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Babalawo

2 stages from Yoruba to English.

Today it means a Yoruba priest and diviner trained to interpret the Ifá oracle

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

babaláwo→babalawo

Yoruba · traditional

"father of secrets; a priest of Ifá divination"

compound of baba ("father") and awo ("secret"), naming the priest who guards the secrets of Ifá

English · 1855

"a Yoruba diviner-priest of the Ifá oracle"

entered English print describing Yoruba religious practice

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