Tope Alabi Defends Her Use of ‘Aboru Aboye’ in Viral Video, Says It’s Pure Yoruba Language

Ilesanmi AdekanbiJuly 11, 2023

3 minutes read

Tope Alabi, a popular Nigerian gospel singer, has responded to the controversy surrounding her viral video where she was heard singing in Yoruba language using the word ‘Aboru Aboye’, a form of greeting among Ifa initiates.

In the video, which has sparked mixed reactions on social media, Alabi referred to herself as ‘ebo’ meaning sacrifice, while also singing the words, “Abiye ni mi, Oruko mi ni yen. Mo de bo, mo ru, mo ye,” (I am a sacrifice, that’s my name. I am a sacrifice accepted by God, that’s my name).

Some critics have accused Alabi of being an idol worshipper or a secret member of the Ifa cult, while others have defended her as a creative and versatile artiste who can use any language to praise God.

In a video sighted by Newsflash Nigeria, 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 explained with bible reference also clarified that her deft use of the language remained her peculiar style as a gospel artiste.

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.”

While reiterating that sacrifices were rendered in the bible, she further queried saying, “Was Abraham’s sacrifice accepted or not? Was it not the same with Isaac?” 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.”

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The PUNCH reported that an Ifa-priest, Oluwo Jogbodo Orunmila, had told the singer to conduct an ancestry Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid (DNA) test to be sure of her origin.

Orunmila who is the chief priest of Iledi Imule Agba in Oyan, Odo Otin North Local Council Development Authority in Osun State while speaking with The PUNCH in an exclusive interview noted that Alabi has always been enmeshed in the usage of traditionalists’ lexicons.

He mentioned the singer’s use of ‘Eledumare’ and several other appraisals usually meant for Orunmila (god of wisdom) and Yoruba deities. He maintained that whoever has come out to tag Alabi as an idol worshipper is just fuelling public opinion and is particularly not knowledgeable enough to know that Ifa only identifies those who want to be identified because it embraces secrecy.

On how the phrase became a common greeting among the Ifa initiates, he narrated that Odu Ifa ‘Ogunda meji’ in Ifa corpus birthed the stories of three women; Aboru, Aboye, and Abosise who rendered special help to Orunmila.

However, some other gospel singers and Christian leaders have also expressed their views on the issue. Veteran gospel act and current Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Gospel Musician Association of Nigeria, Funmi Aragbaye, has slammed Alabi for using Ifa worshippers’ term in church. She said Alabi believes she is above everyone and God.

She said, “She should know that she cannot be above God or anyone else. She should be careful because pride goes before a fall. She should humble herself before God and men.”

On the other hand, Pastor Lanre Kayode, Senior Pastor of the Christ Apostolic Church6, Shibiri branch, Lagos, has defended Alabi’s use of ‘Aboru Aboye’. He said it is a language thing and there is nothing wrong with what she said. He compared her lyrics to Dunsin Oyekan’s song where he said “I am more than a song today, I am a sacrifice”.

He said, “Why are people not complaining about that? Is it because he sang in English? Why do people not have issues with this? Is it because Tope sang in Yoruba?”

Tope Alabi is one of the most celebrated and influential gospel singers in Nigeria. She is known for her unique style of blending Yoruba language, culture, and music to create soul-lifting songs. She has released several albums and won many awards and accolades.