animals in the traditional

8/13/2019 Animals in the Traditional

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ANIMALS IN THE TRADITIONALWORLDVIEW OF THE YORBAjibade George Ol!olaAb!"ra#"T$i! i! a #o%"rib"io% "o a% o%&goi%g deba"e o% a%i'al e"$i#!( I" i! a% e)i!"e'ologi#al

!"d* i%"o "$e Yor+b, belie-! a%d )er#e)"io%! abo" a%i'al! "$a"$a.e e/i!"ed a%d !"ill e/i!" i% "$e area! "$e* i%$abi"( T$e re!ear#$ !e"! o" "oel#ida"e "$e Yor+b, )er#e)"io% o- a%i'al! 0i"$ regard "o "$eir #la!!i-i#a"io%1 $abi"a"1a%d "$eir role a%d )o!i"io% i% religio!1 )oli"i#al1 !o#ial1 e#o%o'i#1 a%d do'e!"i#do'ai%! o- $'a%!( T$i! lead! "o a% a))rai!al o- rela"io%!$i)! "$a" e/i!" be"0ee% "$eYor+b, )eo)le a%d a%i'al! i% "$eir #o''%i"ie!( T$e !"d* e/)lore! "$e Yor+b,-ol2lore i% i"! .ario! di'e%!io%! a!"$e )aradig' "o e!)o!e "$eir o%"ologi#al )er#e)"io% o- a%i'al!( T$e !"d*#o%#lde! "$a" "$e Yor+b, )eo)le a""a#$ '#$ i')or"a%#e "o "$eir a%i'al!a%d "$a" a%i'al! o##)* a% i')or"a%" )la#e a%d !)a#e i% $'a% e/i!"e%#ea%d li-e o% "$e globe(

3e*0ord!4 A-ri#a% -ol2lore1 belie-1 #la!!i-i#a"io% o- a%i'al!1 $'a%&a%i'alrela"io%!$i)1 "aboo1 Yor+b,INTROD56TIONT$e role o- -ol2lore #a%%o" be o.ere')$a!i!ed i% a%* #l"re( I"deal! 0i"$ a%* a!)e#" o- a #l"re7! belie-!1 )ra#"i#e!1 #ra-"!1 !)ee#$1lege%d!1 or !"orie! "$a" $a.e bee% )a!!ed o% orall* -ro' ge%era"io%"o ge%era"io% 89i%% :;;;4 ( Ar'!"ro%g e" al( 8:;;?4


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0ill be 'i%i'al( A%o"$er "rai" 0$i#$ "$e* !e i% "$eir #la!!i-i#a"io%i! "$eir $abi"a"( T$a" i! 0$* i" i! )o!!ible "o "al2 abo" era% o'i0a"er a%i'al!1 aa"i# a%i'al!7C era% il la%d a%i'al!7( P$*!iologi#al "rai"! are al!oado)"ed "o #la!!i-* "$e'( T$!1 0e $a.e era% abK0oa%i'al! 0i"$ $or%71 era% a-a*Q-Q re)"ile!71 era% el! 'jK bi)ed!71

el! 'ri% adr)ed!71 e*e bird!71 e2 ra"!7( A 'ore ge%eral #la!!i-i#a"io% de)e%d!o% 0$e"$er "$e a%i'al i! do'e!"i#a"ed or -o%di% 0ild %a"re ei"$er i% 0a"er or o% la%d( T$i! #la!!i-i#a"io% $a!gi.e% ! era% il do'e!"i# a%i'al!7 a%d era% Kgb 0ild a%i'al!7(T$i! 0ider #la!!i-i#a"io% "allie! 0i"$ "$eir )er#e)"io% o- "$eir 0orlda! a 0orld o- bi%ar* #o')le'e%"ari"ie! i% 0$i#$ "$e* !ee e.er*"$i%g e/i!"i%g i% "$e#o!'olog* i% dal -or' b" %o" o))o!i%g ea#$o"$er( T$e* #a"egori!e a%i'al! i%"o "$ree gro)! b* !i%g )$*!iog%o'* a! "$e

