Module 3: Greetings

Òba

good

Òb'okhian (2)

• welcome

• said by person at home to arriver

Òb'owa (2)

• greetings to you at home
• said by arriver to person at home

Koyò (2)

• hello (informal)
• inappropriate for elders -> use ancestral greeting instead

Vbèe òye hè?

how are you?

Òy'èse

it is fine/OK

Òb'owie (2)

• good morning
• inappropriate for elders -> use ancestral greeting instead

Òb'avan (2)

• good afternoon
• inappropriate for elders -> use ancestral greeting instead

Òb'ota (2)

• good evening
• inappropriate for elders -> use ancestral greeting instead

Òkhien owiė (okhion-wiė) (2)

• goodnight (literally: until we see tmr)

• use only when you'll see again next day/soon otherwise meaning becomes curse that means next time you see will be in death

Òkhian zèkpeè (2)

• see you later
• use when reuniting later in future

U re re (2)

• go well
• say to one leaving after they say bye

U ru èse

thank you

Dòmò (2)

• hail/greeting to older men
• considered a joke if used with a woman

Kò

well done/bless you (show appreciation)

Kada-kada (shorten to kada)

said by men only to elders after a meal

Éréigbue

• said by women only to elders after a meal
• literal: 'strangers will not kill you'

Lavbieze

Edoimioya family greeting

Lakun

Ebagua family greeting

Lamogun

royal family greeting

General greeting etiquette (4)

• greet elders first
• don't rush greetings
• wait for elders to extend hand first -> receive w/ 2 hands
• women don't extend first to men

Ancestral greeting etiquette (3)

• highest form of respect
• must be used in place of informal/time of day greetings
• only needed on 1st interaction that day -> use òb'owa/òb'okhian thereafter