Ẹmilalẹ

Yoruba

Alternative forms

• Ẹ̀mị̀nialẹ̀
• Ẹlẹ́mị̀lalẹ̀

Etymology

Cognate with Igbo Ọmenala (“Igbo culture”), Igbo òmenàànị̀. From ẹ̀mị̀ +‎ ni +‎ alẹ̀ (“ground, earth”) +‎ is, literally “Ẹ̀mị̀ is the ground” This term likely predates the concept of òrìṣà and the modern concept of the Yoruba religion, and points to the overarching beliefs of the Proto-Yoruboid and Igboid people.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɛ̀.mɪ̃̀.lā.lɛ̀/

Proper noun

Ẹ̀mị̀lalẹ̀

1. (Ekiti) a divinity and spirit of the Earth worshipped mainly by the Eastern Yoruba people. It is regarded as a divinity of prosperity, fertility, as well as the protector, guardian, and origin of the land, each town has its own beliefs and forms of Ẹ̀mị̀lalẹ̀.

   Synonyms: Èṣìdálẹ̀, Erínlẹ̀

Related terms

• ụ̀ṣẹ̀dálẹ̀