)ara'e"er( T$i! $a! "o do 0i"$ -rr* a%i'al! a'o%g0$o' lio% a#"! a! "$eir 2i%gC a%i'al! 0i"$ -ea"$er! $a.e o!"ri#$ a!"$eir 2i%g1 a%d "$e Sa'a"e1 "$e 'ajori"* o- 0$i#$ are re)"ile!1

$a.e )*"$o% a! "$eir 2i%g( A #lo!e ob!er.a"io% o- "$e #la!!i-i#a"io%!$o0! "$a" "$e #a"egorie! 'ig$" ea!il* o.erla)(ANIMAL&RELATED TABOOS AND MYTHI6AL ALL5SIONSAMONG THE YORBA'o%g "$e Yor+b,1 "$ere are 'a%* "aboo! a%d '*"$! abo" di--ere%" "*)e! o- a%i'al!1re)re!e%"i%g rela"io%!$i)! "$a" e/i!" be"0ee%"$e )eo)le a%d "$e a%i'al! a%d "$e Yor+b, )$ilo!o)$* abo" "$e!e

)ar"i#lar a%i'al!( T$e Yor+b, $a.e re!ol.ed "o #er"ai% a#"! a%dAjibade George Ol!ola Fol2lore ?;


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do %o" 2ill i" b" "r* "o do'e!"i#a"e i"( I% ri"al )er-or'a%#e1 o%l* a-ea"$er o- "$e )arro" i! !ed1 0$i#$ "$e Yor+b, belie.e "o be )o!!e!!ed( T$e de.o"ee! o-"$e dei"* O*a #o%!ider i" a "aboo "o ea" "$e

b--alo( T$i! dei"* i! belie.ed "o be "$e 'o"$er o- all b--alo!( A##ordi%g "o a '*"$1 a$%"er o%#e 0e%" i%"o "$e b!$ "o $%" a%d a!

$e 0a! la*i%g i% a'b!$ -or a%i'al! o% a "ree $e !a0 a b--alo %e/""o a "er'i"e!7 %e!"( A! $e 0a! ge""i%g read* "o !$oo" "$e b--alo1 $e!a0 "$a" "$e b--alo "r%ed i%"o a bea"i-l 0o'a%1 0$o )" #lo"$e!o% a%d $id i"! !2i% i%!ide "$e "er'i"e!7 %e!"( T$e $%"er 0a! a!"o%i!$ed a%d #old %o" doa%*"$i%g %"il "$e a%i'al&0o'a% le-" "$e!)o"( La"er o%1 "$e $%"er #a'e do0% -ro' "$e "ree1 "oo2 "$e !2i%-ro' "$e "er'i"e %e!" a%d #li'bed ) "$e !a'e "ree "o l*e i% a'b!$ agai%( La"er o%1 "$ea%i'al&0o'a% #a'e a%d 0a%"ed "o "a2eA%i'al! i% "$e Tradi"io%al World.ie0 o- "$e Yor+b,


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ge%era"io% '!" #o%"i%e "o 0or!$i) b--alo( T$e b--alo 0e%" i%"o"$e b!$ a%d le-" o%e $or% o% "$e gro%d -or "$e bo* a! "$e idol "o

be 0or!$i))ed( T$e bo* 0a! %able "o "r% i%"o a b--alo be#a!e o-"$e 'edi#i%e "$a" "$e $%"er !ed o% $i'( T$i! 0a! $o0 "$e 0orAjibade George Ol!olaFol2lore ?;


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Ta%"l% @ W$o i! a! big a! God T$i! %a'e 0$i#$ "$e* !o'e"i'e! gi.e "o "$eirdog! re)re!e%"! "$e belie- !*!"e' o- "$e Yor+b,

