AdekanyeSalffner IkannBooklet

Ikann proverbs, riddles and a story
Iwe owe, alo̩ ati itan aroso̩ ni ede Ikann
By Fred Adekanye and Sophie Salffner (eds.)

Lati o̩wo̩ Fred Adekanye ati Sophie Salffner
Ikakumo-Aworo, March 2007
Fred Adekanye and Sophie Salffner (eds) 1

CONTENTS – AKOONU
Preface – O̩ro̩ Ako̩so̩ ...........................................................................3

Acknowledgements – Idupe̩ ................................................................5
Contributors – Awo̩n Alabaasis̩e̩po̩.....................................................6
An ABC For Ikann – Abidi ti Ikann ...................................................9
Proverbs – Owe..................................................................................15
Riddles – Alo̩ .....................................................................................24
An Ikann Story – Itan aroso̩ ni ede Ikann.........................................32
2
PREFACE – O̩RO̩ AKO̩SO̩
This booklet is a collection of Iwe pelebe yii je̩ akojo̩po̩ owe,
proverbs, riddles and stories of alo̩ ati itan aroso̩ ti awo̩n Akann
the Akann people in Ikakumo- ti wo̩n n gbe ni Ikakumo̩-Aworo,
Aworo, Akoko North-East Local ni Akoko North-East Local
Government Area, Ondo State, Government ni ipinle̩ Ondo ni ilu
Nigeria. Nigeria.
The Akann speak Ikann language, Ede awo̩n Akann ni a n pe ni
a dialect of what is known as Ikann. Eyii je̩ e̩ka ede kan ninu
“Ukaan” among linguists. Akann ede ti awo̩n onimo̩-ede n pe ni
people can also speak Yoruba and ‘Ukaan’. Awo̩n ara Akann gbo̩
many of them also speak Ebira ede Yoruba, o̩po̩lo̩po̩ ninu wo̩n si
but their own Ikann language is le so̩ Igbira s̩ugbo̩n ede wo̩n yato̩
quite different from Yoruba or gedegede si Yoruba tabi Igbira.
Ebira. Many of the young people O̩po̩lo̩po̩ awo̩n o̩do̩ ni ilu naa ni
in Ikakumo still understand Ikann wo̩n gbo̩ ede Ikann s̩ugbo̩n ti o
but they find it difficult to speak s̩oro fun wo̩n lati so̩ o̩ ja gaara;
Ikann properly and can’t wo̩n ko si ranti awo̩n itan aroso̩
remember stories very well. This ni ede naa. Eyi tumo̩ si pe afaimo̩
means that there is a danger that ki ede naa ma lo̩ di awaari laarin
the language might disappear awo̩n ede agbaye. Nitori eyi,
within the next one or two awo̩n onimo̩-ede to be̩re̩ is̩e̩
generations, leaving the Akann iwadii, akojo̩po̩ ede yii ati
without a language of their own. is̩apejuwe bi a s̩e n so̩ ede naa
Because the language might nisinyi ti a ni anfani pe awo̩n ti o
disappear soon linguists have le so̩ ede naa daradara s̩i wa laye.
started to collect data and to Iwe pelebe yii je̩ ara akitiyan yii.
document and describe Ikann A ko̩ o̩ fun awo̩n Akann pe̩lu
language while there are still ifo̩wo̩sowo̩po̩ wo̩n; lara ohun ti a
speakers around who know Ikann maa ri ninu iwe yii ni awo̩n owe
well. bii meloo kan, alo̩ ati awo̩n itan
This booklet is part of this effort. aroso̩ ni ede Ikann eyi ti awo̩n
It has been written for and by the Akann so̩ ti a si gba sile̩ ni os̩u
Akann people and contains a November ati December o̩dun
number of proverbs, riddles and 2006.

stories in Ikann language as they A tumo̩ ede Ikann si Yoruba ati

were told by the Akann during a ede Ge̩e̩si ni ilana ti o fun ni ni
number of sessions in November aaye ati gbe ironu awo̩n Akann
and December 2006. The Ikann jade lai fi igba kan bo̩ o̩kan ninu.
has been translated into Yoruba Awo̩n onimo̩-ede ti o ba fe̩ mo̩
and English in a way to catch the okodoro bi a s̩e n so̩ ede yii ni
meaning of an Ikann expression wo̩n yoo ni anfani eleyii ninu iwe
rather than translating it word by a-ko̩-gba-iwe-e̩ri PhD eyi ti
word. Linguists who are olugbo̩wo̩ keji iwe yii n ko̩ ti o si
interested in more detailed n bo̩ lo̩na.
descriptions and translations are Latari pe o̩lo̩po̩lo̩ awo̩n Akann ti
referred to the forthcoming PhD o n gbe ni Ikakumo̩-Aworo ko n
dissertation by Sophie Salffner. ko̩ ede wo̩n, ati pe ko si abidi eyi
Because most of the Akann in ti o s̩e ite̩wo̩gba fun gbogbo wo̩n,
Ikakumo-Aworo do not write iwe yii n lo abidi eyi ti o fi aaye
their language and because there gba sipe̩li ti o ba wo̩ fun enike̩ni.
is no ABC that is accepted by all Fun ito̩niso̩na nipa bi a s̩e n ko̩
Akann this booklet uses an ABC ede Ikann, koja si oju iwe yii ti o
with different options for spelling da lori abidi ti Ikann.
Ikann. For more information on A lero pe o maa gbadun iwe yii.
how to write Ikann language see
the section An ABC for Ikann. Lati o̩wo̩ awo̩n onigbo̩wo̩ iwe yii
We hope very much that you will
enjoy reading this book.
The editors
4
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS – IDUPE̩
The Akann people of Ikakumo- Awo̩ n Akann ti o n gbe ni
Aworo have given me a Ikakumo-Aworo s̩e mi l’alejo
tremendously warm welcome into pupo̩, wo̩n gba mi to̩wo̩-te̩so̩ wo̩n
their community and have si s̩e iranlo̩wo̩ ni oris̩iris̩i o̩na fun
supported my work in so many is̩e̩ yii. O̩pe̩ mi ko ni opin fun
different ways. Thanks are due to gbogbo iranwo̩ ti wo̩n fun mi ati
all of them for helping me learn suuru ti wo̩n ni lati ko̩ mi ni ede
Ikann and for patiently answering wo̩n ati fun suuru ti wo̩n s̩e
my many questions. nigbati awo̩n ibeere mi fe̩ po̩ ju.
I also owe thanks to the people Mo si tun dupe̩ lo̩wo̩ awo̩n e̩ni-
who have generously financed bi-e̩ni ti wo̩n gbe owo kale̩ lati
this publication: the Endangered gbe iwe yii jade. Oruko̩ wo̩n ni
Languages Documentation Hans Rausing Endangered
Program of the Hans Rausing Languages Project ati ogbe̩ni
Endangered Languages Project Michael Dorin. Si gbogbo awo̩n
and Mr Michael Dorin. A big eniyan pataki yii, mo ki yin ni
“Thank You” to all of them or, as ede Ikann pe, kakaǃ
the Akann would say, káká!
Sophie Salffner

