Adages from the motherland

Yoruba is one of the major African languages, spoken by approximately 20 million West Africans (Southwestern Nigeria, Togo, Benin and Sierra Leone). Pockets of Yoruba language speakers and culture are to be found in South and Central America ( Brazil, Venezuela, Cuba) and there are sizeable Yoruba speaking communities in both the US and Britain. Recently, there have been developments in the UK to include Yoruba as a recognized minority language.

Here are a few Yoruba's adages that have been passed down from generation to generation:

ISÉ NI ÒÒGÙN ÌSÉ........Work is the antidote for poverty.

MÚRA SÍ ISÉ RE ÒRÉÈ MI.......Work hard, my friend.

ISÉ NI A FI Í DI ENI GIGA.......work is used to elevate one in respect and
importance (Aspiring to higher height is fully dependent on hard work).

BÍ A KÒ BÁ RÉNI FÈYÌN TÌ, BÍ ÒLE LÀ Á RÍ;......if we do not have
anyone to lean on, we appear indolent.

BÍ A KO RÉNI GBÉKÈLÉ,.....if we do not have anyone to trust (we can depend on...).

À A TERA MÓ ISÉ ENI.....we simply work harder.

ÌYÁ RE LÈ LÓWÓ LÓWÓ.....your mother may be wealthy.

BÀBÁ SÌ LÈ LÉSIN LÉÈKÀN.....your father may have a ranch full of horses.

BÍ O BÁ GBÓJÚ LÉ WON,........ if you depend on their riches alone.

O TÉ TÁN NI MO SO FÚN O,......you may end up in disgrace, I tell you.

OHUN TÍ A KÒ BA JÌYÀ FÚN,.....whatever gain one does not work hard to earn.

KÌ Í LÈ TÓJÓ.....usually does not last

OHUN TÍ A BÁ FARA SISÉ FÚN,....whatever gain one works hard to earn

NÍ Í PÉ LÓWÓ ENI.....is the one that lasts in one's hands.(while in ones possession)

APÁ LARÁ, ÌGÙNPÁ NÌYEKAN...... the arm is a relative, the elbow is a sibling

BÍ AYÉ N FÉ O LÓNÌÍ,....you may be loved by all today

BÍ O BÁ LÓWÓ LÓWÓ,......it is when you have money.

NI WON Á MÁA FÉ O LÓLA......that they will love you tomorrow.

TÀBÍ TÍ O BÁ WÀ NÍ IPÒ ÀTÀTÀ,.....or when you are in a high position.

AYÉ Á YÉ O SÍ TÈRÍN-TÈRÍN,.....all will honor you with cheers and smiles.

JÉ KÍ O DI ENI N RÁÁGÓ,....wait till you become poor or are struggling to get by.

KÍ O RÍ BÁYÉ TI Í SÍMÚ SÍ O......and you will see how all grimace at you
as they pass you by.

ÈKÓ SÌ TÚN N SONI Í DÒGÁ,.....education also elevates one in position.

MÚRA KÍ O KÓ O DÁRADÁRA.....work hard to acquire good education.

BÍ O SÌ RÍ ÒPÒ ÈNÌYÀN,.....and if you see a lot of people.

TÍ WÓN N FI ÈKÓ SE ÈRÍN RÍN,....making education a laughing stock.

DÁKUN MÁ SE FARA WÉ WON.....please do not emulate or keep their company.

ÌYÀ N BÒ FÓMO TÍ KÒ GBÓN,.....suffering is lying in wait for an unserious kid.

EKÚN N BE FÓMO TÓ N SÁ KIRI.......sorrow is in the reserve for a truant kid.

MÁ FÒWÚRÒ SERÉ, ÒRÉÈ MI,.....do not play with your early years, my friend.

MÚRA SÍSÉ, OJÓ N LO.....work harder, time and tide wait for no one.