Akama-yaw

Sranan Tongo

Alternative forms

• akama-yaw
• Akamajaw (superseded)

Etymology

Possibly from Akan [Term?]; by surface analysis, Akama +‎ Yaw (“day name of a man born on a Thursday”) (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /aˈkamajau̯/, [a̠ˈka̠ma̠ja̠u̯], [ɑ̟ˈkɑ̟mɑ̟jɑ̟u̯]

Proper noun

Akama-yaw

1. Death, Grim Reaper; the personification of death in the Afro-Surinamese Winti belief system

   Synonym: Fedi

   • 1984, Edgar Cairo, “Woron [Worm]”, in Lelu! Lelu! Het lied der vervreemding‎^[1], Haarlem: In de Knipscheer, →ISBN, page 380:

     Now Akamajaw sref' / kon sèis en bro-t'té / kot'trowe gi doti! / ènhèn!!

     [Now Akama-yaw srefi / kon sèis en brotitei / koti trowe gi doti! / ènèn!]

     Now the Grim Reaper himself / came to scythe the rope of his breathing away / for it to fall on the ground! / Well, well!

References

J.C.M. Blanker, J. Dubbeldam (2010) [2005] Prisma woordenboek Sranantongo. Prisma wortubuku fu Sranantongo (overall work in Dutch and Sranan Tongo), Houten: Unieboek, →ISBN, page 34