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Yoruba Dictionary
Yoruba Dictionary
resonance used to access the power of Spirit. Physics teaches the idea
that all power in the universe is part of a sign wave which is the full
color and pitch. The tonal quality of words used in liturgical Yoruba
liturgical Yoruba is that the words used for invocation also carry
meaning that reveals the inner essense of the Spiritual Force itself.
Nature science calls white light. Ifa teaches that everything in the
universe has some form of consciousness (ori). Saying the word Obatala
white light. It does while telling us something about the quality of white
of expansion or male energy ie; Baba) ota (stone) ala (light). The word
Obatala in the context of Odu Ifa (Yoruba Scripture) means; the Spirit of
the expansive quality of light that comes from the eternal stone of
Olatunde Sproye in his book Yoruba without Tears states there are
ba be be bi bo bo bu da de de di do do du fa fe fe fi fo
ha he he hi ho ho hu ja je je ji jo jo ju ka ke ke ki ko ko
ku la le le li lo lo lu ma me me mi mo mo mo mu na ne
ne ni no no nu pa pe pe pi po po pu ra re re ri ro ro ru
sa se se si so so su ta te te ti to to tu wa we we wi wo
wo wu ya ye ye yi yo yo yu
Doubling a word refers to its source or parent, for example Dada (Spirit
used as the basis for Yoruba language we get two hundred and fifty-two
hundred and fifty six fundamental principles. The first four principles
represent the cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth. These four principles
support the rest of Creation. The rest of Creation comes into being
through the manifestation of two hundred and fifty two Forces in Nature.
mysteries preserved in the Yoruba language. When Ifa and Orisa spread
language.
ascenscion of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ. I believe the word
(earth), meaning; the wisdom of the fathers and mothers found on earth.
This glossary is a preliminary attempt to understand Ifa theology
from Odu Ifa as it is recited in Ile Ife and most of the vocabulary reflects
point of departure for theological linquistic analysis. Bit by bit we eat the
Ase o
Awo Fa’lokun Fatunmbi
A
a Him, her, we and it, depending on context.
ààbò Half.
àáké Ax.
Àáyán - awo - inú - igbó Praise name for the Spirit of Destiny
(Òrúnmìlà), meaning: "Ayan Tree is the Mystery of the Inner Sanctum of
the Sacred Grove."
ààyè Life.
abá Mat. The mat is used to create sacred space in Ifá and Òrìsà ritual
and divination.
àba Ladder. The ladder is sacred to the Spirit of the Divine Messenger
(Èsù)
abádà Eternal, something that comes directly from the Source of
Creation (Olórún).
abanijé Detractor.
àbáse Cooperation.
Abata Mud. Mud is sacred to the female aspect of the Spirit of White
Cloth (Oduduwa/Yemo).
abèbe Fan, used to cool mediums in ritual, sacred to the Spirit of the
River (Òsun).
Abélà Candle.
abéré Needle.
àbètélè Bribe.
abi I or you.
àbí Or.
abigba Four chains with nuts attached, used in some regions of Nigeria
to perform divination. Each chain has four nuts representing one leg of
the marks used to represent the verses (Odù) of Ifá scripture. When the
abigba is thrown two complete verses (Odù) of Ifá scripture are marked.
àbíku A child who dies at a young age and reincarnates through the
same mother. The word refers to the spiritual cause behind a sequence
of deaths among children in the same family. When this occurs, Ifá can
perform rituals that will induce the spirit of the child to remain on Earth
to become an adult.
abo Female.
àbo Expression used to greet someone who has returned to the place of
their departure.
Abògán Those who worship the ant hill, the ant hill represents the
Spirit of hard work and cooperation.
abókulò One who works with the spirit of ancestors (Egún) to invoke
transformation.
Abomalè Those who worship the ancestors and the deified ancestors
(Egúngún).
Abuku Disgrace
abúra One who takes an oath during an initiation, the person who
makes a pledge.
àdá A large knife with a hook on the end used in farming, sacred to the
Spirit of Iron (Ògún) and the Spirit of the Farm (Òrìsà Oko).
adaba Dove, sacred to the Spirit of the King of White Cloth (Obàtálá).
The dove is the Ifá symbol for peace and tranquility.
àdá - fàdákà Silver cutlass, sacred to the Spirit of the King of White
Cloth (Obàtálá).
Adáhunse A herbal doctor, one who works with the Spirit of herbs and
medicine (Òsányin).
adánri One who has shaved their head for religious reasons, usually in
preparation for initiation. Some diviners keep their head shaved as a
way of being in close alignment with the influence of the Forces of Nature
(Òrìsà).
adé Crown worn by Yorùbá Kings (Oba). The crown symbolizes the
spiritual transformation that occurs when the Kings (Oba) are installed
in office. The crown is also the seat of protection that is given by the
Spirit of the Mothers (Ìyáàmi).
adèbo One who prepares sacred food for a feast by slaughtering animals
according to the rules of religious sanction.
