Semiotics is a study of signs and symbols, and used as a medium of communication without uttering words. In ancient Yoruba wisdom, it has been deviced and used, it is called ÀROKÒ.
Àrokò is a non verbal communication medium used in the days without modern communication systems. It is an ancient communication system in Yoruba land by sending or transferring objects and materials of various properties to communicate their coded messages.
The study of Àrokò is an interestingly deep adventure, but here we shall briefly mention and discuss some of these symbols and their meaning.
ÀÀLÈ (embargo):
Ààlè is a means of telling trespassers to keep off a property. An indication of embargo. When you go to someone's farm or any landed property, and you see Palm fronds attached to a stick or some red cloth and horn, it is an ààlè, it means "KEEP OFF".
PÁKÒ (chewing stick):
When you receive a chewing stick from an opposite sex, hmmm... It means "I LOVE YOU".
ỌSÀN (Orange):
When you receive an orange from someone, maybe sent through somebody else, it means I am pleased with you. It could also mean I love you.
ÌYARUN/ÒÒYÀ (comb):
A comb is used ordinarily for combing hair, I.e for separation of tangled hair. This phenomenon is transfered in coded Yoruba Àrokò. Sending a comb to someone far away means separation or ending of friendship or love affair.
ẸNÍ (mat):
The sending of a piece of mat raffia especially of ore type is an indication that someone is sick in the household of the receiver and such a person is very lean.
Ọ̀JÁ/GBÀJÁ:
Receiving some parts of cloth used to tie baby means the pregnant woman you left home has successfully put to bed.
IGBÁ ÒFÌFO (An empty Calabash):
When a king receives an empty Calabash, parrot egg or skull, it means the people are no longer pleased with him, he should commit suicide.
OWÓ ẸYỌ(cowrie shells):
Owó ẹyọ is an object widely used to indicate many things in different àrokò, depending on the packaging and their number.
A cowrie shell with a string attached to it is a sign of bad thing or that unfavorable thing happened.
Two cowries shells tied together facing each other sent to a party or another group means we are in agreement with you or your view, there is harmony. But when the two shells are tied backing each other, it means disagreement, it means discord.
A parcel containing three (3) cowrie shells symbolizes rejection and unfavorable message. Traditionally, the Yoruba abhor the giving of things in three (3). Three in Yoruba numerology is confusing.
Six cowries tied together in 3 pairs, it is an expression of emotion. Ẹ̀fà (6) is symbolic in Yoruba numerology, it means attraction. Ẹ̀fà ló ní kíẹ fà mí mọ́ra (It is six that says draw me closer). So this Àrokò means the sender is longing to see the receiver. Or simply put, it means I MISS YOU.
ÌRÙKẸ̀RẸ̀ (flywhisk):
Sending of Irukere - flywhisk and cowrie shells from one monarch to another is a request for agreement or solidarity or farewell.
ÌBỌN/Ẹ̀TÙ (Gun or gunpowder)
Gun or gunpowder is a communication means between states or towns to express a conflict or war. It tells the receiving town or village to prepare for an imminent war with the sender.
IYỌ̀ (salt):
Salt or horney is sent in opposite meaning to gunpowder. It means peace, harmony and solidarity between the two towns or parties. Sending both sword and salt to another party in an unresolved issue means the receiver should choose between war and peace.
FÌLÀ (cap):
In a situation where two groups of related blood are in conflict or where the husband and wife engage in domestic conflict, if the head of the family or the father in-law could not be there personally, he could send his cap - fila or staff of office, ọ̀pá àsẹ, if he is a chief, to those in conflict. The message is that they should bury the hatchet or keep peace until he is able to be there or send for them.
ÈÈPẸ̀ (sand):
In case of disagreement among two individuals, the sending of sand tied in a large local leaf called ewé-eeran is an indication that the receiver should not be too emotional, and should allow the quarrel to end. The implication is that "dákun fiyè dénú, l'órúkọ àwọn alálẹ̀ ilẹ̀ yí" i.e I beg you in the name of the land or our ancestors.
ÌLÙ LÍLÙ (beating of drum):
Beating of drum is a special Àrokò. Opadotun (1986) observed that there are two major ways in which drum could be used in nonverbal communication.
Talking drum could be used to communicate between people of special knowledge of drum language. It is a coded communication among ọmọ àyàn.
It could also be used to wake the King up in the morning or announce the arrival of a new visitor in a palace or village.
Ire o.
By Omo~Oba Dr. G. S. Akinyemi
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