Igi — Tree
Category: Nature
The general word for tree — the base for many compound plant- and wood-related words in Yorùbá.
Specific trees carry their own names and cultural weight, such as "ọ̀pẹ́" (palm) and "ìrókò", a tree traditionally believed to house spirits.
Igi is the general word for tree and the root of many compound words for tree-related things — farm trees, dry wood, and names for specific trees that pair igi with a defining word.
Certain individual trees carry real cultural and spiritual weight beyond being just "igi" in general — the ìrókò tree, for instance, is traditionally believed in some communities to house spirits, while the ọ̀pẹ́ (palm) is central to palm wine and palm oil production across Yorùbá land.
Example: A gbin igi mángòrò sí inú àgbo ilé wa. — "We planted a mango tree in our compound."
Related words:
- Ìrókò — A tree traditionally believed to house spirits
- Ọ̀pẹ́ — Palm tree