Mayoma Adeyemo praises Eledumare

May the world not descend into chaos… May it find clarity, may it regain its essence…* 

Stanza 1

Odíderé ayékòótá máa wolè máràba
Odéderé ayébòútó máa wolè máràba
oò ri’ báyé nwá doríto dò tó dobúépo
ọmọ ò gbọ́ tí baba mo, baba ò gbó dimọ má, aya ò gbọ́ lọkọ mo
gbogbo rè wá polúkúrámusu nílé ayé o

Stanza 2 (Invocation to the Divine)

Elédùmarè e, Olódù só màre
Òbá wá bá wa túnlé ayé se

Stanza 3 (Prayer for Cosmic Order)

Káyé ó máse dàrú má
Káyé ó rójú, káyé ó ráàyè
Kóòdè ó gba gbogbo wa nílé ayé
Torílé ayé yìí kansoso la wá
Àjò sì nilé ayé

Stanza 4 (Human Mortality & Accountability)

Gbogbo wa la ó padà relí bóbá dọjọ́ kaa
Elédùmarè o o o

Stanza 5 (Praise of Divine Wisdom)

Ìwọ mà lọ̀mọ̀ràn tí moyún ìgbín nínú ìkọrọhua
Ìwọ mà leni tó tọgbọ́n mọgbá orí
Ìwọ mà leni tó dá gbogbo wa rílé ayé
Tí wọ́n ti ń pelé ayé nílé dúníyàn o

Stanza 6 (Divine Purity & Authority)

Elédùmarè ọba toto bọ bí orí
Bíyá tín bì ó díè kórí ire ó lè wá
Bo lè dámí l’óhùn gbogbo ohun tí mo bá
bèrè lọ́wọ́ ò ré lújúọ tòní o

Stanza 7 (The Eternal King)

Oba atérere káré ayé, Ọba kòṣeuntì
Òbàmùbárá matéré bamba
Elédùmarè

Stanza 8 (Critique of Human Greed)

Ènìyàn wèròwèsò tí ò sée lowó wàdùwàdù mú
Enítóbá tasè àgèsè pérén
Kódà á sanwó láyé, á wá lo rèé sekà lórun ni
Elédùmarè o o o

Stanza 9 (The Unshakeable King)

Ọba ńlá, tí ò seé gbíjá, ọba tí ò seé gbìjà
Torí mọ súmóba níwọ̀n egbèje
Mo jìnnà sóba níwọ̀n egbejà
mi ò mà róba fín torá róba fiń loba ń pa

Stanza 10 (Symbolism of Divine Rule)

Ọba tótó bí aró, ọba rèrè bí osùn
Eléní àtèká gbogbo mekùn oòyè
Òpó àndù oyè
Ọba tí wọ́n kìí bá du oyè láíláí
L’elédùmarè ọba tèmi

Stanza 11 (Final Plea for Intervention)

Ọ̀bá dákun o gbébè mi
Ọ̀bá dákun o gbébè mi
Káyé ó ńjú fún wa
Káyé ó ńjú fún wa
Kílè yí ó sàn wá
Kílè yíí ó san wá
Kámáse rógun àdáyà
Kámáse rógun àgbédá
Kámáse rógun àkóbá

Closing Prayer

Lólá Elédùmarè jóo bá jé gbó àdúrà wa
Mose tótó, mo se sákì olú
Gbogbo èyí náà, ko ba lè gbóhùn èbè mi ni
Ọ̀bá dákun wá gbọ́ o o o

Notes on Structure:

• Repetition: Phrases like Elédùmarè (Supreme Creator) and Káyé (the world) act as refrains, anchoring the poem’s spiritual focus.
• Parallelism: Lines like Ọ̀bá dákun o gbébè mi (“O King, hear my cry”) are repeated for emphasis, typical of Yoruba incantatory prayers.
• Imagery: Natural symbols (aró – indigo, osùn – camwood) contrast human frailty with divine purity.

This formatting aligns with Yoruba poetic traditions, where rhythm, tone, and communal invocation are central. 🙏🏿

Translation & Poetic Explanation

*(Note: Yoruba poetry relies heavily on tone, proverbs, and cultural context, so this is an approximate interpretation.)*

—

#### **Stanza 1**:  

**Yoruba**:  

*Odíderé ayékòótá máa wolè máràba…*  

**Translation**:  

*The falcon (messenger bird) descends to announce chaos…*  

**Insight**:  

The falcon symbolizes a divine messenger or omen. Its descent signals turmoil in the world. The repetition of *máràba* (chaos) and *polúkúrámusu* (disorder) paints a world in disarray, where human actions have disrupted natural harmony.

