan ó bẹ̀rẹ̀ si ṣe àdúrà lojiji pé “Àkóbá , àdábá, Ọlọrun ma jẹ ká ri”, Ọ̀bọ kò ṣe “Àmin àdúrà” nitori ó mọ̀ wi pé kò si ẹni ti ó lè ṣe àkóbá fún Ìjàpá, à fi ti ó bá ṣe àkóbá fún elòmiràn. Inú bi Ìjàpá, ó ka iwà Ọ̀bọ yi si à ri fin, ó pinu lati kọ lọ́gbọ́n pé ọgbọ́n wa ninú ki enia mã ṣe “Àmin” si àdúrà àwọn àgbà.

Ìjàpá ṣe àkàrà ti ó fi oyin din, o di sinú ewé, ó gbe tọ Ẹkùn lọ. Ki Ẹkùn tó bèrè ohun ti Ìjàpá nwa lo ti gbo oorun didun ohun ti Ìjàpá Ijapa gbe wa. Ìjàpá jẹ́ ki Ẹkùn játọ́ titi kó tó fún ni àkàrà olóyin jẹ. Àkàrà olóyin dùn mọ́ Ẹkùn, ó ṣe iwadi bi òhun ti lè tún ri irú rẹ. Ìjàpá ni àṣiri ni pé Ọ̀bọ ma nṣu di dùn, lára igbẹ́ rẹ ni òhun bù wá fún Ẹkùn. Ó ni ki Ẹkùn fi ọgbọ́n tan Ọ̀bọ, ki ó si gba ni ikùn diẹ ki ó lè ṣu igbẹ́ aládùn fun. Ẹkùn kò kọ́kọ́ gbàgbọ́, ó ni ọjọ́ ti òhun ti njẹ ẹran oriṣiriṣi, kò si ẹranko ti inú rẹ dùn bi eyi ti Ìjàpá gbé wá. Ìjàpá ni ọ̀rẹ òhun kò fẹ́ ki ẹni kan mọ àṣiri yi. Ẹkùn gbàgbọ́, nitori ó mọ̀ wi pé ọ̀rẹ́ gidi ni Ìjàpá àti Ọ̀bọ.

Ẹkùn gba ikùn Ọ̀bọ – Leopard dealt the Monkey blows.

Ẹkùn lúgọ de Ọ̀bọ, ó fi ọgbọ́n tan ki ó lè sún mọ́ òhun. Gẹ́rẹ́ ti Ọ̀bọ sún mọ́ Ẹkùn, o fã lati gba ikùn rẹ gẹ́gẹ́ bi Ìjàpá ti sọ, ki ó lè ṣu di dùn fún òhun. Ó gbá ikun Ọ̀bọ titi ó fi ya igbẹ́ gbi gbóná ki ó tó tu silẹ̀. Gẹ́rẹ́ ti Ẹkùn tu Ọ̀bọ silẹ̀, ó lo agbára diẹ ti ó kù lati sáré gun ori igi lọ lati gba ara lowo iku ojiji. Ẹkùn tọ́ igbẹ́ Ọ̀bọ wò, inú rẹ bàjẹ́, ojú ti i pé òhun gba ọ̀rọ̀ Ìjàpá gbọ. Lai pẹ, Ìjàpá ni Ọ̀bọ kọ́kọ́ ri, ó ṣe àlàyé fún ọ̀rẹ́ rẹ ohun ti ojú rẹ ri lọ́wọ́ Ẹkùn lai funra pé Ìjàpá ló fa àkóbá yi fún òhun. Ìjàpá ṣe ojú àánú, ṣùgbọ́n ó padà ṣe àdúrà ti ó gbà ni ọjọ́ ti Obo kò ṣe “Amin”, pé ọgbọ́n wà ninú ki èniyàn mã ṣe “Àmin” si àdúrà àwọn àgbà. Kia ni Ọ̀bọ bẹ̀rẹ̀ si ṣe “Àmin” lai dúró. Idi ni yi ti Ọ̀bọ fi bẹ̀rẹ̀ si kólòlò ti ó ndún bi “Àmin” titi di ọjọ́ òni.