)eo)le a! a% e"$%i# gro) 0$o .ale "$e e/i!"e%#e1 )o0er a%d )ro0e!! o- "$e S)re'eGod i% "$eir dail* a#"i.i"ie!( Si%#e "$eir dog!are "$eir #o')a%io%! o% 'o!" o##a!io%!1 #alli%g "$e dog b* "$i! %a'e

'a2e! "$e' #o%!#io! o- "$eir -a"e a%d -ai"$ i% "$i! God1 a%d i" al!ore'i%d! "$e' o- Hi! di.i%e o'%i)re!e%#e(Ta%'*K%la @ W$o 2%o0! "$e -"re T$i! i! a%o"$er %a'e "$a"!$o0! "$e 0ea2%e!! o- $'a%! 0i"$ regard "o 0$a" 0ill $a))e% "o"$e' i% "$e -"re( T$e Yor+b, belie.e "$a" %oo%e 2%o0! -"ree.e%"! e/#e)" "$e S)re'e God 0$o i! o'%i!#ie%"( T$i! i! 0$* !#$a %a'e i! gi.e% "o a dog1 0$i#$ i! al0a*! b* "$eir !ide1 a! a re'i%der a" all "i'e!(B*Q%2 @ I- "$ere i! li-e( T$i! %a'e "$a" "$e Yor+b, )eo)le!o'e"i'e! gi.e "o dog! i! "$e -ir!" )ar" o- a )ro.erb 0$i#$ #o%#lde! 0i"$ K!e ",%"$ere i! $o)e7( T$i! %a'e i! a% e/)re!!io% o-"$eir )$ilo!o)$i#al #o%#e)" o- .i"ali"*( T$e* belie.e "$a" a%*"$i%g

#a% be !ol.ed %le!! !o'ebod* i! deadC "$i! i! 0$* "$e* #o%"i%e "o$o)e a%d a!)ire "o0ard! !o'e"$i%g good a%d )lea!a%" regardle!!o- a% %-a.orable !i"a"io% a%d #ir#'!"a%#e!( I" i! "o re'i%d )eo)le 0$o are lo!i%g$o)e "$a" "$e* '!" re'ai% $o)e-l !o "$a" "$e*#old !ee "$e lig$" a" "$e e%d o- "$e "%%el(So'e"i'e!1 "$e Yor+b, do gi.e %a'e! "o a%i'al! a##ordi%g "o "$e#olor o- "$eir !2i%C "$e 0$i"e o%e! are #alled A-% 0$i"e71 "$e bla#2o%e! are #alled Ad bla#271 0$ile "$e *ello0 o%e! are #alled A)%*ello07( 6rio!l* e%og$1 !o'e )eo)le are #alled Ad1 a! 0ell( All"$e!e abo.e e/a')le! )oi%" "o "$e -a#" "$a" "$e Yor+b, belie.e "$a"a%i'al! a%d $'a%! !$are #er"ai% ali"ie!(Ajibade George Ol!ola Fol2lore ?;


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a!#ribe "o "$e a%"elo)e be#a!e i" $a! !o'e %a"ral 'ar2! o% i"!-a#e "$a" loo2 li2e "ribal 'ar2!( I% Yor+b, #o!'ogra)$* "$i! !"a%d!-or "$e eal i')or"a%#e o- a%i'al! a! 0ell a! $'a%!(A%o"$er a%i'al "$a" $a! bee% a""rib"ed or2K i! b!$ -o0l1 J)ar(T$e or2K o- "$e bird goe! a! -ollo0!4

