Ònkà Yorùbá (1-10) – Basic 1 Yoruba Lesson Note (First Term)

Ònkà Yorùbá means Yoruba numbers. In this lesson, pupils learn to count from 1 to 10 in Yoruba: Oókan, Èjì, Ẹ̀ta, Ẹ̀rin, Àrùn-ún, Ẹ̀fà, Èje, Ẹ̀jọ, Ẹ̀sán and Ẹẹwàá. They also learn five good character traits in Yoruba culture (Àṣà) and a warning song from Yoruba literature (Lítíréṣọ̀).

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• count from 1 to 10 in Yoruba;
• say the Yoruba name for each number from 1 to 10;
• name five good character traits (ìwà rere) in Yoruba;
• say what ìwà rere means;
• sing the warning song “Iná ò ní ṣeré o”.

How do we count from 1 to 10 in Yoruba?

• 1 = Oókan
• 2 = Èjì
• 3 = Ẹ̀ta
• 4 = Ẹ̀rin
• 5 = Àrùn-ún
• 6 = Ẹ̀fà
• 7 = Èje
• 8 = Ẹ̀jọ
• 9 = Ẹ̀sán
• 10 = Ẹẹwàá

Àṣà: what is ìwà rere (good character)?

Ìwà rere means good character. The topic covers these traits:

• Ìṣòótọ́ (Truthfulness)
• Ìtẹ́ríba (Respect)
• Sùúrù (Patience)
• Ìfẹ́ (Love)
• Ìmọ́tótó (Cleanliness)

Lítíréṣọ̀: what is a warning song?

A warning song is a song that tells children what they must not do. Pupils learn this one:

Iná ò ní ṣeré o
Ọmọdé kò gbọ́dọ̀ fi iná ṣeré

Evaluation

Choose the correct answer.

1. Èjì túmọ̀ sí _____ (a) One (b) Two (c) Three
2. 5 ní Yorùbá ni _____ (a) Ẹ̀ta (b) Àrùn-ún (c) Ẹ̀fà
3. Ìwà rere means _____ (a) Bad behaviour (b) Good character (c) Fighting
4. Ìṣòótọ́ túmọ̀ sí _____ (a) Lying (b) Truthfulness (c) Stealing
5. Ẹẹwàá = _____ (a) Five (b) Seven (c) Ten

Assignment

1. Count from 1 to 10 in Yoruba.
2. Write five good behaviours.
3. Sing the warning song to your parents.