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Ọgbọ́n ló layé, by Unknown — Analysis & Translation

2 min read Yoruba

Original Poem

Ọgbọ́n ló layé, Ìmọ̀ ló nílé ayé pẹ̀lú, Ọgbọ́n la fi ń darí ohun gbogbo, Ọgbọ́n la fi ń rí lé ayé gbé pẹ̀lú, Ẹni tó wà láyé tí kò lọ́gbọ́n lórí, Irú wọn dàbí àpólà igi táa fi ń dáná, Àwọn yoòbá tó ní ọgbọ́n ju agbára lọ ó purọ́, Àwọn tó ní ọgbọ́n àti ìmọ̀ ló layé ò ṣèké, Torí bóò bá lọ́gbọ́n, Kò sí bóo ṣe fẹ́ gbélé ayé, Ẹni tí ò lọ́gbọ́n á ṣebí òun lòun gbọ́n jù, Bẹ́ẹ̀ kòròfo òfo nirú wọ́n jẹ́, Bí o bá lágbára, tóo lówó lọ́wọ́, Lálàì lọ́gbọ́n lórí, òfo ni gbogbo rẹ̀, Torí bóò bá fọgbọ́n ṣe é, Àṣìlò òun òpin yóò bá gbogbo ohun tó o ló o kó jọ, Àmọ́ bí o ò bá lówó, tí o ò sì ní òkìkí, Ṣùgbọ́n bí o bá lọ́gbọ́n, Bó pẹ́, bóyá, Akólòlò rẹ yóò pe baba, Báyé bá ń j'áyé, Ọgbọ́n òun ìmọ̀ ló jogún ayé, Ọgbọ́n ló borí ohun gbogbo, Ẹni tí ò lọ́gbọ́n kùnà làákàyè, Ta fi ń gbélé ayé, Ẹni tí ó lọ́gbọ́n lórí, Oun gbogbo pátá ló ní.

Translation (English)

Wisdom is what rules the world, Knowledge is also the foundation of the world, We use wisdom to guide everything, We use wisdom to live in the world too, A person in the world without wisdom, Is like a piece of wood used for fire, Those who say wisdom is greater than strength are lying, Those with wisdom and knowledge own the world without deceit, Because if you have wisdom, You will surely live well in the world, Someone without wisdom will think they are the wisest, But they are empty and void, If you have strength and wealth, Without wisdom, it is all meaningless, Because if you do things with wisdom, Misuse will bring an end to everything you have gathered, But if you don't have wealth, nor fame, Yet if you have wisdom, In time, your wisdom will be recognized, As the world enjoys life, Wisdom and knowledge inherit the world, Wisdom conquers everything, Someone without wisdom fails in understanding, Which is used to live in the world, Someone with wisdom, Has everything completely.

About the Poet

Unknown (Unknown)

The poet of this Yoruba poem is unknown. Yoruba poetry is a rich tradition that often emphasizes wisdom and moral teachings.

Historical Context

Literary Form
Didactic poetry
When Written
Unknown
Background
The poem emphasizes the importance of wisdom and knowledge over material wealth and power. It reflects a common theme in Yoruba culture where wisdom is highly valued.

Sources: https://www.bbc.com/yoruba/articles/c80m3m41n03o, https://salam.life/yo/p/a-free-beautiful-audio-journey-the-life-of-our-beloved-prophet-muhammad-in-engli-9c9a-33820

Detailed Explanation

This Yoruba poem underscores the paramount importance of wisdom and knowledge over material possessions and physical strength. It begins by asserting that wisdom is the guiding force of the world and is essential for navigating life. The poem draws a vivid comparison between those without wisdom to mere wood used for fire, emphasizing their lack of value. It critiques those who falsely claim that strength surpasses wisdom, highlighting that true ownership of the world comes from wisdom and knowledge. The poem warns that without wisdom, even the strongest and wealthiest are ultimately empty. It concludes by affirming that wisdom is the ultimate conqueror, and those who possess it truly own everything in life.

Themes

  • Wisdom
  • Knowledge
  • Materialism
  • Life Guidance

Literary Devices

  • Metaphor: Comparing a person without wisdom to a piece of wood used for fire.
  • Repetition: The word 'Ọgbọ́n' (wisdom) is repeated to emphasize its importance.
  • Contrast: The poem contrasts wisdom with material wealth and strength.
  • Personification: Wisdom is depicted as a guiding force capable of owning the world.

Word Dictionary

Word Meaning Translation Transliteration
Ọgbọ́n intelligence Wisdom Ogbon
ló have have lo
layé ní ayé in the world laye
Ìmọ̀ understanding Knowledge Imo
nílé home foundation nile
ayé earth world aye
pẹ̀lú with too pelu
darí lead guide dari
ohun thing things ohun
gbogbo every all gbogbo
Ẹni person Someone Eni
tó that you to
wà exist is wa
tí nor nor ti
kò doesn't not ko
lórí on top on lori
Irú type like Iru
wọn they they won
dàbí similar are like dabi
àpólà part piece apola
igi tree wood igi
táa that we used taa
fi use is used fi
ń is is n
dáná cook fire dana
Àwọn they Those Awon
yoòbá say claim yooba
ju more than ju
agbára power strength agbara
lọ go is lo
ó it is o
purọ́ false lying puro
àti and and ati
ṣèké lie deceit seke
Torí because Because Tori
bóò if if boo
Kò no No Ko
sí have have si
ṣe do do se
fẹ́ want want fe
gbélé stay live gbele
ṣebí assume think sebi
òun its its oun
lòun are are loun
gbọ́n smart wise gbon
jù more most ju
Bẹ́ẹ̀ but Yet Bee
kòròfo void empty kororo
òfo nothing empty ofo
nirú such such niru
jẹ́ are are je
Bí if If Bi
bá enjoys enjoys ba
lágbára powerful strength lagbara
tóo and and too
lówó money wealth lowo
lọ́wọ́ hand in hand lowo
Lálàì without Without Lalai
ni is is ni
rẹ̀ it it re
fọgbọ́n wisdom wisdom f'ogbon
Àṣìlò waste misuse Asilo
òpin finish end opin
yóò will will yoo
kó gather gathered ko
jọ together together jo
Àmọ́ but But Amo
bí if if bi
ò not not o
òkìkí fame fame okiki
Ṣùgbọ́n but Yet Sugbon
lọ́gbọ́n wisdom wisdom logbon
Bó if Eventually Bo
pẹ́ long long pe
bóyá maybe maybe boya
Akólòlò wisdom wisdom Akololo
rẹ your your re
pe call call pe
baba father father baba
Báyé as the world As the world Baye
j'áyé life life jaye
jogún inherit inherit jogun
borí overcome conquers bori
kùnà fail fails kuna
làákàyè wisdom understanding laakaye
Ta that Which Ta
Oun owns Owns Oun
pátá all completely pata
ní has has ni

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