Ọmọdé mẹ́ta nṣère Folktale - The Inspiration behind Toni Tetuila’s Classic with Plantashun Boyz & Ruff Rugged

Ọmọdé mẹ́ta nṣère Folktale - The Inspiration behind Toni Tetuila’s Classic with Plantashun Boyz & Ruff Rugged

In the Yoruba Community when there was no Radio or Television and the Internet, children used to gather together to play after the return of the father and mother from the farm. Particularly, during the drought when there is less farming activities.

Three young boys were playing beside at the beach without a care. The first boy boasted that he could climb the palm tree to the top without a rope, the second said he could swim the entire length of the sea, the third boasted louder that he too could shoot arrow to the heaven. The Tortoise who was lurking around heard these conversations, sneaked to the Palace to inform the King and the Elders, that he had seen three boys who could do what has never been done before. His story was not believed, but he stressed that the King should mate out the appropriate punishment if the news he brought was untrue.

The King then sent for the three boys to back up their words. Yoruba said “A mouth that will not stay shut, the lips that will not stay closed, invites trouble for the cheek”. They became afraid and in the company of their families began to plead with the King that they were merely joking, but it was too late as the entire villagers (including the Tortoise) have gathered to watch. So the three boys began to sing sorrowfully about their boastful conversation.

The one that boasted that he could climb to the top of the palm tree began to attempt his climbing in tears. He fell at his first attempt, climbed further at the second attempt before falling. This made spectators to cheer him on, he succeeded at the third attempt and the crowd erupted with joy. His success encouraged the second boy who boasted he could swim the entire length of the sea. He too did not succeed at the first and second attempt but succeeded at the third attempt and the people were thrilled. Their performance made the third boy bold to believe that he could actually achieve what he has boasted about. He shot the arrow to the sky, the first and second time without success but succeeded at the third attempt, the entire community became agog while the Tortoise bowed in shame.

The King commanded, that the Tortoise should be executed at the Towns-gate for implicating the three boys.

The Song:

Ọmọdé mẹ́ta nṣère

Éré o, érè ayọ̀ 2ce

Ọ̀kán lóhun yó gọ̀pẹ

Éré o, érè ayọ̀

Ọ̀gọ̀pẹ, ọ̀gọ̀pẹ, ọ̀gọ̀pẹ

Éré o, érè ayọ̀

Ọ̀kán lóhun yó wẹ̀kun

Éré o, érè ayọ̀

Ọ̀wẹ̀kun, ọ̀wẹ̀kun, ọ̀wẹ̀kun

Éré o, érè ayọ̀

Ọ̀kán lóhun ó tafà sọ́run,

Éré o, érè ayọ̀

Ọ̀tàfa, ọ̀tàfa, ọ̀tàfa

Éré o, érè ayọ̀.

Source:

The Yoruba Blog

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