ITAN EDO "EDO PROVERBS"
BY ALEX EKHAGUOSA IGBINEWEKA

1. Itan: (Proverb): Ahianmwen gue oto ru eghian; ona ya tin yaen Ulelefe. Ughemwin ghee oto 'ye ye!

English translation: A bird that flew from the ground only to perch on an anti-hill; is still very much on the ground!

2. Itan: (Proverb): Ai we nen ovbokhan ghe ru akon gai; sokpan o ghi mien akhuarhamwen unu ya guere.

English interpretation: You do not have to stop a child from growing extraordinarily large or king-sized teeth at the fore-front of his mouth; but just advise him or her to develop equal lips sizes along, large enough to cover them up.

This proverb has several other meanings, but chiefly among them is that you should not light up flames of fire you cannot to put out before it gets out of control.

3. Itan: (proverb): Obo gha bo, ona we nen ovbiogue y' ewe zoo ese, ekua-owe ore oya ha osa.

English translation: If the deviner requested a goat sacrifice from a poor and wretched client in order to appease the gods, the poor client will pay the price of the goat by slamming his two palms over his thighs in abject bewilderment of the situation.

4. Itan: (Proverb): Eko 'rhienrhien ore ikpia ya mu ekia maen egbe ghe.

English interpretation: It is with happy mind, gladness of hearts and fair play that two male friends uncover their masculine organs to themselves.

5. Itan: (Proverb): Egui zee ikpakpa nen ovbiere zee ihienhien.

English interpretation: The mother tortoise cannot have thick skin like the coat of iron; while her baby has feathers skin like the hen. In other words, an elephant gives birth to an elephant; and, similarly, a viper gives birth to a viper. By their fruits ye shall know them ... Matt. 7: 15-16

6. Itan: (Proverbs): Non vbie ukpo wee yen minaen; non vbie ada ghi vbo?

English interpretation: The guy who slept on the water-bed cried of nightmare; but my friend who slept at the "T" junction of the street was unable to utter a word.

7. Itan: (Proverb): Ai see uhe 'ni gualor Ewinwan.

English interpretation: You do not get to the lower end of an elephant still searching for the bug. In other words; you do not wash your face with spittle when you live by the river-bank.

8. Itan: (Proverb): Non gue 'se gha ru, non gue akhaen gha ru; nen mwen ere eiro.

English interpretation: He who knows kindness and benevolence, let him so be kind and helpful; and, he who knows selfishness and meanness; let him so to be as well. For, there is nothing without rewards at the end of the day.

9. Itan (Proverbs): Amen gb' ukpafen, iba gha ghogho. Oma ren ghee ogha se 'gbe ogiomwan ede ovbehe.

English interpretation: The rain was falling and the angry winds rippling off the edges of Mr. roof. But then, Mr. balcony (patio) was very happy and merrying over the calamity; not knowing that so soon the roof edges will be gone; and that he too will come face-to-face with the wrath of the stormy skies.
 

Nigeria: Church

8. Itan: (Proverb): Non gue 'se gha ru, non gue akhaen gha ru; nen mwen ere eiro.

English interpretation: He who knows kindness and benevolence, let him so be kind and helpful; and, he who knows selfishness and meanness; let him so to be as well. For, there is nothing without rewards at the end of the day.

9. Itan (Proverbs): Amen gb' ukpafen, iba gha ghogho. Oma ren ghee ogha se 'gbe ogiomwan ede ovbehe.

English interpretation: The rain was falling and the angry winds rippling off the edges of Mr. roof. But then, Mr. balcony (patio) was very happy and merrying over the calamity; not knowing that so soon the roof edges will be gone; and that he too will come face-to-face with the wrath of the stormy skies.

This meant that you should not lagh at the fallen; when slippery ground lies ahead of you.

10: Itan: (Proverb): Udin non gha man egho; ovbie okherhe ra na ron ren.

English translation: The palm-nut that will blossom into an evergreen palm-tree can be identified and spotted out at the budding spring.

Alex Igbineweka
The Azekazudo of Edoland;
and Guosa Language Evolutionist
A 20th Century Evolution, Nigeria .