CONTRIBUTORS – AWO̩N ALABAASIS̩E̩PO̩
Mrs Eunice Adekanye, who told a Mrs Margaret Olusi, who told a
proverb and explained its meaning story and riddles
Eunice aya Adekanye, ti o pa owe Margaret aya Olusi, ti o so̩ itan

ti o si so̩ itumo̩ re̩ aroso̩ kan ati awo̩n alo̩ apamo̩
Mr Patrick Olusi, who told Prince Oyadele Obaude, who told a

proverbs and riddles proverb and explained its meaning
O̩gbe̩ni Patrick Olusi, ti o pa O̩mo̩ba Oyadele Obaude, ti o pa

awo̩n owe ti o si so̩ alo̩ apamo̩ owe ti o si so̩ itumo̩ re
6
Mr Festus Adedeji, who told Richard Adedeji, who told proverbs
proverbs and explained their and explained their meaning
meaning
O̩gbe̩ni Festus Adedeji, ti o pa gbe̩ni Richard Adedeji, ti o pa

O̩
owe ti o si so̩ itumo̩ wo̩n owe ti o si so̩ itumo̩ wo̩n
Mrs Caroline Bale, who told a Dr Francis Oyebade, who helped

proverb and explained its meaning with the English – Yoruba
translations
Caroline aya Bale, ti o pa owe ti O̩mo̩we Francis Oyebade, ti o

o si so̩ itumo̩ re̩ tumo̩ awo̩n abala ti a ko̩ ni Ge̩e̩si
si Yoruba

Mrs Grace Bale, who told riddles Mr Ade Olusi, who told riddles
Grace aya Bale, ti o pa alo̩ apamo̩ O̩gbe̩ni Ade Olusi, ti o pa alo̩

apamo̩
Mr Fred Adekanye, who told Mrs Sophie Salffner, who recorded

riddles and proverbs, explained the stories, riddles and proverbs
their meaning, translated the and wrote up and edited the print
stories, riddles and proverbs into version
English and Yoruba
O̩ gbe̩ni Fred Adekanye, ti o pa Sophie aya Abi Ali, ti o gba awo̩n

owe, alo̩ apamo̩, ti o si so̩ itumo itan, owe ati alo̩ wo̩nyi sile̩. Oun
wo̩n. Oun naa ni o tumo̩ awo̩n naa ni o si ko̩ eyi ti a te̩ jade si
itan aroso̩, alo̩ ati owe lati Ikann iwe yii
si Ge̩e̩si ati Yoruba.
8
AN ABC FOR IKANN – ABIDI TI IKANN
Because there is no official and Latari pe ko si o̩na ti fi n ko̩
generally accepted way of writing ede Ikann kale̩ eyi ti o s̩e
Ikann, this booklet is written using a ite̩wo̩gba fun mutumuwa, a ko̩
trial ABC. The principles behind the iwe pelebe yii ni ilana abidi eyi
writing are the following: ti a fe̩ dan wo bo̩ya yoo s̩e
1. Ikann should be written the way ite̩wo̩gba fun awo̩n Akann.
you hear it. Ilana ti elo ako̩sile̩ yii n te̩le ni
2. Sounds that sound the same eyi:
should be written the same way. 1. A gbudo ko̩ Ikann ki o jo̩ bi
3. Sounds that are different should a s̩e gbo̩ o̩.
be written in different ways. 2. Awo̩n iro ti o ba jo̩ra ni a ni
For example in Yoruba the “o” in lati ko̩ bakan naa.
“oko” – farm and the “ọ” in 3. Awo̩n iro ti o ba yato̩ ni a ni
“ọkọ” – husband sound different lati ko̩ ki o yato̩.
and are therefore written Bi ape̩e̩re̩, ni ede Yoruba,
differently. ‘o’ ni ‘oko’ ati ‘o̩’ ni ‘o̩ko̩’
4. If there is a sound where you do yato̩ sira ni iro, tori naa a si
not have a letter and cannot ko̩ wo̩n yato̩ sira.
borrow one from Yoruba, 4. Bi a ba ri iro kan ti a ko ni
English or Ebira you can put two abidi fun ti a ko si le ya
or three letters together. abidi ti Yoruba, Ge̩e̩si tabi
For example, when the Yoruba Igbira fun, a le ko abidi meji
borrowed from the English ABC tabi me̩ta po̩ ki o duro fun
and couldn’t find a letter for the iro be̩e.̩
first sound in “gbogbo” – all, Bi ape̩e̩re̩, nigbati Yoruba ya
everbody, they put “g” and “b” abidi ti ede Ge̩es
̩ i ti wo̩n ko
together and now write “gb”. ri eyi ti wo̩n maa lo fun iro
Many of the letters are used the way ti o be̩re̩ ‘gbogbo’, wo̩n mu
they are used to write Yoruba but ‘g’ po̩ mo̩ ‘b’ wo̩n si n ko̩ o̩
there are quite a few sounds in papo̩ bayii ‘gb’.
Ikann that Yoruba does not have. A O̩po̩lo̩po̩ awo̩n abidi ti a da
good number of Ikann speakers labaa yii ni o jo̩ ti ede Yoruba,
have put in good ideas for how amo̩ s̩a a ri awo̩n iro kan ni
these sounds can be spelled and in Ikann ti Yoruba ko ni. O̩go̩o̩ro̩

