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babalawo

a Yoruba priest and diviner trained to interpret the Ifá oracle

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Where does the word "babalawo" come from? It comes from Yoruba babaláwo, and was adopted directly into English (1855).

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Where does the word "babalawo" come from? It comes from Yoruba babaláwo, and was adopted directly into English (1855).

Babalawo’s story begins in Yoruba: babaláwo meant “father of secrets; a priest of Ifá divination.” Compound of baba ("father") and awo ("secret"), naming the priest who guards the secrets of Ifá. It reached English by 1855 as babalawo. Entered English print describing Yoruba religious practice. Today, babalawo means a Yoruba priest and diviner trained to interpret the Ifá oracle.

  1. Stage 1 · Yoruba · traditional babaláwo "father of secrets; a priest of Ifá divination", compound of baba ("father") and awo ("secret"), naming the priest who guards the secrets of Ifá.
  2. Stage 2 · English · 1855 babalawo "a Yoruba diviner-priest of the Ifá oracle", entered English print describing Yoruba religious practice.

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