Meaning of baalẹ | Babel Free
bāá.lɛ̀Definitions
- 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.
- husband, head of household
Examples
“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 Aláàfin”
“baálórí 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
“baálé gbọ́dọ̀ gbọ́ sí ọ̀rọ̀ yìí”
The head of the household must surely hear of this matter!
CEFR level
B1
Intermediate
This word is part of the CEFR B1 vocabulary — intermediate level.
This word is part of the CEFR B1 vocabulary — intermediate level.
Know this word better than we do? Language is a living thing — help us keep it growing. Collaborate with Babel Free