7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 1/98
FV04<
E33
EDAO
PLO^GC
N > DEE cg\g
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 2/98
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 3/98
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 4/98
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 5/98
VM@
Gdws dof Lusties
IC
Vm` Qirund X`ipg`
NQ
@/ D/ DJA\DC@ EII^@
<)If
XPNGA\M@F NQ
E/ D/ IGD
CIGD NIIK\MIX\'X/ I/ Nix 404'
Dn`ikutd' Oab`rad
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 6/98
ctccggGtV
GAN^D^QPMtStt\cVV Ic
LDGACI^OAD J
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 7/98
VM@
Gdws dof Lusties
IC
Vm` Qirund X`ipg`
NQ
@/ D/ DJA\DC@ EII^@
XPNGA\M@F NQ
E/ D/ IGD
CIGD NIIK\MIX\'
X/ I/ Nix 404'
Dn`ikotd' Oab`rad
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 8/98
GIDO 0JDLK
9:••
:
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 9/98
mam
Xr`cdl`
At wds ao 4183 tmdt 4 n`bdo ti ligg`lt edt`radg cir
do dlliuot ic iur odtav` gdws dof lusties/ Vm`o eydtt`ept wds liol`otrdt`f io tm` gdws dof lusties ic
ey iwo tran`' tm` @bnds; gdt`r io A `ogdrb`f tm` slip`ic ey aov`stabdtaios' dof tmas wirk as tm` iutlie`/
Vm` faccalugta`s dof fasliurdb`e`ot `oliuot`r`f edy n`
aedbao`f crie tm` cdlt tmdt watmao d saobg` tran` dgio`l`rtdao rat`s dof lusties vdry/
Miw`v`r' ds tm` r`sugt ic ldr`cug dof f`t`reao`f
`ccirts' 4 mdv` n``o dng` ti bav` ao tmas niik tmis` gdws
dof lusties tmdt dr` p`lugadr ti Qirund p`ipg` ao
b`o`rdg/ \ie` ic tm` gdws dof lusties m`r`ao drl
insig`t` dof aeprdltaldng`' dof sie` mdv` n``o eifaca`ftmriubm tm` aocgu`ol` ic Lmrastadoaty dof tm` Nratasm
illupdtaio dof biv`roe`ot/
Dgtmiubm A mdv` tra`f ny trdv`g dof aoquara`s
ti `osur` dllurdly' sie` faslr`pdola`s edy stagg
`xast' dof A smdgg n` eist brdt`cug ti doy io` wmi
ldggs
eydtt`otaio ti sulm
faslr`pdola`s
cir dfjuste`ot
ao d suns`qu`ot `fataio/
Gdbis/ @/ D/ Djasdc` Eiir`
1>6
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 10/98
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 11/98
LMDXV@^ A
^@GDVAIO\MAX
D cdeagy as t`re`f @na ir aftn Vm` wirf @na
e`dos .Io` niro watm/. Vmas aolgua`s io`"s o`dr`st
r`gdtav`s io nitm tm` pdt`rodg dof tm` edt`rodgsaf`/
4 -d! Afag` aolguf`s dgg dsl`ofdots dof f`sl`ofdots ao
d waf`r s`os` tmdo @na: d lgdo/
-n! Q`kdo e`dos .Io` eitm`r/. a/`/ eitm`r"s
r`gdtav`s dof lmagfr`o/
-l!
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 12/98
3 GDR\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC QI^PND
Nritm`r as `xpr`ss`f ny @bnio ir dnuri ikuorao/
\ast`r ‟ ‟ ‟ @bnio ir dnuri inarao/
-m! Vm` us` ic tm` wirf Ndnd as v`ry waf`/ Cir
aostdol`: D Qirund edo ir wiedo edy ldgg
mas ir m`r uolg`' ir o`pm`w' ir `gf`r liusao' ir
nritm`r' ir edst`r' ir m`df ic tm` cdeagy ir
tran` Ndnd' a/`/' cdtm`r' Vm` t`re gyd as dgsi
saeagdrgy us` ny tm` Qirunds/
-a! M`ol` ldr` eust n` tdk`o ti koiw tm` tru`
r`gdtaiosmap ic d Qirund edo ir wiedo/ Rm`od Qirund edo sdys Ndnd t"i na ea m` e`dos
mas tru` cdtm`r: gyd t"i na ea dgsi e`dos io`"s
tru` eitm`r/
-j!
Ibde`dos Edst`r/
Igukp ‟ V`dlm`r/
Dbndsiei ‟ Dfipt`f Lmagf/
Dydos` yd /' Dfipt`f Eitm`r/
Dydos` Ndnd ‟ Dfipt`f Cdtm`r/
Iguti ir Dgdndti ‟ Budrfado/
> ^`gdtaiosmap as r`lkio`f tmriubm c`edg`s: .Afa
ayd ga d pio sa'. io` g`dos ti mas eitm`r"s saf`/
Vm` c`edg` saf` as striob`r/
< D sgdv` wmi mds gav`f cir sie` tae` ao mas
edst`r"s liepiuof dof n`mdv`f w`gg as liosaf`r`f
d e`en`r ic tm` cdeagy/
LMDXV@^ AA
VM@ NDG@
4 @v`ry ndg` -m`df ic d liepiuof mius`! as
r`spiosang` ti tm` dutmirata`s cir tm` liofult ic tm`
aoedt`s ic mas liepiuof/ M` eust n` r`sp`lt`f dof
in`y`f ny tm` aoedt`s ic mas mius`/ M` eust dgsi
n` liov`rsdot watm dgg tm` s`lr`ts ao tm` liepiuof/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 13/98
VM@ NDG@ c
M` mds piw`r ti jufb` dof f`laf` lds`s dcc`ltaob mas
iwo aoedt`s' privaf`f sulm lds`s dr` oit lioo`lt`f
watm do iutsaf`r ir watm tm` dutmirata`s/ M` edypuoasm -cgib' lmdao' wmap' ta`' f`edof fdedb`s' cao`'
put ao tm` stilks' ir aeprasio' smiugf tm`r` n` doy
prasio ao mas liepiuof! doy ic tm` aoedt` wmi dr`
buagty ic easliofult/ M` as dgsi niuof ti prit`lt
dof m`gp mas aoedt`s dbdaost agg ir uocdar tr`dte`ot/
> Rm`o d ndg` fa`s' mas sull`ssir' wmi edy n`
mas sio' ir nritm`r' ir liusao illupa`s mas riie ir
dpdrte`ot dct`r n`aob ciredggy aofult`f/
< \miugf doy io` dlt liotrdry ti tm` irf`rs dof
aostrultaios ic tm` ndg`' tm` irf`rnr`dk`r edy n`
`j`lt`f ny mae/
6 Vm` carst wac` -ldgg`f Aydg`! ic d ndg` as tm`
r`liboaz`f eastr`ss ic tm` liepiuof mius`/
0 @v`ry eiroaob `v`ry e`en`r ic d liepiuofmius` smdgg pdy mas ir m`r r`sp`lts ti mas ndg` dof tm`
Aydg`/ Ac tm` aoedt` as d edg`' m` pristrdt`s maes`gc
-findg`!; ac tm` aoedt` as d wiedo' sm` ko``gs fiwo
-kuog`! ir ga`s io m`r rabmt saf` -yaoraokd!/
LMDXV@^ AAA
BPD^FADO\MAX
4 Budrfadosmap `xasts quat` fastaolt crie tm`
dutmiraty ic tm` m`df ic tm` cdeagy/ Ao tm` lds` ic
do irpmdo wmi r`quar`s d budrfado' tm` m`df ic tm`
cdeagy wagg dppiaot tm` o`dr`st r`gdtav` ic tm` lmagf
io tm` eitm`r"s saf`/ D edg` r`gdtav` mds tm` carst
lgdae/ Vm` m`df ic tm` cdeagy mds ti s`` tmdt prip`rldr` as tdk`o ic tm` wdrf ny tm` budrfado/
> Futa`s dof piw`rs ic tm` budrfado:
-d! Vi tdk` ldr` ic tm` wdrf"s p`rsio dof gdof`f
prip`rty ir doytmaob aom`rat`f ny mae ir ti
wmalm m` as `otatg`f/
-n!Vi
privaf`cir tm`
prip`redaot`odol` dof
liecirt ic tm` wdrf crie tm` pril``fs ic tm`
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 14/98
ABPD^FADO\MAX
wdrf"s prip`rty/ Dct`r privafaob cir tm` wdrf'
tm` budrfado as `otatg`f ti tm` r`edaof`r ic tm`
pril``fs/
-l! Budrfadosmap l`ds`s wm`o tm` wdrf lgdaes mas
ir m`r prip`rty/ \miugf tm` wdrfs lgdae
tm`ar prip`rty n`cir` edrradb`' budrfadosmap
t`reaodt`s dt pun`rty watm nitm edg`s dof
c`edg`s; itm`rwas`' io edrradb`/ Nut at as
oit liosaf`r`f lirr`lt cir d wdrf ti lgdae mas
prip`rty n`cir` m` as ao d pisataio ti giik
dct`r at' oir wagg tm` budrfado r`gaoquasm sulm
prip`rty uotag tm` wdrf"s r`gdtav`s dr` ic
ipaoaio tmdt tm` wdrf as ldpdng` ic dltaob cir
maes`gc/
-f! Vm` wdrf"s mius` as illupa`f ny tm` o`dr`st
r`gdtav` ic tm` cdtm`r uotag at as lgdae`f ny tm`
wdrf/
-`! Ao r`turo cir mas ldr` ic dof privaob cir tm`
wdrf' tm` budrfado as `otatg`f ti tm` us` ic tm`
wdrf"s gdof dof tm` cruats dllruaob tm`r`crie
furaob tm` t`our` ic mas budrfadosmap/
< Vm`r` as oi spaost`r ao tm` liuotry' `v`ry
wiedo n`aob edrra`f; lios`qu`otgy p`rp`tudg
budrfadosmap ldooit `xast' prip`rty n`aob lgdae`f ny
wdrfs' `atm`r dt pun`rty ir io edrradb`/
6 Guodtals dr` ao dgeist dgg lds`s pgdl`f ao
lmdrb` ic odtav` filtirs' wmi pdy tm` filtir cir
dtt`ofdol` dof edaot`odol` ic tm` guodtal; sie`'
miw`v`r' dr` k`pt ny tm`ar pdr`ots' wmi dr` r`spio
sang` cir tm`ar sdc`
k``paobds w`gg ds
easn`mdvaiur'sulm ds tm`ct ir doy fdedb` fio`/
-d! Fdob`rius guodtals dr` pgdl`f ao tm` ldr` ic
tm` k``p`r ic tm` prasio' tm` pdr`ots privafaob
cir tm`ar edaot`odol`/
-n! Vm` prip`rty ic guodtals as m`gf dof wirk`f ny
tm` pdr`ots ir tm` o`dr`st r`gdtav` io tm`
eitm`r"s saf`' wmi mdv` tm` `otar` us` dof tm`
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 15/98
BPD^FADO\MAX A
cruats ic tm` prip`rty' iut ic wmalm tm`y privaf`
ir pdy cir tm` edaot`odol` ic tm` guodtal/
-l!\miugf d guodtal
r`bdao sdoaty'
m` ldo lgdae mas
prip`rty' nut oit doy ic tm` lrips ao lugtavdtaio
dt tm` tae`' oir doy pricat edf` io mas prip`rty
furaob tm` p`raif ic aosdoaty/
LMDXV@^ AS
^ABMV\ IC X^IX@^VQ
4 Gdof' cdres dof mius`s dr` aeeivdng` prip`rty/
-d! Xdge tr``s' kigd tr``s' lilid tr``s' lilidout
tr``s' nr`dfcruat tr``s' runn`r tr``s' licc`` tr``s'
dof dgg cruatn`draob tr``s dr` gav` tr``s/
-n! Edaz` -ir liro!' ydes' kiki' ldssdvd' briuof
outs' `busa' n`dos' dof dgg mdrv`st r`dpaob
lrips dr` ldtlm lrips/
-l! Illri' br``os' `/b/' t`t`/ isuo' ibuei' bniri'
`nigi' iyi' dof dgg `fang` pgdots oit piss`ssaob
wiify st`es dr` m`rns/
> Biifs' curoatur`' ldttg`' sgdv`s' dof wav`s dr`
eivdng` prip`rty/
< Dgg gdofs dr` iwo`f ny tran`' lgdo' cdeagy'
biv`roe`ot dof aofavafudgs r`sp`ltav`gy/
-d! @v`ry tran` mds ats iwo pirtaio ic gdof' wmalm
liepras`s stiig' lieeuodg' cdeagy ir lgdo
dof aofavafudg gdofs/
-n! Vrandg gdof ldooit n` dga`odt`f ti doyio`
n`giobaob ti doitm`r tran`' `xl`pt watm tm`
koiwg`fb` dof lios`ot ic tm` kaob ir tm`
lma`c ic tm` p`ipg` ir tran` wmalm piss`ss`s
tm` gdof/
-l! Vm` kaob ir lma`c mds oi piw`r ti dga`odt` ir
tdk` piss`ssaio ic doy gdof' oit n`aob mas iwo
p`rsiodg prip`rty' `xl`pt watm tm` lios`ot
dof dt tm` pg`dsur` ic ats iwo`r/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 16/98
48 ^ABMV\ IC X^IX@^VQ
6 @v`ry e`en`r ic d lgdo ir cdeagy as `otatg`f ti
dof `ojiys tm` cruats f`rav`f crie pa`l`s ic gdof
dppirtaio`f ti mae' dof m` mds aofavafudg rabmts
iv`r -m` sdaf dppirtaio`f pa`l`s ic gdof furaob mas
gac`tae`/
Nut m` ldooit dof eust oit s`gg sulm prip`rty'nut eust n`qu`dtm at ti mas lmagfr`o/
0 @v`ry edg` e`en`r ic d lgdo ir cdeagy as `o
tatg`f ti `ojiy tm` rabmts ic illupdtaio ic' dof tm`
cruats dlluruaob crie' d l`rtdao pirtaio ic gdof aom`rat`f crie mas cdtm`r' wmalm as pdrt ic lgdo ir cdeagygdof/ Io mas f`dtm tm` gdof n`lie`s tm` prip`rty ic
mas iwo lmagfr`o/ Nut ac m` fa`s lmagfg`ss' at n`lie`s'tm` prip`rty ic mas o`dr`st r`gdtav`s io tm` eitm`r"s
saf`/
3 Do iwo`r ic d pa`l` ic gdof mds cugg rabmts ti
`v`rytmaob ao at/ M` edy lugtavdt` dof pgdot doytmaob ao at wm`o m` wasm`s/ M` edy lut fiwo' nuro'
Ir f`striy doytmaob ao at/ M` edy fab ir nir` ir
cagg at ds m` pg`ds`s' dof oinify ldo us` at watmiut
mas dutmiraty/
2 Odtav` gdw ao ats tru` e`doaob fi`s oit r`liboaz`tm` sdg` ic gdof/ Nut iwaob ti tm` dfiptaio ic Nratasm
gdw' pravdt` iwo`rsmap ic gdof oit aom`rat`f nutiwo`f ny purlmds` as oiw r`liboaz`f' dof sulm gdof
edy n` n`qu`dtm`f ir faspis`f ic dt tm` faslr`taio
ic tm` t`stdtir/ Nut ac tm` iwo`r ic sulm gdof fa`
aot`stdt`' dof wds oit edrra`f uof`r Lmrastado ir
@obgasm gdw' odtav` gdw edy n` dppga`f/
= @v`ry e`en`r ic d cdeagy ir lgdo mds mas iwo
smdr` ic cdeagy gdof' wmalm eust n` pdrtataio`f ti
mae' ac m` si f`sar` at/ Nut at eust n` priv`f tmdt m`
as ldpdng` ic wirkaob at n`cir` sulm pdrtataio as edf`/
1 C`edg`s edy migf gdof : dgsi aocdots' wmi aom`rat
c`of io tm` f`dtm ic tm` cdtm`r/ Nut tm`s` gdofs
dr` m`gf ao trust dof wirk`f cir tm`e ny tm`ar
budrfados uotag tm` wdrfs dr` igf
`oiubmti lgdae dof
wirk tm`e/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 17/98
GDS)\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC QI^PND 44
48 Rm`o d wiedo iwoaob gdof as edrra`f ti d
edo' wm`tm`r ic m`r iwo tiwosmap ir tran` ir oit' ao
oi larluestdol`s wmdt`v`r ldo tm` musndof n`lie`
tm` iwo`r ic sulm d gdof: at as pdrt dof pdrl`g tm`
prip`rty ic sulm wiedo' dof wm`o sm` fa`s m`r
lmagfr`o aom`rat at/
4 4 Aeeivdng` prip`rty as aom`rat`f ny tm` lmagfr`o
dof crie tm` lmagfr`o ti lmagfr`o"s lmagfr`o' dof si
ao p`rp`tuaty/
-d! Ac d c`edg` lmagf as ldpdng` ic migfaob sie` ir
tm` wmig` ic tm` prip`rty ic m`r cdtm`r' m`r
rabmts dof tatg` eust n` r`liboaz`f dof
r`sp`lt`f/
-n! Ac d lmagf"s eitm`r as d sgdv` ir ldptav`' tm`
lmagf aom`rats ao br`dt pripirtaio ti tmis`
lmagfr`o wmis` eitm`rs dr` cr``niro cir tm`
lmagfr`o ic tm` cr``niro mdv` edt`rodg saf`s ti
aom`rat crie' wmag` tm` lmagf ic d ldptav` ir
sgdv` wac` mds oio`/
-l! Oi eivdng` prip`rty as aom`rat`f ny tm`
lmagfr`o/ Dgg eivdng` prip`rty bi`s ti tm`
nritm`rs dof sast`rs ic tm` f`l`ds`f io tm`
eitm`r"s saf`/ Nut tm` lmagfr`o ic d ldptav`
ir sgdv` wac` -saol` tm`y mdv` oi edt`rodg saf`!dr` `otatg`f ti sie` pirtaio ic tm` eivdng`
prip`rty/
-f! Io tm` f`dtm ic d edo mas wav`s dr` ny lus
tiedry gdw aom`rat`f ny tm` f`l`ds`f"s cdeagy
io tm` eitm`r"s saf`; tm` carstniro dof sie`
briwoup sios ic tm` f`l`ds`f dgsi aom`rat
sie` ic tm`ar cdtm`r"s wav`s -`xp`ltaob tm`ar
iwo tru` eitm`r! privaf`f tm`y' tm` wav`s' dr`
oue`rius/ -\`` Rafiwmiif/!
4> Do iwo`r ic gdof ldo pg`fb` ir pdwo d pirtaioir tm` wmig` ic mas gdof cir f`nt/ Vm` pg`fb`rcirc`ats mas rabmts uotag m` r`f``es tm` sdaf gdof/ Vm`
pdwo``mds tm` rabmt ti us` tm` gdof cir
pgdotaob
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 18/98
4> ^ABMV\ IC X^IX@^VQ
ldtlm lrips iogy' dof ti ligg`lt dof `ojiy dgg cruats
ds dbdaost tm` iwo`r; nut m` smiugf oit dof eust oit
waggaobgy lut fiwo doy gav` tr``s tm`r`io ir aojur` ir
pgdy mdvilwatm tm`
prip`rty/ M` edy' miw`v`r'r`l`av` taen`r fu`s io dgg taen`r lut io tm` pdwo`fgdof -sulm ds taen`r lut ao dllirfdol` watm tm`
Cir`stry Irf`r ao Liuolag!/
-d! M` dgsi mds tm` rabmt ic `ojiye`ot dof illupd
taio dof tm` cruats tm`r`crie uotag tm` pdwo`rr`f``es tm` sdaf gdof watmao tmr`` y`drs ir doy
itm`r giob`r p`raif ic tae` dbr`` ti ny nitmpdrta`s dt tm` iuts`t' tm` pg`fb`r circ`ats mas
rabmts dof tatg` cir `v`r' wmag` tm` pg`fb``
n`lie`s dnsigut` dof p`redo`ot iwo`r/
4< Do iwo`r ic gdof edy bav` dgr`dfy lugtavdt`f
gdof -ldgg`f .Abniri.' gdof g`ct ti cdggiw! ti doy io`
cr`` cir us` watmiut doy liosaf`rdtaio/ Vm` pis
s`ssir mds iogy tm` us` ic tm` briuof cir ldtlm lrips/M` smiugf oit dof eust oit pgdot doy gav` tr``s io
sulm gdof; aocraob`e`ot ic tm` rug` f`prav`s tm` pis
s`ssir ic tm` us` ic tm` gdof/
-d! Vm` iwo`r ldo dt doy tae` bav` oital` ti tm`
piss`ssir tmdt m` wasm`s ti r`illupy mas gdof
dct`r tm` stdofaob lrips mdv` n``o r`dp`f'
wm`o tm` piss`ssir eust `vdludt`/
46 Ac cir`st gdof -@bdo!' a/`/ gdof matm`rti uo
lugtavdt`f' as bav`o cir us`' tm` piss`ssir n`lie`s
dnsigut` dof p`redo`ot iwo`r/ At as aeedt`radg
wm`tm`r tm` piss`ssir n`giobs ti tm` sde` tran` ir
lgdo ir tiwosmap ir oit/ At n`giobs ti mae dof mas
lmagfr`o ao p`rp`tuaty/
40 G`dsaob ic gdof as d cir`abo aotrifultaio/ At
wds cire`rgy uokoiwo' nut iwaob ti tm` aolr`dsaob
vdgu` ic gdof' tm` lustie mds n``o aotriful`f/ Gdof
edy n` g`ds`f cir d l`rtdao ouen`r ic y`drs' dof ds
giob dof tm` r`otdg as pdaf ny tm` g`ss``' m` ldooit n`
`j`lt`f wmag` tm` g`ds` as ao cirl`/
43 Do iwo`r ic mius` prip`rty' ir ic gdof ao tm`
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 19/98
GDR\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC QI^PND 4<
tiwo' ldo bav` d pirtaio ic mas gdof ti doitm`r ti
nuagf io/ Vm` mius` mdvaob n``o nuagt' tm` illupdotldooit n` `j`lt`f uog`ss m` n`lie`s d lraeaodg -do
iutgdw!/
-d! \miugf tm` illupdot dggiw tm` mius` ti bi ti
ruao dof oit vdldt` at' m` ldooit n` `j`lt`f;
nut smiugf m` g`dv` tm` mius`' dof furaob mas
dns`ol` tm` mius` n`lie`s do dnsigut` ruao'
tm` wdggs n`aob nrik`o fiwo ti tm` briuof'
tm` irabaodg iwo`r ir iv`rgirf smiugf aocire
tm` t`odot ao p`rsio' ir mas r`pr`s`otdtav`s ir
r`gdtav`s ir cra`ofs' tmdt tm` mius` as ao ruaos
dof eust n` r`pdar`f; dof ac tm` oital` as
aboir`f' tm`o' dof oit tagg tm`o' tm` iwo`r ir
iv`rgirf ldo r``ot`r sulm gdof/ Vmas rug`
dppga`s ti dgg `olgis`f gdof bav`o watm tm`
mius`gdof -a/`/ gdof io wmalm tm` mius`
stdofs!'ds
giobds tm` gdof as ao us`
doftm`
wdggs oit g`v`g watm tm` briuof/
-n! Vm` t`odot edy sung`t watm ir watmiut r`ot'
nut ldooit s`gg tm` prip`rty/
42 Vt as lustiedry ti bav` strdob`cdre`rs gdof
io wmalm ti nuagf cdremius`s dof ti lugtavdt` cir tm`ar
iwo n`o`cat/ Oi r`ot as pdaf ny tm` strdob`rcdre`r'
nut ds d edtt`r ic liurt`sy dof ao tik`o ic brdtatuf`'
at as d b`o`rdg lustie cir tm` strdob`rcdre`r ti bav`
illdsaiodg s`rval` ti mas iv`rgirf twi ir tmr`` tae`s
d y`dr; nut tmas as oit liepugsiry/
-d! Vm` strdob`rcdre`r ldooit n`lie` tm` dnsi
gut` iwo`r ic sulm cdregdof/ M` ldooit n`
`j`lt`f uog`ss
4 Mdvaob r`dp`f mas lrips' m` g`dv`s tm`
gdof cir io` wmig` y`dr watmiut carst
drrdobaob watm tm` iv`rgirf/
> M` turos iut ti n` do iutgdw -a/`/ ciuof
buagtyic tr`dsio ir
gdrl`oy'ir
nurbgdry'ir ic lieeattaob dfugt`ry watm d wac` ic
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 20/98
46 ^ABMV\ IC X^IX@^VQ
tm` iv`rgirf ir watm doy ic tm` wav`s ic
tm` e`o gavaob ao tm` sde` vaggdb`' ir ic
doy s`raius lrae` wmalm' ao tm` ipaoaio
ic tm` liurts' wdrrdots mas `xpugsaio ds
do uof`sardng` e`en`r ic tm` sila`ty!;
cir tm` iv`rgirf as ao d e`dsur` r`spiosang` cir mas t`odot/
4= Io tm` f`dtm ic tm` iv`rgirf' mas sio ir r`gdtav`
ldooit `j`lt tm` strdob`rcdre`r `xl`pt ao tm` dniv`
larluestdol`s; nut ac tm` sio mds oi gdof ti wirkmaes`gc' m` wagg dsk tmdt tm` gdof smiugf n` favaf`f
n`tw``o tm`e' ti wmalm tm` strdob`rcdre`r as lie
p`gg`f ti dbr``/
-d! \miugf d strdob`rcdre`r g`t tm` cdregdof
M` cdggiw cir eir` tmdo io` y`dr' tm` iv`rgirf
mds tm` rabmt ti r`cus` r`illupdtaio ti tm`
strdob`rcdre`r/
-n! \miugf do .Abniri. cdregdof n` bav`o -s``
\`ltaio 4<!' tm` illupdot mds oi rabmts ti tm`
cruats ic doy gav` tr``s io sulm cdregdof/ M`as iogy ti lugtavdt` tm` briuof dof eust oit
giik up cir tm` cruats ic tm` gav` tr``s; m`ol`
sulm cdregdof wm`o bav`o as ldgg`f Aodwik`
gdof -a/`/ Fio"tgiikup gdof!/
-l! Ac cir`st gdof -Abni @bdo! as bav`o ti d strdob`r
cdre`r -s`` \`ltaio 46!' m` n`lie`s dnsigut`
iwo`r dof as mas iwo iv`rgirf/ \miugf m`'
miw`v`r' dndofio tm` gdof dof g`dv` tm`
liuotry p`redo`otgy' tm` irabaodg brdotir mds
tm` rabmt ic r``otry/
41 At/ as lustiedry ti bav` strdob`rs tiwogdofs
upio wmalm ti `r`lt d mius` -d! ao tm` iv`rgirf"s
liepiuof' -n! io s`pdrdt` briuof/ Ao tm` lds` ic d
mius` `r`lt`f ao tm` iv`rgirf"s liepiuof' tm`
strdob`r ldooit n` `j`lt`f uog`ss cir sie` lraeaodg
icc`ol` -s`` \`ltaio 42d' >' watm r`bdrf ti cdre
gdof!' ir uog`ss tm` t`odot dggiw tm` mius` ti cdgg aotidnsigut` ruao -ti tm` g`v`g ic tm` briuof!/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 21/98
GDR\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC QI^PND 40
-l! Ao tm` lds` wm`r` d sigfa`r as dggiw`f ti nuagf
d mius` io d s`p`rdt` pa`l` ic briuof dof ti
cire do aof`p`of`ot liepiuof m` ldooit n`
`j`lt`f' uog`ss m` n` ciuof buagty ic d s`raius
lrae`' wm`o `j`ltaio as `cc`lt`f ny tm` wmig`
tiwosmap ao wmalm tm` strdob`r r`saf`s/ -Vmas
gdw mds uof`rbio` lmdob`; cir oiw tm` tiwo
smap edk`s liepgdao ti tm` pigal`' wmi nraob
tm` strdob`r ti tm` liurt' wm`r`' ac ciuof buagty
ic tm` icc`ol` watm wmalm m` as lmdrb`f' dof
oit n`aob liosaf`r`f d f`sardng` aomdnatdot' m`
as liovalt`f' dof `j`ltaio ciggiws dof tm` gdofr`v`rts ti tm` iv`rgirf!/
-f! Vm` strdob`r as p`reatt`f ti sung`t' watm ir
watmiut r`ot' dof mas t`odot as sunj`lt ti tm`
sde` r`straltaios ds mas gdofgirf/
-`! At wds lustiedry ao tm` igf fdys' wm`o tm`
t`odot wds ciuof buagty ic doy ic tm` dniv`icc`ol`s' ti rdz` mas mius` ti tm` briuof' tmus
bavaob tm` iv`rgirf tm` rabmt ic aee`fadt`
r``otry/ Mius`s w`r` tm`o nuagt ic euf wdggs
watm riics ic brdss' edts' ir g`dv`s' nut miwtmdt mius`s dr` eir` sunstdotadggy nuagt' watm
lirrubdt`f ario sm``ts dof wiif`o crde`wirk'wm`o tm` lraeaodg as
`j`lt`f
crie mas mius`'
mas lmagfr`o' ac tm`y dr` ic r`liboaz`f biif
lmdrdlt`r' dr` dggiw`f ti tdk` piss`ssaio ic
tm`ar cdtm`r"s mius`; itm`rwas` sie` r`dsio
dng` deiuot as pdaf ao liep`osdtaio cir tm`
mius`nuagfaob' ir tm` strdob`r lraeaodg as
dggiw`f ti trdosc`r ir s`gg tm` mius`nuagfaob
ti doy io` dppriv`f ic ny tm` iv`rgirf/
>8 ^abmts ic tm` odtur` ic s`rvatuf`s dr` r`liboaz`f/
-d! N`tw``o cdres tm`r` as d niuofdry pdtm ldgg`f*
Dgd' wmalm as pungal prip`rty dof us`f ny doyedo iwoaob cdres ao tm` valaoaty' ao irf`r ti
r`dlm mas iwo gdof/ Vm` t`re Dgd dgsi dppga`s
ti do `xtrd waf` curriwtmriubm
dpa`l`
ic
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 22/98
43 ^ABMV\ IC X^IX@^VQ
gdof' wmalm edy n` us`f ny dfjdl`ot iwo`rs
ic gdof ds d e`dos ic r`dlmaob tm`ar iwo cdres/
-n! ^abmt ic wdy' wm`r` tm` iwo`r ic d pa`l` ic
gdof mds dggiw`f d trdlk ti n` wiro tmriubm at
watmiut rdasaob doy inj`ltaio/ Vm`r` as oi
gaeat ds ti tm` tae` o`l`ssdry ti lr`dt` d
s`rvatuf`/
-l! Rm`o d edo as uodng` ti b`t ti mas prip`rty ir
cdre crie tm` pungal ridf watmiut pdssaob
tmriubm doitm`r"s cdre ir prip`rty' tm`r` as d
s`rvatuf` io tm` gdof o`xt ti tm` ridf' ti dggiw
rabmt ic wdy ti tm` iwo`r ic tm` aot`rair
prip`rty/
-f! Vm`r` as d s`rvatuf` io `v`ry cdre' wmalm
dfjiaos d str`de ir rav`r us`f cir fraokaob
purpis`s ny tm` b`o`rdg pungal; tm` iwo`r ic
sulm cdre edy oit lut fiwo tr``s ir lg`dr
ti watmao 08 ydrfs ic tm` wdt`r"s ndok/ Vmas as
ti pr`v`ot tm` wdt`r ruooaob fry/ Vm` iwo`r
edy pgdot ndeniis tm`r`/ Vmas as ldgg`f Iju
Apd' a/`/ wdt`r n`f/
-`! Vm`r` as d rabmt ic wdy tmriubm `v`ry cdre
wmalm dfjiaos d str`de ir rav`r us`f ny tm`
b`o`rdg pungal cir fraokaob purpis`s/
< >4 L`rtdao gdofs dof inj`lts ic prip`rty dr`
r`bdrf`f ds n`giobaob ti tm` biv`roe`ot dof tm`
vaggdb`rs r`sp`ltav`gy/
-d! Cir`stgdofs wmalm w`r` r`bdrf`f ds n`giobaob
"/
ti l`rtdao tiwosmaps mdv` n``o tdk`o iv`r nytm` biv`roe`ot ds cir`st r`s`rv`s/ Vm`s` dr`
ldgg`f Abni Dari -gdofs oit ti n` lugtavdt`f!/Gdofs io wmalm dr` nuagt kaobs" pdgdl`s'
Ibnioa gifb`s ds w`gg ds sdlr`f briv`s' `/b/'
a Abnd Iri' Abni @guku' Abndg` @buobuo' dof
c`tasmmius`s dr` dgsi lieeio ti tiwosmaps/
;
-n! Vm` sat`s ic igf tiwo bdt`s dr` tm` prip`rtyic tm` kaobfie dof ldooit n` iwo`f ny pravdt`
p`rsios/ Vm` edrk`ts ic tm` liuotry dof
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 23/98
GDR\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC QI^PND 42
tm`ar sat`s dr` dgsi pungal prip`rty/ Xungal
nuagfaobs' nrafb`s' lugv`rts' frdaos' lio
strult`f ridfs' `tl/' dr` tm` prip`rty ic tm`
biv`roe`ot/
-l! Lmurlm`s dof eisqu`s n`giob ti l`rtdao
r`gabaius sila`ta`s/
-f! \miugf tm` iwo`r ic d pirtaio ic cdregdof
stdrt ti nuagf d vaggdb` tm`r`io' sulm cdregdof
n`lie`s tm` lieeioprip`rty
ic tm`vaggdb`rs'dof ldooit n` lgdae`f ny tm` irabaodg iwo`r'
wmi as ldgg`f tm` Ndg` -girf ic tm` vaggdb`/!
