Author: Olori Tana
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Ọdún Á Yabo: The Hidden Costs of a Soft Year
The Yoruba culture is renowned for elaborate greetings, reflecting their values of community and reverence for the feminine. The New Year greeting, invoking a year of softness and ease, prompts reflection on women’s roles, acknowledging their immense labour and sacrifices. This dialogue explores whether society respects the conditions enabling such feminine qualities.
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Debunking Myths: Translation, “Esu is Not Satan,” and Language Supremacy
Last week, I attended the Nigerian Institute of Translators and Interpreters (NITI) Workshop by association, as I was visiting with my academic mentor, whom I affectionately refer to as “my professor.” As one of the workshop presenters spoke about mistranslation and untranslatable words in Yoruba, we chuckled over the examples the speaker cited. For example,…
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Unlocking Yoruba Feminine Power: A Journey of Rediscovery
In April 2019, a discussion on women’s solidarity sparked a deeper inquiry into womanhood and power. I advocate reclaiming female strength and spirituality, asserting that Western feminism does not align with African women’s realities. Through cultural exploration, I emphasize the importance of recognizing inherent feminine powers and challenges oppressive narratives surrounding menstruation and womanhood.
The Global Tana 