Ẹ̀kọ́ itàn yi ni pé, bi èniyàn bá mbá ọ̀rẹ́ ọlọ́gbọ́n burúkú rin, ki ó mã funra tàbi ki ó yẹra, ki o ma ba ri àkóbá.

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Originally posted 2015-10-16 22:39:59. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

“Ìtàn Ìjà laarin Ọ̀kẹ́rẹ́ àti Asin – Ìgbẹ̀hìn Ìjà fún Asin àti òfófó fún Ìjàpá kò bímọ ire” – “The fight between the Squirrel and the Rat (with a long mouth) and the Consequence of Gossiping for the Tortoise”.

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Ni ayé igbà kan ri, àwọn ẹranko ni ọjà ti wọn. Ni ọjọ́ ọjà, Kìnìún, Ajá, Ìgalà, Ikõkò, Kọ̀lọ̀kọ̀lọ̀, Erin, Ẹkùn, Ìjàpá, Ọ̀kẹ́rẹ́, Eku-Asin, àti àwọn ẹranko yoku gbé irè oko àti ẹrù fún títà wá si ọjà. Erin ni Olóri ọjà, Kìnìún ni igbá keji. Gbogbo ẹranko mọ àlébù ara wọn. Wọn mọ̀ pé Asin fẹ́ràn ijà, bẹni òfófó àti àtojúbọ̀ ni àlébù Ìjàpá.

Àjàpá, Ọ̀kẹ́rẹ́, Eku-Asin, àti àwọn ẹranko yoku – Tortoise and other animals.

Ni ọjọ́ kan, ijà bẹ́ silẹ̀ laarin Ọ̀kẹ́rẹ́ àti Asin. Ki ṣe pé àwọn ẹranko yoku kò lè làjà yi, ṣùgbọ́n wọn rò pé Asin ti tún gbé iṣe rẹ̀ dé nitori ó fẹ́ràn ijà, nitori eyi, wọn kò dá si ijà. Ìjàpá fi ìsọ̀ rẹ̀ silẹ̀, ó sá lọ wòran ijà. Nigbati ó dé ibi ijà, ó rò pé Asin lágbára ju Ọ̀kẹ́rẹ́ lọ, ó kó si wọn laarin. Eku-Asin kò fẹ́ràn Ìjàpá nitori ki gbọ tara ẹ, nitori eyi, inú bi i, ó fi Ọ̀kẹ́rẹ́ silẹ̀, ó kọjú ijà si Ìjàpá. Ó fi ibinú gé imú Ìjàpá jẹ. Ìjàpá bẹ̀rẹ̀ si ké igbe pẹ̀lú orin yi nitoÌri ki àwọn ẹranko yoku lè gba ohun lọwọ Asin:

Asín tòhun Ọ̀kẹ́rẹ́ —————– jo mi jo
Àwọn ló jọ njà ———————- jo mi jo
Ìjà ré mo wá là ———————-jo mi jo
Asín wá fi mí ni mú jẹ ———— jo mi jo
Ẹ gbà mí lọwọ́ rẹ̀ —————— jo mi jo
Àwò mí mbẹ lọ́jà ——————-jo mi jo

Àwọn ẹranko yoku kọ̀ lati gba Ìjàpá lọwọ Asin, dipò ki wọn làjà gẹ́gẹ́ bi orin arò Ìjàpá, yẹ̀yẹ́ ni wọn bẹ̀rẹ̀ si ṣe, pé Ìjàpá ri ẹ̀san òfófó. Nigbati Ìjàpá ri pé àwọn ẹranko yoku kò ṣetán lati gba ohun, ó lo ọgbọ́n inú rẹ̀ lati tu ara rẹ̀ silẹ̀. Ó fa imú rẹ àti ẹnu Asin wọ inú ikarawun rẹ, ó pa ikarawun dé mọ ẹnu Ọ̀kẹ́rẹ́. Asin bẹ̀rẹ̀ si jà pàtàpàtà lati tú ẹnu rẹ̀ silẹ̀. Bi ó ti dura bẹni ẹnu rẹ̀ gùn si titi ó fi já. Ìjà yi ló sọ Asin di ẹlẹ́nu gígùn, ti ó sọ Ìjàpá di onímú kékeré titi di ọjọ́ òni.