J)ar B!$ -o0lE%i " a -'o l0 r T$e o%e "$a" 0e do %o" 'arr* $i!dag$"erT % gbQ%a l0 e%i A%d $e i! re#ei.i%g do0r* -ro' !Abi&"e"e&%)olg% er T$e o%e 0i"$ "$ig$! "$a" arei%.i"i%g "$e o0%er o- "0e%"* !la.e!Abi&Kj,%j,&)olgb% K0-Q( T$e o%e 0i"$ )ie#e! o- 'ea" "$a"are i%.i"i%g "$e o0%er o- "$ir"*!er.a%"!(T$i! or2K abo" b!$ -o0l al!o de!#ribe! "$e a""i"de "o0ard! "$e

bird i% "$e -ar' a%d "$e !0ee"%e!! o- i"! 'ea"( B!$ -o0l $a.e "$e

A%i'al! i% "$e Tradi"io%al World.ie0 o- "$e Yor+b,


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A'o%g "$e Yor+b,1 "$e i!!e o- bea"* i! o- )ara'o%" i')or"a%#e(A bea"i-l girl i! #o')ared "o Egbi%1 "$e gaelle1 "$e a%i'al 0$i#$i! #o%!idered "$e 'o!" bea"i-l( T$e bea"* o- "$i! a%i'al1 Egbi%gaelle1 i! )rai!ed i%"$e -ollo0i%g or2K4Ajibade George Ol!ola Fol2lore ?;


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gb,l&gbarQ0 T$e o%e 0$o !0ee)! "$e -loor 0i"$lea.e!Aj, ode( T$e $%"er7! dog(T$e rela"io%!$i) be"0ee% "$e Yor+b, $%"er! a%d a%i'al! i! .er*dee)1 #o')le/ a%d '*!"erio!( H%"er! belie.e "$a" !o'e a%i'al!

are !)iri"!1 a%d "$a" "$e* "ra%!-or' i%"o $'a%! a" %ig$"! 0$e%"$e $%"er! go "o "$eir $%"i%g e/)edi"io%!( Fr"$er'ore1 "$e* "ea#$"$e $%"er! "radi"io%al Yor+b, -ol2 'edi#i%e1 0$i#$ i!1 i% "r%1 .er*!e-l "o "$e' a%d "$eir !o#ie"*( Yor+b, $%"er! belie.e "$a" %o"e.er* a%i'al "$a" "$e* e%#o%"er '!" be 2illed1 be#a!e !o'e o-"$e' are )o0er-l a%d !$o0 "$eir real #olor dri%g "$e %ig$" "o"$e $%"er!(O% "$e o"$er $a%d1 "$e rela"io%!$i) be"0ee% "$e Yor+b, $%"er!a%d "$e a%i'al i! #$ara#"eri!ed b* e%'i"*( Mo!" a%i'al! -lee -ro'$%"er! be#a!e "$e la""er are regarded a! "$eir ar#$e%e'ie!( T$i!%$eal"$* rela"io%!$i) be"0ee% "$e $%"er! a%d "$e a%i'al! i!

de!#ribed i% "$e -ollo0i%g $%"i%g !o%g4O'o Ql le$oro %% Kgb o] Rabbi" i! a ba!"ard i% "$e b!$O'o Ql le$oro %% Kgb o] Rabbi" i! a ba!"ard i% "$e b!$B b, "i rde W$e%e.er i" !ee! "$e $%"er

N )ale ' 2, I" 0ill i#2l* "a2e "o i"! $eel!O'o Ql le$oro %% Kgb o] Rabbi" i! a ba!"ard i% "$e b!$]T$i! !o%g re)re!e%"! "$e "*)e o- rela"io%!$i) "$a" e/i!"! be"0ee%"$e Yor+b, $%"er! a%d "$e a%i'al1 )or"ra*i%g "$e -or'er a! a "$rea""o "$e la""er( A! rabbi"! are !0i-" a%i'al!1 $%"er! e')lo* .ario!!#$e'e! a%d "ri#2! "o 2ill "$e'( B" a )ro.erb o- "$e Yor+b, )eo)le!$o0! "$a" a%i'al! are al!o 0i!e( T$e )ro.erb !a*! J,*, gb%1Ajibade George Ol!ola Fol2lore ?;


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!a*! be#a!e "$e* 2%o0 "$a" "$i! bird i! )o!!e!!ed 0i"$ "$e )o0ero- !e#o%d !ig$"( All "$e abo.e e/a')le! a%d #lai'! are e.ide%#e!"$a" bo"$ $'a%! a%d a%i'al! are eal i% "$e Yor+b, #o!'olog*(Peo)le 0$o 2ee) do'e!"i# a%i'al! o-"e% "e%d "o ide%"i-* "$e'!el.e!

