Yoruba people are an ethnic group of Southwestern and North Central Nigeria as well as Southern and Central Benin, together known as Yorubaland. 61 Yoruba Proverbs. It takes a whole village to raise a child. Àgbà kò sí nílu, ìlú bàjé, baálé ilé kú ilé d’ahoro. Truth came to market but could not be sold; however, we buy lies with ready cash. Being a millionaire isn’t a day job, my brother. The soup does not move round in an elder’s belly. I am sure you all know that “Owe Yorùbá” are enormous. Who wouldn’t know it is the witch who is responsible for the child’s death, Meaning: There was a threat yesterday and a tragedy struck today, who wouldn’t know it is the one who threatened to strike yesterday that is responsible for the tragedy, Proverb: Bí kò fę ju ìpàkó, ęşin tí ó ngùn á ję kojū. It is also mainly found in thick forest, here, it is difficult or almost impossible for any human to channel his part easily. Ìbí ò júbí, b’aṣe b’ẹ́rú lá b’ọ́mọ. 14. YORUBA PROVERB Ile la ti n ko eso re ode. Meaning: Always stand by your word. " This mode of expression among the Yorùbá people is referred to as “owe” (proverbs). The message could be a warning or information. Translation: The person who eats late, will not eat spoilt or rotten food, Meaning: The patient Dog eats the fattest bone. To catch a monkey, you must do like a monkey. You can’t stop a pig from wallowing in the mud. When your neighbor’s horse falls into a pit, you should not rejoice at it, for your own child may fall into it too. It is wiser to be patient in any situation and find a well thought out plan than to hastily make decisions and accept ill conceived solutions, Proverb: Bí a bá ro dídùn ifọ̀n á ó ọ’ra déegun, Translation: If a person thinks of the pleasure gotten while having an itch on the body he or she is likely to keep scratching out the skin till it gets to the bone, Meaning: There are limits and boundaries to everything in life and it is important one bears this in mind so as to avoid calamities’, Translation: One is not chanced to shoot a Buffalo twice. Interpretation: people whom you used to be their subject will not be happy to see you becoming more successful than them, but will never be able to tell you that they are not happy. Interpretation: eyes in this context is referring to something valuable to us. In the end, your hard work will pay off.

This proverb is often used in a situation whereby the death or absence of experienced guidance maybe in a family or in a community causes the destruction of a child or a community at large. 2. Literal translation: someone we were supposed to trade for a lantern, he now became the person whom we wake up early and light up to see. Interpretation: a powerful and wealthy person should not rule or act powerfully. African proverbs, especially Yoruba proverbs have always struck us with their deep meaning. There was a threat yesterday and tragedy struck today, who doesn’t know that it’s the threatener of yesterday that is responsible for the tragedy. Little by little is how the pig’s nose enters the yard. It is also applicable when referring to an item or health just like the literal meaning implies. The proverb is reminding him that he’s only fortunate to be who and what he is today, not because he’s born with golds and silver in his hands and so his current position can be given to someone else -the poor. Envious quarrel doesn’t get settled on time. See instructions, Artist Kcee builds himself a massive mansion in Anambra State as Christmas gift (video), Special Schools in Nigeria: The Full List, FUTO: Courses Offered, Admission, School Fees & Student Portal, Most Fashionable and Trendy Lace Styles in 2020, Prevention of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disease using Hand-made Sanitizers. When a king’s palace burns down, the re-built palace is more beautiful . Olówó o ní jẹ orogan, kí ìwòfà náa wá jẹ́ ágùn má tẹ. No one can uproot the tree which God has planted. When wood breaks it can be repaired, but ivory breaks forever. Interpretation: you threw away all that you have acquired with hard work just because you heard about freebies Silence is an attribute of the dead; he who is alive speaks. If something that was going to chop off your head only knocked off your cap, you should be grateful. Má ṣe bólátitó, t’oba ṣe bọ́látitó ìjà níí dà. Usage: if a bad time is occurring in one’s life, that brought about insults from someone inferior to you, you can express your pain with this proverb. Translation: The head of an old man is bald because he has taken on so much trouble on his head in his lifetime. A palm tree is growing, man created from Adam is not happy. Literal translation: if it wasn’t for the sweetness of a friend’s cooked vegetables, a pretty lady’s food is more than enough for her to eat. Usage: this proverb is used as a warning for a powerful leader who exploits his subjects without minding the consequences. To see this page as it is meant to appear, please enable your Javascript! 12. 5. This proverb is used when one is apologizing on behalf of a younger one who has offended or has been rude to an adult, emphasizing that the child was only being childish and should be forgiven. Maybe someone is facing a hard time in life, such a person can be consoled by telling him that the bad phase will not last forever. You need a long spoon to dine with the devil. Literal translation: The eyes that will stay with you till night, will not be bringing out dirt in the morning. The communication can be between families, two or more towns, the landowner (onílé) and visitors (alejò), and between two lovers. Maybe the headline shouldn’t have “100” since it’s not actually up to hundred. Á ń jù wọ́n kò ṣé wí léjọ́, ìjà ìlara kò tan bọ̀rọ̀. That valuable item could be our health, a family member or friends. Yorùbá is one of the ethnic groups in Nigeria. Literal translation: moments don’t go for long, days don’t go forever It could also a message expressing rejection or acceptance of an offer, or expressing disapproval of someone’s action and so on.

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7. "A kì í rí i ká tún sọ pé a ò ri mọ́." He has lips like a drum.

This will get better soon. Translation: The head of an old man is bald because he has taken on so much trouble on his head in his lifetime. It could cause a good laugh and give you an insight into how deep the culture is.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 1. Rather than an abatement of her viciousness, a witch gives birth to only female children and witchcraft multiplies .

The verbal mode of communication among the Yorùbá people varies in terms of expression which I will classify as direct expression and indirect expression of the message. If a big masquerade claims it doesn’t see the smaller masquerade, the small masquerade will also claim it doesn’t see the big masquerade. Even though most of them came to existence long ago, they are still applicable in the modern world. Interpretation: circumstances we face in life are not permanent, time changes so we do too. So please, be good to all!

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