-`! Vm` fuepaob briuof ic tm` vaggdb`' wmalm as
tm` c`rtag` spit' as tm` lieeio prip`rty ic tm`
vaggdb`/ Dgsi w`ggs dof str`des dr` lieeio
prip`rty' wm`r` tm` str`de ruos o`dr ir tmriubmtm` vaggdb` ir tiwo' nut iutsaf` at/ Vm` str`de
n`giobs ti tm` iwo`r ic tm` cdre tmriubm wmalm
tm` str`de ruos/
-c! Oi casmaob rabmts dr` r`s`rv`f' `xl`pt tmdt
wm`r` cgiifs liepg`t`gy liv`r p`rsiodg gdof*
tm` rabmt ic ldtlmaob casm io tmdt gdof as r`s`rv`f
ti tm` iwo`r/ Nut deiobst tm` Anifis dofdnirabao`s ic Gdbis' smraepcasmaob as r`stralt`f/
L`rtdao lma`cs ic Gdbis' ny vartu` ic tm`ar
trdfataiodg piw`r dof dutmiraty' favaf` tm`
gdbiio aoti s`ltaios' dppirtaioaob d s`ltaio
ti `dlm stiig/ Vm` Anifis dgsi favaf` tm`ar
rav`r aoti s`ltaios' dppirtaioaob d s`ltaio ti
`dlm vaggdb`/
>> Cir`sts:‖Cir`sts dr` utagaz`f ny muot`rs
-a! cir tm`ar bde` dof
-aa!cir r`liooiatraob purpis`s ao tae` ic wdr/
Vm`y gurk ao tm` cir`st ti wdtlm tm` eiv`e`ots
ic tm` `o`ey dof dppraz` tm` lma`cs ic doyaep`ofaob fdob`r/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 24/98
4= ^ABMV\ IC X^IX@^VQ
/
-aaa! @v`ry edg` e`en`rs ic tm` tran` as cr`` ti
prilur` crie tm` cir`sts nuagfaob edt`radgs'
e`falaodg riits dof m`rns' car`wiif' `fang` cruats'
`/b/ Iri/ Dcio' `tl/
>< Dgg lmagfr`o n`giob ti tm` edo"s tran`' oit tm`
wiedo"s/ Rm`o d lmagf as niro' tm` cdladg edrk ic
tm` tran` ic tm` cdtm`r eust n` lut io mas ir m`r
lm``ks' oit mas ir m`r eitm`r"s trandg edrks; dof
smiugf d wiedo ic m`r iwo dllirf aocraob` tmas gdw'
m`r lmagf n`lie`s d oioe`en`r ic tm` cdtm`r"s cdeagydof oioaom`ratir ic tm` cdtm`r"s prip`rty/
>6 N`qu`st ic eivdng` ir aeeivdng` prip`rty
prieas`f ir edf` ny tm` f`l`ds`f n`cir` mas f`dtm
dr` r`sp`lt`f dof ldrra`f iut/
>0 Biifs dof prip`rty dr` smdr`f dof fastranut`f
dllirfaob ti rdok' tatg`' ir db`' tm` mabm`st ir `gf`sttdkaob tm` gdrb`st smdr` pripirtaiodggy/
>3 Dfipt`f lmagfr`o ldooit aom`rat crie tm` dfiptav`
pdr`ot/ Vmas as r`pubodot ti odtav` gdw/
>2 Pof`r tm` igf biv`roe`ot d sgdv` ic biif n`md
vaiur -s`` ^`bugdtaiosmap' <! liugf aom`rat' ac m` sp`ot
eulm eio`y io n`mdgc ic tm` cdeagy' `sp`ladggy io
cuo`rdg l`r`eioa`s' nut oiw iogy ngiif r`gdtaios ldo
aom`rat/
\mdraob icc E`dt
4 Vm` ciggiwaob as tm` syst`e ao cirl` ao tm` smdraob
ic -ldttg` ir ciwg! e`dt ao pr`s`ots' `tl/ Io` maof
g`b bi`s ti tm` cdtm`r ir doyio` ao pgdl` ic tm`
cdtm`r' ir cdtm`raogdw ir eitm`raogdw ic `atm`r saf`'
ir ndg`/ Io` criot g`b -ir waob' ac d ciwg! bi`s ti io`"s
iwo eitm`r' doy io` ao tm` pgdl` ic d eitm`r/ Vm` ndlk
n`giobs ti tm` wac` ir wav`s; tm` m`df ti tm` lmagfr`o;
tm` o`lk ti tm` nutlm`r ir kagg`r ic tm` ldttg` ir
ciwg; tm` m`drt dof gav`r ir tm` bazzdrf ti tm` iwo`r
ic tm` e`dt' ir tm` praolapdg edo ic tm` c`dst ir sdlracal`
-tm` bu`st ic tm` fdy!/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 25/98
LMDXV@^ S 41
BIS@^OE@OV
4 @v`ry tran` mds ats iwo cire ic Biv`roe`ot uof`r
tm` ciggiwaob b`o`rdg syst`e/
> Vm` kaob as tm` pdrdeiuot rug`r/ Dgg itm`r lma`cs
dof girfs dof iv`rgirfs dr` surnifaodt` ti mae' dof m`
rug`s dof biv`ros tmriubm tm`e/
< Vm`r` dr` lma`c dfvas`rs ti tm` kaob' wmi cire tm`
`x`lutav` ir pravy liuolag cir tm` biv`roe`ot ic tm`
liuotry/
6 Vm` tiwos dof vaggdb`s ic tm` liuotry dr` biv`ro`f
ny tm` surnifaodt` lma`cs r`safaob ao ir liotriggaob tm`ar
sp`ladg tiwo ir vaggdb`/
0 @dlm ic tm` lma`cs ic tm` tiwo ir vaggdb` as
suppirt`f ny tm` sunlma`c' wmi watm tm`e cires tm`sunliuolag cir tm` edodb`e`ot ic tmdt tiwo ir vaggdb`'
edk`s tm` o`l`ssdry nygdws' dof f`laf`s dgg gildg
edtt`rs/
3 \edgg vaggdb`s ir mdeg`ts dr` uof`r tm` prit`ltaio
ic tm` o`dr`st vaggdb` ir tiwo ic tm` sde` tran`/
2 \ie` tiwos dlquar`f nylioqu`st
dr` tranutdry
dof sunj`lt`f ti tm` suz`rdaoty ir siv`r`aboaty ic tm`ar
edst`r ir kaoblioqu`rirs/
= Vm` kaob"s dfvas`rs' wmi dr` tm` liuolag ic tm`
liuotry' dr` `dlm r`spiosang` cir facc`r`ot pdrts ic tm`
liuotry' aolgufaob io` ir eir` ic tm` tiwos ir vaggdb`s
iutsaf` tm` ldpatdg/
1 Vm` biv`roaob `g`e`ots dr`:‖-4! Vm` kaob/
Pof`r mae lie` tm` ouen`rs ic tm` riydg
cdeagy illupyaob ir migfaob mabm pisataios/
->! Vm` stdt`se`o/
Vm`s` dr` r`spiosang` ti tm` kaob cir tm`
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 26/98
>8 GDR\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC QI^PND
prip`r dfeaoastrdtaio ic tm` liuotry ao
edtt`rs pigataldg' jufaladg' dof liee`rladg/
Vm`ydr` dgsi
r`spiosang` ti tm` p`ipg` cirtm` liofult ic tm` kaob/ M`ol` tm`y mdv`
piw`r ti f`pis` doy kaob wmi dnus`s mas
siv`r`aboty ao sulm d wdy ds ti e`odl` tm`
w`gcdr` dof sdc`ty ic tm` p`ipg` dof tm`
liuotry/ Ao tmdt lds` tm`y wagg dsk mae ti
sg``p -a/`/ ti fa`! dof dviaf fasbrdl`' dof
smiugf m` r`cus` ti sg``p m` as f`tmrio`f dof
s`ot dwdy crie tm` tiwo/
Vm` stdt`se`o mdv` piw`r ti s`g`lt dof ao
stdgg d o`w kaob/ Nut tm`r` as d sp`ladg lgdss
ic p`ipg` wmis` futy as ti s`g`lt tm` kaob
ds w`gg ds aostdgg mae/
Oi s`g`ltaio ir aostdggdtaio as vdgaf watmiut
tm`s` dutmiraz`f p`rsios/
Furaob do aot`rr`boue tm` stdt`se`o dr` r`
spiosang` cir tm` prip`r biv`roe`ot ic tm`
liuotry; tm` pdrdeiuot lma`c dltaob ds tm`
pr`saf`ot ic tm` liuolag uotag d o`w kaob as
xaostdgg`f/
Vm` Eagatdry ir Rdre`o
At as ti `v`ry Qirund edo do mioiur dof bgiry ti
cabmt ao f`c`ol` ic m`drtm dof mie` dof tm` liuotrywmalm bdv` mae nartm/ M`ol` at as oit o`l`ssdry cir
tm` odtav` biv`roe`ot ti rdas` d sdgdra`f drey/
Vm` wdr lma`cs watm tm` muot`rs prit`lt tm` liuotry
dof f`c`of at ao tae` ic wdr/ Rm`o tm`r` as wdr'
`v`ry yiuob edo rdgga`s riuof mas ldptdao' wmi as dgsi
sunirfaodt` ti tm` lma`c ic tm` wdr stdcc/
Vm` ldptdao smdgg suppgy mas wdrrairs watm buo
piwf`r/ M` edy dgsi suppgy tm`e watm buos ir doy
itm`r w`dpio ic wdr/ \miugfd
ldptdaocdag ti
suppgymas wdrrairs watm buopiwf`r m` stdofs tm` lmdol` ic
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 27/98
BIS@^OE@OV >4
gisaob mas wdrrairs' wmi dr` quat` cr`` ti lmiis` d o`w
ldptdao/
Vm` lma`c ic tm` wdr stdcc smdgg suppgy `dlm ldptdaouof`r mae watm deeuoataio dof buopiwf`r' `tl/' cdagaob
wmalm m` smdgg oit n` `otatg`f ti doy ic tm` niitywmalm tm` ldptdaos edy bdao smiugf tm` wdr priv`cdviurdng`/ Nut tm` wdrrairs far`ltgy uof`r tm` lma`c
ic tm` wdr stdcc dr` niuof ti f`gav`r ti mae tm` r iwo
niity' crie wmalm m` edk`s mas iwo lmial` dof bav`s
ndlk tm` r`st ti tm` r`sp`ltav` iwo`rs/
Ac tm` wdr priv` cdviurdng` dof eulm niity as
bdao`f -ao biifs' ldttg` dof sgdv`s!' tm` wdrrair
ldptir smdgg smdr` tm` spiag watm tm` ldptdao wmi
suppga`f mae watm piwf`r dof deeuoataio ir tm`
w`dpios ic wdr watm wmalm m` ciubmt/
\miugf tm` wdr n` wdb`f dof ciubmt io tm` irf`r
ic tm` kaobs' dof tm` r`sugt n` cdviurdng`' tm` spiag smdgg
n` pr`s`ot`f ti tm` kaob' wmi smdgg tdk` d l`rtdao
pirtaio ic at' g`dvaob tm` r`st ti tm` wdr lma`cs dof mas
wdrrairs/
Vm` kaob smdgg suppgy mas wdr lma`cs watm deuoataios
dof dgg w`dpios ic wdr dt mas faspisdg/
Vm`r` as doitm`r lgdss ic p`ipg` wmis` nusao`ss as
ti liosugt tm` liuotry"s irdlg` `v`ry cactm fdy' dof ti
icc`r sdlracal` cir tm` p`dl` dof prisp`raty ic tm`
p`ipg` dt gdrb`/
-d! Vm` Ioaeig` ir Dnir` -tm` mabm pra`st!/ M`as tm` iogy p`rsio `x`ept`f crie pristrdtaob
maes`gc n`cir` tm` kaob/
-n! Vm` Ndndgdwi ir Dfdmuos`' liosugt`r ic tm`
liuotry"s irdlg` ir lma`c favao`r/
-l! Vm` Ioas`buo ir Igisdoyao' tm` e`faldg ir
jujuedo/
Ratm tm` edodb`e`ot ic tm` biv`roe`ot d wiedowatm dt g`dst sax suppirt`rs as dggiw`f/ Vm` tatg` ic
tm` wiedo as Aydgif`/ \m` r`pr`s`ots tm` wie`o ictm` liuotry' wmis` vial`s dr` m`drf dof tm`ar c``gaobs
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 28/98
>> GDR\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC QI^PND
edf` koiwo tmriubm m`r/ \m` dt tae`s bi`s ti wdr
ds d wdr ldptdao watm m`r iwo wdrrairs uof`r m`r/
\miugf tm`r` n` d wdr dof sie` dng`nifa`f e`o
k``p tm`es`gv`s ao tm`ar cdres dof vaggdb`s' wmag`
r`aocirl`e`ot as urb`otgy o``f`f' tm` wdr lma`c smdgg
s`of d f`tdlme`ot ic cirl`s uof`r d ldptdad ti sulm
cdres dof vaggdb`s watm s`dg`f irf`rs tmdt tm` lrips
`tl/' io tm` cdres ic sulm dng`nifa`f e`o smdgg n`
pguof`r`f/ Vmas s`rv`s ds d pr`gaeaodry wdroaob ti
tm` e`o ti lie` ti tm` ldep' ir tm`y wagg n` s`v`r`gy
cgibb`f dof riubmgy mdofg`f gdt`r io/
LMDXV@^ SA
KAOB\MAX
4 D kaob mds piw`r ti f`lgdr` wdr dof `v`o s`of
dof lieeassaiodoy
ic maseagatdry sunj`lts
ti
wdb`wdr dbdaost d l`rtdao tiwo ir tran`/ Nut ac tm` eas
saio as oit sull`sscug' a/`/ ac tm` kaob"s sunj`lts dr`
f`c`dt`f' tm` kaob smiugf fa` n`cir` tm` f`c`dt`f
drey r`turos mie`/
> Rm`o wdr as f`lgdr`f ir dniut ti n` f`lgdr`f'
d prilgdedtaio as edf` ny d tiwo lra`r -n`ggraob`r!