0i"$ "$e!e( T$e Yor+b, )ro.erb! !a*4 Mo ',j, l*K% o jQ% ,% %gi1'i %,Q lo jQ% %gi I- *o bea" '* dog 0$i#$ -ollo0! 'e 0i"$ a rod1I a' "$e o%e "$a" *o $a.e bea"e% 0i"$ "$e rod7( T$i! de'o%!"ra"e!"$e Yor+b, .ie0 a%d belie-! abo" "$eir do'e!"i#a"ed a%i'al!( So'eYor+b, dei"ie! $a.e "$eir o0% dog!( For e/a')le1 Lb i! "$e %a'eo- ^Q%g7! dog1 M,dKgbl!+ i! "$e %a'e o- [+7! 8"$e "ri#2!"er god>dog1 O'id%!i% i! "$e %a'e o- Eri%l7! 8a ri.er dei"*> dog( I% ArQ"o0%1 a #o''%i"* i% "$e !o"$&0e!"er% )ar" o- Yor+b, la%d1 dog0or!$i) i! ob!er.ed a%%all*( T$i! i! i% a##orda%#e 0i"$ "$e role

)la*ed b* a dog i% "$e #rea"io% '*"$ or $i!"or* o- "$e "o0%( Si%#e"$e% "$e dog $a! be#o'e a di.i%e !*'bol -or "$e )eo)le o- ArQ( Li.e

dog! are %o" allo0ed i% "$e "o0% a" all( I" i! )robabl* "$e o%l* Yor+b,A%i'al! i% "$e Tradi"io%al World.ie0 o- "$e Yor+b,( I% -a#"1 'o!"Yor+b, -ol2"ale! !$o0 dee) rela"io%!$i)! a%d i%"era#"io% be"0ee%"$e Yor+b, a%d "$eir a%i'al!(A%o"$er -ol2"ale "ell! abo" Z0 bird0$i#$ "oo2 "$e bab* o- a 0o'a% 0$o 0a! ba"$i%g i% "$e ri.er( T$ereare al!o "ale! abo" "$e i%"era#"io% o- a "or"oi!e 0i"$ "$e rler o- a"o0%1 0$e% "$e "o0%!-ol2 %eeded a% ele)$a%"C al!o1 "$e "ale o- A!%1"$e !irrel1 a%d a 'a%( T$e !irrel a%d A!% 0ere -ig$"i%g a%d"$e 'a% 0a! "r*i%g "o #o'e be"0ee% "$e' a%d A!% "$e% bi" "$e%o!e o- "$e 'edia"or( T$e abo.e "ale! a%d 'a%* o"$er! !$o0 "$ei%"errela"ed%e!! o- bo"$ $'a%! a%d a%i'al! a'o%g "$e Yor+b,( I"$a! bee% ob!er.ed "$a" !o'e Yor+b, 'or% "$e dea"$ o- a%i'al!10$ile "$e* #o%!ider "$e' !o dear a%d )re#io!(THE ROLE OF ANIMALS IN THE LIFE OF THE YORBI% !o 'a%* 0a*!1 a%i'al! o##)* a% i')or"a%" )o!i"io% i% "$e e/i!"e%#e o- $'a%! o%"$e globe( I" i! a di--i#l" "a!2 "o e%'era"e"$e !e-l%e!! o- a%i'al! "o $'a%!1 e!)e#iall* "o "$e Yor+b,( E.e%"$og$ 'a%* )eo)le #lai' "$a" a%i'al! $a.e a rig$" "o e/i!" o%

