Yoruba Challenge - Do You Think You Can Read Yoruba Language?

I wrote a new poem and asked my wife to read it first as usual (role of number one fan).

The poem is a mix of English and Yoruba, a true reflection of oral communication in our household.  

The moment she started reading, I realised how difficult it can be for a fluent Yoruba speaker like my wife to read Yoruba (I'd probably struggle if I have to read something in Yoruba that I didn't write). This led to an epiphany, the birth of #KelzYorubaChallenge. 

The aim of this challenge is to get as many people as possible to read the Yoruba language and share with others. Culture preservation is essential right? Just like the colourful culture displayed in many Nigerian traditional weddings you've seen, Yoruba languge is such a beautiful language and as a poet and author, I appreciate the language even more.

If you will like to take part in this challenge and join me to spread what I hope will be an awakening moment, you can follow these simple steps:

•  Record yourself reading the poem below: 

Title: Life is a Beach (Written by Kelvin Obareti)

Life is a BEACH.

Classical ELEMENTS in sync,

A beauty to behold.

EARTH be kind to me,

Ilẹ Okẹrẹ, a f’ọkọ yẹri, alapo ika, 

Ma te ori ẹ, ma ṣe ohun rere.

WATER quench my thirst.

Omi la bu wẹ, Omi wẹ mi mọ

Omi la bu mu, ongbẹ Jinna s’ẹnu mi

AIR give me life,

Afẹfẹ o ni fẹ, ko ma kan Igi oko l’ara, 

afẹfẹ, fẹ ire ko mi l’ara.

LIGHT illuminate my soul.

Tan imọlẹ rẹ, Kin r’ona gba

Ki Ona la, kin l’aluyo.

• Use the hashtag #KelzYorubaChallenge on your post and tag me on your choice of social media platform:

•Instagram: @kelzbaba

•Facebook Page: Created by Kelz

•Twitter: @Poetic_kelz 

Looking forward to receiving/watching your entry.

It's time for the sleeping children of Africa to wake up and connect back to the roots. Our source of wisdom, knowledge and everything else we are made of.