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Important facts to note about the Yoruba people of the days of old. Read the more explanatory part of this post here.
Nibiyi iwọ yoo rii ohun gbogbo ti o lẹwa nipa aṣa Yoruba. Ti o ba fẹ lati ṣe alabapin lori pẹpẹ yii, ni ifọwọkan pẹlu Abojuto (Admin) wa. E ṣeun
In Yorubaland, money has never been foremost in the Yoruba value system. In our value system, money is number six. What are the first five, you may ask?
1. Làákà’yè
The first is làákà’yè – The application of knowledge, wisdom and understanding… (Ogbón and ìmò òye)
2. Ìwà Omolúàbí
The second is Ìwà Omolúàbí – (integrity). Someone with integrity is a man/woman of their word. If you have all the wealth in the world but lack integrity, you are not worth a thing. Integrity is combined with iwa (character), which we regard as Omolúàbí.
3. Akínkanjú or Akin
The third is Akínkanjú or Akin (Valour). That is why Balóguns is second-in-command to the leaders in Yoruba land. Balóguns are people who can lead them to war. To lead with great courage in the face of danger, especially in battle. Yoruba people have no respect for cowards.
4. Anísélápá tí kìíse òle
The fourth is Anísélápá tí kìíse òle – (Having a visible means of livelihood). A person must be identified with a visible means of livelihood that guarantees a lawful income or sustenance. His or her profession or job must be open and legally approved by society, not through cheating or forcefulness.
5. Iyi
The fifth is Iyi (honour). Yoruba people place a premium on the gait with which individuals carry themselves and their public reputation. That is why Yorùbá people usually say that when you set out to look for money and meet honor on the way, you don’t need the journey anymore because if you get the money, you will still use it to buy honor.
6. Owó tàbí ọrọ
The last in the Yorùbá value system is owó tàbí ọrọ – (Money or wealth). If you put money ahead of the other five, then you are nobody in the Yoruba land of the olden days. Unfortunately, this is being pushed to the forefront nowadays due to the erosion of our value system.