"$eir o0% 0i"$o" i%"r!io% i%"o "$eir 2i%gdo'!1 "$e "r"$ i! "$a"a'o%g "$e Yor+b, i" i! belie.ed "$a" a%i'al! 0ere #rea"ed "o !er.e$'a%!( T$e Yor+b, !e di--ere%" "*)e! o- a%i'al!1 li.i%g i% "$e !eaa%d o% "$e la%d ali2e1 -or -ood a! "$e* are regarded a! a ri#$ !or#eo- )ro"ei%( I" i! "$e Yor+b, )$ilo!o)$* "$a" a%i'al 'ea" i! "$e #arrier o- -ood -ro' "$e'o"$ "o "$e oe!o)$ag! a%d -i%all* "o "$e!"o'a#$( He%#e1 "$e* #all a%i'al 'ea" Al,Q,r+ @ "$e 6arrier( So'edi!$e! are #o%!idered !b!"a%dard a%d %)ala"able 0i"$o" 'ea"(T$e* e.e% belie.e "$a" )eo)le 0$o do %o" ea" 'ea" are ea"i%g Q!,%e')"i%e!!7( W$e% "$eir $%"er! go $%"i%g i% "$e b!$ "$e* do e.er*"$i%g )o!!ible "oge" ga'e "o $a.e 'ea" o% "$eir "able( W$e%e.er

"$e* are )er-or'i%g Zj,l,1 Yor+b, $%"er! 'a2e -% o- "$o!e 0$o do%o" 2ill a%* a%i'al 0$e% "$e* go $%"i%g(


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O%e o- "$e #$a%"! "$e*

)er-or' goe! a! -ollo0!4Y jr%l, l,a!,gQ% ob He 0ill ea" $i! o2ra !o) 0i"$o"'ea"

Y jr%l, l,a!,gQ% ob He 0ill ea" $i! o2ra !o) 0i"$o"'ea"Ode " rgb o " 'ra% b T$e $%"er 0$o $a! go%e "o $%" i%Ajibade George Ol!ola Fol2lore ?;


11/14

-ood1 "$e* are al!o !ed a" !a#ri-i#e! "o "$e dei"ie!( T$e Yor+b, belie.e "$a" )ro)er!a#ri-i#e '!" be o--ered "o "$e dei"ie! i% order "oa.er" #ala'i"ie! a%d "o al!o )ro)i"ia"e "$e god! -or "$eir o--e%#e!a%d 'i!"a2e! "$a" 'a* i%#r "$e 0ra"$ o- "$e dei"ie! )o% "$e'(T$i! !a#ri-i#e 'a* "a2e di--ere%" -or'! a%d !$a)e! b" "$e 'o!"

i')or"a%" )oi%" i! "$a" 'a%* a%i'al! are !ed -or !a#ri-i#e a'o%g"$e Yor+b,( T$e Yor+b, dei"ie! are %'ero! a%d ea#$ o- "$e' i!a!!o#ia"ed 0i"$ a )ar"i#lar a%i'al1 0$i#$ i! !a#ri-i#ed "o "$i! )ar"i#lar dei"*( Fore/a')le1 g% 8god o- iro%> i! .er* -o%d o- dog!1!%ail!1 "or"oi!e! a%d ra'!C !% 8a godde!! o- "$e ri.er #alled b*"$a" %a'e> a##e)"! goa"! a%d -o0l!C !+ 8"$e Yor+b, "ri#2!"er dei"*> i! -o%d o- bla#2-o0lC ^Q%g 8god o- "$%der> i! -o%d o- ra'Cr%'KlQ 8god o- 0i!do'1 2%o0ledge a%d )ro)$e!*> i! -o%d o- ra"!a%d 'd&-i!$C ObQ",l, 8"$e S)re'e God> i! -o%d o- !%ail!C !a%*K%8"$e god o- $erbal 'edi#i%e> i! -o%d o- "or"oi!e!C Eg%g% 8Ma!erade> i! -o%d o- ra'1

