Àsàké the radiant maiden of Ayédáadé,
The daughter of Àshàbí Onílèkè,
The one that is gifted in the craft of beadings,
Ìyàwó Àdìó the wealthy cocoa farmer,
Àdìó Òkolà, the man whom tribal mark fits.
Àsàké will grow up tomorrow, yesterday said
Yesterday didn’t lie about Àsàké, she has grown today.
Even the whole bachelors in Ayédáadé can testify
That Àsàké the daughter of Àshàbí is a goddess.
Her beauty will drive you insane if you’re not careful
Dauda ómó bàbá èlému ni ówo-òpe told Àkànmù.
Àdérèmì ómó obà, the heir apparent to the throne,
ómó Àdèwàlé, the one that brought the crown home,
Àjòké is the mother, the queen with the magic look,
No wonder Àdèwàlé couldn’t marry a second wife,
Àjòké is a watered beauty in wet pasture.
Àdérèmì will pick the next queen during òduń Ígbàdún,
All the maidens in Ayédáadé will assemble at ojude oba
Where they will dance till the prince chooses who to
Dance with and finally gift the golden bracelet,
The spirit of the gods shall be ahead of you.
Àsàké ti se irun, Àjàn kólo kòlo lo sin sori,
The beads on her waist wiggle to the gangan,
Aderemi is already enchanted in her beauty,
He gave the bracelet to her while other maiden watch,
Àsàké ti di Àyá obà lòlà.
The crowd sang as the couple receives the royal blessing.
Asake: A name given to Female
Aderemi: A name given to a male in Yoruba
Adewale: A name given to male in Yoruba
Ayedaade: A local government in Osun state (Nigeria)
Odun igbadun: Enjoyment festival
Aya oba lola: The wife to the next king
Ashabi onileke: A bead maker
More from the Writer: BEFORE YOU CONTEMPLATE ON THAT CREATIVITY SUICIDE
Written by Oyawale Olabode
olatomibhone@gmail.com
