Alífábẹ́etì Létà Nlá Àti Kékeré – Basic 1 Yoruba Lesson Note (Second Term)

This lesson covers three parts of Yoruba. In Language, pupils learn the capital letters (létà nlá) and small letters (létà kékeré) of the Yoruba alphabet and when to use capitals. In Culture, they learn the duties of the father, mother and children. In Literature, they learn three songs that thank parents.

Behavioural objectives

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

• Write capital and small letters
• Tell the difference between them
• Know who the family head is
• Know children’s duties
• Understand family roles
• Sing songs that thank parents

Èdè (Language): what are capital and small letters?

Yoruba has capital letters (létà nlá) and small letters (létà kékeré). Each capital letter has a matching small letter.

Capital letters (létà nlá): A, B, D, E, Ẹ, F, G, GB, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, Ọ, P, R, S, Ṣ, T, U, W, Y

Small letters (létà kékeré): a, b, d, e, ẹ, f, g, gb, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, ọ, p, r, s, ṣ, t, u, w, y

When do we use capital letters?

• Start of a sentence: Ajá wà nílé
• Names: Adé, Bọ́lá
• Places: Lagos, Nigeria
• Languages and peoples: Yorùbá
• Days: Ọjọ́ Ajé, Ọjọ́ Àìkú

Practice

• Ajá (dog): capital A
• bọ́ọ̀lù (ball): small b
• Dúdú (black/name): capital D
• ẹja (fish): small ẹ

Àṣà (Culture): what are family responsibilities (Ojúṣe ẹbí/ìdílé)?

Each member of the family has duties. The family head leads, the parents provide and care for the children, and the children obey and help at home.

Olórí ẹbí (family head)

• Usually the father (Bàbá)
• Makes decisions
• Provides for the family
• Protects everyone
• Leads the family

Bàbá’s duties

• Provide food
• Pay school fees
• Build a house
• Train children
• Make rules

Ìyá’s duties

• Cook food
• Care for children
• Clean the house
• Support her husband
• Teach children

Ọmọ’s duties

• Obey parents
• Respect elders
• Do homework
• Help at home
• Be a good child

Children’s responsibilities at home

1. Gbá ilẹ̀ (sweep the floor)
2. Fọ àwo (wash plates)
3. Pọn omi (fetch water)
4. Ṣe iṣẹ́ ilé (do homework)
5. Tọ́jú àbúrò (care for younger ones)
6. Bọ̀wọ́ fún àgbà (respect elders)

Lítírécṣọ̀ (Literature): what are songs about parents (Orin kíkọ lórí òbí)?

These songs thank and praise parents. Pupils learn them and sing them.

Song 1: Orin Bàbá

Bàbá mi ṣe dáadáa fún mi
Ó pèsè oúnjẹ fún mi
Ó san owó ilé-ìwé mi
Mo dúpẹ́ lọ́wọ́ bàbá mi
Bàbá mi dára jù!

Translation: My father does good for me / He provides food / He pays my school fees / I thank my father / My father is the best!

Song 2: Orin Ìyá

Ìyá mi nìkan ṣoṣo
Ìyá mi tọ́ mi dáadáa
Ó ṣe oúnjẹ fún mi
Ó fọ aṣọ mi
Mo fẹ́ràn ìyá mi!

Translation: My one and only mother / My mother cares for me well / She cooks for me / She washes my clothes / I love my mother!

Song 3: Orin Àwọn Òbí

Bàbá àti ìyá
Ẹ ṣé fún gbogbo rẹ
Ẹ pẹ́ lọ́jọ́ ayé
Ọlọ́run ó dá yín bọ̀
Àwọn òbí mi ní ọlá!

Translation: Father and mother / Thank you for everything / Live long in life / God will protect you / My parents are honoured!

Why do we sing songs about parents?

• They show appreciation
• They honour parents
• They teach respect
• They express love

Evaluation

Multiple choice: choose the correct answer.

1. Létà nlá fún “b” ni _____ (a) b (b) B (c) d
2. Olórí ẹbí máa ń jẹ́ _____ (a) Ọmọ (b) Bàbá (c) Àbúrò
3. À ń lo létà nlá ní _____ ọ̀rọ̀ (a) Àárín (b) Ìparí (c) Ìbẹ̀rẹ̀
4. Ọmọ gbọ́dọ̀ _____ òbí (a) Bínú sí (b) Gbọ́ràn (c) Kọ̀
5. “adé” àti “Adé” _____ (a) Jọra (b) Yàtọ̀ (c) Kò sí
6. Ìyá ń _____ oúnjẹ (a) Jẹ (b) Ṣe (c) Ta
7. Létà kékeré fún “D” ni _____ (a) D (b) d (c) E
8. Ọmọ lè _____ ilẹ̀ (a) Gbá (b) Jẹ (c) Mu
9. À ń kọ orúkọ pẹ̀lú létà _____ (a) Kékeré (b) Nlá (c) Méjèèjì
10. Bàbá ń _____ owó ilé-ìwé (a) Jẹ (b) San (c) Mu

Assignment

1. Write the alphabet in capital and small letters.
2. List 5 family duties for children.
3. Sing a song about parents to your family.
4. Practise writing your name.
5. Help a parent with one chore.