this booklet we tried to show these awo̩n Akann ni wo̩n ti dabaa bi

different ways of spelling these a s̩e le ko̩ awo̩n iro be̩e̩ sile̩.
special sounds in Ikann that don’t Ninu iwe pelebe yii, a gbiyanju
exist in Yoruba or English. ati fi gbogbo o̩na ti fi le ko̩
Therefore underneath each riddle awo̩n iro yii han.
and proverb you can see alternative A ni lati te̩numo̩ o̩ pe Ikann je̩
spellings for some of the tricky ede alohun eyi ti o̩ro̩ kan le ni
words. We did not write down itumo o̩to̩o̩to̩ latari ohun ori o̩ro̩
alternative spellings for the difficult be̩e.̩ Amo̩ s̩aa, a ko tii dabaa
words in the story because this bo̩ya ikann ni lati lo o ni sipe̩li
would have made the story very abi be̩e̩ ko̩. A ni lati jiroro papo̩
cumbersome to read. lori o̩ro̩ yii.
Also underneath each proverb and A fi aaye sile labe̩ owe, alo̩ ati
riddle and at the end of the story itan ko̩o̩kan (ni opin itan) fun
there are extra lines so that you, the awo̩n onkawe yii lati ko̩ aba
reader, can add your own ideas how wo̩n kale̩ nipa bi a s̩e le ko̩
you think these words should be awo̩n o̩ro̩ wo̩nyi. A ni i lo̩kan
spelled. pe lo̩jo̩ kan gbogbo awo̩n ti
Finally, it is also important to note wo̩n n so̩ ede Ikann ti wo̩n si ni
that Ikann is a tone language where ife̩ si ati ko̩ Ikann kale̩ le pade
the same word can have different lati jiroro lori abidi ti yoo s̩e
meaning depending on the pitch ite̩wo̩gba fun gbogbo Akaan.
with which it is pronounced. Ate̩ ti o wa nisale̩ yii ni
Although the tones play a very akojo̩po̩ awo̩n aba ti wo̩n ti fun
important role, they are not yet wa nipa bi a s̩e le ko̩ Ikann sile̩.
included in these spelling Eyi ti a ko̩ ti o sanra ju awo̩n
suggestions and we need to discuss ara yooku ni a ro pe a ni lati
whether or not an Ikann ABC jiroro le lori.
should mark tone, and, if yes, how
this is to be done.
We hope that at a later point all the
Ikann speakers that are interested in
writing Ikann can meet up, discuss
the different ways of spelling and
decide together on an ABC for
writing Ikann.
10
The table below summarises the
different ideas for writing the ABC
in Ikann. The sounds that the editors
think will need more discussion are
written in bold face.
LETTERS SOUND IKAAN WORDS YORUBA ENGLISH
p p opu è̩wá ten

p kp kp kpin – pi gbo̩ to hear
b b ababa è̩wà beans
gb gb gba sanra to be big,
fat
t t turakan no̩sè̩ to stretch
one’s
legs
d d o̩de̩de̩ ò̩dè̩dè̩ veranda
k k e̩ko̩ko̩ adìe̩ chicken
g g egu ilé house
f f fidi wo̩lé to enter
s s iskuu ilé-ìwe school
s̩ sh ʃ ikas̩ – ikash ìlú town
j ji s̩ s̩i dʒ joo èmi I
my name
sh shi inij – iniji – inis̩ – inis̩i òrúko̩
– inish – inishi mi
h h ha ríran to see
m m mana àti and, with
n n n o̩ s̩ùbú to fall


n ng ŋ ikonga – ikongga kò̩ǹga well
gb gbh ŋm gbana – gbhana – ní to have
m mgb mana – mgbana
ghm ogbo – omgbo – e̩nu mouth
oghmo
b by bi bʲ ube̩ – ubye̩ – ubie̩ àláǹgbá lizard
th ty ti tʲ tho – tyo – tio sare to run
s̩ h hy yh hʲ as̩ob
̩ a – aho̩ba – àtà pepper
ahyo̩ba – ayho̩ba
m my mi mʲ imegu – imyegu – yàrá room
imiegu
n ny ni nʲ ananji – anaianji – àwo̩n my
people
niy y anyansh – aniansh – ènìàn
aniyash1 mi
ja yenin – ja yeyin – ja mo fé̩é̩ I want to
pee.
nenin – ja nyenin tò̩
anain ãʲ ahan – ahain – ahayn oko farm
ayn any – ahany
kw ku kʷ kweno – kueno kó jo̩ to gather,
to collect
yu yo yw jʷ a yuag – a yoag – a áá pè he will
call
ywag – a yawag
l l ipel péèlì bucket
1
Here you also have different ways of spelling the end of the word, please ignore this for the moment.
12
y j ye je̩un to eat
r ɾ ro l’ágbára be strong
s z r rh hr so – zo – ro – rho – hro gún-un to pierce
hr e̩sagun – e̩zagun – àgùntàn sheep
e̩ragun – e̩rhagun –
e̩hragun
w w ewi ewúré̩ goat
w wh hw e̩we̩n e̩whe̩n fila cap
hw hf hu
arawo – arawho – òru night
arahwo – arahfo –
arahuo
a a ababa è̩wà beans
i i imi inú belly
e e je je̩un eat
e̩ ɛ e̩ko̩ko̩ adìe̩ chicken
u u ikuku òtìtà little
stool
o o no gá be tall
o̩ ɔ no̩ s̩ùbú to fall
in ĩ kpin gbó̩ to hear
whinni kò s̩és̩e to be


unable
e̩n ɛ̃ e̩whe̩n2 fila cap
an ã iyan inán fire
un ũ wun mú to drink
o̩n ɔ̃ ko̩n jà to dig or
to fight
SOUNDS THAT WE FORGOT
2
There are different options for spelling “wh” but only one is given here because this is about the “en”
sound, not about “wh”.
14
PROVERBS – OWE
Epod na buwo̩nyanhain ini hiyo diyawak.

TABI ekpod;
o̩nianhain, o̩nanhain, o̩niyahain;
hyo, hio, ho;
dyawak, diawak.
Ehoro ní o̩wó̩ olóko leré tima bè̩rè̩.
The hare says the race is started by the owner of the farm.
(Eunice Adekanye)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
O̩kas̩i o̩be̩ko̩ko̩ erinrin bo̩wo̩g.

TABI o̩kashi.
Alejo kò lè mo̩ odie dudu ló̩be̩.̀
A stranger does not know the black chicken in the soup.
(Patrick Olusi)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
E̩wun ne̩ ne̩ aa gbyon e̩pufere o̩nurhe̩ng.

