Occupational Greetings and Blessings in Yorùbá Culture
In Yorùbá culture, greetings go beyond mere pleasantries; they often carry deep meanings, blessings, and prayers. Among the many forms of greetings among the Yorùbá people, those directed at people based on their occupations are particularly significant. These greetings are not just words of recognition but also heartfelt prayers for success, safety, and prosperity in their work. In this article I discussed some Yorùbá occupation, and some prayers associated with them.
1. Onídìrí “Hairdressers”
Hairdressers are those who style people’s hair in our society. Often, they are women. The Yorùbá people have a unique way of greeting them.
When a Yorùbá person greets a hairdresser by saying, “Òòyà á yà o,” what does it mean? “Òòyà” refers to the tool used to part hair. The English term for this is “comb.” When someone says, “Òòyà á yà o,” it means “May the comb used for parting hair be effective.” In other words, “May you have work to do today.” This is a prayer. If the comb does not part hair, how will the hairdresser earn a living?
Ọdẹ “Hunters”
Hunters are those who go into the forest to hunt animals as their daily occupation, with the goal of providing meat. The animals they hunt are often sold, but they may also consume them or share them with their families.
When the Yorùbá people greet hunters, they say: “Àrìnpà ògún.” First, it is essential to examine the meaning of “Ògún” in “Àrìnpà ogun.” Here, “Ògún” does not refer to the deity Ògún that everyone knows. Instead, it refers to the gun that hunters use to kill animals. When the Yorùbá people say “Àrìnpà ògún,” they mean “As you walk with your gun, may it successfully kill animals.” If a hunter walks through the forest without making a kill, will such a hunter return home with meat? Clearly, this greeting is also a prayer.
Babaláwo (Ifá Priests)
Babaláwo are those with deep knowledge of mysteries beyond human understanding. In Yorùbá society, if someone seeks knowledge about things unknown to ordinary people whether it concerns past events or future occurrences, it is the Babaláwo who have the expertise to provide insights. When Yorùbá people greet Babaláwo, they say: “Àbọrúbọyè, Àbọye.” To this, the Babaláwo responds: “Àbọyè bọ ṣẹ.”
The meaning of “Àbọrú” is that when a Babaláwo makes a sacrifice to the deities, may the sacrifice rise up and reach Olódùmarè. “Àbọye” means “May the sacrifice be not harm the babaláwo” “Àbọṣẹ” means that the purpose of the sacrifice be fulfilled. This, too, is a prayer.
4. Fishermen and Sailors
Those who travel by boat are greeted with “Óko á rèfó.” The blessing in this greeting is that the boat will sail smoothly on the water. It means “May the boat float over the water without sinking.” When the Yorùbá say “Nǹkan léfòó,” it means “Something is floating on the water without sinking or being submerged.” This greeting is also a prayer.
5. Palm Wine Tappers
Akọ̀pẹ are those who climb palm trees to harvest palm fruits. Sometimes, the term also refers to those who tap palm palm wine as Akọ̀pẹ.
When greeting a palm wine tapper, the Yorùbá say, “Ìgbà á rọ̀.” But what does “Ìgbà” mean? Ìgbà refers to the rope used by palm wine tappers to climb palm trees. When the Yorùbá say, “Ìgbà á rọ̀ o,” they are offering a prayer that the rope will be soft and flexible, preventing it from becoming too stiff or rough, which could cause discomfort or injury to the tapper. If the rope is too hard, it may hinder the tapper’s ability to climb efficiently, ultimately affecting his work and income for the day. This greeting, like many others in Yorùbá culture, is a heartfelt prayer for safety and prosperity.