Ọ̀RẸ́ MẸ́TA (THREE FRIENDS)

Ọ̀RẸ́ MẸ́TA (THREE FRIENDS)

Friendship in a big deal among the Yorùbá. They believe ọ̀rẹ́ ló ń pani, ọrẹ lọ ń Lani (friend can both kill and save). Hence they recommend friendship of only two as the best (méjì ni ọrẹ dùn mọ). They believe three is not advisable (ore kò gba ẹlẹta).

Friendship is in many categories, but more often, the Yoruba summarise friends into three broad categories. You must watch out for these three types of friends in you journey in life.

They are everywhere .They can make or mare your life so watch out. They are: Ọ̀RẸ́ OJÚ (SUPERFICIAL FRIEND), Ọ̀RẸ́ DÁBẸ̀ N YÀNKỌ (GIVE AND TAKE FRIEND) and Ọ̀RẸ́ KÒ-RÍ KÒ-SÙN (PASSIONATE FRIEND)

Ọ̀RẸ́ OJÚ (SUPERFICIAL FRIEND)- They exhibit overwhelming love for you when you are there. They are also referred to as ojú-la-fẹ́-ni or ojú-báni-rẹ́ (those who love you in your presence). They often will stab you at the back. This type of friends will rejoice with you outwardly but wish you evil behind. They will easily betray you because they are close to you. They are a-ṣeni-bání-dárò (the ones who hurts you and console you). Such friends are common, beware.

Ọ̀RẸ́ DÁBẸ̀ N YÀNKỌ (GIVE AND TAKE FRIEND)- These friends are there for as long as there is something to benefit from you. They give so that they can also obtain from you. They are also referred to by the Yorùbá as a-ríre-báni-je (the one who eat from you). When there is nothing left to eat or benefit from you they bid you farewell.

Ọ̀RẸ́ KÒ-RÍ KÒ-SÙN (PASSIONATE FRIEND)- This category of friends are truly in Iove with you. They share in your pain and joy. They are down to earth and will do to you only what they wish to be done to them. The Yorùbá believe they are ọrẹ òtítọ́ (true friend) who are not easy to come by.

As you castigate the friends who have fallen into the first and second categories, you need to ask yourself: what type of friend have I been to my friends?

Since you cannot be friend to everyone. Whenever you become a friend to somebody, be the good one.