àdéhùn Agreement.
adibo Diviner.
Adógunsílè The chief warrior priest among those who worship the Spirit
of Iron (Ògún). Traditionally this is the person responsible for the
protection of a given town or village.
afá Bridge.
afárá Bridge.
Afefe A messenger of the Spirit of the Wind (Oya), the gale wind.
Afefe - jeje The whirlwind, the sacred power of the Spirit of the Wind
(Oya) in its most intense manifestation.
afe - imojo The tail of a large rat that is used by Yorùbá Kings as a
symbol of their power of the word.
afémóju The early morning, one of the times considered sacred for
picking herbs.
Aferef e Praise name for the Spirit of the Wind (Oya), the gentle aspect
of the wind, the breeze, meaning: "The Good Wind."
Aférifé légélégé Praise name for the Spirit of the Wind (Oya) , meaning:
"Mysterious Wind."
afi Unless.
afi - bi Unless.
afójú Blind person, protected by the Spirit of the King of White Cloth
(Obàtálá).
àfonífojì Valley.
aforíjì Forgiveness, also refers to a type of prayer used in Ifá for asking
Spirit to forgive the need to make a blood offering.
àfòse Magical incantations.
Afurùkèrèsayo Reference to the left half of the horizontal line that forms
the equal arm cross of a Ifá diviner's tray, meaning: "The one who has
the diviner's tapper and is happy."
aga Chair, low stool., in Ifá ritual the younger initiates will sit on a mat
while the elders sit on low stools.
agaro Shovel. The shovel is sacred to the Spirit of the Farm (Orìsà Oko).
Agayu The Spirit of the Fire at the Center of the Earth, in some
versions of Ifá sacred
history, Agayu is the Father of the Spirit of Lightning (Sàngó).
agbégbò Hen.
agbéledi One of the wrestling moves used in the marital art that is
sacred to the Spirit of Iron (Ògún).
agbéró Charm used by those who practice the martial art of the Spirit of
Iron (Ògún), used to insure that the person remains standing during a
martial arts contest.
àgbé Short sword sacred to the Spirit of Iron (Ògún), farmer depending
on context.
Àgbìgbò Elemental spirit of the Forest that is know for causing trouble.
agbon Chin.
agbón Wasp.
àgbònrín Chin.
agére Stilt dancer who dances as part of the ceremonies that honor the
Spirit of the Ancestors (Egún).
agé Small drum that is sacred to the Spirit of the Farm (Òrìsà Oko).
agemo Chameleon.
aginiso Word for snail used by devotees of the Spirit of the River (Osun)
who have a taboo against using the word igbin.
agò Sacred cloth used by dancers who are mediums for the Spirit of the
Ancestors (Egún).
Agongo ogo Praise name for the Divine Messenger (Èsù), meaning: "He
Who Carries a Club."
Àguala The planet Venus, sacred to the Spirit of the River (Osun). It is
also known as the companion of the Moon or the dog of the Moon. The
Spirit of Venus.
Agunmola The planet Venus, sacred to the Spirit of the River (Osun). It
is also known as the companion of the Moon or the dog of the Moon. The
Spirit of Venus.
àgùtàn Sheep.
ahun Miser.
aibi One who has no children, a form of bad fortune in Ifá divination.
aigbo - àiyé Tranquility, being at peace in the world, the sign of one
who has developed inner certainty.
áike Ax, the double headed ax is sacred to the the Spirit of Lightning
(Sàngó).
àiláiyà Coward.
àiléso Barren, without children, one of the forms of bad fortune in Ifá
divination.
aile Evening.
ailébi One who has not experienced misfortune, an indication of
someone who is of good character.
àìsàn Illness.
aiyé The surface of the Earth, in Ifá scripture it is the place where the
Realm of the Ancestors (Egún) meets the realm of humans.
ajá Dog, black dogs are sacred to the Spirit of Iron (Ògún).
àjà Ceiling.
ajako Jackal.
Àjàláiyé The Winds of the Earth, an aspect of the Spirit of the Wind
(Oya).
Àjàlórun The Winds of the Realm of the Ancestors, an aspect of the
Spirit of the Wind (Oya).
Àjàlá - mòpin One of the Spirits who shapes the head and forms the
consciousness of each new born child.
Aja - Osun The planet Venus, sacred to the Spirit of the River (Osun),
also known as the companion of the Moon or the dog of the Moon, the
Spirit of Venus.