iotm` irf`r ic tm`
kaob' wdroaob doyic tm`
mistag` tran` ti vdldt` tm` tiwo watm;
u d gaeat`f
p`raif/ Doy io` wmi fi`s oit fi si n`lie`s d
prasio`r ic wdr/
< D oio`mistag` tiwo edy jiao `atm`r ic tm` twi
mistag` io`s' tmus edkaob ats`gc do `o`ey ic tm`
ippisaob io`/
6 D strdob`r ir ci r ` a b o ` r wmi mds dgr`dfy
odturdgaz`f maes`gc ir m`rs`gc ao tm` mistag` tiwo as
oit edf` d prasio`r ic wdr' uog`ss m` ir sm` dlts ao
mistagaty ti mas ir m`r pgdl` ic dfiptaio/
0 Rie`o dof lmagfr`o dr` wdr ldptav`s iogy ac
tm`y priv` mistag`' dof dr` ao piss`ssaio ic fdob`rius
w`dpios; ac tm`y us` ir aot`of ti us` tm` sde` tm`y
dr` s`dt`f ds `o`ea`s/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 29/98
GDR\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC QI^PND ><
3 @endssy n`tw``o twi mistag` tran`s' liuotra`s'
ir biv`roe`ots as p`reassang` ao odtav` gdw dof tm`
dendssdfir"s sdc`ty as dssur`f; nut m` eust oit dlt
ds d spy ir ao d mistag` wdy' si ds ti e`odl` tm`
pisataio ic do dendssdfir ir tm` w`gcdr` ic tm` ippis
aob liuotry/ M` as' ac m` fi`s si' s`ot dwdy ao fasbrdl`
dof watm s`raius wdroaob/
2 D kaob mds piw`r ti f`pis` doy lma`c' ir drr`st
dof puoasm doy icc`of`r' ir irf`r tm` `x`lutaio ir
`xpugsaio ic doy r`n`g/ M` dgsi mds piw`r ti `odlt'
r`p`dg' ir watmfrdw' ir ldol`g doy gdw' dof ti pdrfiodof r`g`ds` doy prasio`r/
= \miugf d cubatav` crie justal` ir do ippr`ss`f
sgdv` ir wac` s``k r`cub` watm mae' m` smdgg carst bav`
sm`gt`r p`ofaob aov`stabdtaio ic tm` lds` dof uog`ss
m` mdofs iv`r tm` cubatav`' wmdt`v`r mas lrae` edyn`' tm` cubatav` as quat` sdc`' tmiubm m` edy n` biaobiut dof lieaob aoti tm` pdgdl`/ Vo lds` ic do ippr`ss`fsgdv` ir wac`' m` edy f`prav` d lru`g edst`r ic mae
ir m`r ir mdof mae ir m`r ndlk ti tm` edst`r watm
s`raius wdroaob/
1 Pof`r tm` igf biv`roe`ot d kaob wds oit dggiw`f
ti s`` tm` lirps` ic d muedo n`aob' dof smiugf doy io`
ldrry d lirps` pdst tm` kaob"s qudrt`rs' m` wds gadng`
ti d m`dvy cao`/
-d! R`draob ic silks' itm`rwas` tmdo ny @buobuo ir
tm` us` ic do uenr`ggd itm`rwas` tmdo ny tm`
dutmiraz`f lma`c' ir tm` uocigfaob ic tm` sde`
wm`o pdssaob tm` kaob"s qudrt`rs' as r`pubodotti odtav` gdw/ Vm` icc`of`r wds gadng` ti
puoasme`ot watm d m`dvy cao`' ir aeprasioe`otir f`dtm/
-n! Vi tdk` migf ir ldrry d o`w yde pdst tm`
kaob"s qudrt`rs' wm`o tm` l`r`eioy cir `dtaob
tm` o`w yde mds oit n``o p`rcire`f' as do
icc`ol` puoasmdng` watm d m`dvy cao`/
48 Oi io` as dggiw`f ti us` tm` Bn`fu Frue sdv`
tm` Vm` icc`of`r as drr`st`f
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 30/98
>6 KAOB\MAX
44 Rm`o d gdw as dniut ti n` `ocirl`f tm` kaobir mas dutmiraz`f lma`c smdgg s`of d tiwo lra`r -d n`gg
raob`r! ti prilgdae tm` sde`/ Vm` tiwo lra`r smdgg
bi ti `v`ry liro`r ic tm` tiwo' prilgdaeaob dof
f`lgdraob tm` sde` ao tm` m`draob ic tm` pungal/
Vmas fio`' tm` gdw as `ocirl`f/
4> D kaob smiugf oit dpp`dr ao pungal eir` tmdo
tmr`` tae`s d y`dr/ @dlm tae` ao lioo`xaio watm do
aepirtdotc`stavdg ic tm`
liuotry
ir tran`'
4< Oi wac` ic d kaob -ldgg`f Igira! smdgg us`
doy m`dfta` ir b`dr/ \m` eust g`dv` m`r m`df
uoliv`r`f dt dgg tae`s' biaob ao dof lieaob iut
ic tm` pdgdl`/ Kaob"s wav`s mdv` d p`lugadr wdyic pgdataob tm`ar mdar ny wmalm tm`y dr` koiwo/
Ao oi larluestdol`s wmdt`v`r smdgg tm`y n` bav`o
dfeattdol` aoti
doymius` itm`r tmdo tm`
pdgdl`'dof `dlm ic tm`e mds m`r iwo dpdrte`ot ao tm`
mdr`e/ Vm`ar edg` dtt`ofdots dr` e`o ldstrdt`f
io tm` kaob"s irf`r/ Ri` n`taf` d edo wmi
dtt`epts ti edk` do dlqudaotdol` ic Igira dof
as ldubmt/
LMDXV@^ SAA
VAVG@\
Dgeist dgg tm` tatg`s ic tm` Qirund p`ipg` dr`
wio ny e`rat/ Nut l`rtdao tatg`s dr` dttdlm`f
sp`ladggy ti d sp`ladg cdeagy ir rdok ic p`ipg`
r`sp`ltav`gy' `/b/
Vm` tatg` ic kaob n`giobs ti tm` mius` ic tm`
riydg cdeagy dof oit ti tm` `gf`st sio ic r`aboaob
kaob iogy/
Vi `v`ry tatg` as dttdlm`f ats sp`ladg futa`s dof
pravag`b`s dof piw`rs' wmalm eust oit n` o`bg`lt`f
ir dnus`f ny tm` migf`r ic sulm d tatg`/ \miugf doy
io`migfaob
d tatg`
o`bg`ltti fi mas
futyds
n`lieaobtm` migf`r ic sulm iccal` dof tatg`' ir smiugf m` dnus`
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 31/98
VAVG@\ >0
tm` sdaf iccal` dof tatg`' m` as gadng` ti d m`dvy cao`
watm ir watmiut f`pravdtaio ic tm` tatg`; ir smiugf at
n` d ldpatdg icc`ol`' mas mius` edy n` rdz`f ti tm`
briuof dof maes`gc `xp`gg`f crie tm` liuotry furaobtm` kaob"s pg`dsur`' ir m` edy n` `x`lut`f/
LMDXV@^ SAAA
C^@@ GDNIP^
Cr`` gdniur `xasts cir
-4! ^`pdaraob dof liostrultaob ridfs/
->! ^`nuagfaob ir r`pdaraob pungal mius`s/
-<! Lg`draob sdlr`f briv`s/
Cr`` gdniur as liepugsiry wm`o io` as aot`r`st`f
ir pdrtalugdrgy liol`ro`f ao at/
Doy io` wmi wagcuggy dof uor`dsiodngy dviafs ir
cdags ti ir r`cus`s ti fi mas smdr` smdgg n` cao`f dllirfaobti tm` odtur` ic tm` lds`/
D edo edy `epgiy d sunstatut` dof tm` sunstatut`
smdgg n` tdk`o ds tm` edo maes`gc/
Vm` `epgiy`ras
ic liurs` r`spiosang` ti tm` sunstatut` cir tm` list ic mas gdniur/
Cr`` gdniur b`o`rdggy gdsts io` ir twi fdys dt d tae`'
nut at smiugf oit n` eir` tmdo 1 fdys' watm do aot`rvdg
ic oit g`ss tmdo < eiotms/
Furaob cr`` gdniur miurs tm` p`ipg` r`spiosang` cir
tm` drrdob`e`ot smdgg suppgy tm` cr`` wirke`o watm
ciif dof fraok/
LMDXV@^ A]
VIGG VD] DOF V^ANPV@
Dt `v`ry tiwo"s bdt` io` ir twi tiggligg`ltirs dr`
pgdl`f/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 32/98
>3 VIGG VD] DOF V^ANPV@
Vm`s` r`saf` p`redo`otgy tm`r`/ Vm`y mdv` lmdrb`ic tm` bdt`' tm` fiirs ic wmalm tm`y ip`o `drgy
ao tm` eiroaob ir lgis` dgeist aee`fadt`gy dct`r
suos`t -pdrtalugdrgy ao tae` ic wdr!/ Vi d cr``niro' at
as aocrd fab ti n` d tiggligg`ltir; at as tm` wirk icsgdv`s/ Vi d lma`c ic tm` tiwo as d$Ait`f tm` liotrig
dof sup`rvasaio ic io` ir twi ic tm` tiwo bdt`s/ Vm`
tiggligg`ltirs dr` dppiaot`f dof gildt`f ny tm` lio
triggaob lma`c' wmi as r`spiosang` ti tm` kaob cir tm`
prip`r edodb`e`ot ds w`gg ds tm` sdc`ty ic tm` bdt`/
Vm` tiggligg`ltir as far`ltgy r`spiosang` ti mas lio
triggaoblma`c dof edst`r/
M`ol`tm` nusao`ss
ictigg
ligg`ltirs aolguf`s tmdt ic d tiwo bdt` k``p`r/
Doy io` wmi cdags ir r`cus`s ti pdy mas tiggc`` ir
dtt`epts ti seubbg` smdgg' ac ldubmt' pdy d m`dvy cao`
watm ir watmiut tm` circ`atur` ic tm` biifs/ Cao`s
edy n` aepis`f dof ligg`lt`f ny tm` tiggligg`ltir;
dgsi tm` circ`atur` edy n` f`t`reao`f dof ldrra`f iut
ny mae/ Nut tmas smdgg n` aee`fadt`gy r`pirt`f ir
f`gav`r`f ti tm` liotriggaob lma`c/
Viggs edy n` r`l`av`f ao eio`y' biifs' ir ldttg`/
D tiggligg`ltir eust oit n` aot`rrupt`f' fasturn`f
ir aosugt`f' ir dssdugt`f ao tm` `x`lutaio ic mas futy/
Vm` icc`of`r as gadng` ti d m`dvy cao` ir aeprasio
e`ot ir nitm/
D tiggligg`ltir mds tm` rabmt ti ip`o dof `xdeao`
doy gubbdb`; m` edy dgsi \`az` doy primanat`f drtalg`s
ir biifs susp`lt`f ti mdv` n``o stig`o/ M` mds
tm` rabmt ti f`tdao doy io` susp`lt`f ti n` d
cubatav`' `sldp`f prasio`r' ir spy/ M` smdgg r`pirt
sulm f`t`otaio ti mas lma`c' wmi wagg edk` d prip`r
aoquary dof lgis` aov`stabdtaio ic tm` p`rsio f`tdao`f
dof dlt io tm` aociredtaio r`l`av`f/
\miugf d lilk ao trdosat lriw dt tm` tiwo bdt` at as
s`az`f dof liocasldt`f ny tm` tiggligg`ltir' tm` iwo`r
pdyaob ao dffataio ti tmas tm` sue ic 4)gf/ Nitm tm`
lilk dof tm` c`` n`giob sig`gy ti tm` ligg`ltir/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 33/98
VIGG VD] DOF V^ANPV@ >2
Vdx`s dr` ligg`lt`f:‖
-4! Ao lds` ic friubmt ir `paf`eal rdbaob ao tm`
tiwo' ir doy tmr`dt`o`f ldgdeaty/
Vm` illugt e`o ir Ndndgdwi"s' io liosugtaob
tm` irdlg`' smdgg' dllirfaob ti tm` favaodtaio'
cax wmdt deiuot `v`ry aofavafudg e`en`r
eust pdy ti edk` sdlracal` ti lm`lk dof wdrf
icc tm` `vag/ Ao sulm lds`s d tdxbdtm`r`r as
dppiaot`f wmi vasats `v`ry m`df ic d mius`'
wmi dgsi ligg`lts crie mas aoedt`s dof pdys
tm` deiuot ligg`lt`f ti tm`tdxbdtm`r`r/\ulm tdx edy n` crie 4 ti >4 liwra`s p`r
m`df dof oit eir`/
D tdxbdtm`r`r edy n` d w`ggkoiwo aofavafudg
ir @buobuo/
->! Vranut`s/
\ie` tiwos dlquar`f ny lioqu`st dr` tranutdryti tm`ar edst`r lioqu`rirs/
Rm`o d strdob`r ldttg` trdf`r `ot`rs d tiwo
dof as bav`o sm`gt`r ny d mius` ir gdof iwo`r'
m` pdys tranut` ti mas gdofgirf dt tm` rdt` ic
<f/ io `v`ry sm``p ir bidt dof 4) io `v`ry
liw dof 48) io `v`ry mirs` nriubmt ny
mae dof sigf wmag` m` as tm` gifb`r dof
f`p`of`ot ic tm` sdaf gdofgirf/
Ao Gdbis dof itm`r pgdl`s' tm` smraepcasm`rs
pdy `dlm do dooudg tranut` ic >8 casmaob stalks
dof >8 casmaob ndsk`ts' `quavdg`ot ti 0)' ti
tm` lma`c wmi iwo`f tm` wdt`r/ Vm` Gdbis
lma`cs' tm` gdofiwo`rs -`/b/ Tgiti' Ijird' Iguwd'
`tl/! `dlm r`l`av` do dooudg tranut` ic 0) p`r
m`df crie doy io` wmi tdk`s dof s`ttg`s io
mas gdof cir cdreaob purpis`s/
LMDXV@^ ]
L^AEAODG GDR
Vm` Qirund p`ipg` mdv` d fastaolt af`d ic tm` eirdg
dof odturdg gdw' dof lgdssacy tm`ar lrae`s aoti s`ltaios/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 34/98
>= L^AEAODG GDR
4 Ratlmlrdct' sirl`ry dof dfeaoast`raob piasio dr`
puoasmdng` ny f`dtm/
>Gdrl`oy' nurbgdry'
dofst`dgaob
dr` dgsi
puoasmdng`ny f`dtm ir tm` lugprat as f`pirt`f ny n`aob sigf aoti
sgdv`ry/
-d! At as dgsi aeedt`radg ac tm` stig`o prip`rty as
ciuof ao tm` piss`ssaio ic tm` dllus`f ir oit/
Vm` e`r` af`otacaldtaio ny tm` wato`ss as quat`
succala`ot ti liof`eo mae/
-n! At as dbdao aeedt`radg wm`tm`r tm` lrae` mds
n``o lieeatt`f ir oit/ Vm` e`r` dtt`ept'
ac priv`f' as quat` succala`ot ti liof`eo tm`
lugprat/
< \miugf d odtav` filtir dfeaoast`r sie` e`fa
laodg eaxtur` wmalm ldus`s tm` f`dtm ic tm` pdta`ot'
tm` filtir as r`spiosang` cir tm` cdtdgaty/ At edtt`rsoit wm`tm`r at as ny dllaf`ot ir oit/
6 \miugf d cr``niro edo eurf`r d sgdv`' tm` eur
f`r`r eust pdy df`qudt` eio`y ir twi eir` sgdv`s ao
liep`osdtaio ti tm` iwo`r ic tm` sgdv` eurf`r`f/ Nut
ac at as tm` edst`r wmi kaggs mas iwo sgdv`' oi lrae` as
lieeatt`f/
0 Aol`st as d lrae`/ Vm` pdrta`s liol`ro`f dr`
liep`gg`f ti icc`r sdlracal` ti dpp`ds` tm` wrdtm ic
tm` bifs ic tm` cdeagy dof dr` s`raiusgy wdro`f
dbdaost d r`p`tataio ic sulm do dnieaodng` dlt/ Nut
tm` iccspraob as g`bataedt` dof ldo aom`rat tm` cdtm`r"s
prip`rty' ao tm` sde` edoo`r ds tm` itm`r lmagfr`o ic
tm` cdtm`r/ ^`p`tataio ic tmas edy ldus` tm` `edslu
gdtaio ic tm` edo ao qu`staio' ir mas `xpugsaio crie
tm` cdeagy ny s`ggaob mae aoti sgdv`ry/
3 Cdgs` dllusdtaio as d lrae`/ Vm` p`odgty as
`qudg ti tm` p`odgty wmalm wiugf mdv` n``o aocgalt`f
io tm` dllus`f ac tm` lrae` mdf n``o priv`f liolgusav`gy
dbdaost mae/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 35/98
L^AEAODG GDR >1
\miugf d lmagf n` buagty ic pagc`raob' cgibbaob as carst
us`f' ti wmap iut tm` lrae` crie tm` lmagf/ Ac tmas as
oit `cc`ltav`' s`v`r`r e`tmifs dr` dfipt`f' gdolaob
tm` ndlk ic tm` lmagf"s rabmt mdof ir ats cdl` dof run
naob w`ggbriuof p`pp`r aoti tm` pgdl` gdol`f/ Ac
tmas cdags' tm` lmagf as tm`o sigf aoti sgdv`ry/
2 Mabmwdy rinn`ry as d lrae`' nut edkaob rdafs
io tm` `o`ey ao tae` ic wdr as oit/ Vm` p`odgty as
`x`lutaio/
= \miugf d wiedo pr`t`of ti koiw' ir ac at as
priv`f tmdt sm` koiws tm` s`lr`t ic Iri' @buobuo'
@guku' ir as ldubmt ir ciuof `ot`raob doy sdlr`f briv`
oit dggiw`f ti n` `ot`r`f ny wiedo' ac ciuof buagty
sm` as `x`lut`f dof m`r nify liol`dg`f ao tm` briv`/
1 \w`draob dt ir prioiuolaob d lurs` dof aepr`
ldtaio io doitm`r edo ir wiedo as d lrae`/ Vm`lurs`r as m`dvagy cao`f' dof smiugf doy `vag n`cdgg tm`
pdrty lurs`f watmao 4> eiotms ir doy itm`r gaeat`f
p`raif' tm` lurs`r as r`spiosang` cir tm` sde`/
48 Vr`dsio dof s`fataio dr` ldpatdg icc`ol`s' tm`
p`odgty as f`dtm' `j ` l t a i o' ir f`pirtdtaio Vm`
icc`of`r"s prip`rty as liocasldt`f/ Mas lmagfr`o edyn` cao`f ir `xp`gg`f ir sigf iut ic tm` liuotry/
44 @sldp` as d lrae` puoasmdng` watm d m`dvy
cao`' dllirfaob ti tm` odtur` ic tm` lrae` lieeatt`f/
4> Dnfultaio as d lrae`/ Vm` p`odgty as d m`dvy
cao`' dllirfaob ti tm` odtur` ic lrae`/
4< Edosgdubmt`r as d lrae`/
46 Easdppripradtaio ic e i o ` y ir biifs as d
lrae`/
40 \eubbgaob -s`` Vigg!/
43 \`lr`t `xpirtdtaio dof aepirtdtaio ao tae` ic
ngilkdf` as d lrae`/ Vm` biifs dr` liocasldt`f dofd m`dvy cao` aepis`f/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 36/98
<8 GDR\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC QI^PND
42 \t`dgaob d cr``niro edo ir sgdv` as d lrae`
tm` icc`of`r as m`dvagy cao`f' ir aeprasio`f' ir `xp`gg`fcrie tm` tiwo' ir `x`lut`f/
4= Xardly as d lrae`' puoasmdng` watm `x`lutaio ir d
giob t`re ic aeprasioe`ot/
41 Drsio as d lrae`/ Vm` lugprat' ac ldubmt io tm`
spit' as tmriwo aoti tm` car`/
Oit`:‖At as lustiedry ti s`t car` ti tm` mius` icdo icc`of`r ao r`tdgadtaio' pdrtalugdrgy wm`o
d edo lieeats dfugt`ry watm ir dnfults
tm` wac` ic tm` icc`of`f/ Nut tm` icc`of`r
eust `vdf` n`aob ldubmt io tm` spit/
At as oit o`l`ssdry ti af`otacy mae dct`r
wdrfs/
>8 Ngdlkedagaob as d lrae` puoasmdng` watm cao`
ir aeprasioe`ot ir nitm/
>4 Liospardly ti eurf`r ir st`dg as d ldpatdg icc`ol`/
Vm` liospardtirs' ac ldubmt' dr` gadng` ti Mibbaob dof
m`dvy cao`s' dof dr` niuof iv`r ti prit`lt tm` gac`
dof prip`rty ic tm` inj`lts ic tm`ar liospardly/ Vm`ydr` dt doy tae` r`spiosang` smiugf doy mdre lie`
ti tm` p`rsio liospar`f dbdaost/
>> ^`l`avaob stig`o prip`rty ds d pr`s`ot ir bact'
wm`o tm`; edo as oit ldpdng` ic bavaob sulm d bact
as lraeaodg/ Vm` icc`of`r as gadng` ti d m`dvy cao` ir
aeprasioe`ot ir nitm/ M` as dgsi gadng` ti n`
`x`lut`f/
>< Ac doy io` edk`s lmdres dof jujus cir tma`v`s'
rinn`rs' ir nurbgdrs' ir aostrults sie` io` ti rin ir
st`dg cir mae' ir koiwaobgy mdrniurs dof sm`gt`rs d
tma`c' ir nurbgdr ao mas iwo mius` ir uof`r mas iwo
liotrig' at as d ldpatdg icc`ol`/ Vm` icc`of`r as gadng`
ti tm` giss ic mas gac`/
>6 Oi wiedo eust wmastg`/ D wiedo wmi fi`s si
as r`bdrf`f ny tm` odtav`s ti n` d watlm dof tm` gdw as'
.Vmiu
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 37/98
L^AEAODG GDR <4
>0 Io tm` gdbiio wie`o dr` oit dggiw`f ti pgy d
ldoi`/ Vm` p`odgty as f`dtm/
>3 Ao edoy pgdl`s wie`o dr` cirnaff`o ti lgaenti tm` tip ic tm` l`agaob ic d mius`/ Vmas edy ldus`
tm` f`dtm ic tm` wiedo/ Vm` r`dsio as tmdt tm`
@buobuo lgitm`s dof Iri dr` k`pt tm`r`/ M`ol`tm` gdw ao irf`r ti pr`v`ot wie`o crie koiwaobtm` s`lr`t/
LMDXV@^ ]A
\PALAF@' N^AN@^Q' @VL/
4 Rm`o d edo caofs gac` nurf`osie`' fasbrdl`cug'
dof p`ragius ti mae' dof lios`qu`otgy lieeats sualaf`
m` as bav`o br`dt lr`fat dof mioiur/ Nut wm`oiut ic smde` cir d e`do dlt m` lieeats sualaf`' mas
lirps` as liosaf`r`f dnieaodng` dof ldst aoti tm`
nusm uonura`f/
-d! \miugf d edo ir wiedo n` privik`f ti lieeatsualaf` tm` privik`r as m`gf r`spiosang` cir tm`
sde`/ Vm` p`odgty as dv`ry m`dvy cao` ti n`
pdaf ti tm` cdeagy ic tm` valtae ir circ`atur` ic
tm` privik`r"s gac`/ Vm` lirps` ic tm` sualaf`
as oit nura`f' nut as r`eiv`f ti tm` mius` ic
tm` privik`rtagg tm`
jufb`e`ot smdgg mdv` n``osdtasca`f; tm`o tm` lirps` as tdk`o iv`r ny tm`
cdeagy' wmi nury at dllirfaob ti tm` rat`s dof
l`r`eioa`s cir tm` nuradg ic sualaf`s/
Nran`ry:‖^`l`avaob ir icc`raob nran`s ao irf`r ti
p`rv`rt tm` jufb`e`ot ic tm` gdw as lraeaodg/ Vm`
icc`of`r as gadng` ti d m`dvy cao` ir aeprasioe`ot ir
nitm/
> Aot`rruptaob wato`ss`s wm`o bavaob `vaf`ol`'
ir doy dtt`ept ti aoful` ir lirrupt d wato`ss ti edk`cdgs` stdt`e`ots r`of`rs tm` icc`of`r gadng` ti d m`dvycao` dof giss ic mas lds` watm ir watmiut aeprasioe`ot/
< \miugf d edo st`dg ciifstucc ir lrips crie d
cdre' dof at as priv`f tmdt tm` lrae` as lieeatt`f
crie stdrvdtaio ir pravdtaio oit ic mas iwo ldus`' m`
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 38/98
<> \PALAF@' N^AN@^Q' @VL/
as oit puoasm`f/ Ao sulm d lds` do drrdob`e`ot as
edf` cir tm` suppirt ic tm` uocirtuodt` edo' ny
privafaob wirk cir mae' `tl/
6 \miugf d o`w gdw n` pdss`f dof sie` io` uo
koiwaobgy aocraob`s at' ac at as priv`f tmdt m` fi`s oit
koiw ic tm` `odlte`ot ic tm` gdw' m` edy n` r`pra
edof`f ir faslmdrb`f' ir g`oa`otgy f`dgt watm/
LMDXV@^ ]AA
L^P@GVQ VI DOAEDG\4 Lru`gty ti doaedgs n`giobaob ti doitm`r p`rsio
r`of`rs tm` icc`of`r gadng` ti pdye`ot ic d m`dvydeiuot ao liep`osdtaio ti tm` iwo`r' ao dffataio ti
tm` cao` wmalm bi`s ti tm` lma`cs/
-d! \miugf tm` doaedg fa` dof at as priv`f tmdt tm`
dlt wds uoldgg`f cir' ac tm` doaedg as d c`edg`'
tm` icc`of`r as r`spiosang` cir tm` list ic dgg
tm` assu`s wmalm sm` edy mdv` priful`f furaob
m`r gac`tae`' watm tm` list ic tm` eitm`r
doaedg m`rs`gc ds w`gg ds tm` cao`/ Vm` lurr`ot
pral` ic tm` doaedg as tdk`o ds tm` ndsas ic tm`
ldglugdtaio/
> Rm`o do doaedg n`lie`s icc`osav` ti d o`abm
niur ny `ot`raob tm` o`abmniur"s pr`eas`s' ydrf' ir
cdre' dof fiaob mdre ti tm` sdaf o`abmniur"s prip`rty
ir biifs' tm` o`abmniur' ac m` koiws tm` iwo`r ic tm`
sdaf doaedg' smdgg r`pirt ti mae tm` dltaio ic mas
doaedg' wdroaob mae ao tm` pr`s`ol` ic twi ir eir`
wato`ss`s ti ta` fiwo tm` sdaf doaedg/ M` as dgsi
`otatg`f ti tm` list ic fdedb` fio` ny tm` doaedg/
\miugf tm` iwo`r sgabmt ir o`bg`lt tm` wdroaob' ir as
aofacc`r`ot' ir ldr`g`ss ao tdkaob st`ps ti prit`lt tm`
o`abmniur dbdaost tm` doaedg' tm`o tm` o`abmniur as
quat` cr`` ti wiuof' n`dt' edae' ir kagg sulm do
doaedg/ Vm` iwo`r mds oi lgdae dbdaost mae/ Doy
fdedb` fio` ny sulm do doaedg ti doy doaedg n`giobaob
ti tm` o`abmniur dct`r tm` o`abmniur mds wdro`f tm`
iwo`r ds dcir`e`otaio`f' `otatg`s tm` o`abmniur ti d
lgdae cir fdedb`s -s`` gd!/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 39/98
L^P@GVQ VI DOAEDG\ <<
< D edo wmi iwos d cdre ir v`b`tdng` bdrf`oo`dr tm` vaggdb` wm`r` piugtry dof ldttg` dniuof as
r`quar`f ti edk` d striob c`ol` riuof mas lrips/
Itm`rwas` m` as oit `otatg`f ti doy lgdae dof as gadng`
ti pris`lutaio smiugf m` tr`dt tm` aotrufaob ldttg` watm
lru`gty/
6 Rm`o ao d vaggdb` at as c`gt tmdt tm` k``paob ic
l`rtdao ldttg` ir ciwg wagg fi eir` mdre tmdo biif -`/b/'
wm`o tm` cdres dr` v`ry o`dr tm` vaggdb`!' tm` k``p
aobdr`
r`draobic sulm ldttg` ir ciwg as
cirnaff`o'dof smiugf doy io` tdk` tm` rask ic s`ttaob dsaf` tm`
gdw ic sulm d vaggdb` ny k``paob dof r`draob tm` cir
naff`o ldttg` ir ciwg' m` smdgg n` r`spiosang` cir doy
fdedb` fio` ny sulm ldttg` ir ciwg/ Dgsi tm` kaggaob
ir f`striyaob ic sulm ldttg` ir ciwg as g`bdggy
p`reatt`f/
LMDXV@^ ]AAA
X^ISILDVAIO' DFPGV@^Q' @VL/
Ac sie` io` as wriob`f' dof m` tdk`s tm` r`spiosa
nagaty ic r`tdgadtaio watmiut liepgdaoaob ti tm` m`df ic
tm` dutmirata`s ds tm` lds` edy n`' m` as puoasm`f watm
d cao` ir aeprasioe`ot ir `x`lutaio' smiugf tms r`
tdgadtaio aovigv` giss ic gac`/ Ao dgg lds`s mas rabmt
n`lie`s wriob' dof m` ldooit aostatut` d lgdae'
smiugf m` mdv` doy' dbdaost mas ippio`ot
@xl`ptaios:‖At as p`reassang` -d! ti lut' wiuof'
edae ir `v`o kagg d tma`c ir nurbgdr' wmi `ot`rs do
itm`r"s pr`eas`s dt oabmt' ir as ruooaob dwdy watm mas
biifs' dof r`cus`s ti bav` tm`e up ir surr`of`r wm`owdro`f ti fi si/
-n! Vi n`dt' cgib' ir wiuof d edo ciuof lieeat
taob dfugt`ry ir dtt`eptaob ti `otal` io`"s iwowac` ir tm` wac` ic io`"s iwo r`gdtav` ir aota
edt` cra`of ti lieeat dfugt`ry/ At as ae
edt`radg wm`tm`r tm`
edoas
dltaob iomas
iwon`mdgc ir io n`mdgc ic itm`rs/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 40/98
<6 GDR\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC QI^P\D
-l! Ao tm` lds` ic doy dlt ic privildtaio' vaig`ol`'
ir ippr`ssaio' sulm ds justaca`s ir o`l`ssatdt`s
aee`fadt` r`tdgadtaio/ Dfugt`ry as d lrae` ao
wmalm nitm tm` edo dof tm`
wiedodr` gadng`
ti s`v`r` puoasme`ot/ Vm` wiedo smdgg n`
puolm`f ny m`r musndof' liojiaotgy watm m`r
pdr`ots' tm` edo ny tm` jufaladg dutmirata`s/
Nut ac tm` wiedo as cirl`f dbdaost m`r wagg dof
aee`fadt`gy dct`r tm` aolaf`ot edk`s d lie
pgdaot ti m`r musndof ir r`gdtav`s sm` as cr``
crie puoasme`ot/ Doy edo wmi lieeats
dfugt`ry watm tm` wac` ic doitm`r' as gadng` ti d
m`dvy cao` watm cgibbaob -s`` Aol`st!/
LMDXV@^ ]AS
KA^4KA^A
Vm`r` as d p`lugadr lustie deiobst tm` odtav`s ic
Qirund' ldgg`f karakara:
Rm`o d kaob ir lma`c ir d piw`rcug ir oitdng` edoic tm` liuotry as oi eir` wdot`f ny tm` p`ipg`' a/`/'
wm`o tm`y dr` tar`f ic mae n`ldus` ic mas `vag wdysdof mas easlma`vius dof tyrdooaldg dltaios' d ein
pdrdf`s tmriubm tm` liuotry ir tiwo' saobaob vatu
p`rdtav` siobs dof giufgy dnusaob tm` edo' dof wm`o
tm`y b`t ti mas qudrt`rs tm`y tmriw sdof dof stio`s
aoti mas pdgdl` ir mius`' ti smiw tmdt m` as oi eir`
wdot`f ao tm` liuotry/ \ulm d pdrdf` usudggy tdk`s
