Greetings and courtesy: a language of encouragement

Igbo greetings do more than say hello: many encourage, bless or wish safe travel. Echeruo notes that the verb daa carries the sense of “keep doing”, so a greeting such as Daalụ (from Da alụ ọlụ, “keep up the work”) is both encouragement and thanks. The words below come from Echeruo (2001) and Obia (2020); where the two differ the difference is noted.

Ndewo

Hello, hi (Obia). The everyday general greeting.

Kedụ ka ị mere?

How are you? Answers include Adị m mma “I am well” and Ọfụma “very well” (Obia).

Ụtụtụ ọma · Ehihie ọma · Mgbede ọma

Good morning · good afternoon · good evening (Obia).

Ịsaala chi?

One of four morning formulas Obia lists (with Ịbọọla chi, Ịteela ụra and Ụtụtụ ọma). Echeruo records saa ci as “survive the night”, hence the rhetorical greeting “Are you up?”.

Daalụ

Thanks; also an encouragement to someone at work (Echeruo). Chukwu daalụ “thanks to God”.

Nnọọ

Welcome (Echeruo, Onitsha). Obia lists it as the reply to thanks, “you are welcome”.

Alụa · ịlọ

Welcome back, happy return home (Echeruo, western Igbo).

Ekele · ekene · kelee

Greeting, salutation, thanks; the verb “to greet or thank”. Nye ekele “give thanks”.

Da eje

Safe journey! Goodbye! A greeting to people setting out (Echeruo).

Ndo

Sorry; a word of sympathy: “what a pity, take heart” (Echeruo).

Biko

Please, pardon me (Echeruo).

Ise!

Amen, so be it: the congregation’s assent to a prayer (Echeruo).

Ka chi bọ · Ka emesịa

Good night · goodbye (Obia). Chi is the personal spirit-self (see the Cosmos chapter).

Nzu

White chalk, a symbol of purity and gladness used to welcome visitors or news of a birth (Echeruo). To “accept the white chalk” (kaa nzụ) is a rite of hospitality, often restricted to title holders.