j!" "o 'e%"io% a -e0( T$e Yor+b, 2%o0 "$e

#$oi#e o- ea#$ dei"* a%d "$e* do e.er*"$i%g )o!!ible "o 'ee" "$eirde'a%d! a%d %eed! !o "$a" "$i%g! 0ill agr 0ell i% "$eir o0% #o''%i"ie!( Al!o1a%i'al! o##)* a% i')or"a%" )la#e i% 0$a" 0ill be#o'e o- "$e $'a% bod* a-"er dea"$0i"$i% "$e Yor+b, #o!'olog*(So'e a%i'al! are !ed a! #o')o%e%"! o- ri"al! a" "$e de'i!e o-old )eo)le a'o%g "$e Yor+b,( For e/a')le1 0$e%e.er a $%"er die!1i" i! #o%!idered %e#e!!ar* "o -i%d a% a%i'al "$a" $e !ed "o 2ill "$e'o!" dri%g $i! li-e"i'e a%d !e i" i% "$e ri"al( I- "$i! i! %o" do%e1"$e $%"er7! !ol #a%%o" go "o "$e )la#e o- $a))i%e!! i% $ea.e% a%da" "$e !a'e "i'e $i! !)iri" 0ill be "robli%g $i! -ello0 $%"er! a%d'e'ber! o- $i! -a'il* 0$o are ali.e(=A)ar" -ro' "$e $%"er!7 #o''%i"*1 "$e* !all* 2ill a bird a! a% ele'e%" -or "$e ri"al-or a%*de#ea!ed )er!o% i% a "radi"io%al Yor+b, !o#ie"*( T$e ri"al !a#ri-i#ei! #alled adKe KrQ%Q "$e -o0l "$a" #lear! or b*! "$e road7( 6leari%gor b*i%g o- "$e road $ere re-er! "o "$e re'o.al o- e.er*"$i%g "$a"'a* $i%der "$e $%"er "o 'o.e o% "o "$e li-e be*o%d( T$e road re-er! "o "$e )a!!age

be"0ee% "$e ear"$ a%d $ea.e%( T$i! "$e% #o%%o"e! "$a" 0i"$o" "$e!e a%i'al! a! "$eri"al ele'e%"! or obje#"!o- !a#ri-i#e1 "$ere 0ill be %o )la#e -or "$e $%"er! i% $ea.e%( A%i'al! are e.e% "$e

#o%!''a"or! o- .ario! !a#ri-i#e! a%d ri"al!"$a" are addre!!ed ei"$er "o "$e dei"ie! or are )er-or'ed -or "$e)r)o!e o- "radi"io%al 'edi#i%e( T$i! i! 0$* "$e!e a%i'al! are elogi!ed4Ajibade George Ol!ola Fol2lore ?;


12/14

Medi#i%e! are 'ade o- a 0$ole a%i'al or )ar" o- i"( T$ere i! a )ar"i#lar ra"1 #alled ed,10$i#$ i! !ed b* -ol2 $ealer! "o #re i%-er"ili"* be#a!e o- i"! %a"re "o re)rod#e 0i"$i%a .er* !$or" "i'e( E.e%

bei%g a! !'all a! i" i!1 i" bri%g! '#$ o--!)ri%g( A )ar" o- "$e i%#a%"a"io% goe!Jb'ol'o %i "e2 ed, Ed, ra"! )ro#rea"e -ree%"l*7(