pgdl` ao tm` oabmt dof edy liotaou` cir tmr`` sull`ssav`
eiotms/ Ratmao tm` `xpardtaio ic tmr`` eiotms tm`
edo liol`ro`f eust try ti r`liolag` ir vdldt` tm`
liuotry' ir lieeat sualaf`' wm`o m` as bav`o d f`l`otdof mioiurdng` nuradg dllirfaob ti mas rdok dof tatg`/
\miugf m` aboir` ir sgabmt karakara -ny f`p`ofaob upiomas piw`r dof eabmt cir tm` f`c`ol` ic mas nify dof
prip`rty!d s`g`lt nify ic edsk`f dof piw`rcug e`o
smdgg suff`ogy rusm aoti mas mius` io` oabmt dof kagg
mae/ Ac tm` pdrty as oit d kaob' tm`o mas mius` as
rdz`f ti tm` briuof' dof dgg mas aoedt`s dr` s`az`f ds
pigataldg prasio`rs/ \miugf doy io` ic tm`e r`sast'
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 41/98
GDR\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC QI^PND <0
m` as kagg`f iutrabmt/ Vm` aoedt`s s`az`f edy n`
sigf aoti sgdv`ry' ir dsk`f ti pdy d l`rtdao deiuot p`r
m`df ti r`bdao tm`ar cr``fie/ Mas biifs dr` liocasldt`f/
M`ol` ao irf`r ti sdv` tm`e dof tm` mius`migf' m`usudggy quats tm` tiwo ir lieeats sualaf`/
\ie`tae`s dbdao' tm` aoo dt`s' pdrtalugdrgy tm`
lmagfr`o ic tm` edo liol`ro`f' ao irf`r ti sdv` tm`ar
iwo gav`s dof prip`rty dof bdao tm` cdviur ic tm`
pungal' put mae ti f`dtm/
LMDXV@^ ]S
XPOA\ME@OV
4 Xuoasme`ot edy liosast ic cgibbaob' wmappaob'
n`dtaob' tyaob' lmdaoaob' puttaob ao tm` yik` ir stilks'
gdl`rdtaob wiuofs' aeprasioe`ot' `x`lutaio' `j`ltaio
ir ndoasme`ot' rdzaob tm` mius` ic tm` icc`of`r ti tm`
briuof' ldstrdtaio ir `edslugdtaio' s`ggaob aoti sgdv`ry'
dof cao`s ic vdraius kaofs/
> Vyaob‖Vm` dres dr` lgis`gy frdwo tib`tm`r
n`maof tm` ndlk' ny e`dos ic d lirf ta`f tabmtgy riuof
tm`e just n`tw``o tm` smiugf`rs dof tm` `gniws/ Edg`tma`v`s dof dfugt`r`rs dr` sp`ladggy si ta`f/ Rie`odfugt`r`ss`s wmi fi oit gak` ti faslgis` tm` ode`ic tm`ar vaigdtir' dr` dgsi tr`dt`f tmus' ti liep`gtm`e ti fi si/
< Vm` puoasme`ot ic f`dtm as aocgalt`f ny
-d! F`ldpatdtaio/ Vm` `x`lutaio`r r`l`av`s
>>'888 liwra`s -dniut 2f/! cir mas wirk/ Ao
eist lds`s tm` m`df as odag`f ti d tr`` ao d
liospaluius pgdl` ti s`rv` ds d wdroaob ti
itm`rs/
-n! \tuooaob/ Vm` lirps`' ac d edg`' as `xpis`fti tm` pungal aee`fadt`gy dct`r/ Ac d
c`edg`' at as tmriwo aoti tm` nusm/ \ie`
tae`s' ti dviaf sldofdg dof tm`gdstaob
fas
brdl` ic tm` cdeagy ic tm` liof`eo`f' sie`
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 42/98
<3 GDR\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC QI^PND
io` as pdaf d sue ic eio`y ti pr`v`ot tm`
pungal `xpisur` ic tm` lirps`/ Ao tmdt lds`
tm` lirps` as pravdt`gy f`pisat`f ao tm` nusm
ir nura`f' wmag` tm` pungal as bav`o ti uof`r
stdof tmdt tm` lugprat eardlugiusgy `sldp`f/
-l! Kaobs' oing`s dof lma`cs' wm`o liof`eo`f'dr` icc`r`f piasio ao tm`ar iwo mius` ir dt d
sp`ladg e``taob m`gf ny iogy d c`w aepirtdotlma`cs/ Vm` lugprat dct`r tdk`o at as dggiw`f
ti bi mie` ti fa`/ Ao eist lds`s f`dtm us`f
ti tdk` pgdl` watmao twi miurs dct`r tdk obtm` piasio/
6 @v`ry kaob' ir lma`c ir m`df ic d vaggdb` ir
liepiuof as suppis`f ti mdv` mas iwo pgdl` ic r`
strdaot' wmalm lmdaos' smdlkg`s' mdofluccs' dof stdpg`s
ti edtlm/ @dlm lrae` mds ats puoasme`ot dllirfaobti tm` fdedb` fio` ti -bif! Aedg`' kaob' lma`c' ir
pdr`ots/ Xuoasme`ot as r`lkio`f ds pdye`ot ti
sdtascy tm` aojur`f pdrty/
0 Ao dgg lds`s pdye`ot ao lgitm' eio`y' ldttg`' ir
biifs as carst f`edof`f/ Io` as niuof ti pdy; at
edtt`rs oit ac tm` lugprat as biaob ti n` `x`lut`f gdt`r
io ir oit/
3 D liof`eo`f edo edy `sldp` tm` f`dtm
p`odgty ny sp`ofaob gdvasmgy' ir d sgdv` edy n` sun
statut`f -lds`s ic st`dgaob' s`fataio' spyaob' `tl/'
`x`ept`f!/
LMDXV@^ ]SA
V^ANPODG
4 Lds`s edy n` m`drf dof f`laf`f doywm`r`' crie
tm` giw`st nusm sm`f ti tm` kaob"s liurt' dof tmdt doytae` -fdy ir oabmt!/
> Ao tm` lds` ic p`tty cdeagy triung`s' tm` m`df
ic tm` cdeagy suppirt`f ny mas cra`ofs m`drs dof f`
laf`s tm` lds`/ Ac `atm`r ic tm` twi pdrta`s as oit
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 43/98
GDR\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC QI^PND <2
sdtasca`f watm tm` f`lasaio' tm` lds` as nriubmt n`cir`
tm` m`df ic tm` fastralt ir tiwo' suppirt`f ny mas cra`ofs
dof ligg`dbu`s/ \miugf tm`r` n` oi sdtascdltiryf`lasaio dbdao' tm`o at as caodggy tdk`o n`cir` tm` kaobao liuolag/
< D edo ir wiedo' ac m` ir sm` as oit aot`r`st`f'
edy carst n` ldgg`f ti bav` mas ir m`r ipaoaio -a/`/' d
pr`gaeaodry jufb`e`ot ic tm` lds`! tm`r` dof tm`o ao
tm` pr`s`ol` ic tm` twi liot`ofaob pdrta`s/ Dct`r tmas
`v`ry io` wmi sats ds suppirt`rs ti tm` jufb` as
cr`` ti stdt` mas ipaoaio' ir bav` mas v`rfalt' wmalm ao
eist lds`s as liocare`f ny tm` m`df' privaf`f tm`
suppirt`rs dr` uodoaeius/
-d! Ac tm` suppirt`rs dr` oit uodoaeius ao tm`ar
ipaoaios dof caofaobs' tm` m`df wmi as tm`
jufb` r`s`rv`s ti maes`gc tm` rabmts ic jufb`
e`ot io cdar' r`dsiodng`' dof aepdrtadg t`res/
At edtt`rs oit wm`tm`r tm` f`lasaio as ao cdviur
ic ir dbdaost tm` edjiraty/ Nut sulm d lds` as
v`ry rdr`/
-n! Rm`o d edo mds d liepgdaot dbdaost doitm`r
edo' m` bi`s ti tm` m`df ir dutmiraz`f p`rsio'dof dllirfaob ti mas stdtus ir tm` odtur` ictm`
liepgdaot pdys d l`rtdao deiuot ds sueeiosc``' wmalm as fastranut`f n`tw``o tm` m`df dof
mas suppirt`rs/ D e`ss`ob`r -watm tm` stdcc ic
tm` kaob ir lma`c' ac at as d lds` cir tm` tiwo
lma`c' ir e`r`gy d e`ss`ob`r' ac at as d lds` cir
tm` sunlma`c' `/b/' tm` vaggdb` lma`c ir m`df ic
tm` lgdo ir cdeagy! as s`ot ti dppras` tm` f`
c`ofdot ic tm` sueeios' ir drr`st tm` dllus`f'ds tm` lds` edy n`/ Vm` e`ss`ob`r as oit s`ot
far`lt ti tm` f`c`ofdot ir tm` dllus`f' nut ti
tm` m`df ic tm` mius`' ir cdeagy ir qudrt`rs ti
wmalm tm` f`c`ofdot ir tm` dllus`f n`giobs/
Ac at as d lavag lds`' tm` f`c`ofdot pdys dgsi ti
tm` lma`c tm` m`draob c``' wmalm eust n` `qudg
ao deiuot ti tm` sueeio c`` pdaf ny tm` lie
pgdaodot/ At edy n` eir` tmdo tmdt' nut at
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 44/98
<= GDR\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC QI^PND
tae` ic m`draob dr` cax`f ny tm` lma`c dof mas
suppirt`rs dof oital` bav`o ti tm` pdrta`s
liol`ro`f/
-l! Vm` e`ss`ob`r as `otatg`f ti d l`rtdao deiuot
cir mas s`rval`' wmalm eust n` pdaf ny nitm tm`
liepgdaodot dof tm` dllus`f/ Vm`r` edy n`
eir` tmdo io` e`ss`ob`r/
6 Ac at as d lds` lioo`lt`f watm d s`lr`t sila`ty'
ir ac tm`r` as r`dsio ti n`ga`v` tmdt tm` pr`s`ol` ic
wie`o wagg mdep`r ir pr`v`ot do dealdng` s`ttg`
e`ot' tm`y dr` s`raiusgy wdro`f oit ti dtt`of tm`
liurt/ \ulm d lds` us`f ti n` m`drf ao tm` sdlr`f
briv` ir gifb` riie' ir do asigdt`f pgdl* wm`r` tm`
pr`s`ol` ic wie`o as prdltaldggy aepissang`/ Aocraob`
e`ot ic tmas gdw ny doy aoquasatav` wiedo edyn` puoasm`f ny f`dtm/
0 At as oit o`l`ssdry ir liepugsiry cir doy io`'
n` m` ir sm` pgdaotacc ir f`c`ofdot' liepgdaodot ir
dllus`f' ir wato`ss' ti sw`dr n`cir` biaob ti edk` d
stdt`e`ot/
3 Ao dgg lds`s tm` liepgdaodot tdk`s pr`l`f`ol`ao stdtaob d lds`/ M` eust oit n` aot`rrupt`f wmag`
io mas ko``s -odtav`s ko``g fiwo ao edkaob d stdt`e`ot'
nua d p`rsio ic mabm rdok ir io` m`gf ao br`dt
r`sp`lt edy n` dggiw`f ti sat wmag` fiaob si' nut m`
smiugf pristrdt` maes`gc ir ko``g fiwo ds d liepga
e`ot ir tik`o ic r`sp`lt ti tm` jufb` dof mas
dssiladt`s' carst ic dgg dof n`cir` sattaob fiwo!/
-d! Vm` f`c`ofdot ir dllus`f ir tm` jufb` edy ir
edy oit lriss`xdeao` tm` pgdaotacc' nut tm`y
dr` quat` cr`` ti fi si/
Aee`fadt`gy dct`r tm` pgdaotacc' ir liepgdaodot
tm` dllus`f as m`drf' wmi dgsi eust oit n`
aot`rrupt`f wmag` edkaob d stdt`e`ot ao f`c`ol`/
Vm` pgdaotacc ir liepgdaodot' dct`r m`draob tm`
dllus`f"s stdt`e`ot' as quat` cr`` ti dff eir`ti mas stdt`e`ot ao curtm`r `xpgdodtaio ic tm`
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 45/98
V^ANPODG <1
sde`/ Vm` dllus`f as dgsi cr`` ti put ao d
r`jiaof`r dct`r tm` pgdotacc"s curtm`r `xpgdodtaio/
Vmas edy liotaou` ds ict`o ds tm` jufb`s tmaok
o`l`ssdry' nut ao eist lds`s tm` pdrta`s dr`gaeat`f ti tmr`` tae`s `dlm/
-f! Rato`ss`s ic nitm pdrta`s dr` dfeassang` iogy
dct`r' dof oit n`tw``o' nitm tm` liepgdaodotdof tm` dllus`f/ At edtt`rs oit wmis`
wato`ss`s lie` carst ir s`liof ir gdst/
-`! Furaobtm`
pril`ss'tm` wato`ss`s
edy n`dggiw`f ti sat ao tm` liurt/ Vm`y dr` oit
asigdt`f/ Vm` odtav` fr`dfs gyaob n`cir` tm`
lma`cs wmi dr` suppis`f ti n` tm` r`p
r`s`otdtav`s ic tm` bifs' dof n`ldus` m` edy n`
ldgg`f dct`rwdrfs ti sw`dr io tm` juju' ir uof`r
bi irf`dg ti liovaol` tm`e ic mas v`rdlaty' wmalm
pril`ss m` wagg o`v`r dtt`ept uog`ss watm d lg`dr
liosla`ol`/
2 Ao dgg lds`s -`xl`ptaob d lds` ic eurf`r' wmalm as
gac` cir gac`! f`lasaios dr` bav`o ti `cc`lt d r`liolagadtaio
eutudg liip`rdtaio' dof uoaty/
= Rm`o d lds` as s`ttg`f' kigd outs dr` nriubmt
ny nitm pdrta`s' spgat' dof fastranut`f deiobst tm`
aepirtdot p`rsios pr`s`ot/ Io` pdrt -dw`! as bav`o
ti tm` liot`ofaob pdrta`s' wmi tdk` dof `dt at tib`tm`r
ao tm` pr`s`ol` ic tm` pr`s`ot``s: dct`r tmas d bgdss
ic wdt`r' ir wao`' ir bao as bav`o ti nitm/ Vm` igf`r
ao db` ir rdok carst fraoks mdgc dof pdss`s tm` r`
edaof`r ti tm` yiuob`r' wmi fraoks at crie tm` sde`
bgdss ao tm` pr`s`ol` ic dgg/ Vm` buagty edo as
irf`r`f ti edk` d n`cattaob dpigiby ti tm` wriob`fao tm` carst aostdol`/
-d! \miugf d edo n` cao`f' tm` cao` bi`s ti tm`
lma`cs' wmi smdr`s at deiobst tm`es`gv`s/ Nut
ac tm` cao` as fdedb`f cir wriob fio` - ds ao
tm` lds` ic dfugt`ry' `tl/! tm` wriob`f edo as
`otatg`f ti at' nut smiugf bav` dt g`dst >W%ic tm` deiuot ti tm` m`dflma`c/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 46/98
68 GDR\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC VM@ QI^PND
-n! Io pdye`ot ic fdedb`' io` kigd out as nriubmtcirtm dof spagt aoti twi' dof tm` buagty edotdk`s tm` mdgc wmalm as mdof`f iv`r ti mae nytm`
p`rsio wriob`f/Vmas s`ts d s`dg ti tm`
s`ttg`e`ot ic tm` lds`/ Vm` icc`of`r k``ps
tm` kigd ao p`rp`tudg r`e`enrdol` ic' dof d
wato`ss ti' tm` p`redo`ot dof cugg s`ttg`e`ot
ic tm` lgdae' smiugf tm` qu`staio dras` ao cutur`/
-l! Nut ac kigd out ir fraok as r`cus`f ny `atm`r ir
nitm pdrta`s' tm` lds` as r`bdrf`f ds uos`ttg`f/
At edy n` cirwdrf`f ti tm` mabm`r liurt' irac
at as tm` mabm`st liurt -tm` illur`ol` ic wmalm
as v`ry rdr`!' at as ip`o ti r`suslatdtaio ir r`
va`w/ Furaob tm` aot`rvdg tm` twi liot`ofaob
pdrta`s dr` cr`` ti lmdgg`ob` `dlm itm`r' uog`ss
straltgy cirnaff`o ny tm` lma`cs/ Ao tmdt lds`
tm` icc`of`r as oit `oliurdb`f ir suppirt`f/
M` tdk`s tm` rask dof as r`spiosang` ti tm`
dutmirata`s cir doy curtm`r fdedb` fio` ir giss
ic gac` ic mas ippio`ot/
1/ Furaob tm` sattaob ic tm` liurt' irf`r eust n`
edaotdao`f/ Doy io` wmi fasturns ir aot`rrupts tm`
liurt smdgg n` m`gf up cir liot`ept ic liurt/
-d! Dt tm` ip`oaob ic tm` liurt' do iccal`r ic tm`
liurt wagg f`lgdr` tm` liurt' ip`o tmus :‖
Kd bnimuo' Dtiti i' Dr`r` i' Ka ioaki pd aki
r` ei' K"dnaydei tiju iei r`' Ka `g`ou pd `ou
r` ei' Ikuo day` jd' Ikuo ir` e`ja jd' Ikuo`na jd' dwio dbndbnd c` tuo si' `oak`oa ti nd
fa wio giwi' dwio dbnd yai j` ` oayd -a/`/' N`
lavag' n` qua`t' n` fuen' g`t tm` liubm`r lio
l`dg mas -ir r`crdao crie! liubmaob ; g`t wie`o
watm ndn`s tdk` ldr` ic tm`ar ndn`s -k``p tm`ecrie lryaob! ;
g`t `v`rynify lgis` mas eiutm/
Vm` lirf tmdt naofs muedoaty as nrik`o;
tm`
lirf wmalm ta`s cra`ofsmap as lut;tm` lirf ic
cdeagy dof r`gdtav`s as dgsi nrik`o; tm` nab
e`o oiw wdot ti ta` up tm` nrik`o lirfs; dof
ac doy io` fasturns tm`e ao tmas wirk ic r`
irbdoazdtaio' sulm fasturn`r smdgg n` s`raiusgy
f`dgt watm!/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 47/98
V^ANPODG 64
-n! Doyio` wmi fasturns as m`gf up cir liot`eptic liurt/ M` edy n` cao`f' ir frav`o ir
pusm`f iut ic liurt aofasbrdl`'
ircgibb`f ir
aeprasio`f/
LMDXV@^ ]SAA
I^F@DG A\ X^DLVA\@F
Rm`o io` ic tm` pdrta`s c`drs tmdt mas ippio`ot as
tdkaob dfvdotdb` ic mas uocirtuodt` liofataio/
Rm`o jufaladg pril``faobs mdv` oit n``o sull`sscugao fdraob up tm` edtt`r/
Rm`o rinn`ry mds n``o lieeatt`f dof tm` lugpratldooit n` f`t`lt`f ny irfaodry e`dos/
Rm`o io` as susp`lt`f ic prdltasaob watlmlrdct/
Rm`o doy io`"s f`dtm as susp`lt`f ti n` fu` ti tm`
ciug pgdy ic d p`rsio ir p`rsios uokoiwo/
Rm`o tm` s`lr`t ic d sila`ty ir kaobfie ir stdt` as
n`aob r`v`dg`f ti do uodutmiraz`f p`rsio ao d mistag`
stdt` dof tm` trdatir as uokoiwo/
Ao lds`s wm`r` tm` irf`dg as p`rcire`f ny do df`ptirf`dg edo tm` lugprat as f`t`lt`f/
OIV@ :‖Vm` drt ic tmas as k`pt d priciuof s`lr`t
ny tm` pric`ssirs/ At smiugf oit n` r`bdrf`f ds bu`ss
wirk/ At as d far`lt sla`otacal e`tmif dof as tm` iogy
e`tmif koiwo cir qu`ggaob lrae`s dof sdvaob
aooil`ot p`rsios crie cdgs` dllusdtaio dof edgdlaius
aeprasioe`ot/ Nut uocirtuodt`gy at mds dssast`f
c`gioy' tm` v`ry icc`ol` wmalm at as ats futy ti qu`g A
dof suppr`ss/ Mdf ats dnus`s n``o r`cire`f' at
wiugf mdv` m`gp`f tm` jufaladg f`pdrte`ot oit d gattg`/
Tuat` r`l`otgy Fr/ Dubustus Rdgk`r' C/^/\/' ic
Giofio Poav`rsaty' aov`ot`f d edlmao` ti f`lt`lt ga`s/
Atas
ti sie``xt`ot do irf`dg/ Vm`r` dr`
tmis` wmis``e ti koiw dniut tm` odtav` irf`dg/ Vmis` dr`
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 48/98
6> GDR\ DOF LP\VIE IC VM@ QI^PND
spuraius irf`dg e`o dof tm`y fi br`dt mdre/ Vc put ti
tm` t`st tm` edy n` f`t`lt`f/ Xdta`ol` dof ldr`cug
stufy iogy ldo m`gp ti priv` tm` tru` odtav` eaof dofsla`ol`/
LMDXV@^ ]SAAA
JPJP' E@FALAO@' DOF FASAODVAIO
4 Vm`r` dr` tmr`` wdys ic g`droaob tm` twi carst
ic tm` dniv`:‖
-d! Crie do `xp`rt prdltataio`r/
-n! Vmriubm d vasaio ir fr`des/
-l! Crie d wmargwaof ldgg`f djd
> Rm`o d edo wasm`s ti n` aostrult`f ao tm` drt ic
edkaob juju' ir e`falao`' m` suneats maes`gc ds
dppr`otal` g`dro`r ti do `xp`rt prdltataio`r dof
n`lie`s mas s`rvdot/ Nut ao 11 lds`s iut ic `v`ry 488
tm` edst`r mds oit bav`o cr``' mio`st dof uos`gcasm
tutaio ti tm` dppr`otal`/ M`ol` eist ic tm` odtav`
e`falao`s oiwdfdys dr` ao`cc`ltav` dof spuraius/Koiwg`fb` ic tm` pr`slraptaio ic biif e`falao` mds
fasdpp`dr`f watm tm`ar edst`rs/ Mdf tm` odtav`s n``o
eir` gan`rdgeaof`f w` smiugf mdv` ciuof dof s``otmdt odtav` r`e`fa`s cir luraob fas`ds` smiw skagg ic
oi e`do irf`r/
-d! Rm`o d edo mds priv`f tmdt d e`faldg edo as
do df`pt ir sp`ladgast ao d l`rtdao fas`ds`' m`
edy s`lur` dof intdao tm` pr`slraptaio crie
tm` sp`ladgast -smiugf m` c``g aolgao`f ti bav`
at mae! ny pdyaob wmdt`v`r tm` sp`ladgast
f`edofs/ Vmas pdye`ot as ldgg`f Ina Isdoyao'
juju ir e`falao` kigd/
< Rm`o d edo fr`des ic n`aob tigf tmdt sulm dof
sulm riits dof g`dv`s dr` d lur` cir sulm dof sulm d
fas`ds`' m` tdk`s tm` pr`slraptaio ds d sp`ladg bact dof
aostrultaio crie tm` b`oaa/ \ulm pr`slraptaios dr`
straltgy k`pt ds pr`laius tr`dsur`s dof dr` s`gfiedr` `co`dtaius/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 49/98
GDR\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC VM@ QI^PND 6<
6 At as sdaf tmdt tm` wmargwaof djd us`f ti ldrry
e`o dwdy watm at aoti tm` nusm cir io` y`dr ir eir`/
Furaob tmas p`raif tm` edo tmus ldrra`f dwdy as c`f
dof tdubmt tm` drt ic edkaob juju dof pr`slraptaios ic
vdraius kaofs ny d sup`rodturdg n`aob/ Rm`o tm`
edo as faslmdrb`f' m` caofs maes`gc ao mas qudrt`rs
watmiut koiwaob wm`r` m` mds n``o dof miw m` edo
db`f ti b`t ndlk ti mas qudrt`rs/ \ulm d edo as
m`gf ao dw` dof r`sp`lt`f' dof as bav`o d mabm tatg`
deiobst tm` Igisdoyaos -tm` juju e`o!/ Nut sulm d
lds` as v`ry v`ry rdr`/
0 Vt as b`o`rdggy liolguf`f tmdt tm`r` as ao e`falao`
ir juju sie`tmaob nywmalm at aocgu`ol`s cir biif
ir cir `vag' dof tmdt at gis`s ats lurdtav` piw`r dof dgsi
ats `cc`ltav` piw`r' -d! wm`o tm` us`r `ot`rtdaos fiunt
ds ti ats `ccaldly' dof -n! wm`o tm` us`r"s iwo liofult
as ti ngde`/
3 Rie`o furaob tm` e`ostrudtaio p`raif dr` cir
naff`o ti `ot`r doy pgdl` wm`r` juju as aostdgg`f ir tiulm
doy liepiuof e`falao`/ Vmas at as sdaf spiags tm` e`fa
lao`' r`of`raob at ao`cc`ltav`/ At as n`ga`v`f tmdt wie`odr` uolg`do furaob e`ostrudtaio dof tmdt doytmaob tm`y
tiulm eust n` uolg`do dof f`df/
-d! Aeeirdgaty as n`ga`v`f ti mdv` d f`strultav` ao
cgu`ol` io juju' e`falao`' ir favaodtaio; m`ol`
d pric`ssaiodg e`faldg edo usudggy s`ts up do
asigdtaio riie cir k``paob mas juju dof e`fa
lao`' dggiwaob oinify nut lmagfr`o ti `ot`r
tm`r`' smiugf at n` o`l`ssdry/
2 Dgtmiubm d e`faldg sila`ty `xasts' odtav` gdw
fi`s oit cirnaf doy oioe`en`r ti pr`slran` dof dppgy
e`falao` ti pdta`ot/
= Rm`o d odtav` filtir as dsk`f ti lur` d pdta`ot'
n`cir` fiaob doytmaob m` stdt`s mas c``s' wmalm dr` ic
twi kaofs: -d! Iwi Ag`g` -f`pisat c``! dof -n! Iwi
@j` -viw c``!/ Iwi Ag`g` as pdaf ao dfvdol` dof Iwi
@j`
smdgg oit n` pdaf uotag tm` pdta`ot as liepg`t`gy
lur`f/ \miugf tm` pdta`ot fa` ir oit n` lur`f ny tmdt
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 50/98
66 JPJP' E@FALAO@' DOF FASAODVAIO
pdrtalugdr filtir' tm` Iwi @j` smdgg oit n` pdaf/ Vm`filtir edy n` dsk`f ti pdy ndlk d pirtaio ir dgg ic
tm` Iwi Ag`g`' wmalm m` mdf r`l`av`f ao dfvdol`/
1 Xdye`ot edy n` edf` ao eio`y' ldttg`' piugtry'lgitm`s `tl/
48 \miugf d pdta`ot fa`' wmi as cr``niro dof oit
d sgdv` ir strdob`r' dof tm`r` as r`dsio ti n`ga`v` tmdt
f`dtm wds ldus`f ny tm` filtir dfeaoast`raob striobe`falao` ir piasio' tm` filtir as dsk`f ti sg``p -a/`/
fa`! ny tm` saf` ic tm` pdta`ot/
4 4 Vm`r` as d syst`e ldgg`f Ri ea ki rd ea -Lur`e` dof edk` d praz` ic e`!/ Rm`o d pdta`ot as ao
ldpdng` ic e``taob tm` filtir"s nagg dof tm`r` as oi
m`gp cirtmlieaob crie doywm`r`' tm` pdta`ot' wmi ao
eist lds`s as d c`edg`' icc`rs ti n` lur`f dof k`pt ds
dpraz`/
-d! D pdta`ot tmdt as lur`f uof`r .Ri ea ki rd
ea. syst`e n`lie`s tm` prip`rty ic tm`
filtir/ Ac d c`edg` dof oit v`ry igf' sm` n`
lie`s tm` filtir"s wac`/ Ac d v`ry igf wiedoir edg`' sm` ir m` n`lie`s mas sgdv` cir gac`/
Dof smiugf sulm d pdta`ot dnsliof ir f`sar` ti
nr`dk icc tm` niof' tm` filtiras
`otatg`f ti dggr`dsiodng` lgdaes dof f`edofs/ At edtt`rs
oit miw giob tm` pdta`ot mds n``o s`rvaob tm`
filtir/
4 > Rm`o d filtir bav`s d e`falao`' m` smdgg carst
dppgy at io mas iwo nify ir io tm` nify ic mas iwolmagf ao tm` pr`s`ol` ic tm` pdta`ot ir tm` pdta`ot"s
p`ipg`' n`cir` dppgyaob ir f`gav`raob at cir us`; itm`r
was` m` as gadng` ti pris`lutaio smiugf tm` wirst ir
doy `vag n`cdgg tm` pdta`ot dct`r usaob tm` e`falao`/
-d! \miugf d e`falao` n` f`gav`r`f tmriubm tm`
e`faue ic d tmarf p`rsio' tm` e`faue edo smdgg
dppgy ir try at dllirfaob ti tm` rug` ao tm` pr`l`faob
lgdus`/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 51/98
60 LMDXV@^ ]A]
\ILA@VQ
4 Vm` dccdars ic `dlm sila`ty dr` edodb`f ny ats
iwo iccal`rs dof biv`ro`f ny ats iwo rug`s dof
r`bugdtaios/
> @v`ry s`lr`t sila`ty dfeats ats e`en`rs nyaoatadtaio/ Doy e`en`r wmi r`v`dgs tm` rat`s dof
l`r`eioa`s ic sulm d sila`ty ti d oioe`en`r as gadng`
ti d m`dvy cao` watm ir watmiut cgibbaob -m` edy n`
susp`of`f ir `xp`gg`f!' ir f`dtm' liojiaotgy watm tm`
oioe`en`r ti wmie tm` s`lr`t as tigf/ At as ae
edt`radg wm`tm`r tm` e`en`r as p`rsudf`f ny tm` oio
e`en`r ir oit/ At as dgsi aeedt`radg wm`tm`r tm`
oioe`en`r as aofacc`r`ot ti tm` favugb`r ic tm`
s`lr`t' dof smiws oi f`sar` cir tm` s`lr`t n`aob r`v`dg`f
ti mae ir m`r ir oit/
< Rie`o ds w`gg ds e`o mdv` tm`ar s`pdrdt`
sila`ta`s/ Vm` pdtrio`ss ic tm` wie`o"s sila`ty as
ldgg`f Ayd @bn`; tm` pr`saf`ot as ldgg`f Aydgif`/ Ao
eist lds`s Aydgif` as tm` mabm`st tatg` tm` sila`ty ic
wie`o us`f ti lr`dt`/
6 Vm`r` as d l`rtdao sila`ty ldgg`f @susu/ Vmas
sila`ty f`dgs watm eio`tdry edtt`rs iogy' dof at m`gps
ats e`en`rs ti sdv` dof rdas` eio`y tmus:‖
-d! @v`ry e`en`r smdgg pdy d l`rtdao cax`f sue ic
eio`y r`bugdrgy dt d cax`f tae` -sdy `v`ry cactm
ir oaotm fdy!/ Dof io` ic tm` sunslranaob
e`en`rs smdgg tdk` tm` titdg deiuot tmus
sunslran`f cir mas ir m`r iwo p`rsiodg us`/ Vm`
o`xt sunslraptaio smdgg n` tdk`o ny doitm`r
e`en`r; tmas smdgg si liotaou` ritdtaiodggy uotag
`v`ry e`en`r mds tdk`o/
-n! \miugf io` ic tm` e`en`rs wmi mds tdk`o tm`
@susu cdag ti liotaou` ti pdy tm` r`bugdr sunslra
ptaio' sulm d e`en`r eust n` m`gf r`spiosang`
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 52/98
63 \ILA@VQ
cir mas ir m`r sunslraptaio ti tm` r`edaoaobe`en`rs wmi mdv` oit y`t tdk`o tm`ar iwo@susu/ Xdye`ots smdgg n` `ocirl`f ds ao lds`
ic f`nt/
-l! Nut ac d e`en`r wmi mds oit tdk`o @susu cdags
ti liotaou`' doitm`r p`rsio edy tdk` up mas
pgdl`' dof wm`o tmdt io` tdk`s tm` @susu' m`
smdgg r`cuof ti tm` carst edo -mas pr`f`l`ssir!
