Ijapa Tiroko

Ijapa Tiroko
Ijapa Tiroko: Hero of Yoruba Folktales

Tuesday 5 April 2011

REASON THE FOWL BECAME A SACRIFICIAL ANIMAL- Mojisola Oladele


Some years back, all animals met weekly at the king’s palace (oba Ajiun)
It was the custom as directed by the King. (Oba Ajiun) One day, Rat was on his way to the meeting, he called the Fowl on his way, but the fowl responded that he was not feeling fineand could not attend.

Rat went to the meeting, told the other animals why the Fowl could not come when attendance was called.

The next month, the King invited all the animals to his palace to meet his friend who just came from the neighbourhood. As usual, the rat, whose cave was near the Fowl’s, told the Fowl about the invitation. The Fowl replied "friend, I am not interested, there are too much leftover in Bade’s house, I can’t afford to lose them. Whatever decision you guys make, I am fully in support”
Then the Rat left for the meeting
The animals gathered at the King’s palace without the Fowl.
When the king saw them, he was happy and decided to introduce his friend to them.
After the introduction, he announced that one of them has to be made a sacfrice to his guest.

Alas! Fear gripped all the animals; each of them started giving excuses on why he/she could not be used as a sacrifice for the King’s friend.
The King then suggested the Fowl but the Fowl was not available to defend himself, immediately, the animals chorused “yes, the Fowl is the best”

Having realized the position of the Fowl concerning all decisions made in the past, the King stamped the unanimous agreement and put a seal proclaiming that henceforth, the Fowl should be slaughtered at festive periods.

The Rat got home, said to the Fowl “oh! Fowl, you were not at today’s meeting..” the Fowl cut him short, “ I have told you that I agree with whatever decision you make at the meeting”

That was how the Fowl became meat for the King’s friend and also ended up as the sacrificial animal at festive periods.

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