—

#### **Stanza 2**:  

**Yoruba**:  

*ọmọ ò gbọ́ tí baba mo, baba ò gbó dimọ má, aya ò gbọ́ lọkọ mo…*  

**Translation**:  

*The child ignores the father’s wisdom, the father dismisses the child’s voice, the wife disregards her husband…*  

**Insight**:  

This critiques societal breakdown—familial and communal bonds are fractured. It reflects a world where respect and communication have collapsed, leading to moral decay.

—

#### **Stanza 3**:  

**Yoruba**:  

*Elédùmarè e, Olódù só màre…*  

**Translation**:  

*Elédùmarè, the Weaver of Destiny, the Architect of existence…*  

**Insight**:  

A direct appeal to the Creator, acknowledging His sovereignty over fate (*Olódùmarè*). The poet seeks divine intervention to “rebuild the world” (*túnlé ayé se*), implying humanity has failed to uphold balance.

—

#### **Stanza 4**:  

**Yoruba**:  

*Káyé ó máse dàrú má… Káyé ó rójú, káyé ó ráàyè…*  

**Translation**:  

*May the world not descend into chaos… May it find clarity, may it regain its essence…*  

**Insight**:  

A prayer for cosmic order (*ayé*). The repetition of *káyé* (the world) emphasizes urgency. The poet desires restoration of *ojú* (sight/clarity) and *àyè* (purpose), key Yoruba concepts for societal harmony.

—

#### **Stanza 5**:  

**Yoruba**:  

*Gbogbo wa la ó padà relí bóbá dọjọ́ kaa…*  

**Translation**:  

*All of us will return to kneel before the Great King (Elédùmarè)…*  

**Insight**:  

A reminder of human mortality and accountability. Everyone will face divine judgment, underscoring the Yoruba belief in *èṣù* (destiny) and *ìwà* (character) determining one’s fate.

—

#### **Stanza 6**:  

**Yoruba**:  

*Ìwọ mà lọ̀mọ̀ràn tí moyún ìgbín nínú ìkọrọhua…*  

**Translation**:  

*You are the Wise One who nurtures the snail in the thorny bush…*  

**Insight**:  

A metaphor for divine protection. The snail (fragile, slow) survives harsh thorns only through Elédùmarè’s grace. It highlights the Creator’s role in sustaining life despite adversity.

—

#### **Stanza 7**:  

**Yoruba**:  

*Ènìyàn wèròwèsò tí ò sée lowó wàdùwàdù mú…*  

**Translation**:  

*Humans are deceitful, clutching greedily at transient things…*  

**Insight**:  

A critique of materialism and moral corruption. The poet laments how humans prioritize earthly wealth (*wàdùwàdù*) over spiritual integrity, leading to suffering.

—

#### **Stanza 8**:  

**Yoruba**:  

*Ọba tótó bí aró, ọba rèrè bí osùn…*  

**Translation**:  

*A king pure as indigo dye, radiant as camwood…*  

**Insight**:  

Indigo (*aró*) and camwood (*osùn*) symbolize purity and resilience in Yoruba culture. The poet contrasts the ideal ruler (divine) with flawed human leaders, urging alignment with Elédùmarè’s wisdom.

—

#### **Final Plea**:  

**Yoruba**:  

*Ọ̀bá dákun o gbébè mi… Káyé ó ńjú fún wa…*  

**Translation**:  

*O King, hear my cry… May the world favor us…*  

**Insight**:  

The closing lines are a desperate appeal for peace (*kámáse rógun* – “let war cease”) and divine justice. The repetition of *gbọ́* (hear/listen) stresses the urgency of the Creator’s intervention.

—

### **Cultural Context & Themes**:  

1. **Yoruba Cosmology**: The poem reflects the Yoruba belief in *ayé* (the physical world) and *ọ̀run* (the spiritual realm). Humanity’s actions in *ayé* must align with divine order (*àṣẹ*) to avoid chaos.  

2. **Divine Kingship**: References to *Ọba* (King) tie to Yoruba reverence for sacred rulership. The ideal king is a mediator between humans and the divine.  

3. **Moral Decay**: The poem critiques greed (*wàdùwàdù*), disrespect (*ọmọ ò gbọ́*), and hypocrisy, urging a return to *ìwà pele* (good character).  

This work is both a lament and a prayer—a call for humanity to seek alignment with divine will to restore balance to the world. 🌍✨