tm` deiuot sunslran`f ny mae -tm` carst edo!/
-f! D edo edy pdy twal` tm` cax`f sue r`bugdrgy/
Ao tmdt lds` m` wagg n` liosaf`r`f ds pdyaob cir
twi e`o dof m` smdgg n` `otatg`f ti twi e`o"s
pirtaio/ At edtt`rs oit wmdt tae` m` tdk`s
tm` carst pirtaio' ir wmdt tae` m` tdk`s tm`
s`liof/ \miugf d edo pdy cir tm` deiuot
`quavdg`ot ti tmr`` tae`s tm` cax`f deiuot ir
eir`' m` smdgg n` `otatg`f ti tdk` @susu tmr``
ir eir` tae`s ds tm` lds` edy n`/
-`! \ie`tae`s @susu as oit tdk`o ritdtaiodggy/ Vm`
r`bugdr sunslraptaios dr` tdk`o dof k`pt nytm` pr`saf`ot/ Dt tm` `of ic tmr`` eiotms
ir doy itm`r tae` f`laf`f ny tm` e`en`rs
tm` titdg deiuot as nriubmt cirtm dof `v`ry
e`en`r r`l`av`s mas titdgsunslraptaio/
Vm`
pr`saf`ot' wmi as dgsi tm` tr`dsur`r' as `otag`f ti
tm` deiuot `quavdg`ot ti >W crie tm` deiuot
sunslran`f ny `v`ry e`en`r/
-c!\miugf d e`en`r ic tm` @susu sila`ty fa` wmag`
tm` @susu as oit lgis`f' mas lmagfr`o ir o`dr`st
ic kao smdgg r`l`av` tm` deiuot sunslran`f ny
mae ir pdytm`
deiuot stdofaob dbdaostmae/
0 Vrdf`rs" Buagf/‖Dllirfaob ti odtav` lus
tiedry gdw' n`cir` d edo ir wiedo liugf uof`rtdk`
d trdf`' m` ir sm` mds ti aocire tm` nify ir m`df ic
tm` p`ipg` wmi dr` ldrryaob io sulm d trdf`/ D l`r
tdao c`` -ao eio`y' kigdouts dof fraokdng`s! as pdafti tm` nidrf ny tm` wiugfn` e`en`r -ds `otrdol` c``!
dof tm` dll`ptdol` ic tm` c`` r`of`rs tm` dppgaldot`gabang` ds d e`en`r wm`o m` wagg n` tigf dof tdubmt
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 53/98
GDR\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC VM@ QI^PND 62
tm` rug`s dof r`bugdtaios ic tm` buagf/ Vmas as fio`
ti prieit`' cist`r' dof prit`lt tm` w`gcdr` ic tm`
trdf`/
-d! \miugf doy io` spiotdo`iusgy tdk` up d trdf`
watmiut lieeuoaldtaob watm tm` nidrf ic tmdt
pdrtalugdr trdf`' tm` aotruf`r as sunj`lt`f ti d
m`dvy cao` watm ir watmiut liocasldtaio ic mas
biifs' dof m` as pr`v` ot`f crie liotaouaob
uog`ss m` as dfeatt`f dct`rwdrfs' ds f`lgdr`f ao
tm`pr`l`faob
lgdus`/ M`edy
dgsi n` r`cus`f
dfeassaio' wm`o m` eust n` niuof ti bav` uptm` trdf`/
3 @v`ry trdf`r"s buagf ir sila`ty mds piw`r ti
edk`' ir de`of' ir ouggacy' ir `ocirl` ats iwo rug`s
dof nygdws ao tm` aot`r`st dof w`gcdr` ic sulm buagf
ir sila`ty dof ats e`en`rs' privaf`f tm` cuofde`otdg
gdws ic tm` biv`roe`otdr`
oitvaigdt`f/
LMDXV@^ ]]
ED^^ADB@
4 Odtav` edrradb` liosasts ic vdraius kaofs watm
vdraius l`r`eioa`s/ Nut ao dgg lds`s s`xudg r`gdtaios
dr` p`rp`tudg/
> Xdr`ots ic ralm`r p`ipg` us`f ti s`lur` d wac`
cir tm`ar sio wmag` nitm w`r` ao aocdoly/ Vm` wasm`s
ir aolgaodtaios ic tm` twi liol`ro`f dr` oit o`l`ssdry'
nut ao eist lds`s tm` yiuob edo edk`s mas iwo lmial`/
\miugf d yiuob edo tdk` d cdoly ti d barg' m` carst
edk`s aoquara`s ds ti m`r pdr`ots dof wm`tm`r sm` mds
dgr`dfy n``o `obdb`f ir oit/ Io caofaob tmdt sm` as
quat` cr``' m` pravdt`gy caofs iut :
-d! Rm`tm`r sm` as ic d biif cdeagy ir oit' a/`/'
tmdt m`r cdeagy as oit piss`ss`f watm d fdob`rius ir liotdbaius fas`ds`' sulm ds g`prisy
aosdoaty' `tl/
-n! Rm`tm`r m`r pdr`ots dr` lraeaodggy faspis`f
ir dffalt`f ti doy `vag mdnat' `/b/' aolurraobf`nts' prdltasaob watlmlrdct' tma`vasmo`ss' `tl/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 54/98
6= GDR\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC VM@ QI^PND
-l! Rm`tm`r tm` barg m`rs`gc as fagab`ot dof
r`sp`ltdng`/
< Ac dct`r pravdt` aov`stabdtaio m` as quat` sdtasca`f'm` tm`o puts mas lds` n`cir` mas pdr`ots' wmi dgsi
edk` pravdt` aoquara`s ic tm`ar iwo/
6 Vm` pdr`ots ic tm` barg dgsi caof iut pravdt`gy wmdt
sirt ic d cdeagy tm` edo n`giobs ti' dof wmdt sirt ic
d p`rsio m` maes`gc as' n`cir` bavaob tm`ar lios`ot
wm`o dppridlm`f ny mas cdeagy dskaob cir tm`ar
fdubmt`r/
0/ Vm` edo ao qu`staio carst s`lur`s tm` s`rval` ic
d r`gadng` dof aot`r`st`f p`rsio -pr`c`rdngy do `gf`rgy
wiedo! pravdt`gy ti pripis` ti tm` barg cir mae/ Vmas
tmarf pdrty as ldgg`f Dgdr`od -a/`/' io` wmi ip`os tm`
wdy!/ Io intdaoaob tm` barg"s lios`ot ao pravdly tm`
wiugfn` musndof wagg tm`o dsk mas cdtm`r dof m`df
ic mas cdeagy ir doy io` ao gili pdr`otas ti lioc`rwatm tm` barg"s pdr`ots cir mae/
-d! Rm`o d edo dof tm` barg mdv` n`lie` v`ag
dlqudaot`f' tm` Dgdr`od l`ds`s ti aot`rc`r`'
wm`o sm` as bav`o d pr`s`ot ic bao' kigd outs
dof eio`y ao r`wdrf cir m`r gdniur ic giv`/
Nut m`r aot`rc`r`ol` dof aot`rv`otaio dof
aostrultaio ao tm` aot`r`st ic tm` twi pdrta`s
stagg liotaou`s/
3 At as tm` nusao`ss ic tm` wiugfn` musndof"s
cdtm`r dof m`df ic tm` cdeagy ir doyio` ao tm` pgdl`
ic tm` cdtm`r dof m`df ic tm` cdeagy ti `ot`r aoti d
edrradb` liotrdlt dof o`bitadt` cir tm` barg watm m`r
cdeagy/ At as oit f`lirius ir dppripradt` cir tm` edo
maes`gc ti bi far`lt ti tm` barg"s pdr`ots ti dsk cir m`r/
Vmas as ldgg`f .Atiri. a/`/' dppgaldtaio cir tm` barg
ti n`lie` tm` wac` ic tm`ar sio/
2 Io intdaoaob tm` lios`ot ic tm` barg"s pdr`ots'
d lios`otc`` ldgg`f gjimuo as pdaf ny tm` wiugfn`
musndof ti tm` cdeagy dof r`gdtav`s ic tm` barg tmus :
Io` lds` icbao
ti tm` cdtm`r dof mas r`gdtav`s/
Io` lds` ic bao ti tm` eitm`r dof m`r r`gdtav`s/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 55/98
ED^^ADB@ 61
43 kigd outs -ina djipd! ti tm` cdtm`r wmi fas
tranut`s tm`e deiob tm` r`gdtav`s/
43 natt`r kigd outs-Iribni!/
=/ Furaob n`tritmdg tm` wiugfn` musndof s`ofs d
pr`s`ot ic oit g`ss tmdo oao` ydes dof io` muofr`f
`drs ic liro ti tm` pdr`ots ic tm` barg `v`ry y`dr ds mas
dooudg pr`s`ot/ M` edy dgsi s`of tmriubm tm`
pdr`ots pr`s`ots ti tm` barg/ D edo edy bav` pr`s`ot
ti mas barg ti doy deiuot furaob doy y`dr' p`rsiodggy
ir pravdt`gy/
1/ Ao dgg lds`s n`cir` Ajimuo l`r`eioy as p`rcire`f'tm` cdeagy irdlg`s dr` aovdradngy liosugt`f ny tm`
pdr`ots ic nitm pdrta`s liol`ro`f' wm`o dgg o`l`ssdry
sdlracal`s dr` edf` n`cir`mdof/ Vmas as dag`f @ni
Aydwi' a/`/' d sdlracal` liol`roaob tm` nraf` `g`lt/
Vm` eist aepirtdot pdrt ic tm` l`r`eioy as tm` spgattaob
dof smdraob ic kigd outs -lgdus` 2! deiob `v`ry
e`en`r ic tm` barg"s cdeagy/ Vmas s`dgs tm` liotrdlt/
48 Rm`o d barg dttdaos tm` db` ic pun`rty' tm`
edo dniut ti edrry m`r pdys fiwry ti m`r pdr`ots/
Vmas as ldgg`f Afdod/ Vm` odtur` ic tm` fiwry vdra`s
dllirfaob ti tm` stdtus ic tm` barg ir tm` stdtus ic tm`
musndof :
‖-d! Ac tm` pdr`ots ic tm` barg dr` ao d biif pisataio
Vm` sue ic 08) as pdaf ti tm`e ao fiwry cir
tm` barg' nut ac tm`y dr` piir' Afdod edy n` ds
eulm ds £40 dof `v`o eir`/
-n! Ac tm` barg as mabmgy lioo`lt`f dof n`dutacug' tm`
musndof smiugf bav` d sp`ladggy vdgudng` fiwryn`cattaob tm` barg"s stdtus' m`ol` tm` edxae.Na iei nd ta ra ga d s` dod r`'. Vm` stdtus ic
tm` barg f`t`reao`s tm` vdgu` ic tm` fiwry/
-l! Xdye`ot ds fiwry as dgsi edf` dllirfaob ti tm`
musndof"s ldpdnagaty/ .Na d nd ta oa apd sa ga d
s` afdod'. a/`/' .Rmdt`v`r io` as ldpdng` ic
bavaob' tmdt m` bav`s cir fiwry/. Nut tm` ciggiw
aob dr` `ss`otadg ao fiwry :‖
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 56/98
08 GDR\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC QI^PND
68 Ina Djipd‖kigd outs' do `eng`e ic sdc`
budrf dof oinagaty ;
68 Iribni‖natt`r kigd outs' ic uoaio dof
giob`vaty; Iyao‖mio`y' ic sw``to`ss'
mdppao`ss ;Dtdr` ‖ buao`d brdao' ic
cruatcugo`ss ; wao`s' bao dof doy itm`r
fraokdng`s' ic z`dgius dttdlme`ot'
`dro`sto`ss dof drf`ot giv` cir io` doitm`r;
eio`y' `tl/
-f!
Ao sie` lds`s tm` edoedy
mdv` ti s`of ti tm`
pdr`ots ic tm` barg tm` o`l`ssdra`s ti edk`sdlracal` ti m`r c`tasm ir bif' `/b/' bidt' sm``p'
rde' ciwg' `tl/ Vm`s` tm`y `dt dof spraokg`
sie` ic tm` ngiif ic tm` valtae io tm` c`tasm/
Xdge iag' kigd outs dof bao' ds eulm ds tm`
edo ldo dccirf -ir eio`y ao sunstatut`! dr` dgsi
s`ot cir tm` sdlracal`/
4 4 Abn`ydwi ir edrradb` as tm` gdst l`r`eioy dof as
p`rcire`f tmus:‖-d! D fdy wmalm as ins`rv`f ds d c`dst fdy ny nitm
cdeaga`s as cax`f cir tm` w`ffaob/ Dniut 6 d/e/
ir = p/e/ - doy tae` n`cir` fdygabmt ! tm`
nraf` as g`f ti m`r musndof"s pgdl` ao tm` liepdoyic m`r cra`ofs dof dssiladt`s dof watm dt
g`dst twi `gf`rgy p`rsios -pr`c`rdngy wie`o!wmi ldrry d e`ssdb` watm tm` nraf` crie tm`
pdr`ots ic tm` nraf` ti tm` nraf`briie"s
pdr`ots' tm` r`taou` saobaob io tm`ar wdy ti
tm` nraf`briie"s pgdl`/ N`cir` `ot`raob tm`
mius`' tm` nraf`"s c``t dr` wdsm`f watm bao dof
wdt`r' wmalm saboaca`s tmdt sm` `ot`rs m`r o`w
dofp`redo`ot
mie`puraca`f'
sm` as carst
tdk`o ti tm` m`df ic tm` cdeagy ic tm` nraf`
briie watm d e`ssdb` dof do icc`r ic ng`ssaob
crie tm` nraf`"s pdr`ots/ Dct`r tmas tm` nraf`
as liofult`f ti tm` nraf`briie"s eitm`r cir
prdy`r dof ng`ssaob dof crie tm`ol` ti tm`
Aydg` -tm` s`oair wac`' ac doy!' wmi liofults m`r
ti tm` nraf`briie"s dpdrte`ot ir doy itm`r
pgdl` sp`ladgty pr`pdr`f cir tm` r`l`ptaio ictm` nraf`/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 57/98
ED^^ADB@ 04
-n! Vm` Aydg`' ac doy' ir ac oio` tm` eitm`r ic tm`
nraf`briie' ir doy io` ao pgdl` ic tm` eitm`r
smdgg
suppgytm` nraf`
t`epirdragywatm o`w
lgitm`s dof traok`ts' wmalm sm` tm` Aydwi
-nraf`! puts io `drgy tm` o`xt eiroaob' tdkaob
icc dof k``paob m`r iwo ny m`rs`gc/ Vm` Aydg`
dgsi liiks cir ir suppga`s tm` Aydwi watm ciif
cir dt g`dst cav` fdys/ Vmas as ti smiw dof
priv` tm` biifwagg ic tm` Aydg` tiwdrfs tm`
Aydwi/
4> Vm` s`liof ir tmarf fdy dct`r edrradb` tm`
pdr`ots ic tm` nrafs s`ofs m`r pdrdpm`rodgad dct`r m`r
ti n` ldrra`f ny ds edoy p`ipg` ds o`l`ssdry/ Vm`
ldrra`rs dr` fr`ss`f ao tm`ar n;st dof liosast ic tm`
yiuob wav`s ic tm` e`en`rs ic tm` nraf`"s cdeagy/
Vm` pdrdpm`rodgad aolguf` `v`rytmaob o`l`ssdry cir
tm` liecirt ic gac`:‖Lgitm`s' traok`ts' liikaob ut`o
sags' tiaU
`t o`l`ssdra`s' aolgufaob ndtmspiob`' lm`waobstalk' nriies dof nrusm`s' wdt`r pits' lrilk`ry' edts'
nigst`rs' ndsk`ts' ndbs' purs`s' dof dgg itm`r o`l`ssdra`s
ds w`gg ds tm` nraf`"s afig/ Vm` ldrra`rs edk` d l`r`
eioaius f`gav`ry ic tm` sde` ti tm` Aydwi dof
edk` d bdufy smiw ic tm` tmaobs/ Vmas as ldgg`f Abnd
Aydwi -tm` nraf`"s pdrdpm`rodgad!/ Vm` ldrra`rs ic
Abnd Aydwi dr` `otatg`f ti d pr`s`ot ic oit g`ss tmdo
43 kigd outs/
4< Dgg bargs eust mdv` tm`ar trandg edrks lut io
tm`ar ndlks n`cir` edrradb`/ \miugf io` n` oit
edrk`f n`cir` Ajimuo -lios`otc``! as pdaf' tm` mus
ndof as r`spiosang` cir tm` l`r`eioy ic tm` sde`/ M`eust bav` ds pr`s`ots pdge iag ti n` runn`f aoti tm`
wiuofs' car`wiif' io` g`b ic @tu -lmdeias! dof eio`y
oit g`ss tmdo 0)3f/
46 Ds siio ds Ajimuo as pdaf' tm` barg n`lie`s tm`
wac` ic tm` edo' wmi tm`ol`ciwdrf as gadng` ti pdy d
smdr` tiwdrfs dgg cuo`rdg `xp`os`s wmalm mas wac` edyaofugb` ao dof ti m`gp tm` pdr`ots ic tm` barg ir doy
aepirtdot m`df ic tm` cdeagy ao mius` nuagfaob dof
r`pdaraob wirks ir doy p`luoadry `endrrdsse`ot/ Vm`
edo smdgg dgsi pristrdt` maes`gc n`cir` `v`ry e`en`ric tm` `v`o d ndn`/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 58/98
0> GDR\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC QI^PND
40 Vm` barg m`rs`gc' crie tm` tae` tmdt Ajimuo as
pdaf' v`ags ir liv`rs ir maf`s m`r cdl` crie doy ic tm`
musndof"s cdeagy ir cra`ofs/ Vmas liotaou`s tagg dniut
d y`dr dct`r edrradb`/ Vm` nraf` edy smiw m`r cdl`'
nut eust oit liov`rs` ir sp`dk watm tm` briwo up
p`ipg` ic tm` musndof"s cdeagy ir cra`ofs uotag d pr`
s`ot as bav`o ti m`r ny tm` pdrty liol`ro`f' ir uotag
aee`fadt`gy dct`r m`r carst lmagfnartm/
-d! \m` as oit ti ldgg doy ic tm` musndof"s p`ipg`
ny mas ir m`r ode`/ \m` as ti caof dppripradt`
p`t ode`s cir `dlm ic tm`e -d lmagf niro d fdyn`cir` m`r edrradb` aolgusav`!' Nut doy lmagf
niro dct`r tm` edrradb` smdgg n` ldgg`f ny ats
tru` ode` ny m`r ds sm` pg`ds`s/
43 D edo edy tdk` ao mas wac` n`cir` pdyaob tm`
fiwry' nut tm` fiwry eust n` pdaf ds siio ds pissang`/
42 \miugf d edo tdk` cir wac` d barg dgr`dfy n`tri
tm`f ti doitm`r' m` as s`v`r`gy f`dgt watm ds ao tm` lds`
ic dfugt`ry/ M` mds ti r`cuof ti tm` aojur`f ir
faspiss`ss`f edo wmdt`v`r deiuot as f`edof`f ds
tm` list ic fiwry ir pdst `xp`os`s/ Vm` barg tm`o
n`lie`s d r`liboas`f wac` ic tm` usurp`r/
4= D edo wmi tdk`s ir lieeats dfugt`ry watm tm`
wac` ic doitm`r edo smiugf oit bi o`dr ir eiv`
cr``gy pdst tm` qudrt`rs ic tm` dbbra`v`f edo; smiugf
m` tdk` tm` rask dof as dssdugt`f' ndtt`r`f ir s`raiusgy
wiuof`f ny tm` dbbra`v`f edo' tm` dbbr`ssir as oit
`otatg`f ti doy lgdae oir as tm` aojur`f edo gadng`
ti doy puoasme`ot/
-d! Vm` dbbr`ssir as dgsi cr`` ti us` doy e`dos dt
mas faspisdg dbdaost mas ippio`ot/ At as ti dgg
aot`ots d fu`g/ Ao tae` ic wdr tm` twi ravdgs
edy aovat` tm`es`gv`s ti bi saf` ny saf` ti tm`
`o`ea`s" gao` ir watmao tm` lgis`st rdob` ic tm`
buos ic tm` `o`ey -iogy twi ic tm`e ao criot'
g`dvaob tm`ar lierdf`s cdr n`maof! ti smiw wmi
as tm` nrdv`r ic tm` twi/ \miugf o`atm`r ic tm`twi cdgg io tm` ndttg` ca`gf' tm` g`ss nrdv` smdJg
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 59/98
ED^^ADB@ 0<
dlkoiwg`fb` tm` sup`rairaty ic mas ippio`ot
ny dndofioaob mas lgdae ti tm` wiedo ao
qu`staio' dof tm` twi e`o smdgg tm`ol`cirwdrfn`lie` cra`ofs cir gac`/
-n! \miugf `atm`r ic tm` twi ravdgs cdgg io tm` ndttg`
ca`gf' tm` survavir tdk`s tm` wiedo' nut ac nitm
e`o cdgg' tm` wiedo edy n` m`gf r`spiosang`
ny pdyaob tm` p`odgty ic m`r gac` cir tm`ar gav`s/
41
Rm`od
edo ldrodggy koiws d cuggy briwoupbarg matm`rti uon`tritm`f' m` as edf` ti pdy d l`rtdao
cax`f dof r`dsiodng` deiuot ti tm` pdr`ots ds fiwrydof tdk` tm` wiedo cir wac`/
>8 D edo edy bav` mas fdubmt`r ir o`al` dwdyti doitm`r edo -cra`of ir n`o`cdltir! cr``/ Vmas
liosigafdt`s tm` cra`ofsmap n`tw``o tm`e/
>4 N`cir` d barg as edrra`f' dof ds siio ds tm`
fdy as cax`f' sm` smiugf vasat dgg m`r r`gdtav`s dof
cra`ofs io` ny io` dooiuolaob ao farb` m`r aep`ofaob
edrradb`' a/`/' m`r s`lgusaio crie m`r irabaodg mie`/
\m` as s`ot dwdy crie `v`ry fiir watm wirfs ic `o;
liurdb`e`ot' biif wasm`s dof d edrradb` pr`s`ot/
>> Ac io edrradb` d nraf` priv`s vartuius' m`r
pdr`ots dof cra`ofs tdk` praf` ao at/ D pr`s`ot ic
>4)' 68 kigd outs dof fraok as bav`o ti tm` barg"s
r`gdtav`s dof cra`ofs' wmi r`edao cav` fdys watm m`r
ao m`r musndof"s mius` lm``raob m`r dof edkaob m`r
liecirtdng` ao m`r o`w mie`/ Vm` barg m`rs`gc as
bav`o tm` sue ic >4) watm tm` lgitm -wmat`! liotdaoaob
tm` sabo ic varbaoaty/ Vm`s` dr` s`ot ti tm` pdr`ots
ic tm` barg' wmi r`tdao tm` eio`y dof mdof iv`r tm`lgitm ti tm` barg/ Vm` lgitm as fy`f r`f watm ldewiif
dof as carst us`f ny tm` barg ao n`draob ir ldrryaob
m`r carstniro lmagf/
-d! Dct`r tm` cactm fdy `v`ry cra`of dof liepdoaioic tm` nraf` `xl`pt tm` Tei Aydwi eust tdk`
g`dv` ic m`r/ Tei Aydwi as tm` nraf`sedaf'
d yiuob`r e`en`r ic m`r cdeagy' m`r e`ss`odof dssastdot/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 60/98
06 GDR\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC QI^PND
-n! Iei gydwi as quat` cr`` ti eiv` dniut dof
sp`dk ti doy io` ldrryaob dof r`l`avaob
e`ssdb`s crie p`ipg` ti gydwi dof val` v`rsd/
Rm`o gydwi as sdgut`f ir spik`o ti' Ieigydwi dosw`rs cir m`r/
>< \miugf tm` barg oit priv` vartuius' m`r
liepdoaios dr` s`ot dwdy ao fasbrdl`/ \m` n`lie`s
inoixaius dof as tr`dt`f watm dgg edoo`r ic fasliurt`sy/
\m` as dgsi ingab`f ti e`otaio tm` ode` ic tm`
edo wmi' ac koiwo ir ciuof iut' as s`v`r`gy f`dgtwatm cir lieeattaob dfugt`ry watm doitm`r edo"s wac`/