Ẹ̀kọ́ itàn yi ni pé kò si èrè rere ninú ijà tàbi iwà òfófó nitori igbẹhin àlébù wọnyi ki i dára.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION
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Originally posted 2015-05-01 06:30:37. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

LADÉJOMORE – How Babies Lost Their Ability to Speak

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A SAMPLE OF AN EKITI VARIANT OF THE FOLK TALE “LADÉJOMORE”

Ọmọ titun – a baby Courtesy: @theyorubablog

Ladéjomore Ladéjomore1
Èsun
Oyà* Ajà gbusi
Èsun
Oyà ‘lé fon ‘ná lo 5
Èsun
Iy’uná k ó ti l’éin
Èsun
I y’eran an k’ó ti I’újà
Èsun 15
Ogbé godo s’erun so
O m’ásikù bo ‘so lo
O to kìsì s’áède
Me I gbo yùngba yùngba yún yún ún
Èsun

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Originally posted 2015-07-12 01:57:12. 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”

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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

Ẹni tó ni Ẹrú ló ni Ẹrù – Ìtàn Bàbá tó kó gbogbo ogún fun Ẹrú – “One who owns the Slave owns the Slave’s property too” – The Story of a Father who bequeathed all to his Slave

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Àwọn Alágbàṣe ni Oko -Labourers in the farm

Ni ayé igbà kan ri ki ṣe oye ọkọ, ilé gogoro, aṣọ àti owó ni ilé-ìfowó-pamọ́ ni a fi nmọ Ọlọ́rọ̀ bi kò ṣe pé oye Ẹrú, Ìyàwó, Ọmọ, Ẹran ọsin àti oko kòkó rẹpẹtẹ ni a fi n mọ Ọlọ́rọ̀. Ni àsikò yi, Bàbá kan wa ti ó ni Iyawo púpọ̀, Oko rẹpẹtẹ, ogún-lọ́gọ̀ ohun ọsin, ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ Ẹrú tàbi Alágbàṣe, Ọmọ púpọ̀, ṣùgbọ́n ninú gbogbo ọmọ wọnyi, ikan ṣoṣo ni ọkùnrin. Bàbá fi ikan ninú gbogbo Ẹrú ti ó ti pẹ́ pẹ̀lú rẹ, ṣe Olóri fún àwọn Ẹrú yoku. Ẹrú yi fẹ́ràn Bàbá, ó si fi tọkàn-tọkàn ṣe iṣẹ́ fún.

Nigbati Bàbá ti dàgbà, ó pe àwọn àgbà ẹbí lati sọ àsọtẹ́lẹ̀ bi wọn ṣe ma a pín ogún ohun lẹhin ti ohun bá kú nitori kò si iwé-ìhágún bi ti ayé òde oni. Ó ṣe àlàyé pé, ohun fẹ́ràn Olóri Ẹrú gidigidi nitori o fi tọkàn-tọkàn sin ohun, nitori na a, ki wọn kó gbogbo ohun ini ohun fún Ẹrú yi. Ó ni ohun kan ṣoṣo ni ọmọ ọkùnrin ohun ni ẹ̀tọ́ si lati mu.