TABI gbion, gbon;
e̩kpufere;
o̩nuse̩ng, o̩nuhre̩ng.

Ajá tó bá ma so̩nu kì ń gbo̩ fere o̩lo̩de̩.

The dog that is doomed to be lost will not hear the hunter’s whistle.
(Patrick Olusi)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
Anion arhang bo̩ho̩ ogidimorho.

TABI anon, anyon, aniyon;
asang, ahrang, arang, azang;
ogidimoso, ogidimohro, ogidimoro, ogidimozo.
O̩ran ki ń tan lo̩run ibe̩pe̩.
Problems never leave the pawpaw tree.
(Patrick Olusi)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
O̩nnio dwarhoyung manumo̩n do̩ na me̩ kuminig.

TABI o̩nniyo, o̩nnyo;
duarhoyung, duwarhoyung;
dwaroyung, dwarsoyung, dwahroyung, dwazoyung.
A kì ń da o̩mo̩ nu pe̩lu omitiafiwè̩ e̩.́
A child is not thrown out with the bathwater.
(Patrick Olusi)
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
16
O̩yo̩nni o̩jo̩ng ti no̩ wa me̩re̩pe̩g.
TABI e̩re̩kpe̩.
O̩mo̩ e̩ni kì ń burú jag be fe̩kun paje̩.
No matter how bad a child is, you cannot give it out to the leopard.
(Patrick Olusi)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
Dwij e̩mo̩yonj utimin oninig.

TABI duwij, duij, dwiji;
imi.
Ba mi na o̩mo̩ mi ko denu o̩lo̩mo̩
“Flog my child for me.” does not go well for the mother.
(Patrick Olusi)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
Umusu baro̩g, egu gi we̩ye̩ rehu.

Ologbo kò si nile ile dile ekute.
When the cat is not around the house belongs to the rat.
(Patrick Olusi)
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...............................................................................................................

̩ ian nubye̩ no̩n no̩n bumo̩n do̩ nu we̩ye̩wagi.

E̩en
TABI e̩en̩ an, ee̩n̩ yan, e̩e̩niyan;
nubie̩, nubiye̩, nube̩.
Igba wo ni alangba wo̩n bó̩ sínú omi t’o ń di ò̩nì.
Since when has the lizard fallen into the water that is has now
become a crocodile?
(Fred Adekanye)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
Ufo̩ nu fiditur unu na na wo̩pa wa.

TABI wo̩kpa.
Ohun to wo̩nu iho l’ó ní ki wo̩n mó̩kó̩ wá.
The thing that enters into a hole demands for a hoe.
(Fred Adekanye)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
Ohiyan o̩gbageg ta me̩wa me̩ hiyag.

TABI ohyan, ohian;
hyag, hiag.
O̩ro̩ kì ń tobi ju ki afi ò̩be̩ là á/Ò̩rò̩ kì ń tóbi kí a fi ò̩be̩ bù ú.
A word is not too big that it demands for a knife to cut it into pieces.
(Fred Adekanye)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
18
Ohiyan no̩ na na ehiya na piig, ehiya na ipari no̩nu kene.
TABI ohyan, ohian;
ehya, ehia;
kpik; ikpari.
O̩ro̩ ti wo̩n ni ki baba ma gbo̩, baba loma pari e̩.
A quarrel that you don’t want the father to hear about – it is still the
father that will settle it.
(Fred Adekanye)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
Ahiya yugbata a na unun hiyon.

TABI ahya, ahia;
hyon, hion.
Iya n je̩s̩in ala on jo/à ní ó ń jó̩
The horse is suffering and we say it is dancing.
(Fred Adekanye)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
Os̩eji yon no s̩eji bikakaki ohikas̩i, ubuno no di aa yuag?

TABI osheji; sheji; ohikashi;
ywag, yoag, yuwag.
Ole t’ó jí o̩ba ibo ni yio fi fan.
kakaki
A thief who stole the king’s trumpet – where will he sound it?
(Fred Adekanye)

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...............................................................................................................
Oni yon ko̩ tionig, o̩ ga dihiyo̩ni bo̩re̩g.

TABI tyonig, thonig, tiyonig;
dihyo̩ni, dihio̩ni.
E̩ni ti ko le da ni, kì ń lo̩ ń deno̩ deni.
He who is not capable to take on a person does not go to waylay that
person on the road.
(Festus Adedeji)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
O̩ni yon no̩ na na o̩nianwo pe̩pe̩e̩ ida no̩ pe̩ bo̩ho̩o̩n ida
nonion hag.
TABI o̩nyanwo, o̩niyanwo, onanwo;
kpe̩kpee̩; kpe̩.
E̩ni to ma das̩o̩ fun ni to̩run re̩ la kó̩kó̩ n wò.
He who is willing to let someone else dress him should at first see
what this person himself is wearing.
(Festus Adedeji)
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20
Iyo̩ni ihanrhin, o̩mi weno de̩n.
TABI ihansin, ihanrin, ihanhrin,ihanzin.
Bis̩u e̩ni ba ta nis̩e l’a ma ń fo̩wo̩ bo.

If a person’s yam is very white he should cover it with his hand.
(Festus Adedeji)
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...............................................................................................................
Ubit o̩nigbe̩re̩, udo̩ na to̩rag bas̩o.̩

Epo alai mo̩kan ni gbogbo eyan ma ń to̩wo loja.
It’s the palm oil of the fool that everybody tastes at the market.
(Festus Adedeji)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
Ukain o̩nigbe̩re̩ do̩ na s̩og me kene mo̩te̩in.

TABI ukan;
oten.
Ate̩le̩se̩ alai mo̩kan l’a ma ń bu fi s̩e ogun.
It is the careless footprint of the fool that is used to prepare a charm.
(Festus Adedeji)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................

O̩ni yon ko̩ mgbano̩nig, o̩minirwe bo̩re̩g.

TABI gbano̩mig, mano̩mig, gbhano̩mig, ghmano̩mig;
rue.
E̩ni ti ko ni oluran lo̩wo̩ ki ń ru e̩rù soju o̩na.
The person who has nobody to help him does not put his load on the
road.
(Festus Adedeji)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
Akahunmarhar – o̩te̩in owee.

TABI oten
Adiro me̩ta ogun jino.

