Yemowo

Yoruba

Alternative forms

• Yemòó

Etymology

From iye/iya (“mother”) +‎ mòwó (“Mawu”), literally “Mother Mòwó”. See Măwŭ

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /jē.mò.wó/, /jé.mò.wó/

Proper noun

Yemòwó or Yémòwó

1. in the ancestral Ifẹ̀ religion, a supreme creator deity/goddess regarded as the consort of the sky deity Ọbàtálá (then known as Òrìṣà). She is likely equivalent to Mawu in the Dahomean religion
2. a divinity who is the wife of the deity of purity and creation, Ọbàtálá

Usage notes

• Yemòwó's role in the modern Yoruba religion has been severely relegated to only Ifẹ̀ despite the widespread worship of her husband Obatala, perhaps this is because many other female deities have taken her role