Culture : The Yorubas' Oriki

Oriki is a brief genre that the Yoruba typically use to inspire themselves. It is often in poetic form and consists of songs of praise. Oriki is also used as means of identifying the different clans of Yoruba, to understand people's lineages and pedigrees and for persuasion which is one of its basic uses.

In the form of persuasion, it is like a compassionate force that subconsciously exerts stimulating vigour upon persons targeted, it captivates the targeted person with the vigour to do something, more of a supernatural influence.

It ascribes to the act of stimulating ability upon the intellect or emotions of a person. Yoruba Musicians will ensure you empty your pocket once they get hold of your Oriki More of the reasons Yoruba are quick to sing someone's Oriki in order to persuade them to do something.

A visit to one's grandparents in the village would usually start with them first mentioning one's oriki name, then, they deluge one with the family's oriki (which would certainly elevate one's emotions) and the Oriki setting continues in that format.

It is a norm in Yoruba customs and tradition for a person to have individual Oriki after their usual name, and as well, family Oriki and sub-ethnic Oriki. Oriki is divided into different types, there are Oriki for deities, for sub-ethnics, some for families, and individual Oriki that comes in forms of names like; Aremu, Alabi, Ayinde, Ajani, Abefe, Akanni, Ishola et al (for boys) and Abeke, Aduke, Abeni, Asake, Alake, Adunni, Amoke, Abebi and so on (for girls)

The closest English word for Oriki is Panegyric, it is certainly one of the cultures Yoruba people take pride in.


A typical example of Oriki:
Emi Asake (female Oriki name, now followed by the clan's Oriki) omo amin niwon oogun,amin die ogun die, ogun die.Ogun tio je ewe re loku kan. Omo aji fi kalamu damo lekun an she kanta kandu,Iwo nile olodo oba,omo oba tenigbola,omo oba tolubeere,Iwo tio nilekun to je wipe eru wewe la fin dele.

Ese pupo (Thank You Very Much)


Culled from the Proudly Yorùbá page.

32 Comments, Replies, Suggestions, Yarns:

Unknown said...

Pls can you give the one for aremu just like you did for asake

Unknown said...

I won't mind a notification or it being sent to my mail pls. Asap. ibukunobe@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I won't mind a notification or it being sent to my mail pls. Asap. ibukunobe@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Pls can you give the one for aremu just like you did for asake

Unknown said...

please i need oriki for abeni in yoruba language....... send to my mail. israelbabtunde5@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Hi can you pls send me the oriki for Alade in Yoruba please.

adjovikoffibuttons@gmail.com said...

hy pls cn i get the oriki of omotoke in yoruba language...need it to be sent to my mail. adjovikoffibuttons@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Please help me out on oriki for abefe in yoruba here is my mail address.. Popobidmus@gmail.com

Femi Adedayo said...

Good morning. Please can you recommend books to read on Yoruba praise names. Am currently working on it as a project.Femiadedayo01@gmail.com

Amebogist said...

please I need the one for ajike and abike

Unknown said...

I need for ajani

Unknown said...

I need for ajani

Unknown said...

Pls i need for abefe

Unknown said...

please can I get the oriki for alade on naijapartyessentials@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Please can i get oriki for arike@adunolaexcellent@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Can I get oriki alade

Unknown said...

pls can i have oriki Aduke
This is my email mclaw19992@gmail.com
i will be glad to have it than u.

Unknown said...

Please I can't read that ashake oruki how can I get the voice note?

Unknown said...

Please can i have oriki Ishola and abike. Bashirolawaleyusuf@gmail.com
Tnx

Unknown said...

Pls I need oriki for aduni, blackgenius4@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Please kindly send me the oriki of asake

Unknown said...

Can touch please with the oriki of Ajadi, ishola, anike and abeni

Unknown said...

Kindly help with the oruko for Adult and Abike.
Thank you

Ishola said...

Please kindly help me with oriki of ishola oladunjoye98@gmail.com thanks in advance

said said...

kindly send me the oriki of AJADI to saidabiola@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Hmm kindly help me with the oriki of Abeke and Ayinde..Abdulkabirwahab123@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Kindly help with the oriki of Abeke.
Send to my mail damola.agunbiade94@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Kindly send me oriki Ayinde, Abebi, Abike to my email pls... aremzy1992@gmail

Unknown said...

Pls I need oriki Ishola

Unknown said...

Pls I need oriki ishola

Unknown said...

I need oriki abefe

Unknown said...

Job Weldone to you ma