Lẹhin ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ ọdún, Bàbá re ibi àgbà nrè, ó ku. Lẹhin ìsìnkú, àwọn ẹbí àti àwọn ọmọ Olóògbé pé jọ lati pín ogún. Ni àsikò yi, ọmọ ọkùnrin ni ó n jogún Bàbá, pàtàki àkọ́bí ọkùnrin nitori ohun ni Àrólé. Gẹgẹ bi àsọtẹ́lẹ̀, wọn pe Olóri Ẹrú jade, wọn si ko gbogbo ohun ini Bàbá ti o di Oloogbe fún. Wọn tún pe ọmọ ọkùnrin kan ṣoṣo ti Bàbá bi jade pé ó ni ẹ̀tọ́ lati mu ohun kan ti ó bá wu u ninú gbogbo ohun ini Bàbá rẹ, nitori eyi wọn fún ni ọjọ́ meje lati ronú ohun ti ó bá wù ú jù. Àwọn ẹbí sun ìpàdé si ọjọ́ keje. Inú Ẹrú dùn púpọ̀ nigbati inú ọmọ Bàbá bàjẹ́. Eyi ya gbogbo àwọn ti ó pé jọ lẹ́nu pàtàki ọmọ Bàbá nitori ó rò pé Bàbá kò fẹ́ràn ohun. Lẹhin ìbànújẹ́ yi, ó gbáradi, ó tọ àwọn àgbà lọ fún ìmọ̀ràn.

Ẹbí pé jọ lati pín Ogún – Family gathered to share inheritance

Ni ọjọ́ keje, ẹbí àti ará tún péjọ lati pari ọ̀rọ̀ ogún pin-pin, wọn pe ọmọ Bàbá jade pé ki ó wá mú ohun kan ṣoṣo ti ó fẹ́ ninú ẹrù Baba rẹ. Ó dide, ó dúpẹ́ lọ́wọ́ gbogbo àwọn ti ó joko, ó yan Olóri Ẹrú gẹgẹ bi àwọn àgbà ti gba a ni ìyànjú. Inú Ẹrú bàjẹ́, ṣùgbọ́n o ni ki Ẹrú má bẹ̀rù, Ẹrú na a ṣe ìlérí lati fi tọkàn-tọkàn tọ́jú ohun ti Bàbá fi silẹ̀. Idi niyi ti Yorùbá ṣe ma npa a lowe pe “Ẹni tó ni Ẹrú ló ni Ẹrù.”

Lára ẹ̀kọ́ itàn yi ni pé, ó dára lati lo ọgbọ́n ọlọ́gbọ́n nitori “Ọgbọ́n ọlọ́gbọ́n ni ki i jẹ ki á pe àgbà ni wèrè”. Ẹ̀kọ́ keji ni pé, ogún ti ó ṣe pàtàki jù ni ki á kọ ọmọ ni ẹ̀kọ́ lati ilé àti lati bójú tó ẹ̀kọ́ ilé-iwé.

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Originally posted 2015-10-30 08:30:22. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

“Bi eyi ò ṣe, omiran yio ṣe – bi Ọlọrun o pani, ẹnikan ò lè pani”: If this has not happened, something else would – If God does not kill, no one can kill”.

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Ìtàn yi dá lori Bàbá ti aládũgbò mọ si “Bàbá Beyioṣe”. Bàbá yi jẹ onígbàgbọ́, ti ki ja tabi ṣe ãpọn. O bi ọmọ mẹta ti wọn jọ ngbe nitori iyawo rẹ ti kú. Ni ilé ti o ngbe, ó fi ifẹ hàn si àwọn olùbágbé àti aládũgbò. Bi Bàbá yi bá fẹ́ la ija yio sọ pé “ẹ má jà, a ò mọ ohun ti Ọlọrun fi ohun ti ẹ ńjà lé lori ṣe, nitori na ‘bi eyi o ṣe, omiran yio ṣe’.

Ni ọjọ́ kan, ọmọ kú fún obinrin olùbágbélé Bàbá Beyioṣe. Bàbá tún dé ọdọ obinrin yi lati tu ninu, o sọ fún pe “Bi eyi o ṣe, omiran yio ṣe – ẹ pẹ̀lẹ́, a o mọ̀ ohun ti Ọlọrun fi ṣe”. Ọrọ ìtùnú yi bi ẹniti o ṣe ọ̀fọ̀ ọmọ ti ó kú ninu tó bẹ gẹ ti o fi gbèrò pe ohun yio dán ìgbàgbọ́ Bàbá Beyioṣe wo nipa wiwo ohun ti yio ṣe ti ọmọ ti rẹ nã bá kú.

