Alapadupẹ

Yoruba

Etymology

From oní (“one who has”) +‎ a- (“agent prefix”) +‎ pa (“to kill”) +‎ dúpẹ́ (“to thank”), literally “The one who kills and is then thanked”

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ā.lá.k͡pā.dú.k͡pɛ́/

Proper noun

Alápadúpẹ́

1. (euphemistic) a euphemistic nickname for the deity of smallpox (Ṣànpọ̀nná). Because the disease was so widely feared it was forbidden for there to show any signs of affection, less they anger the deity who may inflict the disease on others.

   Synonyms: Ṣànpọ̀nná, Ọbalúayé, Olóde, Olúayé, Ègbóná

Notes

• It was also believed that if one accused Ṣànpọ̀nná of committing murder (by lashing in anger upon the death of a someone with smallpox), it would incure the wrath of the deity, so it was encouraged that family members of those who were inflicted should thank Sanponna.