|
WORDS |
MEANINGS |
|
ADA |
Scimitar always carried before the Oba |
|
AGBA |
Rectangular stool |
|
AGBADO |
Name of a very important market in Benin city |
|
AHO |
Fourth day of Edo week |
|
AKE of ISI |
Deity in ISI area of Benin Kingdom |
|
AMAZEH or AMAZE |
Moulded clay figure of a human being |
|
AMUFI |
Guild specialised in catching the eagle alive. They are also tree top acrobats. |
|
ARHUANRAN |
Giant |
|
AVAN |
Afternoon |
|
AZA |
Treasury |
|
EBEN |
Sword of authority usually carried before the Oba |
|
EBO |
("E" pronounced as in Able, and "o" as in bold) A guild of diviners. |
|
EBO |
("E" as in elder, "o" as in door) Symbolic object to represent deity. |
|
EDAIKEN |
Title of the heir apparent to Benin throne |
|
EDION |
Elders (Odion = singular Elder). |
|
EDION EDO |
Ancestors of the Edo people (Edion = elders or ancestors; Edo = see below) |
|
EDO |
Original name of ethnic group of people in southern part of Nigeria comprising Benins, Esan, Ora, Etsako, Owan, Akoko-edo. Also old name for Benin-city |
|
EDO ORISIAGBON |
Edo (or Benin) is the cradle of the world (Edo=Benin; Orisi=Cradle; Agbon=World) |
|
EGHAEVBO |
Counsellor |
|
EGHAEVBO N'ORE |
Town counsellor (or state counsellor) |
|
EGUAE |
Palace |
|
EGUE |
Hoe |
|
EGUEN |
Beaded anklets |
|
EKAIWE |
A small group within Ibiwe N'ekhua usually deriving title by virtue that they are descendants of princesses. |
|
EKEN |
Work free day (first day of Edo week) |
|
EKETE |
Throne |
|
EKHAEMO |
Chief (Esan dialect) |
|
EKHAEMWEN |
Chiefs (Okhaemwen = singular Chief) |
|
EKIOBA |
Oba Market |
|
EKO |
Camp |
|
EKPEN |
Leopard |
|
EKPOKIN |
Leader Box |
|
EMIR |
Ruler in the northern part of Nigeria |
|
ENIKARO |
Originators |
|
ENOGIE |
Duke (plural = ENIGIE) |
|
ERHA |
Father |
|
ERINMWIDU |
Spirit of Oba's ancestors |
|
ERUERIE |
Of the palace Harem |
|
ESAN |
An ethnic group of the edo people |
|
EVBUEBO |
Europe |
|
EWAISE |
Guild of physicians |
|
EWE (POPO) |
Ethnic group of people in present day Ghana |
|
EWERE |
Luck. Also the name of a leaf associated with bringing good luck. |
|
EZUZU |
Fan |
|
IBIWE |
The youngest of the three palace societies. |
|
IBIWE N'EKHUA |
Group of title holders |
|
IBO |
Ethnic group of people in eastern part of Nigeria |
|
IDUNMWUN |
STREET |
|
IGBAN |
A sacred royal command binding someone to carry out an order usually applicable to women who on such command become wives to the Oba. |
|
IGBESANMWAN |
Guild of wood carvers or carpenters |
|
IGIOHEN |
Chief priest |
|
IGO |
Name of a village near Benin city which has its market day on the second working day of Edo week. |
|
IGUE |
Village ("I" pronounced as "E" and "e" pronounced as "a") |
|
IGUN |
Smith |
|
IGUN-EMATON |
Iron Smith (Iron caster) |
|
IGUN-ERONMWON |
Brass Smith (or Brass/Bronze caster) |
|
IHINRON |
Seven |
|
IHOGBE |
A guild in charge of recording Oba's ancestors. |
|
IKHU |
Matchet |
|
ILOI |
Oba's wife or queen |
|
IVIE |
Beads ("I" pronounced as "e" and "e" as "a". |
|
IWEBO |
The most senior palace society |
|
IWEGUEA |
Palace society next to Iwebo in hierachy. |
|
IYEKE |
Back or behind |
|
IYIN |
Sasswood. |
|
IY'OBA |
Oba's mother (Queen mother) |
|
NEKHUA |
The big |
|
OBA |
King or ruler as used after the end of the Sky Kings (Ogiso). |
|
OBI |
Poison (pronounced "O-oby" or "o-obi") |
|
OBI, OVIE, OLU, PERE |
Originally used for princes or Dukes sent out by Oba to head various dukedoms or kingdoms. |
|
ODIBO |
A relaible and conscientious servant, assistant, delegate, or messenger. |
|
ODIGBA |
Collar |
|
ODIONWERE |
Village head |
|
OGBE |
Palace quarter of town |
|
OGBU |
Break (Esan dialect) |
|
OGISO |
Title of early Benin Kings, who were regarded as Sky Kings. |
|
OHEN |
Priest |
|
OHIUNKPO |
A priest who propitiates the spirits of the departed. |
|
OKAEVBO |
Town Leader |
|
OKAKUO |
War Captain |
|
OKAO |
A minor title |
|
OKHA |
Name of a village near Benin city which has its market day on the second working day of Edo week. |
|
OKHUAIHE |
A deity in Benin Kingdom |
|
OKHUOBA |
Female Adult |
|
OKPIOBA |
Male Adult |
|
OKUO (EKENAKA) |
Third day of Edo week |
|
OLOKUN |
God of the sea |
|
OLOTU |
Leader |
|
OMO N'OBA N'EDO |
Worthy child who is Oba of Benin |
|
OMUADA |
Sword bearer |
|
ONOJIE |
Duke in Ishan (plural = Enijie) |
|
ORE |
Town |
|
ORIE |
Second day of Edo week |
|
ORO |
Secret cult or organization |
|
OSA N'UZALA |
God or deity of Uzala |
|
OSANOBUWA (OSANOBUA) |
God the creator |
|
OSUN |
A herbal magical spirit |
|
OTA |
Evening |
|
OTO |
Ground or land (terra firma) |
|
OVIA |
Name of a deity |
|
OWIE |
Morning |
|
OWONMWON |
Name of a bird called TOUCAN |
|
OYEVBOGIE NORISO
(O ye vbe Ogie No re iso) |
Like the king in the sky |
|
OZOLUA N'IBAROMI |
Ozolua the conqueror |
|
Se |
Up to |
|
UGBADIAN |
Fly whisk |
|
UGIE |
Festival |
|
UGIE ERHOBA |
Festival in memory of the Oba's father. |
|
UGIE-IRON |
Mock battle commemorating the revolt of the Uzama. |
|
UHUNMWEGHO |
Person used as a decoy (camouflage) for the heir apparent to the Benin throne during the Azama festival |
|
UKHURHE |
Elders' staff used to represent the spirits of ancestors of at shrines |
|
UKO |
Emissary |
|
UKU AKPOLOKPOLO |
Mighty potentate (appellation for Oba of Benin) |
|
USELU |
The dukedom of the heir apparent to the Benin Throne. |
|
UZAMA |
Group of Chiefs who officiate at coronation of Oba of Benin (King makers)
The oldest set of hereditary chieftaincy title holders in Benin Kingdom. |
|
UZAMA N'IBIE |
Younger Uzama who normally officiate as deputy if the Uzama is not available (introduced by Oba Esigie - 1504 - 1550 AD). |
|
YAN |
To Own |
|
YORUBA |
Ethnic group of people in western part of Nigeria. |
|
ZE MWIN NO R'UGHUGHON |
ZE = Choose
MWIN = Something
NO = Which
RE = In
UGHUGHON = Snail Shell |
