What is truth?
An opinion is not the same as truth. An opinion is just a viewpoint!
Anything that is open to or having several possible meanings or interpretations cannot be classed as truth!
With truth, there are no perspectives or interpretations. It is self-evident. No wiggle room at all.
No sane person with good eyesight would say that the shape of the sun is triangular or rectangular! It is self-evident that it is circular.
Likewise, only a fool would deny the existence of gravity on this planet. The Yoruba codified the law of gravity as:
“Làlà tó’ròkè, ilẹ̀ l’ómbọ.” (Whatever goes up, comes down.)
Floatation/buoyancy is also self-evident. It is the truth. In Yoruba we say...
“Ojú oró ní lékè omi, òṣíbàtà ńi lékè odò.” (Water lettuce always floats on freshwater, while the water lily always stay on top of a running river.)
And what does Ifa (the compendium of Yoruba knowledge and worldview) say?
The following excerpt from Odu Òsá Otùra posits…
I II
II I
I I
I I
Òsá Otùra says, "What is Truth?" I say, "What is Truth?"
Ọ̀rúnmìlà says, "Truth is the Lord of Heaven guiding the Earth."
Ọ̀rúnmìlà says, "Truth is the Unseen One guiding the Earth. The wisdom of Olódùmarè he is using."
Òsá Otùra says, "What is Truth?" I say, "What is Truth?"
Ọ̀rúnmìlà says, "Truth is the character of Olódùmarè. Truth is the word that cannot fall. Ifá is Truth. Truth is the word that cannot spoil. Might surpassing all."
Blessing everlasting was the one who cast Ifá for Earth. They said they should come and speak the truth.
Speak the truth, tell the facts;
Speak the truth, tell the facts;
Those who speak the truth are those whom the gods will help.
In Yorùbá…
Òsátùra ní kíni òtítọ́?
Èmí ní kíni òtítọ́?
Òrúnm̀ilà ní òtítọ́ ni olúwa ọ̀run tó ń to ayé
Ọgbọ́n tí Olódùmarè ńlò
Ọgbọ́n – ńlá, ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ ọgbọ́n
Òsátùra ní kíni òtítọ́?
Èmí ní kíni òtítọ́?
Òrúnm̀ilà ní òtítọ́ ni ìwà Olódùmarè
Ọ̀títọ́ ni Ọ̀rọ̀ tí kò leè ṣubú
Ifá ni òtítọ́
Òtítọ́ ni ọ̀rọ̀ tí kò leè bàjẹ́,
Agbára – ńlá, àjùlọ, ire àìlópin
Adífá f’áyé, aní kí wọn máa ṣe òtítọ́
Kí àwọn ọmọ aráyé lè máa mọ òtítọ́ láti inú wá
Kí ó sì le rọ̀ wọ́n l’ọ́rùn láti máa ṣe òtítọ́.
Ẹ̀rọ̀ ṣẹ̀ṣẹ̀ Kowéè!!
Ifa verse reference:
Bascom W: Ifa Divination: Communication Between Gods and Men in West Africa (1969)
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