I would like to ask for help to friends.
In the study of the historical traditions of the Yoruba, arise some terms are confusing me. I would ask your help to know the following effects:

The Yoruba word "hehe" (Gege) translated as "foreigner", what people meant before the colonialism?
That word was derogatory connotations, or was simply a form of reference?

What is the difference between the terms "Nago" and "Anago"?

From now I deeply appreciate the collaboration.

Ptolomeus: I would like to ask for help to friends.
In the study of the historical traditions of the Yoruba, arise some terms are confusing me. I would ask your help to know the following effects:

The Yoruba word "hehe" (Gege) translated as "foreigner", what people meant before the colonialism?
That word was derogatory connotations, or was simply a form of reference?

What is the difference between the terms "Nago" and "Anago"?

From now I deeply appreciate the collaboration.

I don't think I know 'hehe'. If you meant 'Gege', in modern Yoruba it is a slang term for 'guy'. I don't know of it's precolonial meaning.

'Nago' is just the short form of 'Anago', so they are the same thing. It's like somenody named 'Carlos' and you call them 'Carl' for short. You have that type of shortening in English as well.

Africaman:

I don't think I know 'hehe'. If you meant 'Gege', in modern Yoruba it is a slang term for 'guy'. I don't know of it's precolonial meaning.

'Nago' is just the short form of 'Anago', so they are the same thing. It's like somenody named 'Carlos' and you call them 'Carl' for short. You have that type of shortening in English as well.

Dear friend Africaman:
Thank you very much for your clear answer!.
You are always very friendly.
I am very grateful to you for your good will.
You may count on my unconditional friendship, always.
A afetuoso greeting!

Ptolomeus:


Dear friend Africaman:
Thank you very much for your clear answer!.
You are always very friendly.
I am very grateful to you for your good will.
You may count on my unconditional friendship, always.
A afetuoso greeting!

It was my pleasure Ptolomeus, sorry I'm just responding now.

Anago('Nago) is a Yoruba sub-ethmic group. They inhabit the eastern coast of Benin Republic. The capital is Ajasse(or Ajasse-Ile): it is popularly called PORT-NOVO. It is east of Benin Rep's economic capital, Cotonou. It serves as the political and administrative capital of the country.

North of Anago, are the Yoruba sub-groups of Ohori and Ketu. West is the Fon(Dahomey) ethnic group and Popo-Yoriba. To it's eastern boarder with Nigeria are the other Yoruba sub-group of Eko( Awori and Egun) and Egbado( Egba-West).

It's capital is also peopled by the Ewe and Aja ethnic groups. They refer to Port-Novo as Hogbonou. Some historic facts suggest that the Ewe or Aja might have been the first settler in that area; before some Yoruba people came to domicile there.

Anago is also a name the Yoruba people were called by the white men. The Anago were among the first Yoruba groups to have contact with the white men. By the time more Yorubas were sold in slavery, they werer collectively, yet ignorantly called Anago because of their shared anscentry, language, dessing and culture with Anago.



Ok, everybody, come post more info on the Nagot clan.

This has been plaguing me since the beginning of this year and has caused me to come seek enlightenment on this forum with the hopes knowledgeable persons in yoruba traditions and cultural values will be able to shed extensive light and thereby broaden my horizon.

Early this year, a close relative came to visit we had a few important discussions. Just as she was leaving, she turned and said "all these things are happening for a reason. The signs are too obvious. Shey o mo pe akanda omo ni e?"... I being poor in yoruba couldn't grasp the meaning but pretended to understand so as not to be seen as dull in front of my other family members. After she had left, I asked an uncle what “Akanda Omo” meant and all he just said was that it means a special person. I didn't find this answer satisfying but I kept shut and didn't prod further.

This leads me to ask the following questions;
1. What does Akanda mean?

2. What are the factors that can make someone be called an Akanda?

3.What relevance does it have upon the life of the person being called Akanda?

4. Is it a good or bad thing?

5. Any stories that could shed more light on it and enable me further grasp?

I sincerely hope my questions would be extensively answered in the shortest possible time. Any help would be most appreciated. Thanks a lot..

Good question.

isale_gan2: Good question.

I would be overjoyed if you can shed enormous light on my question with a full explanation

Still no answer. Na wah o

Ryabcool:
This has been plaguing me since the beginning of this year and has caused me to come seek enlightenment on this forum with the hopes knowledgeable persons in yoruba traditions and cultural values will be able to shed extensive light and thereby broaden my horizon.

Early this year, a close relative came to visit we had a few important discussions. Just as she was leaving, she turned and said "all these things are happening for a reason. The signs are too obvious. Shey o mo pe akanda omo ni e?"... I being poor in yoruba couldn't grasp the meaning but pretended to understand so as not to be seen as dull in front of my other family members. After she had left, I asked an uncle what “Akanda Omo” meant and all he just said was that it means a special person. I didn't find this answer satisfying but I kept shut and didn't prod further.

This leads me to ask the following questions;
1. What does Akanda mean?

2. What are the factors that can make someone be called an Akanda?

3.What relevance does it have upon the life of the person being called Akanda?

4. Is it a good or bad thing?

5. Any stories that could shed more light on it and enable me further grasp?

I sincerely hope my questions would be extensively answered in the shortest possible time. Any help would be most appreciated. Thanks a lot..

Hello, I believe 'Akanda' means to be specifically created for a purpose/mission.

Let me see if I can break it down:

A --> That which is or who is
Kan --> Constructed
Da --> Created

Putting it together as 'Akanda', 'That which is constructed/created'. To make sense of it, there must be a purpose for the Construction/creation. So you will have to find out your God-given purpose/mission in life. Then you must fulfill it.

That is the best I can do right now.

ciao

Africaman:
Hello, I believe 'Akanda' means to be specifically created for a purpose/mission.

Let me see if I can break it down:

A --> That which is or who is
Kan --> Constructed
Da --> Created

Putting it together as 'Akanda', 'That which is constructed/created'. To make sense of it, there must be a purpose for the Construction/creation. So you will have to find out your God-given purpose/mission in life. Then you must fulfill it.

That is the best I can do right now.

ciao

wow! Thanks a ton!

When used in reference to a person or people, a kan means one.

Ie a reference to someone who is a "single" in some way via birth position or circumstance.

I'm sure whoever was asking that question knows this, as per juju things.