Aroko - Yoruba Parabolic Message

Aroko was a way by which pre-literate Yorubas used to send message over long distance in the olden days. It is done by sending some symbolic items to the person for whom the message was meant through a third party; and the message would be understood by the receiver.

For an instance in December 1854, the Awujale of Ijebu sent such a parabolic message to Rev. David Hinderer who was then resident in Ibadan. The Aroko he sent to him was this: ten cowries strung together and a seed of the orange fruit. The meaning of the Aroko is this: come, it is well. Can you spot the correlation between the items sent and its meaning?

The Unforgotten Yoruba

Funmilayo Ransome Kuti born 25 October 1900 in Abeokuta, she was a prominent Yoruba woman and an anti-colonial activist, a teacher and a politician. She was described by many as the doyen of women's rights in Nigeria and the Mother of Nigeria. She founded and was the leader of Abeokuta Women's Union on a campaign against arbitrary taxation of women, a pressure group that had over 20,000 membership, the struggle which led to the abdication of the Egba King Oba Ademola II in 1949.

The Concept Of Marriage In Yorubaland

Marriage is one of the oldest institutions among Yoruba, it marks the end and the beginning of a new era between two different individuals, who agreed to live together, and through their union creates everlasting friendship between homes of their birth.

In times past, marriage matters were never left in the hands of prospective couples, rather, families’ affairs. Several steps were required before marriage could be consummated, although, things have really changed; yet, some of these steps are still valid and observed in a marriage journey by couples, because of their cultural relevance.

Adeshina Remigio Herrera (Obara Meji) Adeshina (Crown of Fire): founding fathers of Ifa

Adeshina Remigio Herrera (Obara Meji)Adeshina (Crown of Fire) is credited as being one of the most important founding fathers of Ifa in Cuba. A Yoruba born in Yorubaland and initiated as a babalawo there, was enslaved and taken to Cuba as a young man in the 1830s.

We are learning on Ọmọ Oódua Today…... What is the Yorubs Word for ......

We are learning on Ọmọ Oódua
Today…...
WHAT'S THE YORUBA WORD FOR STAR?? (Pictured)
With this approach, we have learned that:
African Star Apple is Agbalumo
Ground Hornbill is Akalamagbo
Eagle is Idi
Pouched Rat is Okete

APALARA, EJIKA N’IYEKAN...

...Oju ni atọkun ara, Iwa ni atọkun ẹwa
ọpọlọpọ obinrin lo ti sọ’wa nu, Igba-aya wọn lo nse atọkun ẹwa fun wọn
Bi ẹlomi gba’rodan awọn tibi mejeeji tan, ti wọn ko bo se yẹ ki wọn ko
gbogbo ẹ o wa ran’ju kankankan, wọn wan ta tokunbọ ”no testing” ka kiri igboro
O ti gbagbe wipe, ẹni to ba ta ọja yeepẹ, dandan ni ko gbowo okuta.

A History of African Hair From the 1400s to Present.

 1920s: Marcus Garvey, a black nationalist, urges followers to embrace their natural hair and reclaim an African aesthetic.
Woman (Mbororo) in Foumban, Cameroon. Originally published 1919.

1444: Europeans trade on the west coast of Africa with people wearing elaborate hairstyles, including locks, plaits and twists.