Tell me about…

Ọmọ Káàárọ̀-oòjíire

Lamurudu birthed the myth of man
the pride I wear as Ọmọ Odùduwà
from Mecca, he found love in ile ife
my father’s wisdom birthed Okanbi
the lineage that remains the adimula
that sits on the revered stool: the Ooni.
ifa will never take a wrong step, and
women have always taken the lead
Oluorogbo must have forgiven Moremi
iba fun mama mi ajiun orompotoniyun.
the rise of Oyo is our proof of strength
that using one hand to wash the other
is the only way to have a clean hand

Tomide Abdul

Glossary
1. Ọmọ Káàárọ̀-oòjíire – “Good morning. Did you sleep well?” Yorubas call themselves this because of how respectful we are
2. Lamurudu – the father of Odùduwà
3. Ile Ife – home of love [where the Yorubas are from]
4. Okanbi – the first child of Odùduwà
5. Ooni Adimula Ife – The title of the Ooni of Ife
6. Ifa – the master of all
7. Olurogbo – the son of Moremi
8. Moremi – a fighter, my mother: she lost her son fighting for the stability of Ife
9. iba fun mama mi – respect to my mother
10. ajiun orompotoniyun – the first and only female Alaafin of Oyo
11. Oyo – the headquarter of Yoruba land