Once you have three cooking stones you have already cooked your
medicine.
(Richard Adedeji)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
O̩nio̩n mgbanafung, ko̩ mgbanatime̩hiyo̩g.

TABI o̩nyo̩n, o̩niyo̩n;
gbana, mana, gbhana, ghmana;
e̩hyo̩g, e̩hio̩g.
A kì ń ní agbari ka ma ni pako̩.
A person does not have a forehead without having the back of the
head.
(Oyedele Obaude)
22
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
Oyun yono̩ na o̩ni na kurag, ihien o̩ kurag.

TABI ihyen, ihiyen.
O̩mo̩ toni iya oun kò ni sun oun na ko ni foju kan orun.
The child who says his mother will not sleep will not sleep itself.
(Caroline Bale)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................

RIDDLES – ALO̩
Jigi jigi manayeǃ (Akakun)

Jigi jigi – E̩ wa je̩ǃ (Igi akakun)
Food is ready – everybody come and eat! (Akaku plant)
(Patrick Olusi)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
̩ i wag jo̩ ne̩no̩n yag. (Oyondi)

S̩en
TABI she̩ni.
Ma rin mi ò ní je̩ o̩. (Okunkun)
Come here, I will not eat you up. (Darkness)
(Patrick Olusi)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
Ginninnin bawo̩ g Os̩u. (Iyo̩nyo̩n)

TABI Oshu.
Piponpipon ninu igbo Os̩u. (Ojiji enia)

The colour of the sunset at Oshu forest. (Shadow)
(Patrick Olusi)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
24
O̩ni yon, os̩og o̩mi we̩yaji no̩ baro̩. O̩ e̩gi rawag o̩mi weyaji no̩
bahain. (O̩pa)
TABI oshog; bahan; o̩kpa.
Ó ń roko ó ko̩jú sile. o n bò latoko, ó kojú soko. (O̩ko̩)́
When this person goes to the farm he faces home. When he returns
he faces the farm. (A hoe)
(Patrick Olusi)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
O̩ni yon, os̩og o̩mi deye, o̩gi rawag, o̩mi be̩re̩ maan. (Oruru
otutu)
TABI oshog.
O nlo̩ soko ó ń so̩kún, ó ń toko bò̩ o ń ré̩rin. (Owu)
When this person goes to the farm he is crying. When he comes back
he is laughing. (Cotton)
(Patrick Olusi)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
O̩rhij odidibo̩g, be̩han be̩han, o̩mgbanukuraku han, ukuraku

do̩n do̩m. Ugbaa o̩ me̩re̩ do̩n e̩yando, u yag, aba awhe. (Ikotu)
TABI o̩sij, o̩hrij, o̩rij, o̩zij;
o̩rhiji, o̩rhis̩, o̩rhish;
ogbanukuraku, omanukuraku, ogbhanukuraku;
awe, ahwe, ahue.

Akuno̩ baba mi kan lai lai, owo ní ń je̩ kì ń jagbado. (Ile e̩jo̩)
My great-grandfather from the olden days, he had a special cock.
This cock was big, and when you gave it maize to eat it wouldn’t eat.
It was only when you gave it money that it would eat. (A court of law)
(Patrick Olusi)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
Ikas̩i de̩, o̩nio̩nnimani kukuini de̩. (Ahio̩ba)

TABI ikashi;
o̩no̩nni, o̩nyo̩nni, o̩niyo̩nni;
aho̩ba, as̩ob̩ a, ahyo̩ba, ahiyo̩ba.
Ninu ilu yi, olukaluku pe̩lu ijoko re̩. (Ata)
In this town, everybody has their own small stool. (Pepper)
(Margaret Olusi)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
Ikas̩i de̩ o̩nio̩nni a pas̩i no̩ rinwanji. (Ababa)
TABI ikashi;
kpas̩i, pashi, kpashi.
Ninu ilu yi, gbogbo enia lo lé tìróo. (E̩wa)
In this town, everybody puts on black eyeliner. (Beans)
(Margaret Olusi)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
26
Ayan da nonij o joo, ahopatapas̩i ina s̩aa anian jijin. (Ahioba
tabi uurhu)
TABI onis̩, onish, oniji, onis̩i, onishi;
ahokpatakpas̩i; ahopatapashi;
aniyan, anyan;
uusu, uuhru, uuru, uuzu.
Gbogbo o̩mo̩ ti iyami bi loje̩ enia buburu. (Ata tabi oyin)
The children that my mother gave birth to, they are all wicked people.
(Honey bees, wasps or pepper)
(Margaret Olusi)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
E̩bage̩ji ne̩, gi din, gi din, gi din, o̩nio̩n bis̩ung, o̩nio̩n baho̩g.

(Ititi)
TABI o̩no̩n, o̩nyo̩n, o̩niyo̩n.
Gele gigun ti a kò mo̩ ibe̩re̩ tabi opin. (Oju ono)
My head tie is so so very long that a person won’t know it’s
beginning or end. (A main road)
(Grace Bale)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................

Ani da arhar ayo̩ begu, begwe̩man s̩ugbo̩n o̩nio̩nni

bimyegwue̩n. (Arurha)
TABI asar, azar, ahrar, arar;
begueman;
bimiegwue̩n, bimegwue̩n;
bimyegwe̩n, bimyegue̩n;
arusa, aruhra, arura.
O̩mo̩ iya me̩ta jo̩ ń gbé s̩ugbo̩n wo̩n ko mo̩nu ara wo̩n. (Ausa)
Three people live in this house but each of them is in their own room.
(A walnut)
(Grace Bale)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
O̩ni yon os̩og os̩irhi ho̩ho̩, ogi rawag o̩mi mgbanute̩ me̩ wa.
(Eyando)
TAB oshog;
os̩isi, os̩iri, os̩izi, os̩ihri;
manute̩, gbanute̩, gbhanute̩, ghmanute̩.
Ó ń roko ó rin òhòhò, ó n bò̩ latoko ó wo̩so̩. (Agbado)
When this person goes to the farm he is naked. When he returns he
wears clothes. (Maize)
(Grace Bale)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
28
Eduku ne̩ edin, e̩e̩ s̩aa, e̩s̩age,̩ s̩ugbo̩n umgbana o̩ni yon na
is̩un me kunung. (Ufurha)
TABI shaa; shugbo̩n; ishun;
is̩um;
umana, ugbana, ugbhana, ughmana;
ufusa, ufura, ufuhra, ufuza.
Gele mi yi dara pupo̩ s̩ugbo̩n ko s̩i e̩ni to le fi weri. (E̩jo̩)
My head tie is long and nice, too, but nobody can use it to tie around
the head. (A snake)
(Fred Adekanye)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
Areiyan da ana wanrhin, ano̩ no̩ bumo̩ a mgbog. (Iru)

