This paper is a philosophical analysis of yoruba proverbs. Nigerian yoruba proverbs and colonial american proverbs of benjamin franklin. International journal of african society, cultures and traditions vol. This is an effort to share the wise words of our forefathers and how connected they have always been with the word. More information about this seller contact this seller 2. Isiro loko didocalculation is the master of bleeping 2. Yoruba proverbs yoruba proverbs oyekan owomoyelauniversity of nebraska press. The context of usage is key to an understanding of proverbs generally, and yoruba proverbs. Nov 08, 2014 this is the collection of yoruba proverbs for yoruba people only. The attitudes of the mother are emulated by her offspring. It is in the spirit of african culture that we left some of them uninterpreted to enable you enjoy their richness and wisdom. Hardly can a typical yorubaman or woman utter three sentences without putting in a proverb.
The yoruba are people who live in southwestern nigeria, which is in west africa. It is part of human nature to want to dominate one another. The following proverbs and their explanation will lend credence to this claim. The proverb builds on the fact that chickens have no knees, and, therefore, cannot state cases kneeling. As relevant as proverbs are in yoruba society, they are used to portray women as less important and immoral entity. We work exclusively with native yoruba translators, who possess the skill and linguistic dexterity to overcome cultural differences. With 5235 of them, presented according to subjectmatter and each section then arranged alphabetically, it is an encyclopaedic collection a reference work more than anything else. Interpreting yoruba proverbs department of english. The first section is in yoruba and the second part is in english.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to rejuvenate their knowledge and understanding of the yoruba language and culture and likewise an introduction of the proverbs to those who never studied yoruba language as a subject. For instance, proverbs like a fadamo damo le kun awow oxiii using the gun to stop an uprising, a k ini i je a kini, a fi ni han i je a fini. But while it recognizes their coexistence, it as well underlines the fact that the relationship between women and men should be founded on equality. Seeks to propagate yoruba proverbs and increase their usage thereby preserving the yoruba language. As someone who went to school in lagos and took a fair number of yoruba classes meant to steep us in the true as in noncityfied language, i never did quite get how so many just happened to know so many of these beautiful and insightful proverbs. Yoruba divinities are called orishas, and make up one of the most complex pantheons in oral history. Yoruba proverbs is a mammoth collection of yoruba owe the english idea of a proverb apparently being a fair approximation of that concept. In yoruba usage one would not use personal pronouns to refer to animals, even though yoruba pronouns are not differentiated by gender. Pdf a discourse structural analysis of yoruba proverbs in.
Standard yoruba has its origin in the 1850s, when samuel ajayi crowther, the first african bishop, published a yoruba grammar and started his translation of the bible to yoruba more languages. The beauty of african proverbs lies in their mystery. This gigantic collection contains 5,235 yoruba proverbs, their english translations, excellent brief annotations on usage and contexts, and a 38page introduction. Proverbs ivvi can all fit into the following format. Jun 01, 2006 in this analysis of the dialectical relationship between yoruba proverbs and names we now understand that the relationship serves as an influence in arousing, manifesting and establishing the expectations, aspirations and consciousness of yoruba people in building and developing their nationstate, and thus it could be asserted that most yoruba. A kin fi oju o loju shewo ka jare one does not succeed by handing over his affairs to someone else. Bi oni ti ri ola o ri be, lo mu babalawo to fin difa ojojumo. Each proverb is presented in yoruba with a literal english translation, followed by a brief commentary explaining the meaning of the proverb within the oral tradition. Some of these people pro ceeded to yoruba country to confirm their previously held accounts about pagan worship and animist beliefs among the african peoples. In spite of the fact that things and events are unique, some yoruba proverbs show their interdependence. Earlier in this article, we mentioned that in most african traditions, it is unacceptable to tell an african proverb and still be the one to explain the meaning. It also describes the yoruba people and their oral tradition.
Video translation of the meanings of the holy quran in yoruba language. Whatever their motives, they came, observed and wrote. I love proverbs and quotes, because you learn from them. Yoruba proverbs is the most comprehensive collection to date of more than five thousand yoruban proverbs that showcase yoruba oral tradition. The publication of this volume was made possible by a generous gift from nancy sack stevens. I was happy finding so many files for free and started listening to the files. Following oyekan owomoyelas introduction, which provides a framework and description of yoruba cultural beliefs, the proverbs are arranged by theme into five sections. As the names suggest, the one is a virtual clone of the other.
Ten storyfied yoruba proverbs for children by tayo. Traditionally the yoruba eat with their fingers, and washing ones hand after eating is a sign that one is done. A study of selected yoruba proverbs and proverbial expressions adeyemi johnson ademowo1 and noah balogun2 12general studies department, afe babalola university, adoekiti, nigeria this paper examines the role of proverbs and their use in conflict management and in enhancing peaceful human coexistence. He has not only explained the proverbs but has also interpreted every word that makes up the sentences. West african proverbs elaine jones university of maryland. But yoruba proverbs relating to health matters can do more.
