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ÌKÚNLẸ̀ ABIYAMỌ

ByMoyo Okediji

ÌKÚNLẸ̀ ABIYAMỌ

How does one translate ÌKÚNLẸ̀ ABIYAMỌ into English, yet retain the picture that that term conveys in the original Yoruba context?

The word “childbirth,” which is the direct translation of ÌKÚNLẸ̀ ABIYAMỌ does not give the picture of the kneeling woman, giving birth to a child.

The notion of ÌKÚNLẸ̀ ABIYAMỌ, however, retains a poetic recollection: the woman kneels down, absolutely in the nude, vulnerable and solitary, between heaven and earth, to move the fetus to this world.

How, therefore, does one say, in English, French or German, ÌKÚNLẸ̀ ABIYAMỌ?

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A picture of Moyo Okediji sitting in front of his artwork

Life

ByMoyo Okediji

Life, when lived properly, is like playing in this giant park called Earth.

Find the thing you love to play with, and turn it into your work.

Then you can start playing.

I play with words, to enjoy the miracle of sound.

I play with images, to savor the magnificence of sight.

Playing is the best way to give thanks to the Creator of this giant park, and to fully enjoy the fruits and drinks that the park abundantly supplies.

the picture shows the youngest artist at the Akodi Orisa Center in Ile Ife.

Two New African Proverbs

ByMoyo Okediji

Two New African Proverbs:

1. The same people who place their knee on your neck will also be the first to ask “Why can’t you breathe?”

2. The same people who are causing your sadness will also be the first to ask “Why can’t you laugh?”

(Adapted from the Yoruba proverb, “Ẹ́ni tí ó bá sọ ni di olóríburúkú ni ó kọ́kọ́ má a ń fi bú ni:

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