Within the Yorùbá culture, there exists a tradition of bestowing upon children names that reflect the extraordinary circumstances of their birth.
Known as “Names brought from heaven” (Orúkọ Àmútọ̀runwá), these appellations are imparted upon the newborn by individuals like asagbẹ̀bí (midwives), or occasionally by parents or grandparents who played a role in the birthing process. It is these individuals who, having witnessed the circumstances surrounding the child’s arrival, are entrusted with the responsibility of proclaiming a name that resonates with the event. (1)
The following new poem by Amore David Olamide is in praise of Òjó, a name traditionally given to a male child born with the umbilical cord round the neck.
Òjó Yeuge
Òjó Yeuge
You who multiplies wealth like a bountiful harvest.
One whose standing matches his gigantic ego
How do I panegyrize you?
You who give until you are depleted of what to take home
How do I panegyrize you?
Òjó who traverse a solitary path and connect multitudes
Like the Masquerader of Beyioku.
Òjó Yeuge
The valiant one with the vessel of enchantments
One who eludes the comprehension of others
Òjó was absent from home while the rooster matured.
Òjó arrived, and the chicken ceased to exist.
Yet he is indifferent towards the hen’s owner.
Òjó
Conjucted with the laying hen
His interest lies not in the welfare of the hen,
But rather in his insatiable desire to consume them.
Òjó, a warrior of the market square,
Returned home with a heart full of innocence, and energetically mashed the yam into doughs
The merchant remains unaware of the purity he displayed within his own abode
The homeowner remains unaware of his battle waged in the bustling market square
Oh, how you wield the stone to pursue the mighty elephant,
And proudly proclaim your heroic exploits.
Òjó, the autonomous soul Who follows his own path.
You who have women in a harem.
Òjó stays in a dwelling
and becomes terrified of his own presence.
The resolute one who refuses to heed criticism
One who consumes praises as if they were food.
A man of metallurgy,
Whose bravery is akin to Lakaye?
Yet you strut delicately.
Like the bean pudding.
Tell the world that he is not insistent.
Tell them you’re assertive in your claim.
Tell them about Òjó
One who is movable by panygerics.
by Amore David Olamide
Footnotes
- See “Yoruba personal naming system: Traditions, patterns and practices” (links to PDF) by Gbenga Fakuade, Joseph Friday-Otun, and Hezekiah Adeosun; published by Sociolinguistic Studies.
