Ọọni

See also: ooni

Yoruba

Etymology

Etymology is unknown, the deletion of the /w/ (also /ɣ/) phoneme in the Ifẹ̀ and Èkìtì dialects of Yoruba may suggest the original form as Proto-Yoruba Proto-Yoruba *ɔ̀-ɣɔ̀nɪ̃, equivalent to ọ̀ọ̀ (“respect”) +‎ ọni (“person”). Cognate with Edo Ọ́ghẹ̀nnẹ́ and Urhobo Ọ́ghẹ̀nẹ́, where the term is also used in reference to a Supreme being synonymous with Odùduwà

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɔ̀ɔ̀.nĩ̄/, /ɔ̄ɔ̀.nĩ̄/

Proper noun

Ọ̀ọ̀ni or Ọọ̀ni

1. (historical) monarch of the Ifẹ kingdom
2. the title of the traditional monarch of the town of Ifẹ (Ifẹ̀) and the Ifẹ̀ people, they are regarded as one the highest ranking Yoruba monarchs, and is the chief priest of the worship of Odùduwà
3. Oduduwa as a divine supernatural deity

Derived terms

• Ọọ̀nirìṣà (“god king, a praise name for the Ọ̀ọ̀ni”)