Olubunmi Olukanni, popularly known as Òjíṣẹ́ Ìṣẹ̀dálẹ̀, recently honoured Professor Wole Soyinka on his 90th birthday by translating the Nobel Laureate’s poem, Abiku, into the Yoruba language.
Òjíṣẹ́ Ìṣẹ̀dálẹ̀ is a Yoruba writer, poet, orator and social commentator who has been in the business of promoting Yoruba cultural values and heritage.
Based in California, USA, Olukanni is also the Public Relations Officer for Egbe Ọmo Yoruba and Ẹgbe Ọmo Ìjesa in the State of California.
He is known for his thought-provoking writings on various topics, including culture, identity and social justice.
His writing style is often described as lyrical, introspective and incisive.
Òjíṣẹ́ Ìṣẹ̀dálẹ̀ is also an advocate of African cultural heritage and identity, and his work often reflects his passion for preserving and celebrating African traditions and values.
For the translation, Òjíṣẹ́ Ìṣẹ̀dálẹ̀ employed his mastery of the Yoruba language to make the poem flow for listeners or readers.
Abiku’s first stanza by Soyinka reads:
‘In vain your bangles cast
Charmed circles at my feet
I am Abiku, calling for the first
And repeated time’
And Òjíṣẹ́ Ìṣẹ̀dálẹ̀’s translation goes this:
Òfúùtùfẹ́ẹ̀tẹ̀ niẹ̀gbàọwọyínńṣe
OògùnOlobiripotí ẹ nsọimọ́ mi lẹ́sẹ́.
Èminiàbíkú, tí ó tiwáníẹ̀ẹ̀kíníàtiàwátúnwá
The second stanza:
‘Must I weep for goats and cowries
For palm oil and sprinkled ash
Yams do not sprout in amulets
To earth Abiku’s limbs’
And the Yoruba translation:
‘Njẹ́ mo ń sunkún fún ewúrẹ́, tàbí owó ẹyọni? Fún epo pupa, tàbí eérú didakiri. Iṣu kii màń so itakun láti so ẹsẹ̀ Àbíkú mọ́lẹ̀.’
Lovers of the Yoruba language and culture will better appreciate Òjíṣẹ́ Ìṣẹ̀dálẹ̀’s efforts by watching the recitation on his YouTube page, and with such cultural enthusiasts like Òjíṣẹ́ Ìṣẹ̀dálẹ̀, then the Yoruba culture is set for global cultural domination.
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