Akinkanju (bravery)
Spotlight on the eight attributes of the Omoluabi
This is post #11.
We acknowledge the Almighty OLODUMARE. The one who is ÒYO ÌWÀ (the Creator of Existence) and salute every man, woman and child.
We salute the home-born and the stranger - Ìbà ọ!
In our last post, we examined the fifth of the eight attributes of an Omoluabi - Iwa pele (gentle conduct).
Over the next while, we will spotlight these other attributes. They are as follows:
Oro siso (sound speech),
Iteriba (respect),
Inu rere (good mind toward others),
Otito (truth),
Iwa pele (gentle conduct),
Akinkanju (bravery),
Ise sise (diligence) and
Opolopipe (intelligence).
Yiyo kęlę ękun bi tojo ko (The slow movement of a lion is not due to fear).
The Yoruba words for Bravery is Akinkanju or Igboya which also connote the idea of Courage.
The Yoruba people prize bravery as a noble attribute of one who is well-born and the reason for this is really simple; without bravery; without courage, greatness is but a mere wish.
Not even freedom is given on a platter of gold. It must be demanded and taken.
The Yoruba history is filled with brave men, and women who dared to do great things; many hoped against hope to secure the preservation of the Yoruba race.
We will not forget heroes and heroines who fought tooth and nail to preserve the dignity of the Yoruba race often against external aggression of marauding forces.
Balogun Oderinlo led the coalition army that delivered a big blow against the Fulani army at the Osogbo battle in 1840. Without his bravery , and enterprise, Yorubaland would have been overrun by the marauders.
We celebrate Moremi Ajasoro (the Offa Princess who married into the Royal House of Ile Ife, and played a key role in the liberation, and indeed the preservation of the Oduduwa dynasty against the neighbouring Ugbo Kingdom).
Efunsetan Aniwura (Iyalode of Ibadan) played a key role and contributed immensely to the development of Ibadan, and greater Yorubaland. She will not be forgotten.
Without courage, not much will ever get done.
Courage is that attitude that pushes one to take on challenges with a view of overcoming them; courage is what we need to dare to do great things.
Yorubas have excelled at many things because of our resilience, and industry which is fuelled by bravery. Be it science and technology, astronomy, sports, you name it, we have been able to accomplish great things through consistent courage in the face of threats.
Moja mosa laa n mo Akinkanju loju ogun (Discretion is as much a valuable trait as bravery is; a true warrior know when to engage and disengage.
Never has it been more important for us to celebrate the attribute of bravery; of courage and strong resolve.
No, we do not rush into any battle or war. We are calculative, we are wise and we wait for the right moment to strike, this is the character of an Akinkanju, we have bravehearts.
Igi gogoro ma gun mi loju; ati okere ni a ti n wo (Caution is a skill in warfare)
Do not forget that it was King Dosunmu (a Yoruba king) that fought against the Britons in 1861. Awujale; another Yoruba king stood against the same Britons in the battle of Imagbon in 1892.
We are brave, we are fearless; we are Akinkanjus of Omoluabi.
The Yoruba is no coward.
May it be well with us today and next - Àṣẹ Wàá!