In Yorubaland in western Nigeria, the word for wife is iyawo. However, what is not common knowledge is that the word iyawo was never a part of the Yoruba culture. Wives were formerly called aya.
What then brought about this new popular word, iyawo? I will tell you the story.
It all began in Iwo town. The king had a beautiful daughter named Wuraola. She was said to be the most beautiful girl in the whole of Yorubaland. Every man wanted to marry her.
Powerful men came from far and near just to win her hand. Men like Sango, Ogun, and others came but they left not with a wife but uncontrollable anger.
Why was this so?
Wuraola was incredibly rude to everyone. She said hurtful words, hurled curses and insults at her suitors. She jeered them to shame.
All prospective suitors left Iwo town the day they arrived. They could not tolerate such bad behaviour from a woman no matter how beautiful she was.
Then came Orunmila, a handsome man in his prime. He had heard the stories and decided to travel to Iwoland to try his luck.
Before leaving, he consulted Olodumare, the supreme being, through Ifa. Olodumare advised him to be patient with Wuraola. He was told to endure her bad behaviours in order to win her heart.
With those comforting words, he set out to win his wife.
Wuraola greeted her new suitor with a hiss and scornful laughter.
Orunmila was unperturbed and replied with a sweet smile and kind words. He also presented gifts to the king, her father.
He stayed in Iwoland for seven days which can only be described as the most terrible days of his life.
Wuraola served him neither food nor water. She insulted him so much her father even got angry. She made life unbearable for him but he replied all with love. He always had a sweet smile and kind words for her.
She crossed all boundaries when she used his opon ifa(divination board) for firewood. She also took his apo ominijekun(his pouch) from him.
Orunmila boiled with rage but he refused to show it. He stuck to the instructions of Olodumare.
His patience was rewarded when on the seventh day, the king gave him his daughter after concluding he was suitable for his daughter, being tolerable, kind and patient.
Wuraola's bad behaviour was all a ruse to test her suitors. She wanted a husband who was kind and mild tempered. It was not uncommon then to find men who beat up their wives.
She really was a kind, loving, caring and well behaved young woman.
Orunmila was glad he heeded the advice of Olodumare. After the wedding, they journeyed back to his town with gifts from the king.
His townspeople were overjoyed at his accomplishment. They praised him immensely.
When he was asked how he acheived success, he would begin by saying, Iya ti mo je ni Iwo(my sufferings in Iwo).
Wives therefore became known as Iya Iwo(sufferings in Iwo) which was later turned to Iyawo.
That my friends is the origin of the word Iyawo
Written for sankofa writing contest