Ijapa Tiroko

Ijapa Tiroko
Ijapa Tiroko: Hero of Yoruba Folktales

Friday 8 April 2011

THE BIG LEAVES BY AKINKUNMI CHRISTIANAH OLUWAFUNKE


(AN AFRICAN FOLKTALE OF THE NATIVE BAGBE PEOPLE IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA)
 
 
One day long ago, a set of chiefs who were called the Kingmakers were traveling from Bagbe to Ondo in preparation for the enthronement of their new king. They traveled on foot for some days and it got to a night that they decided to rest in the thick bush. Suddenly, in the middle of their sleep, they heard the sound of war. Some warriors were passing to wage war against a city very close to the Kingmakers’ resting place. The Kingmakers, in fear ran for safety. The warriors noticed them and ran after them. They ran and ran until they came to a tree with big leaves. These leaves were called ‘EWE AKINTOLA’. The kingmakers prayed to these leaves to protect them, and the leaves agreed to help them. The leaves grew bigger and bigger until it covered all the Kingmakers. The warriors got to the spot, noticed the big leaves but could not find the people they were hunting. They later gave up the hunt and went back to their original assignment.
 
        After the warriors’ departure, the big leaves released the Kingmakers and in appreciation, they sang praises to the big leaves and the leaves were happy to here their song. They later left and arrived at Ondo in peace and joy.
 

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