Yoruba Animals




 
 

 
 
 
Animals have always been part of Yoruba history for several centuries.  There are some individuals whose means of livelihood were from hunting in times past. We had big time hunters and secondary hunters.

The big time hunters (Ogboju Ode) these were individuals whose main job was hunting, and they had no other job, except farming, which was secondary. These hunters were known for their big kills. Animals hunted for are: lion, tiger, leopard, deggar, elephant, buffalo, gazelles, various types of snakes and other dangerous animals in the wild.  Hunting was either done in group or solely, hunting could go for days, even, weeks. Hunters in this category were known for their power, bravery, strength to withstand adversity in the wild; and more important, superior knowledge of animals. From among members, hunters’ leader/head was selected (Olori-Ọdẹ).

Basically, the purpose of hunting is threefold: first, to source for meat; second, to get materials from these animals (ohun-elo) for local  medicines; and third, to make money from the game hunted. In fact, ancient hunters engaged in huntings principally, to source for meat and to use animal parts to make local medicines. The commercial reason for hunting is of recent development, because people back then used to say “iṣe ni mu ni pa ẹran apata; ka pa ẹran, ka jẹ ni iyi Ọdẹ” which means (to kill and to sell game is nothing, but poverty; however, the joy of hunting is to kill, and to eat the animal to our satisfaction). Hunting in times past was a family job, trade or tradition, children born into hunters’ families must learn how to hunt, to use gun and other hunting materials. These same children must also learn Ijala (hunters’ chants for animals), incantations (word-play) and some protective medicines; a fall-back when confronted with high-risk situation.

The secondary hunters- these hunters use hunting as past-time (avocation) or an alternate to their regular jobs, this type of hunting is common even today. People hunt in group (age-group) or may hunt individually. They do not need elaborate hunting paraphernalia like the big time-hunters; neither do they need so much training before hunting.

Animals have several social, economic, medical and religious values, these include:

  • Source  of food (meat provision)
  • Economic benefit (trade in-life stock, and games killed for commercial gain)
  • Materials for local  medicines to manage, and to cure illness.
  • Provides security and alert of in-coming danger to its owner. Animal like dog barks when it notices danger.
  • Use animals’ behavior,their look or appearance, and make (as figures of speech: simile, metaphor, allegory, parable, euphemism, oxymoron, hyperbole, and many more) to: teach, instruct, correct, remind, draw comparism, or even to ridicule.
  • Hides and skins of animals killed are used to produce valuable items like: shoes, bags, sheathe.
  • For big time hunters, collections from killed games (horns, skins, teeth, bones, tails, and claws) are preserved for generations to come.

Some of these animals are listed in this chart and their relevance in the life of Yoruba in times past, and even now explained.

 

