Proverbs and Folktales

Yoruba proverbs, riddles, and folktales are an important aspect of Yoruba culture and are often used to convey wisdom, provide entertainment, and pass down cultural knowledge. Here are a few examples of Yoruba proverbs, riddles, and folktales:

Proverbs

"A kì í lè ń pa iye, òkèrè kì í ń pa iye" which translates to "What the eye does not see, the heart does not grieve over." "Àgbáyé ni a ma gbe orí ìtàn" which translates to "An elder does not carry the head of an adult on the shoulder of a child."

Riddles

"Ero ni kii se eru, eru ni kii se ero" which translates to "A snake is not a worm, a worm is not a snake" "Aya ni mo ni, aya ni mo ni, aya ni mo ni. Ese ni mo ni, ese ni mo ni, ese ni mo ni" Which translates to "I am in the morning, I am in the morning, I am in the morning. I am in the evening, I am in the evening, I am in the evening." (answer: "Alarm clock")

Folktales

"The Tortoise and the Birds" is a folktale that tells the story of how the tortoise outsmarted the birds to become the king of the animals. "The Leopard and the Farmer" is a folktale that tells the story of how a farmer outsmarted a leopard that was terrorizing his village. These proverbs, riddles, and folktales, are not only entertaining but also carry deep meanings and wisdom and reflect the Yoruba culture and society. They can be used to teach values such as honesty, wisdom, hard work, and respect for elders