Àjẹ́ ké l’áǹá — Yoruba Wisdom on Coincidence

Last updated: January 12, 2026

Yoruba Wisdom

Àjẹ́ ké l’áǹá, ọmọ kú l’óǹí.
Tani kò mọ̀ wípé àjẹ́ tó ké ló pọmọ jẹ?

Literal Translation

The neighbourhood witch shrieked last night; a child died today.
Who does not know it was that same witch who killed the baby?

Interpretation

This proverb addresses cause and consequence, but more importantly, forewarning and culpability. In Yoruba moral reasoning, events do not occur in isolation. When a sign precedes an outcome, it invites scrutiny.

The crying of the witch (àjẹ́ ké) is not innocence; it is a signal. The death of the child that follows confirms the suspicion. The proverb asserts that those who announce chaos often participate in it, and that lamentation can sometimes be a disguise for guilt.

Beyond literal witchcraft, àjẹ́ here symbolizes destructive agents—individuals, forces, or systems whose actions quietly prepare harm before publicly reacting to its outcome.

On Coincidence — the Deeper Challenge

In Yoruba epistemology, randomness is not the default explanation. Patterns matter. Sequence matters. Timing matters.

The proverb is not saying every sequence proves guilt — it is saying when warning, noise, or ritual precedes harm, wisdom refuses to call it an accident.

The shriek (ké) is crucial. It is:

• a signal, not an afterthought

• a disturbance, not a neutral sound

• a public act, not a private one

So when death follows, the proverb asks: Are we pretending not to see the line that connects these events?

This is why the closing question is rhetorical and biting: Tani kò mọ̀…? — Who does not know?

Meaning: only the dishonest claim ignorance.

Moral Force of the Proverb

This proverb teaches that:

• Coincidence is often a comfort story told by those who fear confrontation

• Harm is frequently preceded by signals, not surprises

• Society fails when it treats patterns as accidents

It is a warning against willful blindness.

Application

• In society and politics: Those who constantly predict failure, chaos, or collapse may be complicit in creating it. Loud warnings are not always virtuous.

• In relationships: Repeated negativity, emotional sabotage, or ominous speech can precede real damage.

• In leadership: When harm occurs, attention must return to those who set the tone, not just those present at the aftermath.

The proverb teaches vigilance: listen carefully to who speaks before disaster, not only who mourns after it.

Broad Theme

Forewarning, Culpability, and Moral Accountability

Supporting Themes

Cause and consequence, hypocrisy, hidden guilt, destructive influence, false innocence, moral foresight, social vigilance, accountability

Closing Reflection

Wisdom is not shocked by outcomes; it studies the signs that came before them. When a cry announces destruction, calling the result coincidence is not innocence — it is complicity.