Table 29: Animals and Their Values in Yorubaland

English Name Yoruba Name Comments
Cock (Hen) Akukọ Source of meat, has both economic and religious value; a time-keeper for natives before watches/clocks (precision equipment) were introduced; valued for its potency. Several Yoruba statements use cock as a figure speech and proverb. For example, Yoruba will say “adiye funfun ko mo ra’re lagba” (Adiye fun-fun in this context [a full grown White Cock] is used as a metaphor and a proverb); which means “a respectable person, who loses honor and self-worth because of a bad conduct.”
Cobra Ọka Known for its death-dealing poison when it bites. It requires immediate attention or else, death. While other snakes die with their venom(poison) and become innocuous; Cobra in death, becomes more virulent. Extremely poisonous and venomous just like when still alive. Edible, source of materials for local medicines, especially the teeth and bones. Metaphor for a wicked act or a person.
Ox , Bull Malu Major source of meat, has economic values, materials for local medicines.
Spit-Snake Ọwọru known for its bite, and dangerous spit which can easily affect sight when there is no proper medical care. Edible.
Snake Ṣebe Very poisonous and dangerous.
Dog Aja It has a good sense of Smell; it guards and protects its owner, useful for hunting. There are many types of dog, closely related to wolf in the wild. It has economic, religious and social values. Despise for lack of control when it comes to mating. Metaphor for a philander, a worthless, pestilential or contemptible person.
Hedgehog Ọya It is a wild animal, very tasty; it has economic value.
A  scaly  animal Akika A scaly animal, it eats insects trapped in its scales; source of meat and invaluable material for local medicine.
Crocodile Ọni, Giant reptile, lives very close to water, eats sea animal, extremely dangerous, can kill human, if attacked. Reproduce by laying eggs. Edible, skin use for shoes and exotic bags.
Alligator Ahọnrihọn Looks like Crocodile, but smaller in size to it. Alligator has both economic and dietary value just like Crocodile.
Hog Ẹlẹdẹ Male pig, known for its size, source of fatty meat, but dirty. Use as simile for a dirty and unkempt person.
Vulture Igun, Gunnugun, Gurugu, Akala A special bird, not edible; a scavenger; metaphor for something without value.
Wood-Carrier Arugiṣẹgi A medium–sized insect, always with load; metaphor to denote self-inflicted pain.
Hawks Awodi, Asa A carnivorous bird, it feeds on chicks; metaphor for a wicked person or act.
Palm Bird Ologiri Edible
A species of Bird Olofẹrẹ -
Sparrow Ologoṣẹ Mythical elder brother of Ọkin, who stubbornly refused stay-at-home order from Ifa priest (Ella), and lost out when gifts were presented to Ọkin, his younger sister.
Peacock Ọkin The most beautiful bird ever known, symbol of royalty and beauty. Obedient sister of Ologose, who got all the gifts from Ella, the Ifa priest, and became wealthy.
Squirrel Ọkẹrẹ Source of meat. Metaphor for stubbornness or stubborn act.
Rabbit Ehoro Lives in the wild, but can be domesticated, source of meat; very beautiful.
Bird that lives on crickets Okinrin Edible.
A kind of large Rat Okete Edible; use as simile for deception/double dealing. Metaphor for things unusual; for instance, Yoruba will say “Ai’ re wu lo’san.” It has some cultural and social import.
Wild Goat Edu Source of meat, lives in the wild; mostly, on mountains. A beautiful herbivorous animal.
A species of Deer Ekulu Source of meat, lives in the wild.
Shark Ekura Edible.
Rat/Mouse Eku/Ekute Domestic rat, very destructive. Metaphor for a destructive act, or person.
Earthworm Ekolo, long terrestrial annelid, moves by setae; earthworm feeds on decaying organic matter. -
Sing Bird Ẹyẹ-Orin Loved for its sonorous voice.
Partridge Aparo A wild bird, brown, edible; use as simile for poverty; and a metaphor for deserved punishment.
Horse Ẹṣin For royalty, transportation, cavalry; also represents power and strength.
Donkey Kẹtẹkẹtẹ For transportation, royalty.
Camel Rakunmi For transportation, known for its perseverance under harsh/unfavorable conditions. Although, not a tropical animal, it can be adapted for tropical use.
Ass Ibakasiẹ Means of transportation, and very energetic.
Bat Adan -
A species of Bat Odẹ Use  as a substitute for bat, when needed
Pelican Ẹyẹ-Ofu A species of bird, a “large web-footed-fish-eating birds with a very large bill and distensible gular pouch” says, Marriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary.
A species of Carnivorous animal Ọfafa Edible.
A type of fish Ọjan Edible.
A-dog-like animal, stays on tree, with face down Ọwawa Edible.
Water-bird Osin -
