PRAISE POEM

Olówè of Isè was honored by contemporaries in the form of personal oral praise songs known as oriki. An important part of Yoruba oral traditions, the oriki is a form of celebration and tribute that commemorates artists by celebrating their reputation. This extensive oriki, spoken by his wife, Oluju-ifun Olówè, lists some of the many places his work can be found:

He spends iroko money to achieve great things,
Who carves the iroko tree with the ease of carving a calabash. Whoever meets you unawares risks
Becoming a sacrificial victim.
Whoever meets you unawares
Sees trouble.
I shall always adore you, Olówè!
Olówè, who carves iroko wood.
The master carver.
He went to the palace of Ogoga
And spent four years there.
He was carving there.
If you visit Ogoga's place
And the one at Owo,
The work of my husband is there.
If you go to Ikare,
The work of my husband is there.
Pay a visit to Igede,
You will find my husband's work there.
The same thing at Ukiti.
His work is there.
Mention Olówè's name at Ogbagi
In Use too,
My husband's work can be found.
In Deji's palace,
My husband worked at Akure.
Olówè also worked at Ogotun.
There was a carved lion
That was taken to England.
With his hands he made it.