The Yoruba people of Nigeria are an ethnic group of Southwestern and North Central Nigeria as well as Southern and Central Benin, together known as Yoruba land.
The Yoruba constitute over 40 million people in total. The majority of this population is from Nigeria and make up 21% of its population, according to the CIA world fact book this makes them one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa.
The majority of Yoruba people are known for a lot of things, one of those things is their penchant for colorful insults. Here are some insults all Yoruba mothers use freely:
1. Oponu
The word means an ignoramus or a very stupid person. So when you do something stupid, or appear confused, a Yoruba mother will surely hit you with: Oponu!
The insult will have you looking confused like….
2. Agba iya
Pronounced Agbaya, it means an older person, who despite his age, is still useless. Yoruba mothers usually use it when you do something especially childish.
Ironically, being called ‘agbaya’ will make you want to cry like a child.
3. Ode
Ode is a classic. Used by almost everyone with a grasp of Yoruba and it basically means stupid. It is so commonplace, many do not even feel insulted when it is used on them.
Imagine someone calling you Ode and expecting you to feel insulted, but you have been called Ode all your life.
4. Obun
This is used to call into question, a person’s personal hygiene, so it can mean anything from dirty to filthy. Usually used when your room looks like a pigsty that has not been cleaned in years.
If your room looks like this half the time, then you are an ‘Obun’.
5. Oloshi
As commonplace as Ode, it is used almost by everyone and it means someone who does rubbish a lot. many translate it as unfortunate, but it means someone who is interested in unnecessary things.
Oloshi is perfect as a suffix when you want to insult people.
6. Olodo
Olodo is an insult used to describe someone as having low intelligence. An Olodo is dull, slow and most likely has problems with school work or other academic activities.
You will likely hear a mother use it when her child comes home with poor school results.
7. Didirin
Didirin is a close relative of Olodo and Ode, it is a cross between the two and can be used to describe someone who has low mental faculties.
When someone calls you ‘Didirin’ you will most likely feel like the man in the picture above.
8. Apoda
Apoda is like the superlative of Oponu. It means someone who is confused and has little or no direction. It is one of the most painful insults.
