eewọ

Yoruba

Alternative forms

• ẹ̀ẹ̀ọ̀ (Èkìtì)
• èghìghọ̀ (Ìkálẹ̀)
• èèghọ̀ (Oǹdó)
• èìghọ̀ (Ọ̀wọ̀)

 

Etymology

Contraction of èwìwọ̀ (“taboo”), proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *ɛ̀-ɣɪ̀ɣɔ̀, from Proto-Edekiri *ɛ̀-ɣɪ̀ɣɔ̀

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /èè.wɔ̀/

Noun

èèwọ̀

1. taboo, cultural or religious prohibition.
   • Personal taboos are often given to individual people early in life via the Àkọsẹ̀jayé.

   èèwọ̀ ni kí aboyún rìn ní ọ̀sán gangan ― It is a taboo for a pregnant woman to walk around in the hot afternoon

   àdín jẹ́ èèwọ̀ Èṣù ― Giving the orisha Esu palm kernel oil is a taboo

2. abomination

   èèwọ̀ ni nílẹ̀ Yorùbá, kí ìyàwó titun bá ọkọ ọ rẹ̀ nílé ― It is an abomination in Yorubaland for a new bride to meet her new husband at home when she arrives to her marital home

Interjection

èèwọ̀!

1. never!, it is a taboo!

   Synonym: àgbẹdọ̀

Descendants

• → Portuguese: euó