Yoruba proverbs known as “owe” are short sayings originating from the Yoruba people of Nigeria. Yoruba proverbs convey a piece of wisdom, advice, or cultural insight. They are rich in imagery, metaphor, and traditional beliefs specific to the Yoruba culture. Youruba proverbs teach historical lessons, morals, and values. They are orally passed down from elders to the younger generation. Here are 20 Yoruba proverbs and their meanings.
Eni daade ti kuro lomode
Translation: Anyone who wears a crown has out grown childhood.
Meaning: Grow up and embrace the responsibilities of adulthood.
Gbogbo alangba lo d’anu dele, a ko mo eyi t’inu nrun
Translation: All lizards lie flat on their stomach and it is difficult to determine which has a stomach ache
Meaning: Everyone looks the same on the outside but everyone has problems that are invisible to outsiders.
Bí abá so òkò sójà ará ilé eni ní bá;
Translation: He who throws a stone in the market will hit his relative
Meaning: Be careful what you do unto others it may return towards you or someone close to you
Adìyẹ funfun kò mọ ara rẹ̀lágbà
Translation: The white chicken does not realize its age
Meaning: Respect yourself
Ọbẹ̀ kìí gbé inú àgbà mì
Translation: The soup does not move round in an elder’s belly
Meaning: You should be able to keep secrets
Idi mejeejii to oluwa a re e jokoo
Translation: The two buttocks are sufficient for the owner to sit on.
Meaning: Contentment is key.
Ile oba to jo ewa lo busi
Translation: A king’s palace that gets burnt has only added more beauty
Meaning: Everyone cloud has a silver lining
Díẹ̀ díẹ̀ nimú ẹlẹ́dẹ̀ẹ́ fi ń wọgbà
Translation: Little by little is how the pig’s nose enters the yard
Meaning: Attend to a small problem before it becomes uncontrollable
Iku npa alagemo to yole nrin, kambelete opolo to ngbe are re shonle
Translation: A chameleon that approaches with caution dies, talk more of a toad that slams its body with every step.
Meaning: Tread carefully.
Gbogbo oro ni nsoju eke
Translation: A gossip is privy to all matters.
Meaning: Only busy bodies have an opinion on everything.
Epo ni mo ru, oniyangi ma be temi je
Translation: I’m carrying palm oil. Sandman, please, don’t ruin my fortune.
Meaning: Bad energy, stay far away.
A pę ko to jęun, ki ję ibaję
Translation: The person that eat late, will not eat spoiled food
Meaning: It is more profitable to exercise patience while seeking a durable solution, in difficult situations than to hastily accept an ill-conceived/prepared solution.
Dfę díè nimú ęlédèé fi ń wọgbà
Translation: Little by little is how the pig’s nose enters the yard
Meaning: Attend to a small problem before it becomes uncontrollable
À ń pe gbénàgbénà eye àkókó ń yojú
Translation: A sculptor is summoned and the woodpecker shows up
Meaning : Never think too highly of yourself
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Ti isu eni ba ta, afo wo bo je
Translation: If your yam is ready you cover it and eat. T
Meaning: When you are blessed, you don’t display it to the world.
Ile eni lati je ekute onidodo
Translation: it is in your house you eat a rat with abdomen
Meaning: Don’t put your dirty details out there/ don’t wash your dirty linen in public
Ti o ba nidi obirin oki je kumolu
Translation: If there is no reason a woman does not bear kumolu
Meaning: Everything has a cause
Wúrà tó máa dán, á la iná kọjá
Translation: A piece of gold that wants to shine must pass through fire first.
Meaning: No pain, no gain
Ọ̀nà kan ò wọ ọjà
Translation : Not just one route leads to the market.
Meaning: Alternative approaches exist so don’t be fixated on just one solution.
A kì í mọ iyì wúrà tí kò bá sọnù
Translation: A piece of gold is seldom appreciated until it gets lost.
Meaning: We seldom appreciate what we have until we lose it. Don’t take things for granted.
Read also: 25 interesting facts about the Yorubas
