abọbaku

Yoruba

Etymology

From a- (“agent prefix”) +‎ bá (“to accompany”) +‎ ọba (“monarch”) +‎ kú (“to die”), literally “one who dies with the monarch”.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ā.bɔ́.bā.kú/

Noun

abọ́bakú

1. (monarchy, especially in Ọ̀yọ́) the chief, usually a general, that is required to commit ritual suicide to join the ọba (“monarch”) in death