Ìtumọ̀, Àbùdá àti Ẹ̀kọ́ Inú Àlọ́ Onítàn Yorùbá for JSS 1

Àlọ́ Onítàn Yorùbá (Ẹ̀kọ́ Ìwà rere àti ìtọ́kasí ìwà tí kò tọ́)

Performance Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. ṣàlàyé nípa ohun tí àlọ́ túnmọ̀ sí;
2. ṣe ìpínsísọ̀rí àlọ́ Yorùbá;
3. ṣe àgbékalẹ̀ àlọ́ onítàn lórí ẹ̀kọ́ ìwà ọmọlúwàbí tàbí ìkìlọ̀ ìwà tí kò tọ́;
4. tọ́kasí kókó-ọ̀rọ̀ nínú àlọ́ onítàn.

Ìtumọ̀ Àlọ́ (Meaning of Àlọ́)

Àlọ́ is a rich tradition of oral literature in Yoruba culture that encompasses various forms of storytelling, verbal puzzles and riddles passed down from generation to generation.

Àlọ́ serves as a major tool for entertainment, education and the transmission of cultural values, history and moral lessons within the community. In traditional Yoruba society, storytelling sessions are usually held in the evenings after the day’s work, bringing children and adults together in a relaxed social gathering.

Oríṣi Àlọ́ Yorùbá (Types of Yoruba Àlọ́)

Yoruba oral literature categorises Àlọ́ into two main types:

1. Àlọ́ Àpagbè (Riddles)
2. Àlọ́ Onítàn (Folktales or Storytelling)

Àlọ́ Àpagbè (Riddles)

Àlọ́ Àpagbè are verbal puzzles or questions that require clever answers to test intelligence, wit and knowledge of the environment.

Riddles often involve descriptive language that hints at an object, animal or concept without directly naming it. The audience must think deeply to solve the puzzle.

Examples of Àlọ́ Àpagbè include:

1. Àlọ́: Mo rí ewé kan lórí igi, tí kò jẹ́ kí afẹ́fẹ́ fẹ́.
   Meaning: I saw a leaf on a tree that does not allow the wind to blow.
   Èsì (Answer): Àtẹ́lẹwọ́ (Palm of the hand)
2. Àlọ́: Ilé baba mi kò ní ilẹ̀kùn.
   Meaning: My father’s house has no door.
   Èsì (Answer): Ìgbín (Snail)

Àlọ́ Onítàn (Folktales)

Àlọ́ Onítàn are traditional stories told orally that feature human characters, personified animals or mythical beings to convey moral lessons.

These stories typically have a clear plot, characters and a setting. They always convey a moral lesson or a warning about behaviour. Àlọ́ Onítàn is a powerful tool in Yoruba society for teaching good character (ìwà ọmọlúwàbí) and warning against bad behaviour (ìwà tí kò tọ́).

Àbùdá Àlọ́ Onítàn (Characteristics of Folktales)

Àlọ́ Onítàn possesses several distinct characteristics that make it a unique and effective form of oral literature. These features help to engage the audience and make the moral lessons memorable.

The main characteristics of Àlọ́ Onítàn are:

1. Ẹ̀kọ́ Ìwà Rere (Moral Lessons): Every folktale carries a moral lesson, teaching values such as honesty, hard work, respect, humility and kindness.
2. Ìkìlọ̀ Ìwà Tí Kò Tọ́ (Warnings Against Bad Behaviour): Many stories serve as warnings against negative traits such as greed, laziness, disobedience, pride and deceit.
3. Ìdárayá (Entertainment): Folktales are highly entertaining, using humour, suspense and drama to keep the audience engaged.
4. Àwọn Orin (Songs): Songs are often embedded within the stories. These songs add rhythm, allow audience participation and highlight key emotional or narrative points.
5. Àtúnpè (Repetition): Repetition of phrases, actions or songs is common, helping the audience remember key details and participate in the performance.
6. Ìṣàpẹẹrẹ Ẹranko (Personification of Animals): Animals are frequently used as characters with human traits. For example, the tortoise (Alábàun) often represents trickery and greed, while the dog represents loyalty.
7. Ìbáṣepọ̀ Olùtàn àti Olùgbọ́ (Storyteller-Audience Interaction): There is active interaction between the storyteller and the listeners, with the audience responding to calls, answering questions or joining in the chorus of songs.

Àgbékalẹ̀ Àlọ́ Onítàn (Structure of a Folktale)

A typical Àlọ́ Onítàn follows a structured format that helps the storyteller present the narrative clearly and maintain the audience’s attention.

The structure of an Àlọ́ Onítàn usually consists of:

1. Ìbẹ̀rẹ̀ Àlọ́ (Opening): The storyteller begins by getting the audience’s attention with the call “Àlọ́ o!” to which the audience responds “Àlọ́!” This signals the transition into the story world.
2. Ìtàn náà (The Story): This is the main body of the folktale. It introduces the characters, the setting, the conflict and the resolution. It is enriched with dialogues, actions and songs.
3. Ìparí Àlọ́ (Closing): The story concludes with the resolution of the conflict and a clear statement of the moral lesson. The storyteller ends with a traditional closing phrase such as “Àlọ́ mi tán” (My story is finished) or “Béè ni mo ṣe bá wọn nílé” (That is how I met them at home).

Àlọ́ Onítàn kan fún Ẹ̀kọ́ (An Example Folktale for Learning)

The following folktale illustrates the consequences of greed and the destruction of friendship.

Àlọ́: Ìjà Òkété àti Ìgalà (The Quarrel Between the Giant Rat and the Bushbuck)

Olùtàn (Storyteller): Àlọ́ o!

Olùgbọ́ (Audience): Àlọ́!

