Word for the Travel Wise (06/08/06)

Considering the amount of Nigerian friends I have you’d think I’d be off in a rush to check out their hometown digs, but the truth is I’m not. Well at least not right away. It’s sort of how some people find travel to, from or through Africa as a whole dizzying; I get that feeling a lot more about Nigeria than any other country. Lonely Planet sums up my thoughts perfectly in the opening to their online guide by stating things like the country has over 250 different peoples and languages! That’s almost well beyond a melting pot and I can only give you what I know, so for today we learn some more Yoruba.

Today’s word is a Yoruba word used in Nigeria:

odabo – goodbye

English is the official language of Nigeria, which means any traveler should be able to converse and navigate their way from Lagos to Jigawa with ease. (Unless you don’t speak English.) The country’s three main languages include: Yoruba, Ibo (Igbo), and Hausa. Each of the three main languages are named after the people they belong to and carry several dialects within themselves. Motherland Nigeria has an incredible intro to the three languages, Nigerian slang and even a few examples of common Pidgin English spoken. Some audio samples are available as well.

Past Nigerian / Yoruba / Igbo words: ikun, feran, kedu