TABI wansin, wanzin, wanrin, wanhrin;
mog, gbog, gbhog, ghmog.
E̩yin ina yi pon, to ba bo̩sinu omi kì ń ku. (E̩ejin)
These fire coals are red but when they fall into water they will not go
out. (Palm fruit)
(Fred Adekanye)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
mgbana ayan han, e̩ke̩ jo jo man arinrin, e̩ke̩ na wate̩ rha,

Je̩
ahopatapas̩i gi awanrhin. (Iru)
TABI mana, gbana, gbhana, ghmana;

sa, z, ra, hra;

awansin, awanzin, awanrin, awanhrin;
Mo bi o̩mo̩ me̩tani gbati mo bi wo̩n dudu ni wo̩n. S̩ugbo̩n ni gbati
wo̩n dagba tan wo̩n do pupa. (Eso roi igi igba)
I have three children. When I gave birth to them, they were
black/unripe, and when they grow up they become red. (Pepper)
(Ade Charles Olusi)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
Je̩ mgbaniyan han, iyan de̩ni gba, anis̩o winno den. (Ikwayin)
TABI maniyan, gbaniyan, gbhaniyan, ghmaniyan;
isho;
ikuayin.
Ina mi yi tobi pupo̩ ni s̩eni esinsin ma ń kùn-ún nigba gbogbo. (Igbe̩)
I have a special fire, this fire is large and flies fly around it. (Faeces)
(Ade Charles Olusi)
...............................................................................................................
................................................................................................................
Anurhari da, ina yu gina mane whii, a s̩eni wuno, e̩ke̩na te̩
bakata, o̩nio̩n han birhe̩man gi aga whuo, o̩nio̩n waya gi
be̩re̩ gi deye, o̩nio̩n rhariya gi be̩re̩ gi ko̩nurha. (Unieni,
ayo̩nyo̩n aji, es̩o)
TABI anusari, anuzari, anurari, anuhrari;
wii, huii, hwii;
30
sheni;
o̩no̩n, o̩nyo̩n, o̩niyo̩n;
bise̩man, bize̩man; bire̩man, bihre̩man;
wuo, hwuo;
ko̩nusa, ko̩nus̩a, ko̩nura;
uneni, unyeni, uniyeni.
Awo̩n me̩ta ń rin ìrìn ajo, wo̩n de arin enikan ku ninu wo̩n, enikan
sunkun, ike̩ta wan waa koto. (Omije)

There were three people and they got up and said they are going
travelling. They started walking and when they got to the middle one
of them said he was not going to die, the second started crying, and
the third started digging the ground. (Tears)
(Patrick Olusi)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................

AN IKANN STORY – ITAN AROSO̩ NI EDE IKANN

Hiereeo!
Ohiarooo!
Owerhi yon ino̩ wate̩ – o. Gi mgbana oyes̩eg – o, oyun yon gi

hu – o. O̩ akirho̩hikas̩ gina, o̩nio̩n s̩os̩o yon no̩ a oyinhien
mgbana, o̩ mgbans̩e mgbewu rhanes̩i oyuyag, o̩ni yon no̩ pa
funa mgbe̩en ̩ ewu rhanes̩i, o̩wunmo̩g, oyuyag, inoyinhieni
mgbanan.
E̩kan Ojeg, Uhiereku, Odudu, Uhanhun, o̩nio̩nio̩man gi wa – o,
aa s̩enoyen – o. A kene alaiye be̩ re̩man – o. Aa mura – o. O̩ni
yon no̩ ewu rhanes̩i ko̩ e̩ yuyag, ko̩ wunmo̩ domug. O̩ wate̩
o̩mgbas̩e wa rhin beraji o̩hikas̩i ta tu wunwo̩ ka gina o̩mgbe̩en
̩ .
Apa kene be̩mo, anannain dam – o, o̩nio̩nni gi s̩enoyen – o gi e̩
kenimura – o. O̩nio̩n han – o, olewu rharh – o, o̩nio̩n han
olewu nain – o, o̩nio̩n han olewu hronu – o, o̩nio̩n han olewu
rhanes̩i e̩ne̩n – o. Udo̩, e̩ke̩ nannanain arhin – o, uwe̩e̩
mgbanufunaiman me̩ ba, us̩a gina a kene be̩mo. Aro̩gbajoju
dam, us̩u ka gina be̩kuwo̩ mani ku do̩gba domug. A whuko̩
buriman. Anian, whe̩e̩n, gimi wa. Ami a kene. Aniunkain
urharhiya be̩nawate̩ do̩m, arharhari da na kig dam, ina funa
ewu rhanes̩i kura. Be̩na gi mgbe̩n ewu rhanes̩i de̩ kayugag.
O̩nian yona oyeni marag?
E̩kan mojeg ino̩ muno̩ wa. Jo̩ na: Se̩se̩se̩, se̩ge̩le̩te̩ emi
ladomude, oyes̩eg yiom inoyi omude. Mani na: Sorosa.
32
Se̩se̩se̩, se̩ge̩le̩te̩ emi ladomude. – Sorosa.
Emi ladomude. – Sorosa.
Eni so̩bi keje. – Sorosa.
Ekeji so̩bi keje. – Sorosa.
E̩ke̩ta so̩bi keje. – Sorosa.
Emi ladomude. – Sorosaaa.
O̩ ga rho̩ o̩nio̩n waya gimin wumgbon. Omi yo̩o̩ ini ni na ihien
Odudu, ne̩ wate – o. Ne̩kurewu rhanes̩i – o. O̩min na
Ekini so̩bi keje. – Sorosa.
O̩me̩e̩ yu, omi ga rho̩. O̩nio̩n rharhiya be̩m. O̩mi ka be̩m,
onio̩n rharhiya be̩no̩ yu rha do̩m, do̩no̩ dyumgbon rha. As̩o na
ni rho̩. O̩no̩, e̩ba gina e̩mu e̩pe̩nirhi? Ana, pe̩rhanuwa be̩. Ana
na nuwa pe̩rhe̩ na mi we̩ye̩ wag, arhin – o. Amin we̩ye̩ wa – o,
amin na


