irukẹrẹ
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Yoruba
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/Palace_of_Alaafin_of_Oyo_circa_mid-1900s_-_Colorized.png/220px-Palace_of_Alaafin_of_Oyo_circa_mid-1900s_-_Colorized.png)
Alternative forms
[edit]Etymology
[edit]From Blend of ìrù (“tail”) + tí (“that”) + ó (“is”) + kẹ̀rẹ̀ (“small, dimunitive”), literally “The tail that is diminutive”, in comparison to the tail of a horse that it derives its significance from. Its nimbleness makes it easy for those entitled to use it to handle it with dignity and grace.
Pronunciation
[edit]Noun
[edit]ìrùkẹ̀rẹ̀
- a white (or black) flywhisk, used as a symbol of authority by chiefs, priests, and monarchs, and also used during dancing and rituals in festivals
References
[edit]- Oyèláràn, Ọláṣọpẹ́ (2021 December) “Oríta Borgu: the Yorùbá and the Bààtonu down the ages”, in Africa[1], volume 88, number 2, Cambridge University Press, pages 238-266