29/07/2026
"Ìjàpá tí r'oko Ọkọ Ìyánìbó."
Our elders rarely spoke without a lesson.
The tortoise (Ìjàpá) in Yoruba folklore represents cunning and cleverness. This proverb reminds us that some people try to claim what they did not build, enjoy the rewards of another person's hard work, or interfere where they have no rightful place.
In today's world, this can apply to many situations:
- Taking credit for someone else's effort.
- Exploiting another person's success.
- Using deceit to gain what doesn't belong to you.
The message is timeless: Honesty, integrity, and hard work will always outlast clever deception. What you build with integrity brings lasting honour, while what you take through trickery rarely endures.
How do you understand this proverb? Have you ever witnessed a real-life situation that reflects it? Share your thoughts in the comments.
