Yoruba words and phrases

thumb|Statues of Orishas in the water at Dique do Tororó Park, Salvador, Bahia|Salvador, [[Bahia, Brazil]]

thumb|African babalawo

Abiku is a Yoruba word that can be translated as "born to die" and refers to the spirit of a child who dies young. It is derived from (abi) "that which was born" and (iku) "death".

thumbnail|Yoruba veranda post, Brooklyn Museum

Ibeji (known as Ibejí, Ibeyí, or Jimaguas in Latin America) is the name of a pair of Orisha representing divine twins in the Yoruba religion of the Yoruba people (originating from Yorubaland, an area in and around present-day Nigeria). In the diasporic Yoruba spirituality of Latin America, Ibeji are syncretized with Saints Cosmas and Damian. In Yoruba culture and spirituality, twins are believed to be sacred, and are granted protection by the Orisha Shango. If one twin should die, it represents bad fortune for the parents and the society to which they belong. The parents therefore commission a

women chieftancy title in Yoruba communities

honorific of kings of Benin, Nigeria and Togo