This table contains various Yorùbá terminology used in my blog posts and will continue to build over time.
Yoruba | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Ábọrú Àbọyè Àbọṣíṣẹ | [ah-buh-roo] [ah-buh-yay] [ah-buh-she-shay] | Greeting to an Ifá Priest. “May our offerings be accepted; may we have long life; may our prayers manifest. |
| Àṣẹ | [ah-sheh] | May it be so. |
| Awo | [ah-wo] | Student of Ifá studies. |
| Bàbá | [ba-ba] | Father |
| Babaláwo | [baba-la-wo] | Male Ifá Priest. |
| Ẹbọ | [eh-buh] | A ritual performed on the Opon Ifa tray. Ebo helps to manifest good results. |
| Egúngún | [eh-goon-goon] | Spirit of our Ancestors in heaven. |
| Ìbà | [ee-ba] | To pay homage |
| Ibo | [ee-bo] | Offerings given to the Orisa. |
| Ifá | [ee-fah] | Ifá is the messages of Olódùmarè (Almighty God) sent to the world and interpreted by Orunmila to the mankind. |
| Ire | [ee-ray] | Blessings of good fortune |
| Irúnmọlẹ̀ | [ee-roon-muh-leh] | The Orisa who came to earth from heaven |
| Iṣe’fa | [ee-shay-fa] | Ceremony to receive one hand of Ifá |
| Ìtẹ’fa | [ee-teh-fa] | Full initiation into the priesthood of Ifá |
| Ìyá | [ee-ya] | Mother |
| Mojùbà | [mo-ju-ba] | I pay homage |
| Obì Kola Nut | [o-bee] [ko-la] | Used with offerings to Ifá/Orisa. Also used for divination. |
| Odù | [o-du] | |
| Iṣẹṣe | [ee-sheh-shay] | Isese refers to the cultural tradition and spiritual value among the Yoruba. The way of the ancestors. |
| Ogbó Ató | [og-bo] [ah-to] | Response of blessings given by an Ifá Priest. Long life, in good health. |
| Olódùmarè | [o-lo-doo-ma-ray] | God Almighty; The Most High |
| Iyereosun | [ee-yeh-ray-o-soon] | Yellow powder used for Ifá divination on the Opon Ifá |
| Opẹle | [o-pueh-lay] | Ifá divination tool |
| Opon Ifá | [aw-pun ee-fah] | Ifá divination tray |
| Eerindinlogun | Cell | Concerated cowrie shells used to perform divination |
| Ìwuré | [ee-woo-ray] | Prayer |