Oriki Ibeju Lekki: Full Praise Poetry, Meaning and History of Ibeju People

The Oríkì of Ibeju is more than a collection of praise names. It carries references to the people, their roots, their land and the traditions passed down through generations.

Ibeju-Lekki is a coastal area of Lagos with strong Yoruba-Ijebu roots. While the area is now widely known for major developments, businesses and new communities, its cultural history goes much further back.

Below is the full Oríkì Ibeju Lekki, followed by an explanation of some of the lines and the history and traditions connected with the Ibeju people.

Full Oriki Ibeju Lekki

The version below is the full Oríkì recorded for this article. As with many Yoruba oral traditions, wording and pronunciation can vary between families and communities, so the original recitation has been retained rather than reconstructed from different online fragments. 

“Omo onigi meta Ibeju, 

Ikan n so owo, 

Ikan n so iyun, 

Ikan n so alaari baba aso.

Omo ka fopa wa, ka fa jewa

Omo ka sopa nu, ka soje nu

Ka wa fi ogede gede owo wako dele isheri

Omo eluku mede mede, Omo eluku mede mede

Omo balogun dodo n dawa

Omo asale jeje bi eni ti o ri obinrin ri

Bi ogun bi ogbon aya nibe nile awon baba ti won bi yin lomo

Omo kaso sile keru o bolose

Omo mo roye tan, mo moroko

Mo roko tan, eye si ti lo

Ninu ile awon baba ti won gbe biyin lomo gangan ni.”

Editorial note: Yoruba Oríkì is part of an oral tradition, so wording can vary between families and communities. Haba Naija has retained this version as recorded for this article rather than combining different fragments found online. 

The Oríkì is traditionally recited as a way of remembering and celebrating the identity and heritage of the people. Like many Yoruba praise poems, some of its expressions are best understood through local knowledge and oral tradition.

One of its most recognisable lines is “Omo Onigi Meta Ibeju”, which connects the people of Ibeju with the traditional story of the three trees, or Igi Meta. The following lines refer to owo (money), iyun (beads) and alaari (fine dyed cloth), linking the praise poem with ideas of prosperity, craftsmanship and traditional Yoruba culture.

What Does Oriki Ibeju Lekki Mean?

Oríkì is a form of Yoruba praise poetry used to celebrate a person, family, community, town or lineage. It can contain praise names, historical references, descriptions of qualities and reminders of ancestral stories.

For Ibeju, the Oríkì connects the people to their traditional identity and the history of the community. The Igi Meta reference is particularly important because it appears in the opening lines of the praise poem.

The Ibeju-Lekki Local Government’s cultural account also connects the community’s Ijebu heritage with the Igi Meta tradition and explains the traditional associations of the three trees with wealth, beads and fine fabrics such as alaari.

The meaning of the Oríkì therefore goes beyond praise alone. Its lines preserve references to the community’s heritage and the values associated with its traditional history.

You can also read Haba Naija’s Oriki Ijebu and Oriki Oyo to explore how Yoruba praise poetry is expressed in other communities. 

The Story Behind the Three Trees of Ibeju

The three trees, known as Igi Meta, have an important place in the traditional identity of Ibeju.

A 2018 City People feature on the Ibeju-Lekki community gives a more detailed traditional account of the trees, describing them as sacred landmarks associated with traditional worship. It also records the belief that each tree had its own significance, linked respectively to money, beads and clothing.

These traditions help explain why Igi Meta features so prominently in the Oríkì of Ibeju.

Because much of this history has been preserved through oral tradition, details and interpretations may vary between accounts.

Where Did the Name Ibeju Come From?

There are traditional accounts about how the name Ibeju came about. One account traces the early history of Ibeju to Agbeduwa, described as a prince and hunter who migrated from Ile-Ife. The story is recorded in the 2018 City People feature on the Ibeju-Lekki community. c

According to the story, he came to an area where there were three parcels of land separated by swamp. He selected the largest of the three areas, which was close to the lagoon and the sea, and the name Ibeju became associated with the settlement.

The history is part of the oral tradition surrounding the community, rather than something that should be treated as a modern documented event with an independently verified date.

This is one reason stories about places such as Ibeju are often best understood alongside the oral traditions preserved by their people.

Ibeju and Its Ijebu Heritage

Ibeju is strongly associated with the Ijebu people, and this heritage can be seen in the community’s traditions, festivals, praise poetry and social structure.

The Ibeju-Lekki area has changed considerably over the years. Today, many people know it because of its rapid development and its growing importance within Lagos.

But long before the modern roads, estates and large-scale developments, the communities in the area had their own systems of leadership, worship, fishing, farming, trade and community life.

The Oríkì is one of the ways that this older identity remains visible.