A  type of snake known for its poisonous bite Ọsa -
A kind of fish resembling Mackerel Owere Edible.
Dove Adaba Loved for its gentility and docility. Simile for peace or a peaceful act.
Viper Paramọlẹ A dangerous snake. Known for its deadly bites, unnoticed/hidden appearance. Metaphor for deception or hidden personality.
Sea-Gulls Pẹju-pẹju Eats fish.
Yellow-haired Monkey Sọmidọlọti/Oloyo Edible.
Sea-Bird Yanja-yanja Eats fish, very wild.
Mosquito Ẹfọn/Yanmu-yanmu Insect-carry disease.
A species of Beetle Yanrinbo The Mythical Tortoise’ wife.
Raven Ẹyẹ-Iwo Small, instinctingly wise bird.
Snail Igbin/Aginniṣọ Rich in protein has both the economic and the religious values.
Another species of Snail Iṣawuru It represents goodness, prosperity and success.It is sometimes used as a metaphor for a permanent action; or when an irreversible decision/step is taken on an issue. For Yoruba will say, “atipa ni Isawuru n ti’le e.” It means “when Isawuru closes its door, no one can open it.”
Stay Akọ-Agbọnrin, Igala Source of meat, known for swiftness and agility. Simile for swiftness, strength, accuracy, and power.
Steer Ẹgbọọrọ-Akọ  Malu Source of meat, power and strength.
Trout Ẹja Edible.
Wether, Castrated animal Ogufe Edible, has economic value.
Buffalo Ẹfọn/Ede Source of meat, unusually powerful, very wild, dangerous, and lives in savannah. Horns valuable.
Monkey Ọbọ Lives on tree, edible. Simile for stupidity, or foolishness.
Ape Ẹdun Edible.
Lizard Alamu/Alangba, has no economic or social value. -
Lobster Alakasa Sea food, highly nutritious.
Boa-Constrictor Ere Very big, dangerous, edible, but kills human as prey.
Boar Ẹlẹdẹ-Igbo, Esi, Tuuku, or Imado. (Imado iba’ṣe bi Ẹlẹdẹ, a ba’ lu jẹ; bi ẹru ba jọ’ba, ko ni ku ẹnikan). Amazingly powerful, eats fruits, seeds and plants, makes holes with mouth, kills human when attacked, but is edible. Use as a metaphor for underprivileged and poor,  whose condition in life later changes, but forgets quickly. Instead, he becomes despotic, tyrannical and oppressive to those who found themselves in his previously condition.
Gorilla, Baboon Inaki, Inoki, Iro Belongs to Monkey family, biggest and black colored of all anthropoid apes, lives in a group called (troop); it has very interesting social system. Edible.
Chimpanzee Ọsa, Elegbede Belongs to Monkey family, hefty, powerful, but smaller to Gorilla. Chimpanzee lives in group called (troop), belongs to the same class-anthropoid Ape; edibile.
Phython-Constrictor Ojola Full grown is about 30 feet long, it can swallow prey alive; lives close to river, lays egg for reproduction.
Electric Fish Ojigi Edible.
Scorpion Ojogan/Akeekee Very deadly; it stings and its poison can kill, if there is no immediate medical attention.
Toad Kọnkọ Edible.
Antelope Egbin Edible, and simile for beauty.
Tick/Flee Eegbọn Bloodsucking  insect, co-habit with dog, cow and other domestic animals. Metaphor for parasite, laziness; and for individual that depends on others  for daily survival.
Hippopotamus Erinmi Very powerful and big  animal, a riverine horse; kill for meat, and its skin. Has big head and mouth, thick gray skin, with short legs.
Rhinoceros Ẹranko bi Imado. In the same category with Hippo, extremely powerful, lives close to water, eats plants, except, it has one or two upright keratinous horns on snout. It has gray skin with little hair, but can kill human, when attacked.
Reynard (Fox) Kọlọkọlọ Looks like dog, eats live fowls, use as metaphor for deception.
Hyena/Wolf Ikoko Wild animal which kills goat, sheep as prey. It is known for its howling sounds. Hyenas live and hunt in packs (group). Wolf looks like dog, a metaphor for a fierce, rapacious, wicked and destructive person.
Giraffe Agbanrere Known for its long neck (between 7 and 12 feet long); peaceful animal. Sleeps for less than four hours in a day; always alert to dangers from predators such as: lion, tiger, and leopard.
Cow Abo-Malu Source of meat, milk; has economic.
Crab Akan Sea-food, rich in protein.
Wild Pigeon Oriri -
Porcupine Oorẹ, Eerẹ, Ojigbọn Edible.
A kind of Green Wild Pigeon Orofo, A talkative bird, use metaphorically for garrulous or chatty person.
Black-Ants Tanpẹpẹ Found on Palm-tree date, carries painful sting.
A variety of bird Tangala -
Centipede Tanisanko Stings and painful
Millipede Ọkun Known for its several legs. Crawls, metaphor for someone that is very slow.
Frog Ọpọlọ No economic value, not edible. Use metaphorically for something of no value.
Young fowl Oromọ-Adiẹ Food for hawks. Simile for the weak.
Nocturnal Animal Ajao Animal that has the features of bird and mammals. Metaphor for things or persons with multiple or several identities.
Hound Aja-Ọdẹ -
Elephant Erin/Ajanaku

