Proverbs are fundamental to the Yoruba language. Yoruba people use these poetic sayings –one or two lines of words– to convey a message with more meaning than a 30 minute conversation could accomplish. A proverb (òwé in Yoruba) can be used to give advice, give warning, express reproach or express compassion. Children start learning them from their parents, grandparents and school teachers when they are very young. Hundreds of Yoruba proverbs exist. I think they are all beautiful and fascinating to learn. When I get to Nigeria and start whipping out proverbs, believe me, the Nigerians will be astonished.
I love these proverbs so much that I am going to start posting a ‘Weekly Òwé’ for everyone to learn. They are all figurative. The literal meanings don’t really make sense, but that’s how Yoruba is. It is a poetic, figurative language, something that doesn’t suit literal translations well but makes it all the more fun to learn. So I hope you find meaning in each one as the weeks go by.
I chose the first one because I think it’s pertinent to the situation I’m in right now. Ki e gbadun òwé náà. 
North of Lagos 
I agree with you on the òwé’s.
My fiancé has a hard time when trying to translate Yoruba proverbs to me, so yeah they are short in writing my the meaning can be plentiful!!
But this will be fun, maybe I can learn something new and surprise my Yoruba friends!!
Let me teach you one(don’t mind the spelling):
Agba ki’nwa lo’ja ki ori omo tuntun wo
In direct translation: A new born baby’s head can’t be twisted or broken while an elder is at the market place.
But the meaning is: An elder (adult) has enough experience and knowledge to handle all kinds of situations/problems.
And there is a common saying from my knowledge that says:
Ti oro ba da ojuru owe ni afi’nwa.
In direct translation: If a word gets mixed up, it get’s loosened with a proverb.
But the meaning is: When a complex situation arises, you use proverbs to solve it.
Anyways… later na
Very cool cara. I can relate as well. But can Chicago really be better than NYC?
Its different. Totally different vibes in Chitown than NYC. They are each amazing in their own way. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by Chi.
Cara,
What a great approach! `owe’ s…any possibility of you doing a video or a recording of you saying the phrase in Yoruba? Would love to see you and to hear your voice!
Loves,
Michele