ỌMỌ OLÚ’LÉ ỌLỌ́NÀ – A Refrain for the Bride
(This classical Ekiti folksong counsels brides to ponder their backgrounds before engaging in domestic disputes. Ekiti is a subgroup within the Yoruba ethnic group in West Africa.)
Omo ol’ule ol’ona,
O ya’to s’omo igi o e-e-e;
Omo ol’ule ol’ona,
O ya’to s’omo igi o a-a-a.
Omo kan ba bi ire mo-i ja’ja igbu’la l’ule oko,
E n’le, m’Owa o-o-o-o-o!
Omo ol’ule ol’ona,
O ya’to s’omo igi o e-e-e;
Omo ol’ule ol’ona,
O ya’to s’omo igi o a-a-a.
Omo kan ba bi ire mo-i ja’ja igbu’la l’ule oko,
E n’le, m’Owa o-o-o-o-o!
(ENGLISH TRANSLATION BY DELE AJAJA)
The well-bred entity,
Differs from an arboreal creature;
The well-bred entity,
Differs from an arboreal creature.
The well-raised lass doesn’t engage in fight-to-finish in her matrimonial home,
Greetings, Princess!
The well-bred entity,
Differs from an arboreal creature;
The well-bred entity,
Differs from an arboreal creature.
The well-raised lass doesn’t engage in fight-to-finish in her matrimonial home,
Greetings, Princess!