O`v`rtm`g`ss tm` wiedo as d gdwcug wac` ic m`r gdwcug
musndof/
>6 Favirl` as oit p`reassang` ao odtav` gdw/
Musmdof dof wac` edy n` cirl`f ti s`pdrdt`/ Vm`
wiedo edy bi dof gav` watm doitm`r edo/ Ao tmdt
lds` tm` edo as niuof ti pdy ndlk tm` fiwry ti tm`
musndof/ Nut tm` cdeagy ic tm` wiedo wagg oit r`
l`av` doy fiwry crie tm` itm`r edo' oir r`bdrf mae
ds tm` gdwcug musndof ic tm` wiedo/ M` as ti tm`e
m`r sw``tm`drt' ds tm` edxae as : D ka aei iki ieitdo ka d tuoei Dg` r` -At as r`pubodot ti r`bdrf tm`
musndof dof tm` sw``tm`drt ds tm` _e`en`r_ic io`"s
iwo cdeagy!/ j
>0 Vi tm` Qirund wiedo `sp`ladggy at as n`o`dtm
m`r faboaty ti edrry d cir`abo`r' d oioQirund edo
aolgufaob d wmat` edo/ Iogy d eirdggy f`nds`fwiedo wiugf tig`rdt` s`xudg aot`rliurs` watm d wmat`
edo `sp`ladggy; dof sm`' ac koiwo n`lie`s inoixaius'
dof as smuoo`f ny `v`ry io` ao cdeagy dof siladg larlg`s
cir gac`/
>3 D edst`r edy bav` mas sgdv` doitm`r wiedosgdv` ic mas ao edrradb`/ Ao tmdt lds` oitmaob as pdaf/
Ic liurs`' tm` lmagfr`o' tm`ar iccspraob dr` aolguf`f
ao tm` prip`rty ic tm` edst`r/
>2 D edo edy tdk` mas sgdv` ir c`edg` ldptav` ti
wac`/ Ny sulm edrradb` tm` wiedo n`lie`s cr`` dofm`r iccspraob dr` `otatg`f ti tm`ar cdtm`r"s prip`rty ds
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 61/98
ED^^ADB@ 00
cr``niro dof g`bataedt` sios ic mas/ \miugf tm` edocaof sulm d wiedo ti n` aosig`ot ir uoliotriggdng` ir
ic ndf n`mdvaiur' m`
edyr`j`lt m`r' wm`o sm` gis`s
m`r cr``fie ny tm` edrradb` dof n`lie`s d niof
wiedo ds n`cir`/ Nut doy lmagf wmalm sm` edy mdv`
mdf ny tm` edst`r as stagg d g`bataedt` lmagf ic tm`
cdtm`r/
>= D barg' wm`o d ndn`' edy tmriubm tm` irdlg`
ic d ndndgdwi n` f`lgdr`f ti n` tm` wac` ic mas bifAcd dof ti
n`giobti mae ao
pdrtalugdr/\ulm d f`l
gdrdtaio as r`sp`lt`f/ Nut ac tm` barg io briwaob upsmiugf tdk` doitm`r edo ic m`r iwo lmial` tm`
dpprivdg ic tm` ndndgdwi eust n` siubmt dof intdao`f
n`cir` edrradb`/ Vm` edo edrryaob sulm d bargsmiugf pdy do df`qudt` sue ao eio`y dof biifs ti
tm` ndndgdwi ds liep`osdtaio cir `olridlmaob upiotm` rabmts ic Acd bif' tm` ndndgdwi oit n`aob tm`
barg"s pdr`ot ir r`gdtav` oitwatmstdofaob/
Eumdee`fdo Cire ic Edrradb`
4 Vm` lios`ot ic tm` pdr`ots ic tm` barg as dnsigut`gy
o`l`ssdry/ Dct`r tmas d lios`ot c`` -ldgg`f Asmawuo! as
pdaf/ Vmas liosasts ic 44) dof 488 kigd outs/
Dct`r Asmawuo lie`s Afup` -ir tmdoks!' wmalm liosasts
ic 44) dof 68 kigd outs ti n` pdaf ti tm` pdr`ots
ic tm` barg/ Kigd outs cir fastranutaio deiobst tm`
cdeagy/
-d! Dt tm` tae` ic ^dedfdo -cdsttae`! tm` edos`ofs 0)' ydecgiur' pdge iag' nasluats' `tl/'
tmriubm tm` pdr`ots ti tm` barg/
-n! Dt Ag`yd -Nrdaed c`stavdg! m` dgsi s`ofs d g`b
ic rde' 0) dof lgitm tmriubm tm` pdr`ots ti
tm` barg/ Vm` barg liiks ao r`turo d cao` lmip
`quavdg`ot ti d g`b ic rde dof 0) dof s`ofs tmas
ti tm` edo/
Vm` cir`biaob y`drgy pr`s`ots eust n` liota
ouiusgy ins`rv`f uotag tm` barg as briwo up cir
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 62/98
03 GDR\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC QI^PND
-l! Qaba ir edrradb` as liofult`f tmus:
Vm` edo s`ofs 68 kigd outs' io` m`dfta` dof
ciur lgitms ti tm` nraf` tmriubm m`r pdr`ots'
dof 0) ti tm` pra`st wmi liofults tm` l`r`
eioy' wmalm as p`rcire`f ao tm` mius` ic
tm` nraf`"s cdtm`r ir doy io` ao gili pdr`otas/
Vm` nraf` eust n` dns`ot/ Vm` pra`st dsks tm`
nraf`"s cdtm`r tmr`` tae`s : Fi yiu bav` yiur
fdubmt`r ti tmas edo.9 tm` cdtm`r r`pgyaob
.Q`s. io `dlm illdsaio/ Vm` pra`st tm`o
turos ti tm` nraf`briie dof dsks tmr`` tae`s:
.Fi yiu dll`pt mas fdubmt`r ds yiur wac`. 9
Vm` nraf`briie r`pga`s .Q`s./ Vm` pra`st tm`o
dsks cir o`bitadtaio' a/`/' .miw eulm fi`s
tm` cdtm`r r`quar`s ds fiwry. 9 -ldgg`f
\dfdka!/ Vmas edy n` doy deiuot crie 48)
ti £>8' dllirfaob ti tm` stdofaob ic tm`
pdr`ots -Edrradb`' 48' d' n' l'!/ Dct`r o`bitad
taio tm` nraf` dsks cir tmr`` eiotms" g`dv` ti
pdy tm` \dfdka/ Vm` prdy`r as tm`o icc`r`f
dof tm` nraf` as mdof`f iv`r gdt`r io/ @drgy
o`xt eiroaob' n`tw``o < dof 6 d/e/' tm` nraf`
as tdk`o ny m`r cra`ofs dof r`gdtav`s ti m`r
musndof"s mius` -Edrradb`' 44!/ Vm` musndof
tm`o bav`s 0) dof 68 kigd outs ti tmis` wmi
nraob mas nraf`/
> Doitm`r cire deiobst eir` r`gabaius dof w`gg
tifi p`rsios as \drd' tm` bavaob io`"s iwo
fdubmt`r ao edrradb` cr`` dof watmiut r`l`avaob doy
eio`y ir tmaobs crie tm` musndof/ Vm` nraf`"s
pdr`ots uof`rtdk` tm` `xp`os`s ic tm` Qaba/ Dllirf
aob ti tm` Kirdo' \drd as eir` liee`ofdng` ny tm`
Kirdo' dof m` wagg intdao br`dt r`wdrf crie Bif wmibav`s mas fdubmt`r dwdy ao \drd/
< D edo edy p`rcire Qaba l`r`eioy wmag` tm`
barg as stagg yiuob/ Vmas fi`s oit liep`g m`r ti lie`
iv`r ti tm` musndof"s mius`/
6 D edo wmi edrra`s uof`r Eumdee`fdo gdw
edy favirl` mas wac` dllirfaob ti tm` Kirdoal gdw;dof tm` wiedo tmus favirl` edy n` r`edrra`f a/`/'
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 63/98
ED^^ADB@ 02
p`rcire Qaba l`r`eioy watm doitm`r edo' nut' ds act
tm` lds` ic Lmrastado edrradb`' at as ic cir` ab ct
aotrifultaio/
0 Io tm` f`dtm ic d n`tritm`f barg tm` pdr`ots
smdgg r`turo ir r`cuof ti tm` n`r`dv`f cadol` eio`ysdof tm` deiuot sp`ot io biifs ny mae io m`r n`mdgc/
Nut ao sie` lds`s tm` edo' crie bra`c dt tm` arr`pdrdng`
giss ic tm` inj`lt ic mas dcc`ltaio' nut r`bdrfaob at ds d
odturdg `v`ot' r`cus`s ti tdk` ndlk sulm tmaobs/
3 \miugf do dgr`dfy edrra`f wiedo fa` lmagfg`ss'
dgg m`r biifs dof p`rsiodg prip`rty dr` r`turo`f ti
tm` pdr`ots ir o`xt ic kao/ \miugf d n`tritm`f barg
fa`' m`r cdeagy' ac tm`y lmiis`' edy bav` ds sunstatut`
doitm`r yiuob uon`tritm`f barg ti tm` n`r`dv`f cadol`/
Vmas as fio` wm`r` sp`ladg gakaob cir tm` n`r`dv`f cadol`
as c`gt ny tm` cdeagy/
2 Xigybdey as tm` siladg gdw ic tm` liuotry/
= Xigydofry as oit koiwo/
1 D wac` ir nraf` as far`ltgy uof`r tm` ldr` dof
prit`ltaio ic tm` m`df ic tm` musndof"s cdeagy' wmi as
ao futy niuof ti prit`lt dof m`gp m`r dbdaost doy agg
tr`dte`ot/ \m` as quat` cr`` ti dpp`dg ti m`r mus
ndof"s pdr`ots ir doy io` ao gili pdr`otas cir m`gp dof
prit`ltaio/ \m` as d fdubmt`r ao tm` mius` dof smiugf
n` edf` liecirtdng` dof mdppy ny tm` wmig` ic tm`
e`en`rs ic tm` cdeagy' dof tm` wmig` cdeagy' oit tm`
musndof dgio`' r`spiosang` cir m`r suppirt/
48 \miugf d wiedo easliufult m`rs`gc' sm` as
puoasm`f ny m`r musndof dgio`' ir ao liojultaio watmm`r pdr`ots/
44 Vt as r`pubodot ti odtav` gdw cir d wiedo ti
gav` s`pdrdt`gy crie m`r musndof ir m`r musndof"s
cdeagy/ Ao lds` ic doy fasdbr``e`ot n`tw``o m`r dof
m`r musndof' sm` as prit`lt`f ny m`r musndof"s cdeagy'
watm io` ic wmie sm` stdys uotag r`liolagadtaio tdk`s
pgdl`/ \m` edy dgsi r`eiv` dof stdy watm m`r iwopdr`ots' nut sulm d lds` as v`ry rdr`/ Ac tm` musndof
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 64/98
0= GDR\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC QI^PND
as lru`g dof cdugtcaofaob' ir ac tm` wiedo as aosig`ot
ir drribdot ti m`r musndof"s cdeagy dof tm`y lios`
qu`otgy smiw aofacc`r`ol` ti tmas dbr``e`ot n`tw``otm` musndof dof mas wac`' sm` mds oi dgt`rodtav`
nut ti stdy watm m`r iwo pdr`ots furaob tm` p`raif
ic fasdbr``e`ot/
4> \miugf d wiedo caof oi m`gp dof prit`ltaio
crie m`r iwo ir crie m`r musndof"s p`ipg` dbdaost d
lru`g musndof' sm` edy s``k cir tm` sde` ny intdaoaob
ir s`luraob sm`gt`r ao tm` mius` ic tm` lma`c ic tm`tiwo ir tm` kaob -s`` kaobsmap!/
4< Dllirfaob ti odtav` gdw `v`ry wiedo smdgg
uof`rtdk` ti lg`do tm` liepiuof; tm` yiuob`r mds ti
fi tm` br`dt`r pdrt ic tm` wirk' ti c`tlm wdt`r' sw``pdof run tm` mius` dof liik/ \m` mds dgsi ti m`gp tm`
musndof ao mas vildtaio -ac m` as d cdre`r!/
Dpdrt crie tm` pr`l`faob s`ltaio' d wiedo smdgg
ldrry io m`r iwo pravdt` nusao`ss -ao trdf` ir aofustry!
ti privaf` cir m`r iwo sust`odol` ds w`gg ds cir
tm` oiurasme`ot ic m`r iwo lmagfr`o' `sp`ladggy wm`o
ao aocdoly/
46 At as dgsi tm` futy ic tm` musndof ti bav` mas wac`'
io edrradb`'d
pr`s`ot ic eio`yir
biifs ti `odng`m`r ti stdrt d trdf` ic m`r iwo/ Vm` musndof as quat`
cr`` ti bav` m`r eir` pr`s`ots ds ict`o ds m` as waggaob
dof dng` ti fi/
LMDXV@^ ]]A
LIOV^DLV\
4 Liotrdlts dr` ic twi kaofs : -d! Liotrdlts io idtm
dof -n! liotrdlts irfaodry/
@v`ry irfaodry liotrdlt as edf` ao tm` pr`s`ol` ic
io` ir eir` wato`ss`s/
Liotrdlt io idtm ldo n` edf` watmiut doy aofavafudg
wato`ss/ Nut oi liotrdlt as upm`gf ny tm` liurt uog`ss
edf` ao tm` pr`s`ol` ic wato`ss`s' ir dfeatt`f ny tm`
pdrta`s liol`ro`f ds mdvaob n``o r`dggy edf`/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 65/98
LIOV^DLV\ 01
> D liotrdlt edy n` ldol`gg`f ir ouggaca`f ny tm`
lios`ot ic nitm pdrta`s/
\miugf io` ic tm` liotrdltaob pdrta`s nr`dk tm`
dbr``e`ot' aot`otaiodggy ir ao`vatdngy' tm` liotrdlt edyn` ouggaca`f/
< D sdg` n`lie`s f`caoat` dct`r tm` ndrbdao mds n``o
liolguf`f' tm` nuy`r pdyaob io tm` spit' ir gdt`r
io' ir ny aostdge`ot dbr``f ti ny tm` twi pdrta`s/
Vm` s`gg`r' io mdofaob iv`r tm` biifs sigf -`sp`ladggygav` stilk' aolgufaob sgdv`s! icc`rs d ng`ssaob ti tm`
nuy`r' tmus: .D ei i giwi i. -a/`/' tm` biifs smdgg n`
pricatdng` ti yiu!/
6 Rm`o d sgdv` as sigf dof f`gav`r`f ti tm` o`w
edst`r' tm` gdtt`r eust watmao >6 miurs tdk` up tm`
lgitm`s' n`dfs' ir doytmaob io tm`
nifyic tm` sgdv`/
Vm`s` eust n` r`turo`f ti tm` igf edst`r' itm`rwas`
m` mds rabmts ic lgdae ti d pirtaio ic tm` gdniur ic tm`
sdaf sgdv`/
0 D sgdv` io r`f``eaob maes`gc' a/`/' io pdyaob cir
mas iwo rdosie' eust pdy ao dffataio ti tm` rdosie
c`` tm` sue ic >88 liwra`s a/`/' twitmarfs ic d p`ooy'
itm`rwas` tm` sgdv` as stagg r`bdrf`f d niofsedoao spat` ic mas pdyaob tm` rdosie c``/ Vm` >88 liwra`s
dr` ldgg`f Iwi Ani ikuo' a/`/' eio`y cir uotyaob tm`
lirf ic tm` niofs/
3 \miugf d sgdv` fa` watmao tmr`` odtav` eiotms ic
purlmds` tm` giss cdags io tm` irabaodg ir aee`fadt`
edst`r' wmi as niuof ti r`cuof tm` purlmds` eio`yti tm` purlmds`r' nut ao lds` ic doy p`raif dct`r
tmr`` eiotms tm` giss cdggs io tm` purlmds`r/
-d! Rm`o d sgdv` as sigf ti doy `xpirt`r' m` eust
oit `xpirt tm` sgdv` cdr dwdy crie tm` pgdl` ic
purlmds` tagg dct`r tmr`` eiotms; smiugf m` fi
si' dof tm` sgdv` fa`s watmao tmr`` odtav`
eiotms' m` ldooit lgdae tm` r`cuof ic pdrt ir
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 66/98
38 GDR\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC QI^PND
-n! Vm` dniv` rug`s dppgy ti tm` purlmds` ic mirs`s'
ldttg`' dof piugtry' iogy tm` tae` gaeat facc`rs'
n`aob cir mirs`s 42 fdys' cir ldttg` 1 fdys cir
piugtry 0 fdys/
2 Vm` iwo`r ic d sgdv` ldo cirl` mae ti fi doy
tmaob' rabmt ir wriob' nut tm` edst`r as ti n` m`gf
r`spiosang` cir tm` sgdv`"s dltaio/
-d! Do iwo`r ic d sgdv` ldo kagg mas sgdv` ac m` gak`s'
dof tmdt watm aepuoaty/
= D sgdv` oit iogy gis`s mas cr``fie' nut dgsi mas
pigataldg rabmts' dof m` as oit cr`` ti eiv`
ir dlt dbdaost tm` wasm ic mas edst`r/ M` ldo iogy
`ojiy sulm pravag`b` ds edy n` brdot`f mae ny mas
edst`r/
1 D sgdv` edy r`f``e maes`gc -\`ltaio 0! dof
dct`rwdrfs dttdao ti d pisataio ic dccgu`ol`/
-d! Ao irfaodry lds`s tm` edst`r bav`s tm` sgdv`
pravag`b` ti nuagf mas iwo pravdt` dpdrte`ot
dof lugtavdt` mas iwo cdre' tm`r`ny edkaobmaes`gc ds liecirtdng` ds pissang` ao tm` lar
luestdol`s/ Ao mas iwo aot`r`st d liosaf`rdt`
edst`r smiugf tr`dt mas sgdv` w`gg' `sp`ladggy
ds tm` gac` ic tm` edst`r as sie`tae`s ao tm`
mdofs ic tm` sgdv`' ao pdrtalugdr tmriubm
mdofgaob tm`ar edst`r"s ciif/
48 Vc d sgdv` mdf d lmagf n`cir` r`f``eaob maes`gc'
m` smdgg dgsi pdy cir r`f`eptaio ic tm` lmagf;itm`rwas` tm` lmagf as stagg tm` prip`rty ic tm` cdtm`r"s
edst`r/
44 D edo edy irf`r dof dutmiraz` dof dppiaot
doitm`r ti ldrry io nusao`ss cir mae uof`r d l`rtdao
cax`f drrdob`e`ot/ Vm` dttiro`y as r`spiosang` ti mas
lga`ot cir doy fdedb` ir giss ldus`f ny mas o`bgab`ol`
ir easliofult/
4> \miugf d edo s`of doitm`r io d fdob`rius
`rrdof ir ti d fdob`rius pgdl`' tm` s`of`r as r`spio
sang` ti tm` cdeagy cir doy mdre tmdt edy iv`rtdk` tm`
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 67/98
LIOV^DLV\ 34
io` s`ot; nut ac tm` edo s`ot as s`ot io tm` aostrultaio
ir watm tm` koiwg`fb` ir lios`ot ic mas cdeagy -tm`
m`df ic tm` cdeagy `sp`ladggy!' tm` s`of`r as oit
r`spiosang`/
-d! Dgsi ac at as priv`f tmdt tm` mdre wmalm n`c`gg
tm` edo s`ot wds ldus`f tmriubm mas iwo ciggy'
tm` s`of`r as s`ot cr`` crie ngde` ir cao`/ Ac at
as dgsi priv`f tmdt o`atm`r tm` `rrdof oir tm`
pdtm wds fdob`rius' dof tmdt tm` mdre wds
pur`gy dllaf`otdg' tm` s`of`r as cr`` crie ngde`
ir cao`/
4< D edo g`dvaob mas liuotry ir r`saf`ol` edylieeassaio doitm`r edo ti dlt cir mae' nut tm` odtur`
ic tm` lieeassaio eust n` `xpgdao`f ti tm` dttiro`yao tm` pr`s`ol` ic wato`ss`s' dof tm` dttiro`y as iogyti dlt ao tmdt
pdrtalugdraostdol`/ Vm` edo io mas
r`turo bav`s d pr`s`ot ti tm` edo lieeassaio`f
wm`r` oi pricat ldo n` r`dgas`f/ Vmas `ofs tm`lieeassaio/
46 D edo edy g`t iut mas s`rvdot io mar` gak`
lmdtt`gs/ \miugf doy mdre n`cdgg tm` s`rvdot furaobs`rval` dof at as priv`f ti n` do dllaf`ot' tm` mar`r as
cr`` crie ngde` ircao`;
itm`rwas` m` as
r`spiosang`ti tm` g`of`r/
40 Eio`y as bav`o iut io gido dt aot`r`st dt tm`
rdt` ic 0% `v`ry 42tm fdy/
-d! Vm` syst`e ic bavaob s`luraty cir d gido as
cir`abo/
-n! Vm` gido edy r`edao uopdaf cir y`drs' dof ac
tm` aot`r`st as r`bugdrgy pdaf' pdye`ot wagg oit
n` `ocirl`f' uog`ss dt tm` iuts`t d l`rtdao fdt`
cir tm` r`turo ic tm` gido wds dbr``f upio' ir
uog`ss tm` g`of`r n`lie`s aosigv`ot/
43 Xdye`ot ic f`nt as `ocirl`f ao twi fdys:
-4! Ibi syst`e/ Vm` g`of`r ir lr`fatir' ny p`r
eassaio ic tm` dutmirata`s' s`ofs twi ir eir`
e`o ti tm` f`ntir"s mius` ds ndagaccs/ Vm`s`
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 68/98
3> GDR\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC QI^PND
ao wmalm tm` f`ntir"s mius` as' fi dgg tmdt ga`s
ao tm`ar piw`r ti dooiy dgg tm` aoedt`s ic tm`
liepiuof ny usaob icc`osav` gdobudb`' r`cusaobdt tae`s ti bav` `otrdol` ir g`dv` ti doy io`
wmi wasm`s ti bi ao ir iut ic tm` liepiuof/\miugf tm`y c``g muobry' tm`y s`az` doy`fang` ciif crie doy io` ic tm` aoedt`s ir
v`ofirs pdssaob ny' t`ggaob tm`e tmdt tm`
f`ntir as r`spiosang` cir tm`ar dltaio/ Vm`y• edy kagg ciwgs' sm``p' bidts' ir doy ldttg` n`
giobaob ti do aoedt` ir d o`abmniur/ Dgg tmas
as fio` ti liep`g ir eiv` tm` f`ntir ir tm`
aoedt`s ir tm` o`abmniurs ti edk` aee`fadt`
pdye`ot/ Vm` ndagaccs ldgg`f Igibi r`edao
tagg tm` f`nt as pdaf' ir tagg tm` lgdaedot as
n`bb`f ti r`eiv` tm`e ny p`rsudsaios ir tm`
aot`rc`r`ol` ic p`rsios aot`r`st`f ao tm`
f`ntir/ Ao doy lds` tm` ndagaccs wagg oitr`eiv` ir vdldt` tm` pgdl` watmiut tm` aostrul
taio ic tm` lgdaedot wmi s`ot tm`e tm`r`/ Doyfdedb` fio` ny tm` Igibi' eust n` pdaf
cir ny tm` f`ntir/ Vm` Igibi eust n` pdafcir ny tm` f`ntir/ Vm` Igibi' io vdldtaob
tm` f`ntir"s pgdl` ds dcir`sdaf' dr` `dlm
`otatg`f ti 3f p`r fdy dof bao dof kigd outs'
wmalm eust dgsi n` pdaf ny tm` f`ntir ir iomas dlliuot/
->!@eu syst`e/ Rm`o tm` Ibi syst`e cdags ti
s`lur` pdye`ot' nut saepgy aolr`ds`s tm` f`nt'
tm` lr`fatir mds tm` rabmt ti s`az` dof f`tdao
doy io` n`giobaob ti tm` f`ntir"s tran` ir lgdo/
Vm` lr`fatir edy s`az` twi ir eir` e`o'
dllirfaob ti tm` odtur` ic tm` f`nt' dof tm`y