Ogi – Corn starch. Courtesy: @theyorubablog

Ogi – Corn pap. Courtesy: @theyorubablog

Ni òwúrọ̀ ọjọ́ kan, Bàbá Beyioṣe, sọ fún àwọn ọmọ rẹ̀ pé ohun fẹ ji dé ibikan. Ó ṣe ètò pé ki wọn mu ògì àti àkàrà ni òwúrọ̀ ọjọ́ na. Àwọn ọmọ ji, wọn lọ si àrò, wọn po ògì lai mọ pe, obinrin ti ọmọ rẹ ku ti bu májèlé si ògì yi. Àwọn ọmọ gbé ògì wọlé ṣùgbọ́n wọn dúró de ikan ninu wọn ti ó lọ ra àkàrà. Nigbati ẹni ti ó lọ ra àkàrà de, ẹ̀gbọ́n àgbà pin àkàrà ṣùgbọ́n ija bẹ silẹ nitori ẹni ti o pin akara ko pin daradara. Nibi ti wọn ti ńja, ògì ti o jẹ ounjẹ àárọ̀ àwọn ọmọ Bàbá Beyioṣe dànù. Ori igbe ògì ti ó dànù ni àwọn ọmọ wa nigbati Bàbá Beyioṣe wọlé. Gẹ́gẹ́ bi iṣe rẹ, ó sọ fún àwọn ọmọ pé “ẹ má jà, bi eyi o ṣe, omiran yio ṣe – a o mọ ohun ti Ọlọrun fi ṣe”.

Obinrin ti o fi májèlé si ògì, ti o reti ki àwọn ọmọ Bàbá Beyioṣe ó kú, ba jade nigbati ó gbọ́ ohun ti o sọ lati tu àwọn ọmọ rẹ ninu. Ó jẹ́wọ́ pe nitotọ, onígbàgbọ́ ni Bàbá Beyioṣe nitori ohun ti ohun ṣe, ó wá tọrọ idariji. Bàbá Beyioṣe dariji, ó fún àwọn ọmọ lówó lati ra ounjẹ miran.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

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Originally posted 2013-11-29 23:33:23. 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

Ìtàn ti a o kà loni dá lórí ìdí ti ọmọ Ẹkùn fi di Ológbò – The Yoruba story being read is on “how a Tiger Cub became a Cat”

Kò si ọgbọ́n to lè dá, kò si ìwà ti o lè hù, ti o lè fi tẹ́ aiyé lọ́rùn – Ìtàn Bàbá Oní-kẹ́tẹ́kẹ́tẹ́: “No amount of wisdom or character displayed can please the world.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE Continue reading →

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

“Ìtàn bi Ìjàpá ti fa Àkóbá fún Ọ̀bọ: Ẹ Ṣọ́ra fún Ọ̀rẹ́ Burúkú” – “The Story of how the Tortoise caused the Monkey an unprovoked trouble: Be careful with a bad Friend”

“Ìtàn Ìjà laarin Ọ̀kẹ́rẹ́ àti Asin – Ìgbẹ̀hìn Ìjà fún Asin àti òfófó fún Ìjàpá kò bímọ ire” – “The fight between the Squirrel and the Rat (with a long mouth) and the Consequence of Gossiping for the Tortoise”.

LADÉJOMORE – How Babies Lost Their Ability to Speak

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

Ẹni tó ni Ẹrú ló ni Ẹrù – Ìtàn Bàbá tó kó gbogbo ogún fun Ẹrú – “One who owns the Slave owns the Slave’s property too” – The Story of a Father who bequeathed all to his Slave

“Bi eyi ò ṣe, omiran yio ṣe – bi Ọlọrun o pani, ẹnikan ò lè pani”: If this has not happened, something else would – If God does not kill, no one can kill”.

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