Ní ayé àtijọ́, Òkété àti Ìgalà jẹ́ ọ̀rẹ́ tímọ́tímọ́. Wọ́n máa ń ṣe gbogbo nǹkan pa pọ̀. Ọjọ́ kan, wọ́n lọ sí oko láti lọ wa oúnjẹ. Wọ́n rí àgbàdo púpọ̀ ní oko kan. Ìgalà sọ pé kí wọ́n pín àgbàdo náà sí ìlàjì, kí olúkúlùkù kó ìpín tirẹ̀ lọ sílé.

Ṣùgbọ́n Òkété jẹ́ alájẹkù. Ó fẹ́ kó gbogbo àgbàdo náà fúnra rẹ̀. Ó sọ fún Ìgalà pé, “Ìgalà, jẹ́ kí n kó àgbàdo yìí lọ sílé mi ná, nítorí èmi ni mo rí i ní àkọ́kọ́.”

Ìgalà kò fẹ́ gbà, ó sì bínú. Ó sọ pé, “Rárá o! A jọ rí i ni. A gbọ́dọ̀ pín i.”

Òkété kò gbọ́, ó sì bẹ̀rẹ̀ sí í kó àgbàdo náà. Ìgalà bínú gidigidi, ó sì bẹ̀rẹ̀ sí í bá Òkété jà. Wọ́n jà títí, Òkété sì sáré lọ sí inú ihò rẹ̀ pẹ̀lú díẹ̀ nínú àgbàdo náà. Ìgalà kò rí i mú mọ́.

Láti ọjọ́ yẹn ni Òkété àti Ìgalà ti di ọ̀tá. Òkété kò lè jáde ní gbangba mọ́ nítorí ìbẹ̀rù Ìgalà, ó sì máa ń fi ara pamọ́ nínú ihò rẹ̀. Ìgalà náà kò gbẹ́kẹ̀ lé ẹnikẹ́ni mọ́.

Àlọ́ mi tán.

English Summary:

Once upon a time, the Giant Rat (Òkété) and the Bushbuck (Ìgalà) were close friends. One day, they went to the farm to search for food and found a large pile of maize. Ìgalà suggested they share the maize equally, but Òkété, driven by greed, wanted all of it for himself. Òkété claimed he saw it first and tried to take it all. Ìgalà refused, and a fierce fight broke out between them. Òkété managed to escape into his hole with some of the maize, but their friendship was permanently broken. From that day, Òkété became fearful and hides in its hole, while Ìgalà no longer trusts anyone.

Àfàyọ Kókó-ọ̀rọ̀ àti Ẹ̀kọ́ Inú Àlọ́ Onítàn (Extracting Themes and Lessons from Folktales)

Every Àlọ́ Onítàn has a central message or theme, known as the kókó-ọ̀rọ̀. This theme is usually a moral lesson (ẹ̀kọ́ ìwà rere) or a warning against bad behaviour (ìkìlọ̀ ìwà tí kò tọ́). Identifying the kókó-ọ̀rọ̀ helps learners understand the purpose of the story.

The following steps help in identifying the kókó-ọ̀rọ̀:

1. Ìṣe Àwọn Èèyàn tàbí Ẹranko (Actions of Characters): Observe the actions and decisions of the characters. What do their actions lead to?
2. Ìparí Ìtàn (The Ending): Pay attention to how the story ends. The final outcome for the characters often reveals the lesson.
3. Ìfọ̀rọ̀wérọ̀ (Dialogue): Listen to what the characters say, especially any advice, warnings or expressions of regret.

From the story of Òkété and Ìgalà, the kókó-ọ̀rọ̀ and lessons are:

1. Kókó-ọ̀rọ̀ (Theme): Ìwà ojúkòkòrò àti àìgbọ́ràn (Greed and disobedience).
2. Ẹ̀kọ́ (Lessons):
   1. Ojúkòkòrò kò dára, ó sì lè pa ìbáṣepọ̀ run (Greed is bad and can destroy relationships).
   2. Ó yẹ kí a máa pín nǹkan pẹ̀lú àwọn ẹlòmíràn (It is important to share things with others).
   3. Àwọn tí ó bá jẹ́ alájẹkù tàbí alájẹgbé kò ní ní àlàáfíà (Those who are greedy will not have peace).

Pípa Àlọ́ Onítàn (Telling Folktales)

Telling an Àlọ́ Onítàn is a performance skill that involves engaging the audience and bringing the characters to life. It requires vocal expression, physical gestures and audience participation.

The procedure for telling an Àlọ́ Onítàn involves the following steps:

1. Ìgbàsílẹ̀ (Attention-getting): Start by getting the audience’s attention using the traditional call “Àlọ́ o!” and waiting for the response “Àlọ́!”
2. Ìfọ̀rọ̀wérọ̀ (Vocal Expression): Use a clear and engaging voice. Vary the tone, pitch and volume to represent different characters or emotions in the story.
3. Ìṣe Ọwọ́ àti Ojú (Gestures and Expressions): Use hand gestures, facial expressions and body movements to act out parts of the story, making the narrative vivid.
4. Orin àti Àtúnpè (Songs and Repetition): Sing the embedded songs with enthusiasm and encourage the audience to join in the chorus or repeat key phrases.
5. Ìbáṣepọ̀ Olùgbọ́ (Audience Interaction): Maintain eye contact with the audience and ask simple rhetorical questions to keep them involved.
6. Ìparí Ẹ̀kọ́ (Concluding Lesson): Conclude the story clearly and state the moral lesson or warning so that the audience understands the main message.
7. Ìgbàgbọ́ (Traditional Closing): End the story with a traditional closing phrase like “Àlọ́ mi tán” or “Béè ni mo ṣe bá wọn nílé.”