Àjójù
Sagacity, integrity, reliability, self-knowledge, self-restraint, and thoughtfulness are qualities the Yorùbá society acknowledges a person should possess to merit respect and trust. Lack of some or all of these qualities will bring disgrace even to the most elevated person.
This Yorùbá proverb illustrates a disrepute masquerade who lacks moderation and decorum by somersaulting excessively to the point of lifting the layers of fabric make up of his costume to expose himself.
Àjójù ní ńmú kí okó eégún yọ jáde.
Unrestrained dancing is what causes the masquerade’s penis to become revealed.
Eégún(masquerades) are ancestors, visitors from the invisible world. Yoruba believe these ancestors don’t have the same physical attributes as the living since they are believed to be spirits. At every season, they come bearing gifts and blessings to all the people living in the visible world. They especially bless women who desire children. Since these spirits are shrouded in secrecy, their identities are unknown.
When a sacred spirit whose identity is secretive exposes himself due to his lack of moderation and integrity, and the women who are expecting blessings from him become aware that he has the same attributes as their husbands, question his immortality.
One should exercise restraint in performing any function. Excess exposes, and the Yorùbá proverb Àjójù counsel moderation.