Best Yoruba Proverbs You Should Know
Here are some Yoruba Proverbs for you to explore. As a lover of Oral Tradition and African Literature, you will be interested in. Kindly read further and don’t forget to give us a thumbs up!
Yoruba proverbs originated and were used to pass on wisdom regarding birth, death, living, character, and community through extended metaphors borrowed from nature or daily life. For example, “only a fool tests the depth of a river with both feet” means that one should be cautious.
Meanwhile, “behaviour is like smoke that defies covering up” expresses the idea that one’s nature or behaviour will eventually come out if properly observed.
In addition, the proverbs expressed the emotional aspect of living and family, such as “human relationships matter: people are superior to things”. The proverbs also express the idea of responsibility, as portrayed in “What you sow is what you will reap”.
Best 16 Yoruba Proverbs and Their Meanings
If you are active on social media for long, you won’t take much time before you come across a video where Nollywood star Kunle Afod dares some of his colleagues and asks them to say ten Yoruba proverbs and explain them.
The guy has managed to make veterans like Yinka Quadri, Saheed Balogun, and Lere Paimo, among others, remember these proverbs – a legit trade in stock for their kind of job!
And since we are not these guys, we thought to go through the trouble and make an all-inclusive list of Yoruba Nigerian Proverbs just in case we find ourselves in such a situation. Get a notebook, class is in session.
Adie funfun ko mo ara re lagba
Translation: A white chicken does not realise its age.
Meaning: Basically, respect yourself.
Ile oba to jo ewa lo busi
Translation: A king’s palace that gets burnt has only added more beauty
Meaning: Make the best of any situation you find yourself in.
Bami na omo mi o de inu olomo
Translation: A parent who wants you to beat their child doesn’t mean it
Meaning: Don’t go around disciplining other people’s kids.
Iku npa alagemo to yole nrin, kambelete opolo to ngbe are re shonle
Translation: A chameleon that approaches with caution dies, talk more of a toad that slams its body with every step.
Meaning: Tread carefully.
Ibi ti a ba pe lori, a ki fi tele
Translation: Whatever you name as the head, you don’t tread the floor with it.
Meaning: If it truly matters to you, you’ll hold it dear.
Ile la ti n ko eso re ode
Translation: Charity begins at home.
Meaning: Your good or shitty behaviour is a reflection of your background.
Orisa bi o le gbemi, se mi bi o se bami
Translation: A deity that can’t help your situation should leave you in your present state.
Meaning: Who go help you no go stress you.
Gbogbo oro ni nsoju eke
Translation: A gossip is privy to all matters.
Meaning: Only busy bodies have an opinion on everything.
Omo to kawo soke lo fe ka gbe oun
Translation: It’s the child that lifts its arms that asks to be picked.
Meaning: Don’t be quiet when you have problems that need solving.
Banidele la mmo ise eni
Translation: Going home with a person is how you know his or her ways.
Meaning: You can only see the true version of a person when you visit their home.
Labalaba fi ara e weye, ko le se ise eye
Translation: A butterfly can liken itself to a bird, but it can’t do what a bird can do.
Meaning: No go dey do pass yourself. Know your limits.
A ki gbe sara koja a mosalasi
Translation: One does not carry alms beyond the mosque.
Meaning: See-finish is the recipe for disgrace.
Epo ni mo ru, oniyangi ma be temi je
Translation: I’m carrying palm oil. Sandman, please, don’t ruin my fortune.
Meaning: Bad energy, stay far away.
Eni daade ti kuro lomode
Translation: Anyone who wears a crown has out grown childhood.
Meaning: Grow up and embrace the responsibilities of adulthood.
Idi mejeejii to oluwa a re e jokoo
Translation: The two buttocks are sufficient for the owner to sit on.
Meaning: Contentment is key.
Kaka ki agbo ke, agbo a ku
Translation: Rather than cry out, a ram will die.
Meaning: Know how to hide your pain.
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