Proverb 1

Excerpt from "A Discussion of 250 Deep Yoruba (African ) Proverbs" by Alaba J. Babalọla. 
Available now at 

Paperback:  amazon.com
eBook:.         selar.co

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/9785946703

PROVERB 1
If lice remain in your garment, your fingernails will have to keep getting stained with blood. 

ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATION
If lice remain in ones's garment, one's fingernails will have to keep getting stained with blood.

TEASER THOUGHTS
Persistence can lead to accomplishment. Keep doing all you need to do until success is achieved.

YORUBA ROOT
B'ina o tan l'ashọ ẹjẹ kii tan l'eekanna.

EXPLANATION / MEANING
The reference to a garment in this proverb is an apparel made out of the traditional woolly woven cloth in which lice can live, in close proximity to the wearer of the garment, and in his hair as a parasite in order to feed on his blood. In fact another variation of the proverb is more logical and direct by making specific reference to the hair rather than the garment as in the version under consideration. In any case we are concerned with getting rid of irritating and annoying insects, as you will soon find out.
It is improper to wear a garment infested with lice because it is unhealthy, can be uncomfortabe and embarrassing, especialy in public. But it is very difficult to get rid of all the lice living in a woolly cloth. As you kill or destroy fully grown ones others develop from the eggs already laid on the victim. Therefore it is necessary to exterminate them one way or another. The traditional method is to search for the lice in the garment and kill them one after the other. You take a lice at a time, place it on your left thumbnail,and then press it hard with your right thumbnail. It dies. The action gives off a bursting sound with little blood issuing from the insect, staining your fingernails. Many people enjoy this exercise because of the satisfaction they derive from instantly killing a parasite enemy who until then has been feeding on their blood. In the context of this proverb one is enjoined to continue the exercise until all the lice are exterminated. This is the major point.

MORE
The proverb is used as a subtle advice for someone to continue doing what a normal or sensible person would do in a situation to accomplish a goal that will be of obvious good benefit when achieved. It is also used as a reminder that persistence in doing some things is what can lead to success in those matters
As an example, a person who is troubled by a couple of failed attempt to pass an important college examination may be advised to keep working at it, because "b'ina o tan l'ashọ, ẹjẹ kii tan l eekanna. Persistence is necessary in such a case because there is no alternative solution, and achieving the objective comes with great benefits.

DEFINITIONS 
Bi               -     If (CONJ) - as abbreviated in B'ina
Ina              -     Lice (N)
Tan             -     To finish (V)
Ashọ            -     Garment (N)
Ẹjẹ              -     Blood (N)
Kii              -     Does not ( V)
Eekanna         -     Fingernail (N)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

PROVERB 50

Except From   A discussion of 250 Deep Yoruba (African)  Proverbs by Alaba J. Babalola Available for Sale at:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/9785946703 PROVERB 50 Whether it is the squirrel that owns the farm or the trap, the meeting (of both parties) will be at 'Ẹsẹ-ogbeji'. TEASER THOUGHTS Contest about ownership of a domain as far as right to power and authority is concerned. YORUBA ROOTS B'ikun lo l'oko ni, bi takute ni, ipade d'ẹsẹ-o-gbeji. EXPLANATION/MEANING. Ownership in this sense refers to right to control activities on the farm and to call the shots The authority and power of the trap comes from the farmer or any person e.g. a hunter who has been given the opportunity to place a trap or set a snare in a farm in order to catch a game. The authority and power of the squirrel derives from its forebears' habitation of the farmland and their familiarity with it. So, "ownership" must be determined and it must be done at the place of confrontation betw...
Read more

OYO KINGDOM UNDER THE NEW KING ALAAFIN OWOADE, BY PROF TOYIN FALOLA

Alaafin Owoade and Yorùbá Renaissance  By:Prof.Toyin Falola January 14, 2025 It is an open secret that I was close to the late Alaafin Lamidi Adeyemi III. He was fond of reading my essays and books. He put them to use to validate some of his decisions. He sent some of his writings to me for comments. I discussed a project on the creation of an Oyo Museum with him. I was the keynote speaker when he turned 80, and I suggested Alaafinology as an academic discipline. There were moments when he had critical challenges about the governor to support for election or reelection. He was profoundly troubled about whether to support Jonathan Goodluck or Muhammadu Buhari, and he sought counsel from various people, including my humble self. He wanted to make me a chief, and I said we should wait till he was 90 years old. He attended four of my functions and presided over my 65th birthday ceremony. This piece is not offered to continue any established relationship with Oyo and its palace but to p...
Read more

Proverb 58

Excerpt from "A Discussion of 250 Deep Yoruba (African) Proverbs" By Alaba J. Babalọla Available for Sale at:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/9785946703 https://www.jumia.com.ng/generic-a-discussion-of-250-deep-yoruba-african-proverbs-208617773.html https://selar.co/vuxu PROVERB 58 One never hears a bad omen from the mouth of the priest who offers sacrifices to the gods. TEASER THOUGHTS One place where there is always hope for a good omen, whether or not it materializes. YORUBA ROOTS A kii gbọ aburu l'ẹnu abọrẹ. EXPLANATION / MEANING This is true. You will seldom hear a priest tell you that there is no solution to your problem. There is always a way out for the gods! It could cost you a little or a lot in terms of sacrifice. In that tradition, for the peace and tranquility of a troubled community for example, it may be the custom to inquire from the gods about what to do in order to achieve peace and happiness for its inhabitants. The solution is usually in the form of one sac...
Read more