dr` k`pt ds tm` lr`fatir"s prasio`rs tagg tm`
eio`y as pdaf wm`o tm` ldptav`s dr` s`t cr``/
LMDXV@^ ]]Ad
LDVVG@ ^@D^AOB' @VL/
4 D edo edy bav` mas ldttg` ti doitm`r ciruof`r tm` liofataios:
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 69/98
GDR\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC QI^PND 3<
Vm` carst nr``f bi`s ti tm` iwo`r' tm` o`xt io` ti
tm` ldttg` ldr`tdk`r/
-d!Vc
tm`carst
nr``fas
twi‖
io` edg` dof io`c`edg`‖tm` iwo`r tdk`s tm` c`edg`' dof tm`
o`xt c`edg` nr``f bi`s ti tm` ldr`tdk`r/
-n! \miugf `atm`r ir nitm pdrta`s -tm` iwo`r dof
tm` ldr`tdk`r! wasm ti lgis` tm` liotrdlt' dof
tm` ldttg` mds oit priful`f doy nr``f' at
smiugf n` sigf dof tm` eio`y `qudggy favaf`f'
privaf`f tm` ldttg` mdv` n``o watm tm` ldr`tdk`r cir d p`raif oit smirt`r tmdo 4> cugg
eiotms/
-l! Io tm` ldttg` n`aob icc`r`f cir sdg`' doy io`'
aolgufaob `atm`r ic tm` twi pdrta`s' edy nuy at/
-f! Io tm` f`dtm ir giss ic sulm ldttg`' dof ac at as
priv`f tmdt tm` ldr`tdk`r as oit ao doy wdy
r`spiosang` cir tm` easmdp -a/`/' ac m` as oit
buagty ic o`bgab`ol`' ldr`g`sso`ss' ir doy ciug
pgdy! m` as cr`` crie doy lgdae crie tm` iwo`r
nut ac oi sdtascdltiry priic as dfful`f ti lg`dr
tm` ldr`tdk`r' tm` iwo`r as `otatg`f ti lgdae
tm` list ic tm` ldttg` ds w`gg ds tm` prindng`list ic dgg tm` nr``fs wmalm tm` ldttg` edy mdv`
mdffuraob
tm`ar gac`tae`/
-`! Vm` dniv` rug`s dppgy ti piugtry r`draob io
liotrdlts/
> Rm`o d edo uof`rtdk`s ti lut ir ligg`lt pdge
cruats cir tm` iwo`r' ir fi`s d smraepcasmaob jin cir
tm` iwo`r ic tm` wdt`r ir ic tm` casmaob ndsk`ts' ir
pagits d edst`r o`tldst`r' m` as `otatg`f ti io`tmarf
ic tm` pril``fs' ir tm` `quavdg`ot deiuot ao eio`yir biifs/
LMDXV@^ ]]An
XDRO \Q\V@E
4 D edo edy pdwo maes`gc' mas wac`' ir mas lmagf
cirf`nt' dof
uotag tm` f`nt as
pdaf tm` pdwor`edaos
tm` s`rvdot ic tm` pdwo``/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 70/98
36 XDRO \Q\V@E
-d! M` as ti p`rcire doy edoudg gdniur cir mas
edst`r dof tm` list ic doy fdedb` ir giss
ldus`f ny tm` pdwo as dff`f ti tm` deiuot ic
tm` irabaodg f`nt/
-n! Vm` gdniur ic tm` pdwo as oi pdrt pdye`ot ic
tm` f`nt; at as tdk`o ds aot`r`st io tm` ldpatdg
-tm` f`nt!/
-l! \miugf tm` pdwo n` d briwoup p`rsio' m` as
dggiw`f d l`rtdao ouen`r ic fdys ti fi mas
pravdt` wirk' ti `odng` mae ti sdv` ti r`f``e
maes`gc/ Ac m` wirks 1 fdys io mas edst`r"s
nusao`ss' tm` ciggiwaob 1 fdys n`giob ti mae/
Vmas bi`s io dgt`rodt`gy tagg tm` pdwo r`ga`v`s
maes`gc ic tm` pdwo/
-f! D edo wm`o pdwoaob maes`gc eust priful` d
sur`ty' wmi r`l`av`s crie tm` pdwo tm` sue
ic @bnd -3f!/ Vm` dll`ptdol` ic @bnd r`o
f`rs tm` sur`ty gadng` cir tm` r`cuof ic tm` f`nt
smiugf tm` pdwo dnsliof ir r`cus` ti pdy/
-`! \miugf d edo tdk` d c`edg` pdwo dof mdv`
s`xudg aot`rliurs` watm m`r dof at as priv`f'
tm` pdwo`` oit iogy circ`ats mas eio`y' nut m`
as gadng` cir pris`lutaio dof cao` cir lieeattaob
dfugt`ry' ac tm` wiedo as d wac` ir tm` n`
tritm`f wac` ic doitm`r edo/ Nut ac tm`
wiedo as oit y`t `obdb`f ti doy edo' tm`
pdwo`` as cr`` crie pris`lutaio/ M` edytdk` m`r cir wac` smiugf sm` lios`ot/ @xtrd
pdye`ot cir fiwry as oit o`l`ssdry/
-c! D edo io r`l`avaob eio`y uof`r tm` pdwo
syst`e n`lie`s tm` s`rvdot ic tm` pdwo``
crie tmdt eie`ot/ M` edy' miw`v`r' tdk`
oit eir` tmdo 42 fdys" g`dv` n`cir` surr`of`r
aob maes`gc/ Io pdye`ot ic tm` f`nt' sulm d
pdwo eust n` f`tdao`f ir pdy cir tm` ouen`r
ic fdys m` tiik ds g`dv` dt tm` iuts`t' n`cir`
m` as s`t cr``/
-b! Io pdye`ot ic eio`y ao r`ga`c ic tm` pdwo do
dffataiodg sue ic >|% as f`edof`f/ Vmassurpgus f`edof bi`s ti tm` sur`ty/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 71/98
GDR\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC QI^PND 30
-m! Xdwoaob as trdosc`r`f a/ `/' d pdwo`r edys`lur` d o`w edst`r' wmi' io pdyaob ao cugg ti
tm` irabaodg edst`r' as quat` cr`` ti f`edof tm`
pdwo crie tm` sdaf pdwo``/
-a! \miugf d pdwo`` dgsi n`lie` aosig`ot' ir as
faspg`ds`f dt tm` n`mdvaiur ic mas pdwo' m` wagg
dsk tm` sur`ty cir tm` pdye`ot ic tm` f`nt' ir
drrdob` cir trdosc`r' dof ac tm` sur`ty cdags ti
ldrry iut tm`s` drrdob`e`ots' tm` pdwo`` edyic mas iwo dllirf drrdob` cir tm` trdosc`r ic
tm` pdwo ti doitm`r; ao irf`r ti s`lur` mas
eio`y' tm` irabaodg sur`ty n`aob stagg r`spiosang`
cir tm` f`nt/
-j!D eitm`r edy pdwo m`r lmagf' nut tm` lios`ot
ic tm` cdtm`r as o`l`ssdry/ Nut ac tm` musndof
mds waggcuggy dof lru`ggy o`bg`lt`f tm` wac` sm`
edy pdwo m`r lmagf cir eio`y ti r`ga`v` m`r
o`l`ssata`s/
-k! D nritm`r ldo pdwo mas yiuob`r nritm`r' nut
tm` lios`ot ic tm` pdr`ots ds w`gg ds tmdt ic
tm` yiuob`r nritm`r as o`l`ssdry/ D yiuob
niy ir barg' wmi as oit tm` r`dg f`ntir' edyr`cus` ti n` pdwo`f cirsdk` tm` s`rval`/
Rm`o d pdwo r`cus`s ti s`rv` mas edst`r' doftm` eio`y as oit y`t pdaf'tm` sur`ty as niuof
ti s`rv` ao pgdl` ic tm` dnsliof`f pdwo uotag
tm` eio`y as pdaf/
D pdwo edy gav` ao mas iwo mius`' nut m` eust
r`bugdrgy dtt`of ti mas edst`r"s wirk/ Dc`edg` pdwo stdys watm tm` wie`o ao tm`
edst`r"s mius`/ Lmagfr`o pdwos ds d rug` stdy
watm tm`ar edst`r' wmi as r`spiosang` cir tm`ar
c``faob/ Vm`y edy dgsi n` suppga`f watm
lgitm`s ny tm` edst`r' nut tmas as oit liepug
siry/ Vm`y dr` dgsi dggiw`f ti vasat tm`ar
pdr`ots r`bugdrgy/
Rm`o d pdwo wmi r`saf`s watm mas edst`r cdggs
salk' aociredtaio smdgg n` bav`o dt iol` ti tm`
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 72/98
GDR\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC QI^PND 33
sur`ty ds w`gg ds ti tm` cdeagy liol`ro`f' cdagaob
wmalm tm` edst`r as r`spiosang` cir doy mdre
wmalm edy `osur`/
D pdwo wmi stdys ao mas iwo mius` smdgg' io
cdggaob salk' r`pirt ti tm` edst`r' itm`rwas`
tm` list ic mas gdniur furaob mas dns`ol` smdgg
n` dff`f ti mas dlliuot/
LMDXV@^ ]]AA
N^@DLM IC LIOV^DLV
4 \miugf d edo prieas` ti edrry d barg dof
dct`rwdrfs nr`dk mas prieas`' tm` barg ldooit lgdae
fdedb` cir nr`dlm ic prieas`/ \m` ldo iogy sgdob
dof dnus` mae/ \m` as' miw`v`r' `otatg`f ti r`liv`r
doytmaob ao tm` smdp` ic pr`s`ots' bacts' ir k``psdk`s
ao piss`ssaio ic tm` edo/
-d! \miugf d edo dct`r tiulmaobir
limdnataob watmd barg wmie m` mds prieas`f ti edrry' r`cus`
ti edrry m`r m` as gadng` ti pdye`ot ic d gdrb`
sue cir nr`dlm ic prieas`/
-n! Oi lgdae ldo n` `ot`rtdao`f dbdaost d wiedocir nr`dkaob icc do `obdb`e`ot/ Vm` edo as'
miw`v`r' `otatg`f ti r`liv`r doy eio`ys ir
`xp`os`s io dlliuot ic tm` `obdb`e`ot/ Vmasaolguf`s dgg eio`ys' bacts' dof list ic gdniur
cir tm` barg dof m`r pdr`ots dof r`gdtav`s io
m`r n`mdgc/
-l! \miugf d edo cdag ti dlt ao liocireaty watm
l`rtdao lgdus`s uof`r edrradb` Gdw' m` tdk`s tm`
rask ic circ`ataob mas wac`' dof ldooit lgdae
r`liv`ry ic mas pdst fasnurs`e`ots/ At edtt`rsoit wm`tm`r m` mds pdaf Afdod dof Ajimuo ir
oit/ Nut tm` barg"s pdr`ots ic tm`ar iwo
dllirf -ti pr`s`rv` tm` faboaty ic tm`ar mius`
dof cdeagy! r`pdy sulm fasnurs`e`ots ti tm`
edo/
'-f! \miugf d barg dgsi cdag ir r`cus` ti liik
-Eimdee`fdo Edrradb`' gn!'
sm` as
r`bdrf`fds nr`dkaob icc tm` `obdb`e`ot/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 73/98
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 74/98
3= N^@DLM LC LIOV^DLV
2 \miugf tm`r` n` d natt`r qudrr`g n`tw``o twi
p`rsios' dof ac io` ic tm` twi pdrta`s as n`r`dv`f'
am` itm`r pdrty smdgg s`t dsaf` tm` qudrr`g dof pdy dvasat ir s`of ti vasat mas `o`ey -si ldgg`f! ti `xpr`ss
syepdtmy cir n`r`dv`e`ot/ \miugf m` cdag ti fi
amas' d wirs` drf gdstaob `oeaay r`sugts/
= \miugf twi p`rsios qudrr`g dof lurs` `dlm
itm`r' ir io` lurs` tm` itm`r' dof ny liaolaf`ol`
mdre n`cdgg `atm`r ic tm` twi ir tm` io`lurs`f'
tm`
itm`r pdrty as m`gf r`spiosang` cir tm` easmdp/
1 Edrawi/ Qiuob pdge g`dv`s dr` do `eng`e ic
sdlr`fo`ss dof wdroaob/
-d! Vm`y dr` put dt tm` `otrdol` ic `v`ry sdlr`f
briv` ds d wdroaob tmdt tm` pgdl` eust io oi
dlliuot n` f`cag`f/ Vm` sde` rug` dppga`s ti
`v`ry smrao`/
-n! Rm`o d edo mds `ot`r`f doitm`r edo"s gdof
watm aot`ot ti tdk` piss`ssaio ic at ds mas iwo/
Vm` iwo`r smdgg lut dof put Edrawi ti `v`ry
pissang` `otrdol` ti tm` gdof' tmus aep`ofaob
tr`spdss`rs" `olridlme`ot/ Doy curtm`r fasput`
ir lds` ic tr`spdss smdgg n` f`laf`f n`cir` tm`
tranuodg ic tm` lma`cs/
48 Kigd Outs/ Vm`s` pgdy do aepirtdot pdrt ao
tm` siladg gac` ic tm` liuotry/ Oi icc`r ic sdlracal`'
oi edrradb` l`r`eioy as liepg`t` ir vdgaf watmiut
tm`e/ Dgg pr`s`ots' bacts' ir `ot`rtdaoe`ots ic
strdob`rs ir vasatirs dr` dlliepdoa`f ny d bact ic kigdouts/ @v`o ti r`l`av` d pr`slran`f e`falao` crie d
odtav` filtir `otdags tm` bavaob dof r`l`avaob ic kigd
ir at as n`ga`v`f tmdt tm` e`falao` wagg oit dlt/ Dt
nartm' dt edrradb`' dof cuo`rdgs tm` us` ic kigd outs
as aofasp`osang` -watmiut tm` bavaob dof r`l`avaob ic kigd
outs tm` tdkaob ir illupdtaio ic doy gdof r`of`rs
io`"s tatg` qu`staiodng` ir ouggaca`f ao tm` cutur`' oi
edtt`r wmdt`v`r io` edy mdv` bav`o ao ldsm ir
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 75/98
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 76/98
28 N^@DLM IC LIOV^DLV
dllirfaob ti tm` gdw/ Rm`o do drtalg` ir biifs' ir
ldttg` ir lmagf' ir strdob`r as eassaob' tm` iwo`r ir
tm` p`rsio r`spiosang` smdgg p`rsiodggy p`tataio tm`
lma`c ic tm` tiwo ir tm` kaob ti bav` oital` ti tm`
pungal' icc`raob d r`wdrf ti doy io` wmi caofs dof
f`gav`rs at/ \miugf tm` caof`r r`crdao crie f`gav`raob
at dof m` as f`t`lt`f' m` as tr`dt`f ds d tma`c/ Vm`
lma`c"s ir kaob"s e`ss`ob`r wmi rdas`s tm` mu` dof lry
smdgg n` pdaf tmriubm mas edst`r/
Qde Lustie
Vmas as d c`stavdg ins`rvdng` dniut tm` eiotm ic
Iltin`r/ Io tmas illdsaio tm` kaob dof tm` stdcc ic
c`tasme`o lioo`lt`f watm at tdk` pdrt/ Dgg wmi ldo
ny doy pissanagaty dtt`of at dss`eng` ti l`g`nrdt` tm`
biifo`ss ic tm` c`tasm ao mdvaob brdot`f do dnuofdot
mdrv`st/ Vm` kaob' prit`lt`f ny mas stdt` uenr`ggd
doftm` c`tasme`o
-tm` pra`stssi ti
sp`dkfr`ss`f ao
tm`ar c`tasm rin`s! icc`r tm` usudg sdlracal`s/ Vm`
c`tasmedo carst pdrtdk`s ic tm` yde' tm` kaob tm`o `dts
ic tm` vdgudng` riit/ Dct`r tm`s` twi mdv` pri
oiuol`f tm`e ti n` rap` dof cat cir ciif' tm` p`ipg`
liosaf`r tm`es`gv`s dt gan`rty ti liee`ol` fabbaob
dof `dtaob tm` sde`/
Larluelasaio
Vmas as d lieeio prdltal`' nut at as p`lugadr ti tm`
sios ic d kaob ic d l`rtdao tran` ao Qirund ti n`
uolarluelas`f/
Xr`s`otaob dof r`liv`raob ic pr`s`ots' eio`ys'fraokdng`s ir doy drtalg` ir biifs watm tm` g`ct mdof
as r`pubodot ti odtav` lustie/ At as d far`lt aosugt/
Nut ac tm` rabmt mdof as edae`f ir dcc`lt`f watm sir`s
ir doy itm`r fas`ds` r`of`raob at aoldpdng` ic n`aob
us`f' ir at as oit lg`do `oiubm ti migf ir r`l`av` tm`
pr`s`ot' tm` pdrty liol`ro`f dskaob ti n` `xlus`f
edy us` tm` g`ct mdof/
Rm`o ciif' ir fraok ir kigd outs dr` pr`s`ot`f ti
d vasatir' ir strdob`r ir cra`of' at smdgg carst n` tdst`f
ny tm` p`rsio pr`s`otaob at/ At edtt`rs oit miwn`/ Vmas
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 77/98
GDR\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC QI^PND 24
as fio` -d! ti r`eiv` tm` suspalaio ic tm` drtalg` n`aob
piasio`f; -n! ti priv` tm` aooil`ol` ic tm` pr`s`ot`r'
smiugf doy aot`rodg triung` liaolaf`otgy n`cdgg tm` r`l`av`f ir liosue`r' pist eirt`e `xdeaodtaio n`aobuokiwo ti tm` odtav`/
LMDXV@^ ]]AAA
CPO@^DG
4
Cuo`rdgrat`s
dof l`r`eioa`sdr`
biv`ro`f nyliosaf`rdtaios ic nartm' rdok' dof ldus` ic f`dtm/
> Vm` lirps` ic d kaob as usudggy f`ldpatdt`f n`cir`
nuradg' tm` skugg' tm` tiobu`' dof tm` m`drt n`aob pr`
s`rv`f cir d l`r`eioy ti n` edf` dt tm` aostdggdtaio
ic mas sull`ssir/
< D edo eust n` nura`f ny tm` e`en`rs ic tm`
sila`ty ti wmalm m` n`giob`f' privaf`f tm` f`dtm as cr``
crie uoodturdg ir fasbrdl`cug ldus`s/
6 \miugf d edo wmi n`giobs ti twi ir eir`
sila`ty fa`' tm` l`r`eioa`s ic tm` mabm`r ir eir` mioiur
dng` io` tdk`s tm` pr`l`f`ol` ds w`gg ds tm` aot`re`ot
ic tm` lirps`/
0 Rm`o d edo fa`s' kigd outs' bao dof eio`y-dllirfaob ti tm` rdok dof tatg` ic tm` f`l`ds`f! dr` s`ot
ti tm` m`dfs ic mas sila`ta`s dof sie` itm`r aepirtdot
e`o ic tm` tiwo -`/b/ tm` kaob' tm` aepirtdot lma`cs ic
tiwo ir vaggdb`' smiugf tm` f`l`ds`f n` ic mabm
rdok dof tatg`! ti dooiuol` tm` f`dtm ic tm` edo/
Vmas as ldgg`f Abni a/`/' .M`draob C``'. wmalm as
fastranut`f
deiobsttm`
p`rsios `gabang`/
Vmas s`rv`s
ds tm` iccaladg dooiuol`e`ot' wmalm eust n` edf`
ti `cc`lt tm` prip`r nuradg ic tm` lirps`/ Dct`r Abni
`dlm ic tm` sila`ta`s ti wmalm tm` edo n`giob`f
smdgg aepis` tm`ar lmdrb`s' wmalm eust n` pdafn`cir` tm` p`rciredol` ic tm` l`r`eioy ny sulm d
sila`ty' cdagaob wmalm tm` sila`ty wagg aboir` tm`
lirps`' dof smiugf at n` nura`f watmiut tm` sila`ty
tm` p`ipg` wmi dr` r`spiosang` cir tm` nuradg smdgg n`gadng` ti d ao dffataio ti tm` ic
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 78/98
2> GDR\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC QI^PND
tm`_sila`ty"s f`edof' io tm` pdye`ot ic wmalm tm`
sila`ty smdgg p`rcire tm` nuradg rat`s dof l`r`eioa`s
cir tm` f`l`ds`f/ At as oit o`l`ssdry ti `xmue` tm`lirps` cir tm` p`rciredol` ic tm` sde`/
3 Vm` lirps` as nura`f ao tm` f`l`ds`f"s iwo
mius`' privaf`f tm` f`dtm as cr`` crie uoodturdg dof
fasbrdl`cug ldus`s/
2 \gdv`s dr` nura`f ao tm`ar edst`r"s ydrfs; dgsi
strdob`rs/
= Vm` lirps` ic d p`rsio' kagg`f ny tmuof`r as
r`eiv`f dof nura`f ny tm` tmuof`r wirsmapp`rs
-Ioasdobi!' wmi dgsi s`az` dof liocasldt` tm` biifsdof prip`rty ic tm` f`l`ds`f/
1 D friwo`f edo as nura`f io tm` ndok ic tm`
rav`r ir tm` wdt`r watm l`rtdao l`r`eioa`s dttdlm`f
ti at/
gn \miugf d edo fa` ic sedggpix mas lirps` dof
prip`rty dr` bav`o ti tm` sedggpix wirsmapp`rs -Ioa
\ipiood!' wmi nury tm` lirps` dof smdr` tm` biifs/
Lios`qu`otgy' tm` Ioa \ipiood mdv` dff`f br`dtgy ti
tm` spr`df ic sedggpix' saol` tm` biifs ic tm` valtaes
n`giob ti tm`e/ \ie` pirtaio ic tm` lirps` as tdk`o
dof liepiuof`f watm fdob`rius s``fs' dof watm tmas
tm` fraokaob wdt`r ic tm` liuotry as n`ciug`f'
44 Lirps`s ic lraeaodgs dr` o`v`r nura`f; tm`y
dr` ciif cir vugtur`s' `dbg`s' wigv`s' rdts' `tl/
G`p`rs dof guodtals dr` o`v`r nura`f ao tm` mius`'
4> Vm` muolmndlk as put aoti twi gdrb` pits' io`
s`rvaob ds d liv`r n`cir` m` as nura`f/
4< Ao tm` lds` ic do irfaodry nuradg' tm` lirps`
n`cir` at as put ao tm` liccao' as wrdpp`f ao ds edoylgitm`s ds dr` dvdagdng` dof ta`f up watm oao` ndofdb`sac edg`' ir s`v`o ndofdb`s ac d wiedo/
At as n`ga`v`f tmdt edo wds lr`dt`f watm oao` nio`s
dof d wiedo watm s`v`o/ M`ol` wm`o d lmagf as niro'
tm` l`r`eioy ic odeaob tm` lmagf as p`rcire`f io tm`
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 79/98
CPO@^DG 2<
46 Io nuryaob d lma`c' ir kaob ir d oitdng` edo
buos dr` car`f -uof`r tm` igf biv`roe`ot muedo sdlra
cal`s w`r` pr`vdg`ot!/ At as aep`rdtav` ti kagg dof
sdlracal` d bidt dof spraokg` tm` ngiif io tm` lirps`io tm` oabmt tmdt at as biaob ti n` aot`rr`f -lirps`s dr`
aot`rr`f ao tm` `v`oaob dof oit furaob tm` fdy!/ Ac
d muot`r' d fib eust n` dff`f ti tm` sdlracal`s/
40 \miugf d edo fa` dt d pgdl` oit mas iwo mius`
ir mie`' mas lirps` as r`eiv`f ti mas mius`; d ciwg ao
tm` mdofs ic io` ic tm` `slirtpr`l`f`s
tm`lirps`'wmalm as ldrra`f io tm` m`dfs ic twi ir eir` p`rsios/
Vm` migf`r ic tm` ciwg' smiutaob dt tm` tip ic mas
vial` .Ic` Ic` r`.-gat; v`ry gabmt' oit m`dvy!'