Ajapa Tortoise, one of the animal totems or guides of the Spirit of the
Divine Messenger (Èsù), the tortoise is the Divine Messenger for the
Spirit of Lightning (Sàngó).
àjé The Spirit of a Bird used by women (Ìyáàmi) to invoke powers used
for abundance and justice. This same power is used to consecrate the
crown of the Yorùbá Kings. Also used as a reference to money or
abundance.
ajeji Forgiveness.
àjèjì Strange.
Ajiki Praise name for the Source of Creation (Olórun), meaning: "The
One Who is Praised First." It also may be used as a reference to the
personal Spirit of any given individual. In reference to the Spirit of the
Divine Messenger (Èsù) it is used to indicate that the Divine Messenger
(Èsù) is addressed first in most ritual.
àjò l'ayé Journey through the world, the entire spectrum of a person's
personal experience.
ajugu dunirín A pile of iron in or near a shrine used as an altar for the
Spirit of Iron (Ògún).
àkarà Bread cakes cooked in palm oil, sacred to the Spirit of the
Ancestors (Egún).
àkébàjé Over indulgent behavior, one of the sources of bad fortune in Ifá
divination.
A - kè - bí - àlà Praise name for the Spirit of the King of White Cloth
(Obàtálá), meaning, "Radiant White."
akere Frog.
akese Cotton. Cotton is sacred to the Spirit of the King of White Cloth
(Obàtálá).
aki Bravery, also the word for refering to the martial art practiced by
the devotees of the Spirit of Iron (Ògún).
Akiko Cock, male chicken. Male chickens are sacred to the Spirit of
most Warriors (Ibora).
Akódá One of the Prophet Òrúnmìlà's first two students, term also
used to identify a senior priest in a society of diviners.
akokoro Toothache.
akókò ti obinrin Female puberty rite, meaning: "season of becoming a
woman."
akóni Teacher.
ako - ojo Five day week that is used as the basis for the Ifá calender of
ritual events.
alá Owner.
àlà White cloth, dream, effective dreamer, one who has visions while
sleeping. In Ifá scripture white cloth is a symbolic reference to dreams
and mystic vision.
Aláàfin The traditional title for the King of Oyo, chief Priest of the
Council of elders (Ogboni).
aláàye Someone who is living, a person of the Earth, as opposed to
spirit or ancestor.
alábalàse Forever.
Alábalese Praise name for the Spirit of the King of White Cloth
(Obàtálá), meaning: "He Who Predicts the Future."
Alabalòtún The Spirit of the One who implements with the right, a
reference to the right side of the horizontal line on the diviner's tray
(òpón Ifá).
Aláféèri One who knows the secret to the charm that makes one
invisible. This medicine is commonly used to make a person invisible to
their enemies in the sense that they will not be bothered rather than
physically invisible. Some forms of this medicine can create
telaportation.
Alàgba Elder, also the title for the chief priest of the Society of Ancestor
Reverence in Ilè Ifé.
Alágemo Member of men's society in Ijebu region that honors the Spirit
of the Chameleon.
Alajìki Praise name for the Divine Messenger (Èsù), meaning: "One who
is addressed first." This is a reference to the fact that The Divine
Messenger is usually addressed first during ritual.
alála One who is an effective dreamer, a person who has visions in their
sleep.
Alamorere Praise name for the Spirit of the King of White Cloth
(Obàtálá), meaning: "Owner of the best clay."
alangba Lizard.
alaromo One who wishes another harm or bad fortune, a person who
makes use of hexes.
Alaselòsì The Spirit of the One who implements with the left, a
reference to the left side of the horizontal line on the divining tray (òpón
Ifá), usually refers to that which is hidden or unrevealed.
aláya Husband.
àlàyé Explanation.
àle Leprosy.
alé Evening.
àlejò Visitor.
alubarika Property.
àmààní Opportunity.
amo Lizard.
Amodi Sickness.
amokisitekun Panther.
Amòlà Ifé Owòdáyé Praise name for the Spirit of Destiny (Òrúnmìlà),
meaning: "The Savior of Ifé from the early days."
amulu Combination.
Amúlù Odù The verses of Ifá scripture that follow the first sixteen verses
(Olu Odù).
amure Sash worn by men around the waist as a symbol of balance
between male and female Forces in Nature (Òrìsà).
Amúsan One of the children of the Spirit of the wind, the person who
holds a switch and walks in front of Egúngún during ancestral
ceremonies, acts as a guardian for the medium.
amòye Wise elder, one who is able to give good council and advice.
àná Yesterday.
àna In - law.