Ibeju-Lekki and the Sea

The location of Ibeju has also influenced the way its people lived. The area is close to lagoons and the Atlantic coast, and fishing has historically been an important part of life in many of its communities.

Residents have traditionally caught fish, prawns, lobsters and crabs from the surrounding waterways, while women have also played a role in smoking and preparing the catch.

This coastal way of life is part of the wider cultural identity of Ibeju and helps explain why seafood and smoked fish feature prominently in descriptions of the community.

Traditional Culture and Festivals in Ibeju

Ibeju’s cultural life includes traditional festivals, masquerades, music and community gatherings.

One important celebration associated with the community is Igi Meta Ibeju Day, which celebrates the heritage and identity of the people. Cultural performances, music, prayers and community activities form part of such celebrations.

Traditional masquerades are also part of the cultural heritage of the area. Accounts of Ibeju mention masquerades including Kilajolu, Imale Agbo, Jigbo, Eyo and Igununko.

These cultural practices provide another link between present-day Ibeju and the traditions of earlier generations.

Traditional Leadership in Ibeju

Like many Yoruba communities, traditional leadership has played an important role in Ibeju. The traditional ruler of Ibeju is known as the Onibeju.

Traditional accounts of the community describe Agbeduwa as an early ruler and associate the Onibeju royal family with three ruling houses: Agbejoye, Oniwonlu and Aladeseso.

Traditional institutions have historically served purposes beyond leadership alone. They have also been connected with community gatherings, cultural practices, dispute resolution and the preservation of local traditions.

Ibeju-Lekki Today

It is easy to think of Ibeju-Lekki only in terms of its rapid development.

The area has become one of the parts of Lagos attracting significant attention because of new businesses, housing developments, infrastructure and other large projects.

But beneath the modern image is a community with a much older story.

There are people whose families have lived in the area for generations. There are traditional institutions, shrines, festivals, praise names and oral histories that existed long before Ibeju-Lekki became one of the most talked-about development areas in Lagos.

That is what makes the Oríkì important.

It gives people a way to say, in a few lines, where they come from and what their ancestors remembered.

Why Oriki Matters to the People of Ibeju

Yoruba Oríkì is not just something recited for entertainment. For many communities, it is a form of cultural memory.

A person may hear a particular praise name and immediately recognise a family, town or ancestral connection. Some Oríkì also contain references that make little sense without knowledge of the history behind them.

The same applies to Ibeju. The reference to the Igi Meta carries a story about the community’s traditional identity. Other lines in the full Oríkì can contain additional praise names and references that connect the people to their ancestry.

This is why preserving the complete Oríkì matters, especially at a time when many oral traditions are becoming less familiar to younger generations.

The same tradition can be found in the Oríkì of other Yoruba communities. Haba Naija has also documented the Oriki Eko, Oriki Ijebu and Oriki Oyo, preserving different examples of Yoruba praise poetry and cultural history. 

Research note: This article draws on cultural and historical accounts from the Ibeju-Lekki Local Government and a 2018 City People feature. Some details of Ibeju’s early history have been preserved through oral tradition, so accounts may vary. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Oriki Ibeju Lekki

What is Oriki Ibeju Lekki?

Oríkì Ibeju Lekki is the traditional Yoruba praise poetry associated with the people and heritage of Ibeju. It contains praise expressions and cultural references connected to the community.

What does “Omo onigi meta Ibeju” mean?

“Omo onigi meta Ibeju” can be understood as referring to the people of Ibeju as the children of the three trees, known as Igi Meta.

What are the three trees of Ibeju associated with?

Traditional accounts associate the three trees with money, beads and fine clothing. This is reflected in the Oríkì line referring to owo, iyun and alaari.

Is Ibeju an Ijebu community?

Ibeju is strongly associated with Ijebu heritage, and its cultural traditions and identity reflect this connection.

Who is the traditional ruler of Ibeju?

The traditional ruler of Ibeju is known as the Onibeju.

Why is Oriki important in Yoruba culture?

Oríkì helps preserve family, community and ancestral identity. It can contain praise names, historical references and descriptions that have been passed down through generations.

Is Ibeju-Lekki only a modern residential and business area?

No. Although Ibeju-Lekki is now known for rapid development, its communities have much older histories, traditions and cultural institutions.

What is the meaning of Igi Meta in Ibeju?

Igi Meta means “three trees” and refers to the traditional three-tree heritage associated with Ibeju. The trees are linked in the Oríkì with owo (money), iyun (beads) and alaari (fine cloth).

What is the full Oriki of Ibeju Lekki?

The full Oríkì of Ibeju Lekki is a Yoruba praise poem containing references to the people, their heritage and traditional identity. The version published in this article includes the Igi Meta opening and other praise lines associated with Ibeju.