The yoruba are people who live in southwestern nigeria, which is. When a man goes alone to scrap bark from a tree, it falls to the ground. Philosophical issues in yoruba proverbs adegboyega. The study of yoruba religious tradition in historical.
At the end of each post i always end with a yoruba proverb. This definitive source book on yoruba proverbs is the first to give such detailed, systematic classification and analysis alongside a careful assessment of the risks and pitfalls. Since yoruba proverbs have ethical and moral values. To download any of these videos, right click on the written file size below, then click save as. Itan is the word for the sum of yoruba religion, poetry, song, and history.
Western philosophy has basically been classified into metaphysics, epistemology and ethics. Proverbs and gender equalities and equities in african. Moja mosa laa mo akinkanju loju ogundiscretion is a better part of valour. It is customary for litigants in yoruba courts to state their cases on their knees. Yoruba proverbs and their contexts by ayo faleti paperback. A mans first wife never complains of neglect from the penis, the first morsel never complains of insufficient sauce. Aseju ni irun aya, irun abe titohairy chest is oversabi, pubic hair is enough 3. It is true that words are loaded with meanings and contents drawn from behavioural pattern or ideology, the intended or envisaged meaning is determined by its. Oro agba words of wisdom via yoruba proverbs youtube. The yoruba great fathers in the past composed these proverbs based on their wisdom, deep thoughts, observations and conditions.
My motivation to do this is mainly to empower my kids to communicate proficiently using yoruba. Some years ago i came across 300 short mp3 files and a pdf. This is one of the craziest language course that exist. Owe ile yoruba some lovely yoruba proverbs and their. This is the collection of yoruba proverbs for yoruba people only. Wesupply them done in format kind as word, txt, kindle, pdf, zip african proverbs douglas jacoby. Download the bible, the holy quran, the mahabharata, and thousands of free pdf ebooks on buddhism, meditation, etc. Africa, proverbs have a different function and level of theoretical meaning that. Professor owomoyela, thank you, thank you, thank you so much for this muchneeded tome. Owe ile yoruba some lovely yoruba proverbs and their meanings. In this analysis of the dialectical relationship between yoruba proverbs and names we now understand that the relationship serves as an influence in arousing, manifesting and establishing the expectations, aspirations and consciousness of yoruba people in building and developing their nationstate, and thus it could be asserted that most yoruba. Seeks to propagate yoruba proverbs and increase their usage thereby preserving the yoruba language and the wisdom of the yoruba people for posterity. Abstract proverbs in yoruba culture recognize the natural dichotomy that exists between male and female.
Pai lotun pai losi, toju o ba fo, a ko ma wo bai bai nihardship here and there would definitely yield a broken personility. Yoruba proverbs, names and national consciousness philarchive. The understand of yoruba proverbs language of the play medium. While growing up in jamaica, i would often hear the elders repeat proverbs, often times beginning the sentence by saying old time people use to say. Yoruba proverbs are as old as the users of the language itself. Again, some proverbs are historical in origin, and bring to remembrance the events that led to their establishment. Philosophical issues in yoruba proverbs adegboyega oyekunle. It is the aim of this book to promote yoruba language by bringing into bold relief the beauty of yoruba proverbs.
The kite is notorious for swooping down to grab chicks with its talons. If you hold a snake by the head what is left is only a string. The leopards stealthy gait is not a result of cowardice. If youre trying to practice your yoruba reading then the page below should help. When first glancing to the play, death and the kings horseman its clearly written in english but with the usage of yoruba proverbs. Readers will find in the book, preceded by two earlier proverb collections and one trickster tales. When first glancing to the play, death and the kings horseman its clearly written in english but with the usage of. Wisdom is often collected in short, easy to remember sayings called proverbs. As part of yoruba funerary rites, a chicken is sacrificed to clear evil forces off the way of the deceaseds spirit. A study of selected yoruba proverbs and proverbial expressions article pdf available january 2014 with 2,243 reads how we measure reads. Its foundation is embedded in the moral wisdom of the yoruba culture and world view. Ten storyfied yoruba proverbs for children by tayo solagbade. Available at ukdocumentspublication pdfsuncrc press200910web. Yoruba has over fifteen dialects and standard yoruba is the written form of the language and the standard variety learnt in school.
Their crossindustry expertise allows you to build strong relationships based on genuine understanding and respect. Yoruba proverbs i love them embracing spirituality. A good understanding of igbo proverbs would automatically lead one to an understanding of the ibo man, his philosophy of life, tradition, culture and mode of living because it is in them that the accumulated knowledge, wisdom, religious belief and experience of the ibo man throughout his history have been embedded and perserved. It argues that yoruba proverbs have philosophical issues that cut across epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, logic, aesthetics and so on. You will be able to sharpen your comprehension and understanding of the sample text below, which is part of the article 26 and 27 from the universal declaration of human rights. Yoruba keyboard to type a text with the special charaters of the yoruba alphabet. Dec 28, 2014 yoruba proverbs and the spiritual component. If you catch the leader of your enemy his followers will be helpless.