E̩ke̩ no̩ a ipari kene, o̩no̩ upe̩rhonus̩i. Onus̩i ope̩rhe̩ ginmi
we̩ye̩ wa, omin na
Orhin me wun, orhin me̩wa, orhin me wun, orhin me̩wa. Ana
to̩o̩ ino̩ nan oyen – o. Gi me̩e̩n oyen – o, ana digijode̩ – o, o̩ni
na muno̩ mgbenmgbenmug tomitu mgbanoyeni go. Afi fo̩hoo
pata whuo rha – o.
Dige ene̩n, dige ene̩n, o̩nian oyeni s̩eni, o̩ mgbana awhe, o̩mi
mgbanoyen – o.
Kabo̩, bis̩eni – o. Is̩o̩rh de̩ jo̩ rho̩ ro̩ ato̩wo̩g is̩akoro. Oni Rose
ino̩n winrhin yee – o. Ide ni Tunde o̩kuma ye rha be̩e̩ – o ko̩o.̩
(Margaret Olusi)
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
34
Alo̩o̩ – o!
Alo̩o!̩
Okunrin wa ni ilu kan, o ni o̩d’o̩mo̩binrin to to lo̩le o̩ko̩. O̩mo̩binrin
yi ti dagba, Baba re̩ wa lo̩ sile o̩ba, o wa so̩ fun o̩ba wipe, e̩ni ke̩ni
to ba fe̩ fe̩̩ o̩mo̩ oun, o ni lati duro fun o̩jo̩ meje lai je̩un tabi mu omi
rara. Iru e̩ni be̩ ni oun yoo fi o̩mo̩ oun fun lati fi s̩aya.
Awo̩n e̩ye̩ me̩rin lo wa lati fe̩ o̩mo̩ baba yi. Ikankan wo̩n wa lati fe̩
iyawo. Wo̩n si se̩ alaye ohun ti wo̩n maa s̩e fun wo̩n. Ati pe e̩nike̩ni
to ba s̩e o̩jo̩ meje yi lai je̩ lai mu to ba pari ni o̩jo̩ keje, o gbo̩do̩ wa
jo niwaju o̩ba, ki wo̩n to gba lati fun niyawo. Olukaluku wo̩n pada
lo̩le lati lo̩ mura.
E̩nikan ninu wo̩n lo o̩jo̩ me̩ta ko to je̩un, enikan pe̩lu si lo o̩jo̩ me̩rin,
be̩e̩ ni ninu wo̩n a ri eyi to lo o̩jo̩ marun, be̩e̩ ni awo̩n to lo o̩jo̩ meje
na si wa lara wo̩n. Nigbati wo̩n pari awo̩n o̩jo̩ ti wo̩n ya so̩to̩ fun
laijeun, o wa ku ki wo̩n wa jo niwaju o̩ba. O ni amin ti wo̩n a fi mo̩
boya e̩ni yi s̩e ge̩ge̩ bi wo̩n ti ni ki wo̩n s̩e. Awo̩n ti wo̩n ko lo o̩jo̩
meje ti wo̩n fi ni ki wo̩n ma je̩, ma mu ye̩n, oye o̩jo̩ ti wo̩n fi puro a
ko̩ o̩ sile̩ fun wo̩n. Alako̩ko̩ wa, o jo, o lo̩, e̩le̩keji s̩e be̩ pe̩lu, ike̩ta
ati ike̩rin; awo̩n me̩ta kan wa to lo o̩jo̩ meje na.
Ibere ni pe, ta ni wo̩n yoo fun ni iyawo ninu wo̩n. Eni to ko̩ko̩ yoju
ninun wo̩n ni e̩ye̩ as̩a, o wa morin se̩nu. Tin ba ni Se̩se̩se̩, se̩ge̩le̩te̩
emi ladomude, nitori oruko̩ omidan na ni omude. E̩ oni Sorosa. O
be̩re̩ si nin korin wipe
Se̩se̩se̩, s̩e̩ge̩le̩te̩ emi ladomude. – Sorosa.

Eni ko̩bi keje. – Sorosa.

Ekeji ko̩bi keje. – Sorosa.

E̩ke̩ta ko̩bi keje. – Sorosa.

Nigbato pari orin yi, owa lo̩ baa sori igi. E̩ni keji, eyi ni E̩etutu, oun
tun de, oso̩ pe oun na s̩e o̩jo̩ meje pe̩. O tun morin se̩nu oni


Nigbato korin to joo tan oun na fo. Ibti to ba sori igi, bos̩eni ki oun
ba, owa s̩ubu. Nitori pe ebi ti paa ni apaju.
Nigbana ni owa ku e̩nikan, wo̩n wa ni ko lo̩be, kotun pata wa lo̩jo̩
keji lati wa joo.
Nigba to de ni o̩jo̩ keji oun na morin se̩nu at ijo. O ni



O wa mujo lo̩ siwa, a tun mujo lo̩ se̩hin, toba mujo bo̩ siwa, a tun
mujo lo̩ se̩hin. Gbogbo enia wa gba pe ki wo̩n fun laya na lati fe̩
nitori oun nikan lo yege idanwo ti wo̩n s̩e fun wo̩n. Le̩hin eleyi
36
gbogbo wo̩n wa ni latoniyi lo̩,
e̩nikan mase fi ebi para e̩ nitori ati
ki
fe̩yawo, lati igba ye̩n, e̩nike̩ni to ba fe̩ fey̩ awo gbo̩do̩ lowo lo̩wo̩ o.
Kaabo̩, ku irin, iyan ati o̩be̩ isapa ti mo fisile̩ de o̩ ni iya Rose ti gbe
je̩ oun ni Tunde si pari bayii.

