Fridays are known generally for heralding our indigenous ways of life, especially in dressing and music. This is why I, as an indigene of the Yorùbá tribe presents Yorùbá Proverbs. In this post, I present a yorùbá proverb, it's literal interpretation and it's meaning and significance to the yorùbá people, and at times, Africa at large. The Yorùbá people predominantly live in the South Western part of Nigeria, and they speak the Yorùbá language. The theme for today's proverb is day of reckoning

Ọjọ́ gbogbo ni ti olè, ọjọ́ kan ni ti olóun

Literal Interpretation

Every other day is for a thief, but one day is for the rightful owner.

A thief or robber is someone who secretly or openly acquires that which does not belong to him for personal use or ownership. This often leaves the rightful owner dejected, confused, and at loss. A thief devices various means of taking others peoples belongings away without being caught in the act, and (or) without being seen using the stolen item. This is why a thief or robber strategizes well enough to ensure a smooth operation.

When thieves operate and get away with their activities, they build in themselves a sense of smartness, mastery of the act and to an extent, luck. There therefore lean on these factors to always see them through subsequent acts of thievery too. The Yoruba people however believe that a thief could get away with what he has stolen many times, maybe for many years, but there is a level of certainty that one day, the thief will not get away with his deed, as he will be caught in the act. That is when he will account for all the misdeeds of the past and the punished for it all.

The proverb is commonly used to admonish people, children especially to be contented with whatsoever they have, not being covetous of other peoples belongings, so that they will not eventually face the harassment and punishment that is mete out to thieves. It is also used to warn people who have stolen something and has fled into thin air that though he has gotten away with it at that time, he wont be that lucky always.