Ise sise (diligence)
Spotlight on the eight attributes of the Omoluabi
This is post #12.
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 sixth of the eight attributes of an Omoluabi - Akinkanju (bravery).
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).
Before we proceed to unpack the concept of Ise Sise or Ise Takun Takun (diligence), let us first listen to this brilliant Yoruba poem recital titled Ise Logun Ise (Work is the antidote for poverty); originally written by Alagba J.F Odunjo, and recited by Omidan Blessing Kayode of Yorubalessons.com
Ise Logun Ise [Work is the antidote for poverty]
Mura si se re, ore mi [Work hard and work smart, my friend] Ise la fi ndeni giga [Hard and smart work brings success] Bi a ko ba reni fehin ti [When there is no one to rely on] Bi ole la ri [It’s like we are lazy] Bi a ko ba reni gbekele, [When there is no one to trust] A te ra mo se ni. [We focus more on our work] Iya re le lowo lowoh [Your mother might be rich] Baba re le lesin lekan [Your father might own a thousand and one horses] Ti o ba gbojule won [If you rely on them] O te tan ni mo so fun o [In truth, you might be on sinking ground]
Apa lara igupa ni ye kan [families are like the arm, while extended family are like the elbow] B’aiye ba fe o loni [If you are loved by the world today] Ti o ba lowo lowo, won a tun fe o lola [If you are still rich, they will love you tomorrow as well] Abi ko wa nipo atata [If you have an esteemed position] Aiye a ye o si terin terin [You will be honored with “fake”laughter] Je ki o deni ti ra ngo [If you unfortunately loose your money or position] Ko ri bi won ti nyin mu si o [They’ll turn their back on you]
Iya mbe fomo ti ko gbon [There is suffering for the foolish child] Ekun mbe fomo ti nsare kiri [and there is sorrow for the child that have no plan or vision] Mafowuro sere ore mi [Don’t waste your formative years, my friend] Mura sise ojo nlo [work hard and plan well now, because time waits for no one]
Işę in the Yoruba language means work.
Right from childhood, we are taught the value of hard work. Parents would typically instill the value of hardwork in their wards, and even members of the community would reiterate the importance of diligence to youngsters.
This is done in a number of ways such as children being sent on errands, and house chores assigned to each child in the household.
It is within the four walls of the home that a child is taught on the importance of hard work; of diligence, consistency and steadfastness.
The thief is displeasing in the eyes of Olodumare
The sacred Odu IFA of Otura Obara, speaks of the importance of hard work and the need to eschew greed and jealousy, and the value of working with and helping others in order to achieve common goals. We are told in this Odu IFA that "the thief is displeasing in the eyes of Olodumare", and that work is an IRE (Blessing) from Olodumare.
Òle alápá másisé, baba Olè. The lazy wo(man) is akin to the chief of robbers
It is the work of our hands that Olodumare blesses, so if one does not have work, such a person cannot be blessed. By our work, we display good character and accomplish our destiny (Ipin).
The Yoruba does not frown at being born with a silver spoon (being born into wealth), but it is the work of one’s own hands that makes one dignified.
The Yoruba hates indolence.
May it be well with us today and next - Àṣẹ Wàá!