Oro siso (sound speech)
Spotlight on the eight attributes of the Omoluabi
Image Credit: https://drummuseum.com/
This is post #6.
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 post #2, we briefly introduced the eight attributes of an Omoluabi.
Over the next while, we will spotlight these eight 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).
Our intention is to unpack these attributes; we will if the Almighty pleases, bring these attributes to life in remarkable ways beyond just the articles.
In this installment, we will speak to the first attribute - Oro Siso (sound speech).
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
To the average Yoruba person, words are not vain; they are not just to be uttered because they carry power.
Spoken words to us, reflects a person’s character, and personality. It reveals a lot about the kind of home they come from.
By mere listening to a person speak, we Yorubas believe that one is able to decipher a plethora of things about a person least to say, their upbringing.
An Omoluabi is a paragon of excellence who is well brought up and highly cultured.
The capability to use words or speak intelligently and respectfully is an attribute elders check for in any Omoluabi. We accord great respect for intelligence and expert use of language especially in the use of proverbs and adages.
With our proverbs and adages, we communicate ideas, emotions and desires and sometimes hide deeper meanings of spoken words from the unlearned.
To the Yoruba, "owe lęşin oro, oro lęsin owe. Ti oro ba sonu owe la a fin wa" (proverb is the horse on which words ride and words are horses on which proverbs ride, if you are looking for proper use of words, you will be prudent to turn to proverbs).
We Yorubas are a cultured people given to knowledge and wisdom.
We know the importance of spoken words that they are universal agents, external tools invested with monumental power and unfathomable consequences therefore we choose our words wisely and speak with respect and this is why we say "Eyin ni owun. Ti o ba jabo, ko se e ko" (words are like eggs once spoken, they can't be retrieved).
An Omoluabi is soft spoken and addresses situation with caution, we use words to heal, and not to hurt. We know the place and power of words when occasion calls for it.
Oro siso (sound speech) is a key attribute of an Omoluabi.
May it be well with us today and next - Àṣẹ Wàá
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