Mọremi

Yoruba

Ère-ńlá tí Mọ́remí ní Ilé-Ifẹ̀

Etymology

From Blend of ọmọ (“child”) +‎ rè (“to give attention to”) +‎ èmi (“me”), literally “The child attracts my attention”.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /mɔ̃́.ɾē.mĩ́/, /mɔ̃̄.ɾè.mĩ̄/

Proper noun

Mọ́remí or Mọrèmi

1. Also known as Mọ́remí Àjàṣorò, she was a legendary heroine in Yoruba history from the town of Ọ̀fà. She was a Queen of Ifẹ̀, and wife of Ọ̀ránmìyàn. She is known for serving as a spy and warrior whom aided Ife in defeating their longtime enemies, the Ùgbò (Olúyàrè) people. She is also regarded as the mother of the Yoruba people for her willingness to sacrifice her only son Olúorogbo (whom became an orisha upon his death) to the spirit of the Ẹ̀sìnmìrìn river to save the town and guarantee the everlasting protection of the Yoruba people. She was also deified as an orisha upon her death. The town of Ife celebrates the festival ọdún Edì in honor of her and her son.

   Synonym: Mọ́remí Àjàṣorò

2. a female given name meaning “The child attracts my attention”

Derived terms

• mọ́remí (“A type of Yoruba hairstyle”)

References

• Boscolo, Cristina (2009 November 5) Odun: Discourses, Strategies and Power in the Yoruba Play of Transformation (Cross Cultures)‎^[1], number LDC2008L03, Amsterdam: Rodopi, →ISBN