The Original Yorùbá Word For Wife Is Aya Not Ìyàwó . Did you know that the original word for wife in Yoruba language is AYA and not Ìyàwó The latter is quite commonly used nowadays than the former. I would take you through how Ìyàwó came about; Wúrà who was at the phase of choosing a spouse was faced with the task of selecting the most suitable one for herself, she was the first child and the daughter of the King of ÌWÓ(A Yorùbá town).
Yoruba deities like Șàngó, Ògún, and other known male deities went to Iwo to seek her hand in marriage. Wúrà mistreated them. Wúrà was very rude and uncouth. She meted the worst behaviour one can think of onto her suitors.
Everyone of them failed to accomplish the prospect of marrying her because they could not withstand her behaviour and they all abandoned their mission on their first day, that was how tough Wúrà was.
However, when it's Ọ̀rúnmìlà's turn, before he set for Ìwó, he sought wisdom from Olódùmarè through Ifa. He was duly informed that no matter the treatment Wúrà might subject him to, he must not react accordingly. He should have patience and lots of endurance. He was highly warned to expect humiliation from Wúrà but must not be provoked.
When Ọ̀rúnmìlà got to Ìwó, Wúrà looked at him scornfully, she did not welcome him, she hissed at him, called Ọ̀rúnmìlà all sorts of name, she did not even give Ọ̀rúnmìlà any food or entertained him. Ọ̀rúnmìlà just ignored her attitudes.
The first day, second day, till about the seventh day. To cap it all, Wúrà took Ọ̀rúnmìlà's Opon-Ifa [divination board] and used it as firewood. She took Ọ̀rúnmìlà's Pouch [Àpò Ọ̀mìjẹkùn] from him. This angered Ọ̀rúnmìlà's greatly but he still conducted himself alright. He refused to react to her behaviour having been warned of the consequences of not heeding the advice.
Eventually, the King realised that Ọ̀rúnmìlà' was humble and well behaved. He was amazed and Ọ̀rúnmìlà did not react or show any sign of anger towards his daughter despite the humiliation. Orunmila's behaviour gave him the assurance that he would take good care of Wura, his daughter if she became his wife.
All along however and unknowingly, Wúrà's behaviour had been a test for all the prospective suitors. The King finally summoned Ọ̀rúnmìlà and handed Wúrà over to him as his wife and he divided his property into two. He gave Ọ̀rúnmìlà half of it and Ọ̀rúnmìlà thus became rich and had Wúrà as his wife.
Upon Ọ̀rúnmìlà's arrival back home, his people welcomed him enthusiastically for his accomplished task. They asked for some details of his new wife, his answer was direct: Ìyà - tí -mo-je- ní -Ìwó (the result of my indignation at Iwo town). This eight syllable word, "Ìyà-tí-mo-je- ní -Ìwó" became known as Ìyà-Ìwó and now Ìyàwó . Hopefully with this new information I have educated you a bit more about your wife.
So if she hisses at you sometimes and is obstinate, just remember Ọ̀rúnmìlà's humiliation at Ìwó before he wins his wife's hand in marriage. ... and keep behaving like Ọ̀rúnmìlà .

Sounds more like a folklore story to me