Alafẹrẹ

Yoruba

Etymology

From oní- (“one who has”) +‎ afẹrẹ́ (“wind, breeze, cold weather”), literally “Owner of the wind”. Afẹrẹ́ is a term for wind in the Northeast and Central Yoruba dialects. Alafere's role as a female wind deity and female equivalent to a male fire deity takes the form of the deity Ọya in most other Yorùbá towns. Ọya may have developed from Aláfẹrẹ́ worship. In modern times, she is often celebrated simultaneously with Ọya and Ìjùgbẹ̀

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ā.lá.fɛ̄.ɾɛ́/

Proper noun

Aláfẹrẹ́

(Ifẹ) a female deity associated with wind, rainfall, and thunder, and a daughter of the fire deity Ọ̀ràm̀fẹ̀. She is worshipped in Ifẹ̀. She is also closely associated with Ọbaresé the Ife chief deity of rainfall.

References

Faleye, Adeola A. The Structural Changing Phases of Ifẹ̀ Festivals and Tradition Towards Economic Boost and Cultural Tourism [1], 2020