T$i! ali"* 'a2e! "$e ra" a% e!!e%"ial 'edi#i%al i%gredie%" -ori%-er"ile 0o'e% "o 'a2e "$e' -er"ile( T$e i!!e o- #$ildbeari%ga'o%g "$e Yor+b, i! a !erio! o%e a%d "$e* do e.er*"$i%g "o 'a2e!re "$a" a 'arried 0o'a% bear! #$ildre%( T$e* $old "$e belie- "$a"a%*o%e 0i"$o" a #$ild li.e! a 'ea%i%gle!! li-e(A%i'al! are al!o )ar"%er! i% "rade -or "$e Yor+b, )eo)le( Prior "o"$e )eriod o- "$e i%.e%"io% o- 'o"or .e$i#le! a%d e.e% a-"er "$a"1$or!e 8E[i%> 0a! !ed a! a 'ea%! o- "ra%!)or"a"io%( Dog i! .er*!e-l a! a gide a%d gard de)e%di%g o% i"! o0%er or !er( T$e'e'bra%e! o- "$e "radi"io%al Yor+b, dr'! are 'ade -ro' a%i'al-r( H%"er! 'a2e !e o- dog! a! )ar"%er! i% $%"i%g a%d "$e* !er.e

a! gard! a" $o'e( I" i! al!o belie.ed "$a" "$e* $a.e "$e )o0er o-!e#o%d !ig$" "o !ee i')e%di%g doo'C "$ere-ore "$e* gi.e !ig%! "o"$eir 'a!"er! 0$ile bar2i%g( T$i! al!o !ig%i-ie! "$a" "$e* $a.e e'o"io%! a%d are#o%!#io! o- "$eir e%.iro%'e%"( T$e i!!e o- e'o"io%a%d #o%!#io!%e!! a'o%g a%i'al! $a! bee% a #o%"ro.er!ial o%e1"$og$ i" $a! bee% !aid "$a"I-1 $o0e.er #o%!#io!%e!! i! a!!o#ia"ed 0i"$ rei%-or#e'e%" lear%i%g a%d "$e -ir!"#o%!#io! e/)erie%#e! "$a" o##rred o% "$i! )la%e"0ere "$e ba!i# o%e! o- )ai%! a%d )lea!re1 lo%g be-ore a%* #o%#e)"! 0ere "$og$" o- ora%* )la%! laid i" -or "$e -"re1 "$e% "$i!doe! $a.e i')li#a"io%! -or "$e 0a* 0e !ee o"$er !)e#ie!( I" i')lie! "$a" e'o"io%ala0are%e!! i! e.ol"io%aril* .er* old a%d

)o!!ibl* .er* 0ide!)read i% "$e a%i'al 2i%gdo' 8Da02i%! :;;?4==>(A%i'al! i% "$e Tradi"io%al World.ie0 o- "$e Yor+b,


13/14

"$eir 0orld( T$e ar"i#le !$o0! "$a" "$e Yor+b, )eo)le belie.e i% "$e0el-are o- a%i'al! b" %o" i% "$e rig$"! o- a%i'al!( T$i! i! %der!"a%dable be#a!e o- "$e.ario! -%#"io%! "$e* deri.e -ro' "$eira%i'al!( T$e !"d* al!o re.eal! "$a" a%i'al! o##)* a% i')or"a%"!)$ere i% "$e li.e! a%d e/i!"e%#e o- "$e Yor+b, )eo)le( T$e* #a%%o"

do 0i"$o" a%i'al! i% "$eir religio!1 or !o#ial1 e#o%o'i# a%d )oli"i#al li-e( I%#o%#l!io%1 "$e a%i'al e"$i#! i% Nigeria #er"ai%l* de!er.e! rigoro! a%d de"ailedre!ear#$ "o e%#orage )bli# a0are%e!! abo" 0$a" !$old be "$e rig$" a""i"de o- "$e

)eo)le "o0ard!a%i'al! 0$o are al!o God7! #rea"io%(6o''e%"! :;;?( T$e A%i'alE"$i#! Reader( Lo%do% ` Ne0 Yor24 Ro"ledge(Babalola1 Adebo*e( ( T$e A%i'al E"$i#! Reader( Lo%do% ` Ne0 Yor24Ro"ledge1 ))( U@=

animals in the traditional

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