baálẹ̀
noun
/bāá.lɛ̀/
Definitions
-
In pre-colonial Yoruba society, the head or ruler of a small village or a town. In modern day Nigeria, most baálẹ̀ have been recognized as a king of their own respective village.
Examples of modern day monarchs in Nigeria whom were originally baálẹ̀ include the Ṣọ̀ún of Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́ and the Olúbàdàn of Ìbàdàn, whom both answered to the Aláàfinbaálórí l'ó nilórí, baálẹ̀ l'ó nìlú, òun sì lọkọ ìlú, ṣùgbọ́n ọba l'ó nilẹ̀ The husband owns the house, and the baálẹ̀ owns the village, he is the lord of the community, but the king owns the land
Etymology
From baba (“father”) + oní (“one who has”) + ilẹ̀ (“land”), literally “Father of the town”.
Component words
Source: Wiktionary,
where this word is spelled “baalẹ”.
Reference:
en-baalẹ-yo-noun-hFiY6Q8n