Tope Alabi, a well-known gospel performer in Nigeria, has responded to the controversy that has surrounded her viral video in which she can be seen singing in Yoruba using the word “Aboru Aboye,” a greeting used by Ifa initiates.
In the popular video, Alabi sang the lyrics “Abiye ni mi, Oruko mi ni yen” and referred to herself as “ebo,” which is a word that literally means sacrifice. I am a sacrifice; my name is Mo de bo, Mo ru, Mo ye. My name means “I am a sacrifice accepted by God”).
Since then, the lyrics have sparked a flurry of responses in the media as her supporters and some Christian authorities take sides with her wording.
The award-winning singer who was seen ministering in a white garment church said, “Aboru Aboye” is a pure Yoruba language and not an exclusive preserve of traditionalists.
Alabi, who clarified with a reference to the bible, also said that her skillful use of language was still unique to her as a gospel performer.
She said, “It was recorded that David made a sacrifice of faithfulness to God. Why was the word sacrifice not written as the same English word in the Yoruba version of the Bible? It is a Yoruba language. There is no special language for traditionalists. We are all speaking the Yoruba language.
“If some people say they want to use the language in their own style, it is not bad. We have also decided to use it in our own style.”
In establishing her points with specific reference to a bible passage which is Romans 12:1, she said, “Brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. The word ‘acceptable’ is the ‘Aboru’ while ‘living sacrifice’ is Aboye.”
