Submissão (Prólogo)

1987 / The Yoruba expressions which are used in most parts of this story cannot be compared with those of the English language. This is because some of the English expressions do not at times carry enough weight nor give the actual picture or intention intended. It is hoped, apart from clarity of expression, to introduce the key Yoruba words and expressions to non-Yorubas. Some of the expressions used are: Ha! Ho! He! - an expression of shock, surprise, etc but fairly mild; Haa! Hoo! Hee! - also an expression of shock, surprise, etc but carrying more weight; Huu! Huu-u! - expression of wailing or as when somebody is lamenting over a loss, disappointment, death, etc. At the same time the expressions of Ha! Haa! Haa! Ho! Hoo! Hoo! are of shock, lamentation, sadness, sorrow, pain, suffering, etc. Hun-un! carries more weight than Hmm! Paga! carries more weight than Alas! - a sudden despair, etc. Sio! means nonsense or to discredit somebody or something with disdain. Ho-o-o-ro-o-o! is an expression of great sudden despair and shock. Ye-e-e! (yay-ay-ay) is a cry of servere pain, to lament, to think of an absent one with longing. O! to remember a forgotten thing, etc. Furthermore, the following Yoruba titles are used in this story as well: Oba - King; Olori - Queen or Queens; Kabiyesi - Your Worship or Your Majesty; Aafin - Palace; Iko - Messenger, envoy, deputation, etc; Baale - Governor, chief of a town or village; Ifa - The god of divination; Opele - The Ifa's messenger or Iko through which the Ifa speaks to the Babalawo, the Ifa priest; Otun - Lieutenant, one holding place next in rank to the Oba; Osi - The third rank to the Oba but under the Otun. He is an internal auditor. He delivers everything he collects from people to the Otun who will then give all to the Oba. To explain the Esent Aye in brief i would say that before Babalawo starts to cast the Opele upon the Irosu powder which is already spread inside the Ifa bowl, first of all he will take the baby from its father, he will press the sole of the baby's left foot upon the powder until the baby's foot-mark is well printed on it. After this, he will return the baby to its father. So this footmark is called Esent Aye and it is at this time that the baby has become a real inhabitant of this earth. But then the Babalawo will cast the Opele upon the powder inside the Ifa bowl several times in order to get the correct Odu, the indication of divination, and having got the kind of Odu with which the baby has come to the earth, then he will interpret it carefully to the father and the rest of the people who are present. ESE - foot / NTE - contacts / AYE - earth: This is the meaning of this important word.