The fascinating story that led to this popular saying; “Epo ni mo rù, kí oníyangí má ba tèmi jẹ́.”
This was a story of two men.
One was called 'Elépo’ because of the nature of his merchandise, which Was palm oil. The other was called "oníyangí” also because of the nature of his merchandise, which was sharp sand.
One day a long time ago, which no one living can define,
Elépo and oníyangí set out from opposite directions to dispose of their merchandise. After traveling many days by foot, which was the only means of transportation in those days.
They met at a narrow path, which Iya Àgbà called "Ẹsẹ̀-kò-gbéjì”.
It was such a narrow path that only one person could go through at a time. Elépo insisted on the right way.
Oníyangí would have none of it.
Both argued until other travelers met them there and a long queue soon formed behind both men.
Still, neither Elépo nor oníyangí would bulge.
According to my grandmother, both had a stubborn streak in them. Simply because when they were born the first water used to bathe them was taken from the same river.
According to the customs, then newborn babies were also given the same water to drink.
The name of the water is called 'kain-kain'.
Having failed to pacify both men, some Wise travelers suggested a way out that Both men should slug it out.
Whoever won the contest should have the right way.
The suggestion set pretty with both men.
Quickly, each man set down his merchandise by the roadside and they squared up one to the other. The battle was ferocious and long; in the end.
Elépo had the Better of Oníyangí, lifted him off his feet, and landed him on the floor.
The crowd roared!
But as Oníyangí hit the floor, one of his outstretched legs caught Elépo's merchandise and tilted it. Immediately, the contents which were palm oil,gurled out on the bush path.
Furious, Elépo reached out for the merchandise of Oníyangí and flung it upside down on the road, and its contents, which were sharp sand poured out on the roadside.
Oníyangí got up from the floor, Dusted himself up.
Ignored the jeers of the crowd who had started hailing Elépo For winning the bragging rights,
As football fans call it these days and begins to pack his merchandise (sharp sand) into its container.
Having done that,he respected the agreement By stepping out of the narrow path for Elépo to have his right of way.
But Elépo stood transfixed On a spot.
His merchandise had been irretrievably wasted and couldn't be salvaged as Oníyangí had salvaged his.
Elépo won the contest, but his victory was pyrrhic. Whereas he won the right of way, he had no more trips to make since his wares had been wasted.
This was the origin of the Yorùbá saying,
"Epo ni mo rù, kí oníyangí má ba tèmi jẹ́"
Which warns anyone carrying Palm oil to beware of the man carrying sharp sand. Moral lesson; we fight to great disadvantage when we fight with those who have nothing to lose.
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