aroko

See also: arọko and arokọ

Yoruba

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /à.ɾō.kò/

Noun

àrokò

1. In traditional Yoruba society, a symbolic message sent as a form of communication between two entities. The purpose of the àrokò was to send a secret message in which only the two entities communicating would understand what the contents of the àrokò meant.

   Tí obìnrin tàbí ọkùnrin bá ránṣẹ́ òòyà bí àrokò sẹ́ni kejì wọn, ó túmọ̀ sí pé wọ́n fẹ́ pínyà ipò tọkọtaya ― If a man or a woman sends a comb as a symbolic message, it means that they intend to separate from their marriage

   Baṣọ̀run Gáà fi ẹyin oódẹ pàrokò ránṣẹ́ sí Aláàfin ― Basorun Gaa used a parrot egg as a symbolic message to the Alaafin. (This symbolic message means that the Alaafin should either abdicate or commit ritual suicide)

2. symbol, sign

   Synonym: àmì

Derived terms

• èdè alárokò (“coded or symbolic language”)
• pàrokò (“to send a symbolic message”)