Onígbàjámọ̀ — Barber
Category: Everyday Life
Barber — someone who cuts and styles hair, a familiar figure in every neighbourhood.
Neighbourhood barber shops are everyday social hubs as much as places for a haircut, much like their counterparts worldwide.
The word breaks down roughly as "one who shapes hair" — Yorùbá commonly builds occupation words this way, pairing "oní-" (one who does/has) with a root describing the trade, a pattern seen across many everyday job titles.
A neighbourhood onígbàjámọ̀'s shop is typically a small, informal gathering spot as much as a place for a haircut — where local news and casual conversation happen alongside the actual trims, much like barber shops in many cultures worldwide.
Example: Mo lọ sọ́dọ̀ onígbàjámọ̀ láti gé irun mi. — "I went to the barber to cut my hair."
Related words:
- Irun — Hair