A Yorùbá funeral song from Nigeria. The metaphors have the force of proverbs, expressing a son’s grief and mourning for his mother.
Slowly the muddy pool becomes a river,
Slowly my mother’s disease becomes death…
In Oyewumi Alabi’s Time
Oyewumi Alabi was a nineteenth century chief of Ibadan. He was preceded by two chiefs whose reigns were marked by prodigies — a stream breaking forth, a comet appearing. Under Oyewumi Alabi, the colonial hut tax was first imposed.
In Aburu’s reign,
A stream broke forth in the sacred grove…
In Praise of Shango
Shango, or Ṣàngó, was the third Alafin (king) of the Oyo kingdom. He was deified after his death and is one of the most popular Òrìṣàs across the Caribbean and the Americas. These praises are sung by devotees of Ṣàngó and emphasise the daily duty of paying respect to the Òrìṣà.
When the elephant wakes in the morning,
he must pay his respects to his new wife…
Praises of the Ogoga of Ikerre
Why do we Grumble?
A Yorùbá Iwi poem from Nigeria. In a series of proverb-like metaphors, the poem comments on the advantages of variety in life.
Why do we grumble because a tree is bent
When, in our streets, there are even men who are bent?…
Buffalo
A Yorùbá Ìjálá (hunter’s poem) from Nigeria (see also Hunters’ Salutes). The poem describes vividly the buffalo’s attributes of speed and terrifying strength.
Buffalo, we salute you:
Butterfly of the savannah…
