alalẹ

Yoruba

Alternative forms

• onílẹ̀

Etymology

From oní- (“one who has”) +‎ alẹ̀ (“land”), literally “The one who owns the land”; see Ẹmilálẹ̀, probably related to Proto-Yoruboid *Á-lɛ̀, a term for the deity associated with the personification of the Earth

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ā.lá.lɛ̀/

Noun

alálẹ̀

1. ancestor, local earth spirit (imọlẹ̀), the guardian spirit of a specific town or people

   Synonym: imọlẹ̀

   orí alálẹ̀ yóò gbè wá ― May the guardian spirit of the community favor us!

   Àjàlémògún jẹ́ alálẹ̀ ìlú Ìlárá-Mọ̀kín ― Ajalemogun is the guardian spirit of the town of Ilara-Mokin

2. landowner, landlord