The Joy I have-ÙYỌ̀ MÉYỌ̀

ÙYỌ̀ MÉYỌ̀
- A Traditional Folklore Song of the Ondo People

Folklore encompasses traditional customs, beliefs, stories, sayings, and arts preserved among a community and passed through generations by word of mouth.

Teniola Apata, popularly known as Teni (TeniEntertainer), made Ùyọ̀ Méyọ̀ the rave of the moment, as people can’t get enough of the song. Sung in the Yoruba dialect of Ondo State, it encourages celebrating others’ successes so that one can also be celebrated. The song also emphasizes dreaming big and notes that dreams do come true.

Teni first performed the song during her graduation from the America Intercontinental University in Atlanta. She later released the full version for her birthday, which reached number 2 on Apple Music. On January 4th, 2018, Teni released the official video documenting her rise to stardom.

In the song, Teni eulogizes her father, whom she describes as her hero: “I’m out here working every day! I just want to keep my father’s legacy forever! I’m doing this for my father, mahn!” she tweeted.

The phrase that stands out most in the song is ùn méyọ́. It comes from the sentence: “uyo meyo leun o san, o kan mi o e”, which means, “The way I rejoice over what is good, it is now my turn to rejoice.” Thus, ùyọ̀ méyọ́ translates as “the joy I have” or “my rejoicings.”

Pronunciation: oo-yaw-may-yaw

According to the Ondo People: “It is believed that when you rejoice with others during their celebrations, you are attracting and calling your own day of rejoicing and celebration!”

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-He-Benny