eriwo

Ede Idaca

Alternative forms

• erío, eéwo

Etymology

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruba *o-ríɣo, *o-rí, from Proto-Edekiri *o-ríɣo, *o-rí, ultimately from Proto-Yoruboid *ó-ɗí, *ó-rí. Cognate with Igala ójí. The compounding of the suffix "ɣo" (later "wo") is possibly an Proto-Edekiri innovation still maintained in a majority of Edekiri languages, and the non-suffixed version likely existed side by side. However, Ayere ago may suggest it is a remnant of an older root. See potential non-Yoruboid cognates, Arigidi igíri, Proto-Bantu *mʊ̀tʊ́è, Proto-Grassfields *tú, Proto-Plateau *-tii, Proto-Benue-Congo *-to, possibly Igbo isi, Akpes ìcùm, perhaps ultimately from Proto-Atlantic-Congo *-li- or Proto-Niger-Congo *-túi, *-tu

Cognate with Ifè eríwo, Olukumi órí, and Itsekiri orígho.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /orí/

Noun

eríwo

1. head
2. top, leader