Mothers – Motherhood, Mother’s Day in Yorubaland

Mothers and motherhood is pretty special in Yorubaland. Some Yoruba’s even go as far as to place mothers to a deity, after all the woman whose body was your vehicle into the world, who nursed you with milk from her own body cannot be anything but a deity. If to no one else, definitely to you, as some Yoruba mother eulogy and poetry will have us believe. With mother’s day around the corner. Baba o ni gba looks at how mothers and motherhood is viewed by the Yorubas. Anecdotal evidence from the number of popular Yoruba entertainers singing praises of their mother would suggest that mother or Iya as mother is called in Yoruba are pretty special. One Yoruba poem dedicated to Mother sums up how special mothers are. The poem titled Iya ni wura, translated into English : Mother is gold. The full poem in Yoruba and English is as follows:

Ìya ni wúrà iyebíye – Yoruba rendetion

Ìya ni wúrà iyebíye Tí a kò lè fowó rà; O loyún mi fóṣù mẹ́sàn-án Ó pọ̀n mí fọ́dún mẹ́ta Ìya ni wúrà iyebíye Tí a kò lè fowó rà; Iṣẹ́ ìyá bẹ̀rẹ̀ lórí ọmọ kọ́mọ ó tó wáyé; Bí a bá ń bímọ; Ìyá ni! Bọ́mọ ó mọmú; Ìyá ni! Baba ó jẹun; Ìyá ni! Bọ́mọ ń ké lóru Ìyá ni!

Ìya ni wúrà iyebíye – English translation

Mother is a precious gold That cannot be bought with money; She carried me in her womb for nine months She carried me on her back for three years Mother is a precious gold That cannot be bought with money; A mother’s work begins with the child even before birth; When a child is being born, It is the mother! When the child is breastfeeding, It is the mother! When the father eats, It is the mother! When the child cries at night, It is the mother!

The Meaning of “Mother” in Yorùbá Society

When the name “mother” is mentioned, its meaning extends beyond simply being the one who gives birth. It also refers to the person who nurtures, cares for, and sacrifices for a child. In Yorùbá society, there is never an occasion where the importance of a mother is not acknowledged. This is because, without a mother in a child’s life, the Yorùbá believe that such a child will miss out on certain advantages. This belief is reflected in the saying, “Ẹni tí kò ni ìyá kì í dá egbò ẹ̀yìn meaning” meaning; A person without a mother does not keep a back wound. Yorùbá mothers play a crucial role in family life. They are mostly responsible for the wellbeing of their children. There are numerous Yorùbá expressions that emphasize the meaning of mothers in Yorùbá society. Listing all of them might be impossible within this article, but some notable ones include:

“Abiyamọ” – “Child Nurturer”

The Yorùbá language is rich in expressions, and they observed that the role of a mother extends beyond merely being called “ìyá.” This led to the term “Abiyamọ,” meaning “child nurturer.” The level of care and devotion a mother shows to her child is immeasurable. A child goes through various challenges, but a mother never abandons her child because of those difficulties. The Yorùbá recognize this, which is why they say, ọmọ tí ó bá dáa, ti baba ni, èyí tí kò bá dá ani ti ìyá ẹ̀. “If a child turns out well, he belongs to the father; if not, he belongs to the mother.” They also tell a misbehaving child, O ti já ìfun ìyá rẹ̀ jẹ, “You have eaten your mother’s intestines,” and, in extreme cases, such a child might be referred to as ọmọ àlè, “a child born of a concubine,” implying disgrace to the mother. Another saying, Òwú ìyá gbọ̀n lọmọ ó ran, meaning like mother like her child. The distress, disgrace, and shame that a child may bring upon a mother are immense, yet she endures and bears it all. Despite everything, a mother will never abandon or cast away her child. This profound resilience and unwavering devotion are what the Yorùbá people recognized, inspiring them to call a mother Abiyamọ”the one who nurtures and never forsakes her child.”

Ìyá Ni Wúrà – A Mother is Gold

The Yorùbá compare a mother to gold in their society. Just as gold is highly valuable, a mother holds an irreplaceable position in a child’s life. More than that, mothers are seen as a source of pride. Anyone with a mother among the Yorùbá people feels a sense of security, knowing they have someone who will pray earnestly for their success. A mother’s role is incomparable, which is why the Yorùbá say, “A mother is gold.”

