Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi: *1977
Purple Hibiscus, 2003 - Explanations
- Igbo Terms and Cultural References
- Agbogho - short for Agboghobia; young lady,
maiden
Agwonatumbe - "The snake that strikes the tortoise" (i.e. despite the shell/shield)--the name of a masquerade at Aro festival
Aja - sand or the ritual of appeasing an oracle
Aku - winged termites, common during the rainy season; also means wealth.
Akwam ozu - Funeral/ grief ritual or send-off ceremonies for the dead
Aro - Spear referring to Aro-Igbo people, short for Arochukwu
Aro festival - The main cultural festival of Aro people known for its fierce masquerades
Asusu anya - Eye language
Atilogu - A form of Igbo acrobatic dance performance
Atulu - Sheep/lamb--insinuating stupidity, dumb, a fool
Azu - Fish
Big man, Big Oga, or Big people - Powerful, wealthy, influential, high status in the community, large (ex. Head of state)
Chukwu - God
Dim - my husband
Kwa - also
Kobo - Nigerian Currency, cents
Harmattan - dry, dusty West African trade wind, blows south from Sahara into Gulf of Guinea between the end of November and the middle of March (winter)
Mmuo - spirits, separated between good and bad
NEPA - Nigerian Electric Power Company
Naira - Nigerian Currency, dollar
Nwunye m - My wife
O bugodi - dispel
Ogbunambala - "He that kills in public." No secrecy or privacy. He who loves to publicly disgrace or shame another
Okada - motorcycle taxi
Omelorav - one who does for the community
Umunna - “ancestors,” extended group of paternal kinsmen; extended family
Unu - you (plural)
- Agbogho - short for Agboghobia; young lady,
maiden