(Ajanaku ki’ n bi rara; ọmọ ti Ẹya ba’ bi Ẹya ni’ n jọ).

 The biggest land mammal, weighs between 5 and 10 tons; extremely powerful; tusk from it has economic value. Symbol for power and strength. Use as metaphor to justify  action carried out to show or to demonstrate  courage, bravery, and to cover up evil; even when such action will have adverse effect on others.
Sheep Aguntan Source of meat, has social, religious and economic value. Simile for peacefulness, submissiveness, yieldingness, meekness, gentleness, humility.
Ram Agbo Male sheep, source of meat, has religious value; has very strong horns stuck to forehead. Horn has medical value. It is used as metaphor, when two equals are struggling/competing for recognition or dominance in/within the same territory.
Woodcock Agbe One of the three birds, use metaphorically, to express a  deep loss; or to express enviable position. Valued for its dark/dye color. Yoruba will say “Agbe lo la’ro; Aluko lo lo’sun; Lekeleke lo le’fun.”
A species of Woodcock Aluko Second of the three birds; valued for it cam wood color (Osun).
White-feathered Bird Lekeleke Third in the class of metaphoric birds. Symbolizes purity, holiness, and cleanness.
Chamelon Ọga, Alagẹmọ Belongs to the class of reptile; not edible, mercurial; use metaphorically  to represent unreliable person.
Crane-Bird Akọ -
Parrot Odidẹrẹ Talkative bird. Simile for garrulous.
Ostrich Ogongo Largest bird about eight feet tall.
White-Ant Ikan, Ikamudu Very destructive ants live in a molehill. Metaphor for a destructive person, or act.
Tortoise Ijapa Known for tricks, and deceptions. The mythical husband of Yanrinbo.
Tiger Ẹkun ( Ekun a bi’ja wara. Yi’ yọ Ẹkun bi to’jo kọ) The biggest known cat in the wild , extremely powerful and ferocious; it symbolizes agility, strength, courage and fearlessness. A full grown Tiger is about 12 feet long from the head to the tip-end of its tail, and weighs between 650-800 pounds. It is a solitary animal, and highly territorial. It roars, but not as strong, not as poweful as lion. It traces and looks for female through urine track for mating. Average life span in the wild is fifteen years, in captivity, 18 to 20 years.
Lion Kiniun  Oloola-Iju The king of jungle, a big cat that lives in group as a pride. It represents royalty, power, strength, courage and ferocity. The pride has a profound social system, which may have three full grown males, several female relatives and cubs. Lion, especially the (lioness/female) does the hunting, eating arrangement within pride follows the order-of-seniority. Generally, lions(males) are lazy; they sleep for two-thirds part of a day, mate, and eat, if available. Average life span in the wild is fifteen years, but in captivity is between 18 and 22 years. Lions are very territorial, at times territory overlap between cousins.
Large bird of Goose family Ehuru -
Nightingale Ẹyẹ -Olorin didun Known for its beautiful songs.
