Language, n.: a body of words and the systems for their use common to a people who are of the same community or nation, the same geographical area, or the same cultural tradition.
Apart from this definition, I think language as culture, an identity. And, it’s interesting how many are forgetting their culture (language) as soon as they move to a ‘better’ country (US?). It’s easy for me to say, maybe because I don’t live in one of these countries…Wait… I do.
I’m Yoruba. And until recently, I’ve been alienating myself from the rich culture, making foreigners tell me my own history–not anymore.
Most of my character has been formed by the many proverb in the Yoruba language; like this (Toju Iwa Re; Watch Your Acts) poem tells. And to get the depth of which the culture puts on morality, the line starts as such:
“Watch you acts my friend
Honor leaves at any time
Beauty could fade off
But, only your Act stays forever…”
I will be translating many of the poems that I grew up basing my morality on, in the original language first, then a translation.
And as a side note, those who have requested I read my poems, these seem like one’s I will be reading and including on the site soonest.
Tôjú ìwà rê örê mi
Olá a máa ní læ nílé eni
Ewà, a sì máa tan lára ènìyàn
Shùgbôn ìwà ní í bá ‘ni dé sàárè
Èéfín nìwà, rírú ní í rú
Ènìyàn gb’ókèèrè níyì
Shùgbôn súnmô ni, l’a fi ñ mö’ae eni
Ìwà kò ní í foníwà sílë
Ìwà omo l’ó ñ somo lórúko
Omo dára ó ku ìwà
Ara dára ó ku aso
Esë dára ó ku bàtà
B’énìyàn dára tí kò níwà
Ó padanù ohun ribiribi
Ìwà rere l’ësô ènìyàn
Sùúrù baba ìwà, ìwà baba àwúre
|===================================================================================|
Watch your Acts my friend
Honor leaves at any time
Beauty lasts for just briefly
But, your Acts lasts forever
Character is like smoke, eventually it will rise (to the surface)
A person lives off in the distance in honor
But with closeness we learn of a person’s actions
But with closeness we learn of a person’s actions
Character will not leave its owner alone
It is a child’s character that gives the child a name
Even if the child seems fine, there is still a need for character
Even if the body looks fine, there is still a need for clothing
Even if the feet work fine, there is still a need for shoes
If a person seems fine but doesn’t have character
He/She is missing something very valuable indeed
Good character is a person’s bodyguard
Patience leads good Character, Good character brings blessings.
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- the ‘Me’ Poetry Very often have had my friends telling me how life...
- if Only like a Child A while ago I wrote about the pleasure of being...
- the African non-Africans After we’ve spent many months together practicing African dancing and...
WHAT?! now ur posting on sunday too?! lol GREAT! thank u
Twitter: delomos
says:
you probably didn't notice but i started some 2 weeks ago. Yup…exciting
lol i did notice but last week was valentines so i thought maybe its valentines special lol and i guess i didnt notice the week before last week