oṣumare

See also: Oṣumare

Yoruba

òṣùmàrè

òṣùmàrè

Etymology

Of unclear origin. From òṣù +‎ mọ̀ +‎ àrè, ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) +‎ ṣù (“to clump, curve”) +‎ mọ̀ (“to know”) +‎ àrè. The root for àrè is unclear, some folk etymologies link it to Àrè, an ancient crown of the Ooni of Ife. Other theories link it to the "re" part of Olódùmarè

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ò.ʃù.mà.ɾè/

Noun

òṣùmàrè

1. rainbow

   àwọ̀ méje l'ó wà nínú òṣùmàrè ― There are seven colors in the rainbow

2. python, specifically, it is regarded as the serpent symbol of the spirit of the rainbow, Òṣùmàrè. Its excrement is used in traditional medicine preparations.

   Synonyms: erè, òjòlá, ejò mọ́námọ́ná

Derived terms

• Òṣùmàrè
• imí-òṣùmàrè (“sulfur”)