àníàní Doubt.
anife One who has no mate, being without love or affection, one of the
forms of bad fortune in Ifá divination.
anípé One who has abundance in all things, one who has fulfilled their
destiny.
apáko Bamboo.
àpárá Joke.
àpè Prayer.
àpò Bag often refers to bag used to carry medicine and tools associated
with ritual work, also refers to charms carried by worshippers of the
Spirit of Iron (Ògún).
àpótí Box.
ará Thunder, sacred to the Spirit of Lightning (Sàngó) and the Spirit of
the Wind (Oya).
Àràbà A senior Ifá priest who is initiated into Mysteries that are
associated with protection from the Spirit of Infectious Disease
(Babaluaiyé).
arábìnrin Sister.
arákùnrin Brother.
arewa Beauty.
arigogo Hook.
Àríwá North, also refers to Spirits of the North.
ariwowo Hook.
aro Sadness.
aro Plant used in Ifá for protection from death (Crossopoteryx Febrifuga),
disabled person sacred to the Spirit of the King of White Cloth (Obàtálá).
aròn Worm.
Ar oni Spirit of the forest, elemental spirit with the body of a human
and the head of a dog.
Arúku Spirit who transforms and elevates the spirit of the ancestors.
asán Afternoon.
àsaro Meditation.
àsásí Hexing.
àse Spiritual Power, that which brings dynamic force into Being in the
Universe, the word is also used at the end of prayers meaning: "May it be
so." The phrase is intended to be an invocation rather than a request.
àsé Menstruation.
Àsedá One of the Prophet Òrúnmìlà first two students, term also used
to identify a
senior priest with a communal society of Ifá elders.
asejù Excess.
àsikò Time.
àsíse Mistake.
aso - ìbojú Viel used to cover the face of mediums in possession with
the Spirit of Forces in Nature (Orìsà).
aso pupa Red cloth, taboo for traditional Ifá /Òrìsà burial rituals.
ata Pepper.
àtakò Opposition.
Ata - mátàsé Praise name for the Spirit of the Tracker (Òsóòsì),
meaning: "The sharp shooter."
ataparako Thumb.
àtàrí Top of the head, also refers to the power center at the top of the
head.
àte Mat, the mat is used to establish sacred space for ritual and
divination.
até To spread.
àte - ìká Rafia mat used for sacred space during divination.
Àté - ìká - ení Reference to all of Creation, meaning: " the mat that
can't be rolled up."
àtò Seamen.
atòsí Gonorrhoea.
àtúnbi Born again, the Ifá word used for physical reincarnation.
àtúnwá Rebirth of character, the Ifá word used for reincarnation of the
soul.
Àwàlàwúlú Praise name for the Spirit of Iron (Ògún), meaning: "Rugged
and Rough Spirit."
awò Color.
Awoni The society of Ifá priests who divine for the King (Òòni) of Ilé Ifè.
Àwònyè Òrìsà Praise name for the Spirit of Iron (Ògún), meaning: "The
enraged Spirit."
àwùjè Top of the head, refers to the power center at the crown of the
skull.
awun Miser.
awure Unassuming.
aya Wife.
ayani explanation.
àyànmó Destiny, the Ifá belief that each person comes to the world
having an agreement
with Creation regarding the fate that is to be experienced during a given
life time.
àyànmó - ìpín Destiny, the Ifá belief that each person comes to the
World having an agreement with Creation regarding the fate which is to
be experienced during a given life time.
Ayànràbàtá - awo - lè - ojà Praise name for the Divine Messenger (Èsù),
aye Room.
ayé World.
ayebo Hen.
ayo Joy.
B
ba To join, should depending on context.
bà To see.
Baba Father, used to describe any male adult old enough to have
children. In Yorùbá culture it is impolite to call someone who is older by
their proper name, instead they are called by their title or called by the
word that indicates their relative age within the extended family.
Babaláwo Father of the Secrets, male initiate into the Mysteries of Ifá.
The term Babaláwo is generally reserved for the elder Ifá initiates in a
given community, especially those who are adept at Ifá divination.
Babal'órìsà Father of the Forces in Nature (Òrìsà), male initiate into the
Mysteries of Nature (Awo Òrìsà).
bájà To fight.
bala Spotted.
bámúbámú Full.
banújé To be sad.
Bara A Praise name for the Divine Messenger (Èsù), a reference to the
Divine Messenger's strength.
bàta Foot.
bàtà Shoe.
bèbè To implore.
beleje Slender.
be - ni This is.
bere To ask.
bèrèsí To begin.
bikita Show.
bínú To be angry, to be mad.
bò To cover.
bo To enter.
bò To arrive.
bó To escape.
boro Narrow
bòròkìnní Gentleman, well behaved person.
bu Dip.
bú To cut.