Ijapa Tiroko

Ijapa Tiroko
Ijapa Tiroko: Hero of Yoruba Folktales

Tuesday 5 April 2011

THE WICKED MAN AND HIS YOUNGER BROTHER—Adebowale, Aderonke

Many years ago, a man and his wife lived in a town and gave birth to two boys. The two boys decided they wanted to be musicians. Although the parents were surprised that they both wanted to be musicians, they encouraged them.
The two boys started their careers and were successful. One day, they were both invited to perform at the same function; they both performed very well but it was obvious that the younger brother was better.  Hence, People gave him more money than his elder brother and this infuriated the older brother so much that he purposed in his heart to “deal” with his brother. Thus, the seed of envy was sown.
On their way home, this wicked brother beat his younger brother to death. When he got home and was asked about his younger brother’s whereabouts, he feigned ignorance.
 The dead brother’s spirit appearing inform of a bird, perched on a tree very close to where the wicked brother had been lying to their mother,  sang:
Bird:                    iya maitu     (mother     
Response:          ajan tie le/2ce
Bird:                    aroko ijo  (we went out to perform)
Response:          ajanti ele
Bird:                   aroko o ayo (we went out to play)
Bird:                    won f’emi legbawa (I was given 10.000)
Response:          ajantele
Bird:                    won f’egon legberun (my brother was given 1,000)
Response:          ajantele
Bird:                  o pa buro, osika egbon paburo (the wicked brother killed his younger brother)
Response:         ajantele
Bird:                   Iya maitu
The mother heard her younger son’s voice as the bird sang and knew her older son had killed his younger brother. She fell down and cried. Thus the wicked brother’s secret was exposed to all.
Moral lesson: this story teaches us not to be envious of any one.

2 comments:

  1. the guy that killed his younger brother is very wicked, and i hope the police arrested him

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. of cours the police arrested the brother.

      Delete