An Ode to Yorubaland

The. Blogger ibikunle Abraham laniyan writes poetry about his root Yorubaland 

Here is a poem about Yorubaland, incorporating themes common in traditional Yoruba oral poetry such as history, nature, culture, and character (known as iwa), presented first in English and then in Yoruba.

Ode to Yorubaland

From the ancient city of Ife, where the world began,

To the sprawling hills of Ibadan, built by warrior clan.

Hear the beat of the Bata drum, a rhythm deep and true,

The heritage of Oduduwa, forever shining new.

Land of Oríkì, where praise poetry speaks our name,

Telling tales of ancestors and enduring fame.

From the fertile earth, Iyan and Amala rise,

Sustenance of the people, a blessing in our eyes.

Here, character (Ìwà) is beauty, more than gold or a grand estate,

A well-mannered person is loved by all, sealed by fate.

The wisdom of the Ifá corpus, a guide for every day,

Harmony with nature and the gods, lighting the way.

The Àdìre fabric, dyed in indigo, a story in its fold,

Bold patterns of history, vividly retold.

From Lagos' bustling waters to the quiet forests deep,

The spirit of Yorubaland, a promise we will keep.

Òkìgbè fún Ilẹ̀ Yorùbá

Láti ìlú àtijọ́ ti Ifẹ̀, níbi tí ayé ti bẹ̀rẹ̀,

Títí dé àwọn òkè ńlá ti Ìbàdàn, tí àwọn jagunjagun kọ́.

Gbọ́ ìlù Bata, ohùn kan tí ó jinlẹ̀ tí ó sì jẹ́ òtítọ́,

Ìtàn Odùduwà, tí ń tàn ìmọ́lẹ̀ títí ayé.

Ilẹ̀ Oríkì, níbi tí ewì ìyìn ti ń sọ orúkọ wa,

Sísọ àwọn ìtàn àwọn baba ńlá àti ògo tí kò lè parun.

Láti inú ilẹ̀ olora, Iyan àti Amala wá,

Oúnjẹ àwọn ènìyàn, ìbùkún ni lójú wa.

Níhìn-ín, Ìwà jẹ́ ẹwà, ó ju wúrà tàbí ilé ńlá lọ,

Gbogbo ayé ni ó fẹ́ ẹni tí ó jẹ́ rere, ìwà pẹ̀lẹ́ ni wọ́n fẹ́.

Ọgbọ́n inú Ifá, amọ̀nà fún ojoojúmọ́,

Ìbámu pẹ̀lú àdáyébá àti àwọn òrìṣà, tí ń fún wa ní ìmọ́lẹ̀.

Aṣọ Àdìre, tí a fi òjíá pa, ìtàn kan nínú ìpínlẹ̀ rẹ̀,

Àwòrán àwọn ìtàn, tí a sọ pẹ̀lú ọlá.

Láti omi Èkó tí ó kún fún èrò, dé inú igbó jíjìn tí ó dákẹ́,

Ẹ̀mí Ilẹ̀ Yorùbá, ìlérí tí a o pamo.