Ọmọ Iya” – “Siblings from the Same Womb

The Yorùbá believe that siblings from the same mother should never be divided. No matter how much they disagree, the natural bond of love among them is believed to be stronger than that of siblings from the same father alone. This is why they say, Ọmú ìyá dùn, meaning “Breast milk from the same mother is so sweet.” They also say, Gbẹ̀dẹ̀ bí ogín ìyà, kokoko bí ogún baba, meaning “A mother’s inheritance is easy; a father’s inheritance brings tussle.”

Gbogbo Ìyá ni Àjẹ́ – “All Mothers are Àjé (Possess Mystical Power)”

In Yorùbá culture, all women are referred to as “Àjé” (powerful beings). The term “Àjé” is often used to honor and recognize the extraordinary influence of women. They are sometimes addressed as “Òṣòròngà,” meaning spiritual protectors, and also called “Ìyá” (mother) or “Yèyé” (great mother). The Yorùbá believe that mothers are divinely empowered to safeguard their children. No matter the battle, a mother will fight for her child. In fact, other mothers in society may even join forces to protect a child facing challenges. Whether a woman personally engages in spiritual acts or not, the Yorùbá collectively refer to all women as Àjé. There are two explanations for this: No child calls on their mother without receiving a response. The Yorùbá interpret this to mean that every mother “answers” (jẹ́) when her child calls, which is why mothers are called Àjé. Secondly, the belief that every mother possesses some inherent power that aids her in protecting and nurturing her child. The Yorùbá hold mothers in the highest regard, acknowledging their love, sacrifices, and supernatural strength in ensuring the well-being of their children.

Yoruba tributes/poetry and Eulogy to Mothers and Motherhood

1. Orisha bi Iya ko laiye English translation – There’s no deity like a Mother. 2. Iya ni alabaro omo English translation Mother is a child’s counsellor/confidant. 3. Iya ni wura English translation Mothers are pure gold. 4. Iya ose paro English translation You cannot exchange your mother for another 5. Omo ti o ba mo Iya re loju, oshi ni yio ta omo na pa English translation The child that disrespect his mother shall perish in penury.

Yoruba and Nigerian song tributes to Mothers and Motherhood

• Sunny Ade – Iya o se paro – Watch on Youtube 
• Sunny Ade – Ko seni to le se bi Iya mi – Watch on Youtube 
• Prince Nico Nbaga – Sweet Mother – Watch on YouTube
• Orisha bi iya ko si – Watch on Youtube

Interesting Questions about Ìyá

• What is mother in Yoruba? Ìyá
• How to praise mothers in Yoruba?
• What is the best greeting for Yoruba on Mother’s Day?
• What is the Yoruba adage about mothers?
• What do Yoruba call mother?
• Who is the great mother in Yoruba?
• What is a special quote about a mother?
• What is queen mother in Yoruba?
• What is grandmother in Yoruba?
• Why is Oya the patron saint of barren women?
• What is the Yoruba proverb about mother?
• Who is Yoruba mother goddess?
• What is a sweet Yoruba word for mother?
• Who is the most powerful female Orisha?
• Who is yeye Osun in Yoruba traditional religion?
• What is the meaning of Iya ni Wura song?

Yoruba Mother’s Day Cards & eCards

Baba oni gba have partnered with Hope Spring eCards, an online charity greetings eCards platform, with a growing back eCard and Yoruba eCards section to bring you some Yoruba mother’s day greeting cards.

More poetry about Mother

My Mother, My Backbone To: My precious mother, I gaze upon the journey of life, I look back at where I have come from, I behold where I stand today, And I see the truth so clear Without your steadfast love and care, Life’s tempest would have swept me away. Without your guiding hands, I might have faded into nothingness, I might have wandered, lost in the dark. I am grateful for your kindness since my childhood, I am thankful for your kindness as I have grown. I cherish the prayers you whisper always. May your days be long for me, Ìyá Mi, Igi Lẹ́yìn Ọgbà Mi Ṣí: Ìyá mi ọ̀wọ́n, Mo wo sakun ilé ayé, Mo wo ibi tí mo ti ń bọ̀, Mo wo ibi tí mo dé lónìí, Mo wá rí i pé Láìsí atìlẹyìn yín, Ìjì ayé ò bá ti rù mí lọ, Bí kò bá sí àtìlẹyìn yín, Mi ò bá ti parẹ́ máyé, Mi ò bá ti sọnù dànù. Mo dúpẹ́ oore àtì ìgbà kékeré; Mo dúpé oore ìgbà tí mo tún ti dàgbà tán Mo dúpẹ́ àdúra yín ìgbà gbogbo; Ẹ ó pẹ́ fún mi o;