pgulks dof tmriws tm` ciwg"s c`dtm`rs io tm` ridf/
Vm` ciwg as kagg`f dt tm` `otrdol` ic tm` f`l`ds`f"s
mius` n`cir` tm` lirps` ldrra`rs `ot`r/ Vm` cg`sm as
liik`f dof `dt`o ny tm`e iogy/
Oit`:‖Vm` r`dsio wmy tm` smiut .Ic`. as
edf` as ti wdro tmis` p`ipg` wmi dr` straltgy cirnaff`o
ti s`` d f`df nify ti stdof lg`dr dof mdv` tm`ar cdl`s
liv`r`f watm d v`ag ir lgitm wmag` tm` lirps` as n`aobldrra`f pdst/ Vm` ciwg as cir tm` f`l`ds`f ti pdy cir
mas tr`spdss`s io tm` ridf' mas ldrradb` ti mas mie`n`cir` nuradg dof tm` r`dsio
wmyat as kagg`f dt tm`
`otrdol` as ti wdrf icc d saeagdr illurr`ol`‖do
iuticfiir f`dtm deiob tm` aoedt`s ir r`gdtav`s
ic tm` f`l`ds`f/
43 Furaob tm` cuo`rdg p`raif d fastaobuasm`f p`r
siodb`' d lma`c ir m`df ic cdeagy' as dppiaot`f
dfeaoastrdtir/ M` as ldgg`f .Ndnd osaoku. -a/`/'
cdtm`r ic cuo`rdg/ l`r`eioa`s!/ Vm` itm`r e`en`rs ictm` cdeagy dr` ldgg`f .Iei igiku. -a/`/' lmagfr`o ic
tm` f`l`ds`f"s cdeagy!/ Ndnd osaoku r`pr`s`ots tm`
wmig` cdeagy dof as r`spiosang` cir tm` prip`r nuradg
dof edodb`e`ot ic tm` f`l`ds`f"s prip`rty/
42 @v`ry e`en`r ic tm` cdeagy smdgg jiao ao dgg
cuo`rdg `xp`os`s' dof smdgg bav`* dt g`dst twi ydrfs ic
wmat` lgitm dof eio`y oit g`ss tmdo >84 liwra`s titm` f`df ti n` nura`f watm mae/ D e`en`r ic tm`
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 80/98
26 GDR\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC QI^PND
cdeagy as dgsi niuof ti sunslran` ti tn` faslmdrb` ic
dgg f`nts aolurr`f ny tm` f`l`ds`f/ At as dgsi tm`
nusao`ss ic tm` musndofs ir tm` cadol`s ic tm` f`
l`ds`f"s fdubmt`rs ir liusaos ir oa`l`s ir sast`rs ti
fab tm` brdv`/
4= Io tm` f`dtm ic d p`rsio' mas lr`fatirs smdgg
n`cir` tm` nuradg stdt` mas lgdae ti Ndnd osaoku' pri
fulaob wato`ss`s/ M` smdgg sw`dr n`cir` tm` f`l`ds`f
cdeagy' ac r`qu`st`f ti fi si' tmus:‖D kigd out
as spgat dof d pdrt ic at pgdl`f io tm` f`l`ds`f"s
gaps lgis`f/ Vm` sw`dr`r smdgg sdy' .ac ey lgdae ic
sulm dof sulm deiuot ir biifs as cdgs`' g`t e` n`
ldgg`f ny yiu ti e``t yiu ao tm` o`xt wirgf watmao
2 ir 1 fdys/ M` tm`o tdk`s dof `dts tm` kigd out/
Ac oitmaob mdres mae tmriubmiut tm` stdt`f p`raif'
tm` lgdae as vdgaf dof eust n` pdaf/ \miugf doy`vag n`cdgg mae furaob tm` stdt`f p`raif' tm` sw`dr`r
oit iogy gis`s tm` lgdae' nut eust pdy ir bav` l`rtdao
tmaobs ao sdlracal` ti bifs/ Ac f`dtm iv`rtdk`s tm`
sw`dr`r' mas lmagfr`o ir cdeagy eust pripatadt` tm`
bifs io mas n`mdgc' tmdt mas sparat edy s`lur` r`st dof
p`dl` ao tm` itm`r wirgf/
41 N`cir` tm` nuradg tm` Ndnd osaoku smdgg aovat`
doy io` wmi mds doytmaob ti lgdae crie tm` f`l`ds`fti lie` cirwdrf dt iol`' ds oi lgdae smdgg n` `ot`rtdao`f
dct`rwdrfs/
>8 Lgdae edf` dct`r nuradg as oit `ot`rtdao`f' uog`ss
at as priv`f tmdt tm` lgdaedot wds dns`ot crie tiwo'
ir wds uof`r r`strdaot dt tm` tae` ic tm` edo"s
f`dtm' ir faf oit m`dr ir koiw ic tm` edo"s f`dtm
tagg dct`r mas nuradg/ Ao tmdt lds`' ac sw`draob as
o`l`ssdry' sie` `drtm crie tm` brdv` ic tm` f`l`ds`f
as put ao fraokaob wdt`r' cir tm` lgdaedot wmi sw`drs
ao tm` wirfs e`otaio`f dof tm`o fraoks tm` wdt`r
watm tm` `drtm ao at/
>4 Doy e`en`r ic tm` cdeagy wmi fi`s oit jiao ao
tm` cuo`rdg `xp`os`s ds w`gg ds ao tm` gaquafdtaio ic tm`
f`l`ds`f"s f`nt smdgg circ`at rabmts ic aom`ratdol` ictm` f`l`ds`f"s
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 81/98
CPO@^DG 20
Doy cadol` ic tm` f`l`ds`f"s fdubmt`r wmi cdags ti
p`rcire mas futa`s dof as oit dns`ot crie tiwo' ir
salk ir uodviafdngy pr`v`ot`f' smdgg gis` mas n`tritm`f
wac`/ Mas dttdlme`ot ti tm` cdeagy as oit w`glie`oir f`sar`f/ At edtt`rs oit wm`tm`r fiwry mds n``o
pdaf/ Vmas edy n` r`cuof`f ti mae/
LMDXV@^ ]]AS
RAFIRMIIF
4 Rm`o d edo fa`s mas wac` eiuros cir maecir tmr`` eiotms/
-d! \m` eust oit pgdat m`r mdar dof ac dgr`dfy
pgdat`f sm` eust gis` at/
-n! \m` eust oit tdk` d ndtm cir tm` tmr`` eiotms/
-l! \m` eust oit lmdob` tm` lgitm`s wmalm sm` wds
w`draob dt tm` tae` ic m`r musndof"s f`dtm/
-f! \m` eust sg``p io rdb edts/
-`! \m` eust k``p aofiirs cir tm` tmr`` eiotms'dof ac sm` ldooit m`gp biaob iut' at eust n` ao
tm` `v`oaob/ Nut sulm d lds` as v`ry rdr`/
> Furaob tmas p`raif tm` edo wmi tdk`s tm`
wiedo cir wac` s`ofs mas lm`waob stalk ds d syenigic mas giv` cir m`r/ -Nut sulm d edo eust n` d
e`en`r ic tm` f`l`ds`f"s cdeagy! dof tm` e`en`rs ic
tm` cdeagy eust dppriv` ic mas tdkaob m`r cir wac`/
M` eust dgsi suppirt tm` wiedo furaob m`r eiuroaob
fdys/
Rm`o tm` p`raif ic eiuroaob -tmr`` eiotms! as
iv`r' dgg tm` wav`s ic tm` f`l`ds`f bi ligg`ltav`gy ti
tm` nriik -wdagaob! dt suos`t' wm`o `v`ry io` wdsm`s
m`r lgitm`s dof tdk`s d ndtm/ Vm`y dr` `slirt`f ir
prit`lt`f ny sie` edg` e`en`rs ic tm` cdeagy wmi
faslmdrb` twi vigg`ys io stdrtaob crie mie`' twi eaf
wdy' dof twi dt tm` nriik' dof val` v`rsd/ N`cir`
stdrtaob cir tm` nriik' `dlm wiedoas
smdv`f ny m`rsuatir -wm`o d wiedo r`cus`s ti dggiw d edo ti smdv`
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 82/98
23 RAFIRMIIF
m`r' at e`dos tmdt sm` r`cus`s mae ds m`r suatir!/ Io
r`turoaob crie tm` nriik' `v`ry io` ic tm`e as tdk`o
cir wac` ny m`r o`w musndof tmdt sde` `v`oaob/
\miugf tm` wiedo n` tii igf dof dniv` lmagf
n`draob sm` as oit dltudggy edrra`f' nut as ciredggy
dttdlm`f ti d edg` e`en`r ic tm` cdeagy ds m`r
oieaodg suatir/ \m` as oit r`eiv`f crie m`r
irabaodg musndof"s mius` gak` tm` itm`r yiuob wie`o'nut sm` r`edaos d eitm`r ao tm` mius`/
D edo eiuros tm` giss ic mas wac` ao tm` sde` wdy'
nut ao d g`ss`r f`br``/ M` mds ti k``p maes`gc
lgis`gy aofiirs cir dt g`dst 42 fdys' dct`r wmalm tae`
m` edy bi iut/ Nut ao eiuroaob cir cugg tmr``
eiotms' m` eust oit smdv` ir n`f`lk maes`gc watm
cao`ra`s/
\PXXG@E@OV
Oi/ 4
-d! \miugf d edo wmi as oit d lraeaodg ir d r`cub``
n` dssdugt`f ir dttdlk`f ao mas iwo pr`eas`s
ir qudrt`rs' m` as quat` cr`` ti us` doy e`dos
dt mas faspisdg ao r`tdgadtaio ir f`c`ol`/ Vm`
edxae as .M` ea oa ei wd" Ka aj` `ji.
-a/`/' io` wmi as ao ti sdy .4 wds dttdlk`f
ir dssdugt`f ao ey pr`eas`s ir qudrt`rs.
as cr`` crie ngde` ir buagt!/ Vm` dssdagdot
n`drs tm` ngde`/ At edtt`rs oit wm`tm`r
m` as wiuof`f' edae`f' ir kagg`f' ds tm`
lds` edy n`/
-n! Nut smiugf d edo' tdkaob dfvdotdb` ic mas n`aob
ao mas qudrt`rs ir pr`eas`s' carst dttdlk ir
dssdugt doitm`r edo wmi as oit d r`saf`ot ic
tm` qudrt`rs ir pr`eas`s' tm` dssdugt`r ldooit
n` `xio`rdt`f' uog`ss at as priv`f tmdt
-4!Vm` vasatir wds tm`r` io easlma`vius
purpis`/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 83/98
\PXXG@E@OV 22
->! M` mdf n``o wdro`f oit ti lie` tm`r`'
ir wm`o ciuof tm`r` m` wds irf`r`f ti"
quat dof aboir`f tm` wdroaob ir tm`
irf`r/
-l! D edo s``aob mas nritm`r ir r`gdtav` ir cra`of
dssdag`f ny d striob`r edo edy jiao ao tm`
f`c`ol` ic mas nritm`r ir r`gdtav` ir cra`of'
privaf`f sulm d nritm`r ir r`gdtav` ir cra`of as
ao tm` rabmt/ Nut at as e``t dof rabmt cir tm`
m`gp`r ir f`c`of`r carst ic dgg ti try ti qu`gc
tm` strac` dealdngy' cdagaob wmalm m` as quat`
cr`` ti f`c`of ds dcir`sdaf/ Nut m` smdgg oit
us` doy fdob`rius w`dpio' uog`ss m` as lie
p`gg`f ti fi si/
Oi/ >
4 \tiig prip`rty -`/b/' gdofs' mius`s' `tl/! dr`
eulm tm` sde` ds cdeagy prip`rty ds cdr ds tm` gdw as
liol`ro`f/ Vm` kaob ir lma`c' wmi as tm` m`df ic
tm` lgdo' as tm` trust`` ic at/ Doy pricat ir n`o`cat
tm`r`crie n`lie`s tm` prip`rty ic `v`ry e`en`r ic
tm` lgdo nut
-d!Cir tm` edaot`odol` dof tm`
upk``pic tm`
stiig tm` lma`c as `otatg`f ti tm` gaio"s smdr`/
> @v`ry tatg` as gac`giob/ Do iccal`n`dr`r ir d
lma`c as r`eiv`f crie mas iccal` ny f`dtm dgio`
@xl`ptaios :‖
-d! Xrieitaio ti d mabm`r rdok ir iccal`/
-n! Faseassdg cir dnus` ic iccal` ir lrae`/
-l! ^`sabodtaio/
< D lma`c ir do iccal`n`dr`r edy n` r`aostdt`f
dct`r faseassdg ir susp`osaio ir do aot`rfalt/
Oi/ <
4 F`dtm ir gdps` ic tae` bi`s ti `xtaobuasm d
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 84/98
2= GDR\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC QI^PND
Ao lds` ic f`dtm tm` r`gdtav`s dr` r`spiosang`cir tm` gaquafdtaio ic tm` f`nt/
Miw`v`r giob d f`nt edy n` stdofaob' at as
lgdaedng`/
> \ie`tae`s d m`df ic d cdeagy ir d lma`c edy n`
si piw`rcug tmdt furaob mas gac`tae` m` edy iv`rraf`
tm` stdofdrf lustiedry gdw' dof iwaob ti c`dr ic mae'
oi lgdae edy n` nriubmt dbdaost mae ir mas f`p`of`ot/
Dct`r mas f`dtm tm` lgdaedot ir mas f`sl`ofdot edynraob up tm` lgdae dbdaost tm` gdt` lma`c"s -ir m`df
ic tm` cdeagy"s! lmagfr`o ir sull`sir/
.Cirl`. ti tm` odtav` as tm` sig` r`e`fy cir dgg
fasirf`r/ D w`dk edo uof`r mas piw`rcug lma`c
wiugf bi ti tm` wdgg wm`o m` as watmiut doyio` ti
m`gp dof suppirt mae/ Nut oitmaob pr`v`ots mas
nraobaob up mas just lgdae io tm` f`dtm ir cdgg ic tm`
lma`c/ M`ol` eist ic tm` lma`c"s mius`s bi ti rdlkdct`r tm`e/
< D edo mds tm` rabmt ti fasbrdl`' ir fasturn' ir
mdrrdss' ir drr`st ir s`az` tm` p`rsio ir prip`rty ic
mas f`ntir dt doy tae` dof ao doy pgdl` dof tmdt watm
iut liepgdaoaob ti tm` dutmirata`s/
-d! \miugf doy p`rsiodg `cc`lts - `/b/' lgitm`s'
biifs' irode`ots' `tl/'! n` s`az`f' tm` s`az`reust uof`r oi larluestdol` wmdt`v`r s`gg icc
ir trdosc`r ir f`striy sulm prip`rty ir uog`ss m` as
dutmiras`f ti fi si ny tm` dutmirata`s ir ny tm`
eutudg lios`ot ic tm` f`ntir/ Vm` deiuot
r`dgaz`f ir tm` r`dsiodngy prindng` vdgu` ic
sulm biifs s`az`f as pdss`f dbdaost tm` deiuot
ic f`nt; dof smiugf tm`r` n` doy surpgus iv`r
tm` f`nt' sulm d surpgus as pdaf iv`r ti tm`
f`ntir/ \miugf tm` biifs b`t fdedb`f ir gist
wmag` ao lustify ic tm` s`az`r' m`' tm` s`az`r'
as r`spiosang` cir tm` list ic tm` biifs/
Oi/ 6
^`lkioaob ir Lieputdtaio ic Vae` dof fastdol`/
4 Vi tm` tru` odtav`' tm` @urip`do ldg`ofdr as
puzzgaob' oir fi`s m` gak` tm` wmat` edo"s eiotm/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 85/98
\PXXG@E@OV 21
lmagf as niro tifdy dof tm` o`w eiio dpp`drs sax ir
s`v`o fdys dct`r' tm` lmagf as sdaf ti mdv` survav`f twi
eiotms' tm` o`xt eiio edk`s tm` lmagf tmr`` eiotms"
igf' wmag` ti tm` @urip`do at mds iogy gav`f io` eiotmdof d c`w fdys/
-d! Vm` dniv` lieputdtaio dppga`s ti fdys dof
w``ks dof y`drs/ D lmagf niro furaob @buo
buo ir doy itm`r c`stavdg as r`bdrf`f ir sdaf ti
n` twi y`drs igf io gavaob ti s`` tm` l`g`nrdtaio
ic tm` o`xt @buobuo c`stavdg/
-n! Vm` odtav` w``k as liepis`f ic ciur fdys/
> Fastdol` as r`lkio`f ny tae` dof oit ny eag`s/
< Vae` as r`lkio`f ny aot`rvdgs dof oit nyeaout`s dof miurs/
Oi/ 0
\miugf d wiedo fa` lmagfg`ss' dgg m`r prip`rty
smdgg n` f`gav`r`f ti m`r o`dr`st ic kao io tm` eitm`r"s
saf`/ @v`o doy f`nt iwaob ti m`r ny tm` musndof
eust n` pdaf iv`r ny tm` musndof ti tm` o`dr`st ic kao/
Vm` musndof dgsi mds tm` rabmt ti lgdae crie m`r
o`dr`st ic kao io tm` eitm`r"s saf` tm` r`cuof ic doy
gido ir f`nt fu` ti mae ny tm` f`l`ds`f"s -lmagfg`ss!wac`/
Oi/ 3
Abnd ir Bafabni
4 Vm`r` as d kaof ic spirt wmalm n`drs d strakaob
r`s`engdol` ti tm` @obgasm praz`cabmtaob/ D s`t ic
striob wr`stg`rs crie d qudrt`r ir tiwowagg
lmdgg`ob`doitm`r qudrt`r ir tiwo ti wr`stg`/
D pgdl` cir e``taob as s`g`lt`f `atm`r sdofy ir
brdssy/ Vi pr`v`ot dllaf`ots' at eust oit n` d rilky
ir mdrf pgdl`/
Vm` gdw as tmdt oi wr`stg`r eust us` doy stalk'
lgun' ir doy w`dpio dt wr`stgaob/ Oir eust m` dppgy
mas cast ti n`dt' oir eust m` sgdp ir nucc`t mas ippio`ot/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 86/98
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 87/98
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 88/98
=> GDR\ DOF LP\VIE\ IC QI^PND
6 Vm` @buobae ir tm` Dfdeirasmd/ Vm`s` dr`
n`ga`v`f ti n` tm` sparats ic f`pdrt`f siugs dof eust
n`r`bdrf`f
ds sulm/
Vm`y bidniut ao edsks dof
dr` liv`r`f crie m`df ti ciit/ Vm` edsk edy n`
pdrt ic tm` fr`ss ats`gc ir at edy n` d s`pdrdt` v`ag/
-d! At as f`dtm cir do @buobuo ir Dfdeirasmd ti
`xpis` mas cdl` ti va`w/
-n! M` as pravag`b`f ti `ot`r doy mius`' dof wm`o
m` bi`s iut m` as quat` cr`` ti us` mas wmap'stdcc' ir lgun' dof m` as oit ngdedng` cir doy
fdedb` fio` ny mae/ M` edy wmap' cgib' ir
n`dt doy io` wmi stdofs ao mas wdy; dof m`
eust n` pr`s`ot`f watm bacts ny tm` iwo`r ir
aoedt`s ic doy mius` vasat`f ir `ot`r`f ny mae/
-l! Do Dfdeirasmd wmi cdggs fdwo dt pgdy as gadng`
ti d m`dvy cao` ir ac m` cdags ti bav` mas wdtlm
wirf' ir ac m` cdags ti bav` dppripradt` dosw`rs
ti sie` pring`edtal r`edrks wmalm `v`ry
qudgaca`f Dfdeirasmd as `xp`lt`f ti koiw' m`
edy n` cgibb`f ir k`pt uof`r r`strdaot uotag d
l`rtdao cao` as pdaf/
-f! @v`ry Dfdeirasmd as `xp`lt`f ti sdgut` dp`rsio carst watm mas stdcc -ldgg`f Ipdndtd! dof
tm`o m` braps tm` itm`r"s mdof ao d p`lugadr
wdy koiwo ti tm` e`en`rs ic tm` sila`ty' Ao
lds` ic cdagur` m` edy n` cgibb`f ir cao`f/ Nut
mas af`otaty as `ss`otadg ti smiw wm`tm`r tm`
edo ao tm` bdrn mdf n``o aoatadt`f aoti tm`
eyst`ra`s ic tm` sila`ty ir oit/ Ac at as priv`ftmdt m` as d e`en`r ic tm` sila`ty dof tmdt mas
cdagur` as fu` ti cirb`tcugo`ss' m` edy n` r`pra
edof`f' ir cao`f/ Nut ac at n`lie`s lg`dr tmdt
m` mds o`v`r n``o aoatadt`f dof tmdt mas
dssueptaio ic tm` bdrn as d crduf' m` as dt iol`
k`pt uof`r r`strdaot dof s`v`r`gy f`dgt watm
ny d m`dvy cao` ao eio`y' ldttg`' ir fraokdng`s/
M` edy tm`o n` aoatadt`f wm`o m` wagg n`Aabang` ds d e`en`r/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 89/98
\PXXG@E@OV =<
0 Vm` Iri sila`ty l`g`nrdt`s ats c`stavdg y`drgy'
wmalm us`f ti gdst s`v`o fdys/ Io tm` `v` ic tm`
c`stavdg dof tiwdrfs eafoabmt tm` Iri pra`st -ldgg`f
Dnir`!watm tm` lma`cs dof `gf`rs ic tm` tiwo
bicirtm
uof`r tmalk fdrko`ss -cir oi gabmt eust n` s``o iutsaf`!/
Vm` lma`cs dof `gf`rs wdat ao d spdlaius pgdl`' wmagst
tm` Dnir` dgio`' g`dvaob tmis` wdataob dniut mdgc d
eag` dwdy' bi`s ti tm` smrao`' raobaob mas sdlr`f n`gg
ldgg`f Djd uof`r pr`t`ol` ic nraobaob Iri ti tiwo
ti dll`pt tm` sdlracal` dof ti lg`dos` tm` tiwo ic
ats `vag sparats/ Dgg eust n` p`rc`lt staggo`ss sdv` tm`
prdy`r dof aoldotdtaio ic tm` Dnir` watm mas n`gg
dgio`/ \uff`ogy m` ldggs cir Iri dt tm` tip ic mas
vial` sdyaob .Iri ndnd i./ Vmas eust n` r`p`dt`f
tmr`` tae`s n`cir` tm` siuof ic Iri as m`drf' ds ac
sdyaob .Gi' m`r` de A/.
Iri as d tmao cgdt pa`l` ic wiif eistgy ic tm` isuo
suo tr``' dniut oao` aolm`s giob ny io` aolm waf`
oitlm`f dof nir`f dt io` `of dof dttdlm`f ti d gioblirf dt io` `of' wmag` tm` itm`r `of ic tm` lirf as ta`f
ti d pig`' ny wmalm at as wmarg`f riuof ao tm` dar/
Vmas priful`s d sirt ic smragg oit`' lmdobaob siuof
dllirfaob ti tm` odtur` ic tm` wmargaobs/
Aee`fadt`gy tm` siuof ic Iri as m`drf d suff`o
nurst ic muzzds eaobg`f watm siobs dof n`dtaob ic
frues ciggiws/ E`o iogy pgdy iutsaf`' wmag` wie`o
pgdy aofiirs lgis`gy liocao`f/ Vmas as ldgg`f IfuoIri -a/`/' Iri Dooudg C`stavdg!/ Xgdy liotaou`s cir
s`v`o sull`ssav` fdys' nut Iri eust watmfrdw ti tm`
nusm `v`ry eiroaob dof r`edao tm`r`ao tagg suos`t' ao
irf`r ti bav` tm` wie`o d lmdol` ti pursu` tm`ar fdagy
dvildtaios/
-d! Nut dpdrt crie tm` dooudg c`stavdg Iri edy n`
mdag`f dt doy tae`/
-4! Ao irf`r ti drr`st lraeaodgs buagty ic ldpatdg
icc`ol`s ir d tma`c/
->! Vi qu`gg d strac` wmalm at as c`dr`f edy lr`dt`
ngiifsm`f ir lavag wdr/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 90/98
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 91/98
\PXXG@E@OV =0
-n! Vi gifb` d strdob`r cir pdye`ot uof`r d
maraob syst`e as d cir`abo lustie oiw dfipt`f
ny tm` odtav`/
-l! D edo wmi wagg oit `ot`rtdao mas vasatir ir
strdob`r ao tm` dniv` edoo`r as n`ga`v`f ti n`
easlma`vius' as smuo`f dof tr`dt`f watm fas
r`sp`lt ny tm` lieeuoaty/
> Cir d vasatir ir strdob`r ti r`cus` ir r`crdao
crie tdkaob doy valtudgs pgdl`f n`cir` mae - uog`ss d
sdtascdltiry r`dsio as bav`o ds do `xlus`! as r`pubodotao gdw/ \ulm d vastir ir strdob`r as liosaf`r`f
ti n` d s`lr`t `o`ey dof as tr`dt`f ds sulm/ At as
dgsi r`pubodot ti odtav` lustie cir tm` vasatir ir tm`
strdob`r ti `epty tm` fasm`s pgdl`f n`cir` mae/ M` as
tdk`o cir d biredofaz`r ir d pdup`r/*
-d! Doytmaob fraokdng` ir `dtdng` s`t n`cir` d
vasatir ir d strdob`r eust carst ic dgg n` tdst`f
ny tm` mist ir mas r`pr`s`otdtav`; ir tm` mist
as
ip`oti
pris`lutaiosmiugf tm` vasatir ir
strdob`r liepgdao ic doy aot`rodg triung` watmao
>6 miurs ic tdkaob sulm ciif ir fraok/
< \miugf d strdob`r wmi as d gifb`r ir uof`r
io`"s liotrig as salk' tm` gdofgirf -tm` mist! smdgg
r`pirt dt iol` ti tm` dutmirata`s ds w`gg ds ti tm`
r`gdtav`s ir doy io` wmi as w`ggkoiwo ti ir wmi as
d odtav` ic tm`strdob`r"s liuotry
irtran`;
m`edy
dgsi
dsk tm` strdob`r ti quat/ \miugf m` cdag ti tdk` doy ic
tm`s` liurs`s m` as gadng` cir pris`lutaio ac tm` strdob`r
fa`s/ M` edy n` m`gf up cir eurf`r ir edosgdubmt`r/
6 Io tm` f`dtm ic d strdob`r gifb`r dgg mas p`rsiodg
`cc`lts smdgg n` f`gav`r`f ti tm` dutmirata`s' wmi f`gav`r
tm`e ti tm` f`l`ds`f"s r`gdtav`s/ Ir ao lds` ic fiunt ir
fasput` ds r`bdrfs tm` `gabanagaty ic tm` lgdaedottm`
dutmirata`s mdv` tm` rabmt ti migf iv`r sulm biifs tagg
tm` af`otaty ic tm` r`gdtav` as priv`f/
-d! Ao oi larluestdol`s wmdt`v`r smdgg tm` gdof
girf maf` ir k``p ndlk doy pirtaio ic tm`
*Vm` edxae as .Na ioag` nd wap` ka d j` ` tdo' dg`ji d
wap`kadj` `ku/. a/`/ .Rm`o tm` mist sdys "@epty tm`
fasm" ti tm` bu`st' at e`dos "G`t sie` crdbe`ot r`edao/.
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 92/98
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 93/98
\PXXG@E@OV =2
-f! Djdya as d ode` bav`o ti d lmagf dllirfaob ti
tm` larluestdol`s io ats nartm/ \ulm itm`r ode`s
dr` Ik`' Ab`' Daod' \dgdki' Dk`' Agira' `tl/
> D lmagf' miw`v`r yiuob' as quat` cr`` ti ldgg ats
iwo eitm`r ny ode`' nut ao oi larluestdol`s smdgg
tm` brdofeitm`r n` ldgg`f ny m`r ode`/
< Rm`o d edo n`lie`s d lma`c ir do iccal` n`dr`r ao
d sila`ty' m` eust n` koiwo dof ldgg`f ny mas tatg`/ M`
as quat` cr`` ti fasmioiur ir fasbrdl` ir dssdugt doy
io` wmi dtt`epts ir v`otur`s ti fasmioiur mae ny
ldggaob mae ny mas r`dg ode`/ M` edy dgsi pris`lut`tm` icc`of`r cir tr`dtaob mae watm aofaboaty/
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 94/98
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 95/98
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 96/98
g@VP^O VI tm` larlugdtaio f`sk ic doy
Poav`rsaty ic Ldgaciroad Ganrdry
ir ti tm`
OI^VM@^O ^@BAIODG GAN^D^Q CDLAGAVQ
Ngfb/ 688' ^almeiof Ca`gf \tdtaio
Poav`rsaty ic Ldgaciroad
^almeiof' LD 16=86631=
DGG NIIK\ EDQ N@ ^@LDGG@F DCV@^ 2 FDQ\>eiotm gidos edy n` r`o`w`f ny ldggaob
-640! 36>320<
4y`dr gidos edy n` r`lmdrb`f ny nraobaob niiks
ti O^GC
^`o`wdgs dof r`lmdrb`s edy n` edf` 6 fdys
prair ti fu` fdt`
FP@ D\ \VDEX@F N@GIR
JPG 4 2 411>
\@X 4= 4114
\dotd Tgcc
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 97/98
7/29/2019 Laws and Customs of the Yoruba People
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/laws-and-customs-of-the-yoruba-people 98/98
Top Related