Once upon a time there was a man who had a young daughter who
was old enough to get married. When the daughter had grown up, he
went to the king’s palace and said, “Any man who wants to get
married should starve himself for seven days, he must not eat.
Whoever is able to starve for seven days without eating and without
drinking, it is him who will marry the woman.”
There were three birds – the Ojeg bird, that is the hawk, the
Uhyerekun bird, the Odudu bird, and then Uhanhun bird. Each of
them came, looking for a wife. The rules were explained to them and
they went to prepare for the wedding. The person who stays for those
seven days without eating and without drinking must come and dance
before the king before it is proven that he indeed sat for those days
without eating and drinking.
And the birds did as they had been told. The four of them, each of
them was looking for a wife and was preparing himself to marry.
One on them could do three days, one of them could do four days,
one of them could do five days, and one of them spent the seven days.
Then, when the four danced, there was a special sign that people
would use to recognise the right person who really did what they
were asked to do. The first set of people had been unable to do the
task as it had been told to them. So there was a sign for each of them
to mark how many days they had actually sat and fasted. So they
came and did so and danced.
Then the third set of people came, who had been able to observe the
seven days of fasting. As they had now sat for seven days without
food and water, who would they marry the girl to?
It was the hawk, who first came to dance. Now, when I say Se̩se̩se̩,
se̩ge̩le̩te̩ emi ladomude, then you people say Sorosa.

38
After the song, he flew and landed. Then the second person took up
the song. He called his own name and said, “I, Odudu, I have come. I
fasted for seven days, too.” And he sang the song, too, and danced.
After the song, he flew and landed, too. When he landed on the tree,
Then the third person went to sing the song and said the same thing.
When he finished the song, he flew up but when he tried to land he
fell. Don’t you people know that he was seriously starved?
Then the people said that there were two people left now. These two
should come back again and dance. So they went and came back and
when they returned one of them sang:


When he was about to finish singing and dancing he fell. So there
was only one person left now. The one remaining person now came
and he sang


He danced to, and he danced fro. So they said, “Ok, it’s him who
owns the wife!” and they gave him the wife.
And they said that from today on nobody should have to starve
himself before he can get married or else the whole world would
perish. From that day on a man who wants to get married will look
for money to get married.

Welcome! You’ve travelled well (i.e. your story was good). The yam
I pounded for you with is̩akoro soup – Rose’s mother has taken it and
eaten it. And Tunde has probably eaten the leftovers.
40

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Ikann proverbs, riddles and a story

Iwe owe, alo̩ ati itan aroso̩ ni ede Ikann

By Fred Adekanye and Sophie Salffner (eds.)

Ikakumo-Aworo, March 2007

Fred Adekanye and Sophie Salffner (eds) 1

Preface – O̩ro̩ Ako̩so̩ ...........................................................................3

Fred Adekanye and Sophie Salffner (eds) 3

stories in Ikann language as they A tumo̩ ede Ikann si Yoruba ati

Fred Adekanye and Sophie Salffner (eds) 5

CONTRIBUTORS – AWO̩N ALABAASIS̩E̩PO̩

Eunice aya Adekanye, ti o pa owe Margaret aya Olusi, ti o so̩ itan

Mr Patrick Olusi, who told Prince Oyadele Obaude, who told a

O̩gbe̩ni Patrick Olusi, ti o pa O̩mo̩ba Oyadele Obaude, ti o pa

O̩gbe̩ni Festus Adedeji, ti o pa gbe̩ni Richard Adedeji, ti o pa

Mrs Caroline Bale, who told a Dr Francis Oyebade, who helped

Caroline aya Bale, ti o pa owe ti O̩mo̩we Francis Oyebade, ti o

Fred Adekanye and Sophie Salffner (eds) 7

Grace aya Bale, ti o pa alo̩ apamo̩ O̩gbe̩ni Ade Olusi, ti o pa alo̩

Mr Fred Adekanye, who told Mrs Sophie Salffner, who recorded

O̩ gbe̩ni Fred Adekanye, ti o pa Sophie aya Abi Ali, ti o gba awo̩n

Fred Adekanye and Sophie Salffner (eds) 9

this booklet we tried to show these awo̩n Akann ni wo̩n ti dabaa bi

LETTERS SOUND IKAAN WORDS YORUBA ENGLISH

p p opu è̩wá ten

Fred Adekanye and Sophie Salffner (eds) 11

LETTERS SOUND IKAAN WORDS YORUBA ENGLISH

Fred Adekanye and Sophie Salffner (eds) 13

LETTERS SOUND IKAAN WORDS YORUBA ENGLISH

Epod na buwo̩nyanhain ini hiyo diyawak.

O̩kas̩i o̩be̩ko̩ko̩ erinrin bo̩wo̩g.

E̩wun ne̩ ne̩ aa gbyon e̩pufere o̩nurhe̩ng.

Fred Adekanye and Sophie Salffner (eds) 15

Ajá tó bá ma so̩nu kì ń gbo̩ fere o̩lo̩de̩.

Anion arhang bo̩ho̩ ogidimorho.

O̩nnio dwarhoyung manumo̩n do̩ na me̩ kuminig.

Dwij e̩mo̩yonj utimin oninig.

Umusu baro̩g, egu gi we̩ye̩ rehu.

Fred Adekanye and Sophie Salffner (eds) 17

̩ ian nubye̩ no̩n no̩n bumo̩n do̩ nu we̩ye̩wagi.

Ufo̩ nu fiditur unu na na wo̩pa wa.

Ohiyan o̩gbageg ta me̩wa me̩ hiyag.

Ahiya yugbata a na unun hiyon.

Os̩eji yon no s̩eji bikakaki ohikas̩i, ubuno no di aa yuag?

Fred Adekanye and Sophie Salffner (eds) 19

Oni yon ko̩ tionig, o̩ ga dihiyo̩ni bo̩re̩g.

Bis̩u e̩ni ba ta nis̩e l’a ma ń fo̩wo̩ bo.

Ubit o̩nigbe̩re̩, udo̩ na to̩rag bas̩o.̩

Ukain o̩nigbe̩re̩ do̩ na s̩og me kene mo̩te̩in.

Fred Adekanye and Sophie Salffner (eds) 21

O̩ni yon ko̩ mgbano̩nig, o̩minirwe bo̩re̩g.

Akahunmarhar – o̩te̩in owee.

Adiro me̩ta ogun jino.

O̩nio̩n mgbanafung, ko̩ mgbanatime̩hiyo̩g.

Oyun yono̩ na o̩ni na kurag, ihien o̩ kurag.

Fred Adekanye and Sophie Salffner (eds) 23

Jigi jigi manayeǃ (Akakun)

̩ i wag jo̩ ne̩no̩n yag. (Oyondi)

Ginninnin bawo̩ g Os̩u. (Iyo̩nyo̩n)

Piponpipon ninu igbo Os̩u. (Ojiji enia)