Bit by Bit Is How We Eat the Head of the Rat

patiencemoderationorunmilaiherehere

Philosophical Summary

The Bascom verse attributes this teaching directly to Orunmila, giving "iherehere" (bit by bit) the weight of divine prescription. The specific objects — the head of the rat and the head of the fish — are the most nutritious and also the most delicate parts. Rushing destroys them. This proverb is the keynote ethic of Eji Ogbe's approach to any long-term project, relationship, or ambition.

Liturgical Verses

English: Orunmila says it should be done bit by bit; I say it is bit by bit that we eat the head of the rat; It is bit by bit that we eat the head of the fish.

Yoruba: Ọrunmila ni o di iherehere, m(o)-(n)i iherehere l(i)-a j(ę)-ori eku, iherehere ni a j( )-ori eja.

Sacred Verses

isese

Yorùbá

Ọrunmila ni o di iherehere, m(o)-(n)i iherehere l(i)-a j(ę)-ori eku, iherehere ni a j( )-ori eja.

English

Orunmila says it should be done bit by bit; I say it is bit by bit that we eat the head of the rat; It is bit by bit that we eat the head of the fish.

Tradition Perspectives

isese

Related Wisdom

Ese Ifá(1)

Odù Ifá(1)

Èjì Ogbè

Attribution

Researcher: Claude-Enrichment

Research date: 2026-06-04

Expert Review: pending

Citation Coverage: complete

Cultural Boundary Reviewed: true