Pigeon Ẹyẹle (Ẹyẹle ko ni’ bo’ni lẹ jẹ, ko’ bo ni le mu; ko yẹ’ri ni ọjọ iku). Loved for its loyalty to owner; metaphor for loyalty.
Pig/Swine Ẹlẹdẹ Source of fatty meat; highly valued for fertility; hates for dirt. Simile for dirt, unkempt.
Eagle Ẹyẹ-Idi Valued for its powerful sight; metaphor for insight and knowledge.
Guinea Fowl Awo Like chicken, rich in protein.
Guinea Fowl Ẹtu Like Awo, source of meat.
Guinea Pig Ẹmọ-Ile Source of meat.
Jelly-Fish Ẹja-Odo Sea food.
A species of Bird Afẹrẹgbojo/Afe-imojo -
A  brown feathered Bird Ẹlulu -
Spider Alantakun(Owu Alantakun, ko’ sẹ ni to’ le  fi ran’ṣọ) Known for its complex web design. Metaphor for impossibility. Owu Alantakun, ko se’ ni to le fi’ ranso.”
Butterfly Labalaba- (Laba-laba to’ ba digbo’lẹgun; Aṣọ ẹ a’fa’ ya.). Which means, when one behaves ignorantly and arrogantly, he suffers dire consequences. Insects with variety of color carry pollens from flower to flower. Metaphor for act with dire or serious consequences.
Bee Oyin Source of honey; stings, lives as swarm in beehive.
Cockroach Ayan Domestic insect known for its destructiveness.
Cricket Irẹ Insect.
Crabs Akan Edible.
Housefly Eṣinṣin/Eṣin Disease carrying domestic insect.
Gnats Kokoro-Ojuọti -
Wall-Gecko Ọmọnle Belongs to reptile, not edible.
A species of Deer Ekulu Edible.
Mouse Eliri -
Long Crested Bird Agufọn -
Colt Young Horse Agodongbo For transportation.
Animal of Iguana class Agility -
A type of fish Ọjan -
A kite-like fish with poison Ajibẹtẹ -
A large she Goat Ake Edible.
Woodpecker Akoko Makes hole on tree trunk with its powerful beak.
A bird with Red Peak Apọn -
Palm -Bird Ẹga Noisy and chatty. Simile for a noisy person or object.
A species of insect like  Mosquito Emukuru -
A species of Horse Ira -
Insect Ipin -
Red-Ant Abonilejọpọn
Civet-cat Ẹta A sleepy animal. Metaphor for lazy and sleepy person.
Zebra Kẹtẹkẹtẹ-Abila -
Owl Owiwi A symbolic bird. It portends or (foreshadows) something imminent. Although, many will dispute this reasoning scientifically, and put forward, share coincidence. However, this has been Yoruba’s belief for centuries.
Lice Ina-Ori Bloodsucking insect.
Bed-bug Idun Bloodsucking insect.
Leopard Amọtẹkun Animal in cat family has dark spot; carnivorous, strong, deadly and ferocious. It is used as a  metaphor to denote  un-change personality or something constant.
Hind Abo-Agbọnrin Source of meat.
Cat Ologinni Sneaky, eats flesh; domestic, but can become wild. Has a metaphoric use for individual who has sneaky personality.
Turkey Tolotolo Good source of meat.
Swallow Ẹyẹ-Alapandẹdẹ -
Kine Abo-Malu Source of meat.
Stallion Akọ-Ẹṣin Strength, power and royalty.
Gadfly Iru, Eṣinṣin- N la Causes sleeping sickness.
Duck Pẹpẹyẹ Source of meat. Metaphor for parental guidance.
A species of Black-Ant. Aladi This  insect  build its house on the stem of a tree.
Jackal Akata/Ajako Edible. Has a metaphoric use for when one does something unauthorized; or when goes beyond (his/her) legal/social limits.