In this publication, We are bringing to our readers the Story of the Three White Cap Chiefs of Lagos.( Àrò Mẹ́ta ) Symbol of Lagos and its translations and transcriptions by Lagosians.
Àrò Mẹ́ta popularly called the “three wise men” is meant to welcome people coming into the city of Lagos.
The Àrò Mẹ́ta,a white granite sculpture of three Lagos white-cap chiefs is not just a mere sculpture; it is rich in its meaning.
The three sculpted chiefs depict the three kinds of traditional greetings on Lagos Island (Eko).
Eko refers to the indigenous people of Lagos occupying mainly Lagos Island.
Their clenched right fists symbolize a strong belief in the Supremacy of the right over the left.
All of them display clenched fists with the right hand always placed over the left.
Not only that, the statues also robed in intricately tied wrappers with the ends flung across the right shoulder.
This is not a coincidence, because in the Yorùbá culture, the right hand signifies acceptance and respect.
While the left hand is viewed with revulsion because it is often used to perform unsavory tasks and chores.
Initially, Àrò Mẹ́ta was located at the former Lagos-Ibadan Toll gate from where it was moved further to the bridge linking Ojodu and Alausa secretariat.
Until recently in 2004 where it was destroyed by unknown persons for reasons believed to be religious, it was also destroyed during the subsidy protest in January 2012.
Àrò Mẹ́ta became more popular in the early 90s when Yorùbá Fuji Superstar Obesere sang about it.
He proposed each of the men indicates different meaning to newcomers to Lagos. Apparently, being smart and cautiously attentive aren’t options in Lagos, Yorubaland. This is educative!
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