Yoruba

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From Ìwàrẹ (a high ranking chief of a town) +‎ ẹ̀fà (six), cognate with Edo Igharẹfa.

Pronunciation

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Proper noun

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Ìwàrẹ̀fà

  1. A traditional council consisting of the six highest ranking chieftains (Ìwàrẹ) of a Yoruba town, the highest class of chieftains.
    Synonym: Ìwàrẹ
    • The chiefs of the Ìwàrẹ̀fà a range of political and religious functions and serve as trusted advisors to the monarch, and are the leaders of the Ògbóní societies in their respective towns. They are often the most powerful members of their community, and exist in all Yoruba polities.

Derived terms

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