Product Description

Never before has a book of this magnitude been written by a native Yoruba author in such a clear, concise and easy-to-read language. The book is well researched and documented. Chief FAMA succinctly describes both the history and cultural aspects of naming a baby with particular emphasis on Orisa names. She shares a candid view of the inner workings of the typical traditional Yoruba family and the various situations which dictates what name/s a child should bear.

Relief is here at last for parents, godparents, students...who in the past have struggled to come up with Yoruba names for their children or godchildren that will express the true meaning of the names given. Readers will learn the meaning of the various stages of a traditional Yoruba Naming Ceremony such as ikosedaye and isomoloruko. The book gives the true meanings of names given to children born abiku, or born to Ayan (drummers), Egungun priests, Babalawos, Iwin, Intra-Family-Marriage, just to name a few topics covered in the book. 1,000+ (African) Orisa Yoruba Names has 179 pages and is bound in a beautiful gold color paper back.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #884992 in Books
• Published on: 1998-06-20
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 179 pages

Customer Reviews

A Great Book!
This book is excellent. It contains so many different names from so many categories. With categories from Abiku (child-death syndrome) to Joy to Royalty to Warrior to Reincarnation to Ayan (drummer) to Child (Omo) to Beauty and love. It also contains all of the divinations, Ifa, Egungun, Esu, Iwin, Ogun, Ose, Obatala, Ode and Agbe, Osanyin, Osun, Oya, Sango and Yemoja. It also has Oluwa (God). It is printed in Yoruba, so it has all the accents and dots that is needed to accurately pronouce each name. It gives descriptive meanings of each name and even identifies if it is a male's, female's or unisexual name.

The only thing I wish it had was a break down of each name. Since Yoruba names are really sentences put together, I was hoping that it would break down each name to show you exactly what words were put together to make the name. (Ex: Olumayowa which means "God brings Joy." Made of Oluwa (God) Mu wa (Bring it) and Ayo (Joy).

Still, it is an excellent book and worth the cost. If you are looking for the perfect name for your new child, this book will be able to give you just about any option for any situation, expression or condition the child is born in.

Best Yet?
An excellent Orisa name book for those that require correct spellings, accurate meanings and quick reference. Listed by Orisa and by an alphabetic list, this book is invaluable. Everyone will find an Orisa name they have never heard or used.

Keep it close during Baby naming ceremony, Orisa initiations and presentation of first Orisa names to new devotees!