Reconstruction:Proto-Yoruboid/V́-ɣó
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This Proto-Yoruboid entry contains reconstructed terms and roots. As such, the term(s) in this entry are not directly attested, but are hypothesized to have existed based on comparative evidence. |
Proto-Yoruboid
Alternative forms
Etymology
From a root *ɣó. The vowel-prefix in this term is difficult to construct as descendant languages and cognate languages take the form /i/, /e/, /ɛ/, and /o/. Even within specific dialectal groups, the vowel changes, suggesting that there may have been synonymous forms used in Proto-Yoruboid. The definition of this term is also hypothetical, because traditionally currency was cowries in related and descendant languages (till the late 1800s), it the form "cowry," in these languages. Archaeological evidence suggests that cowries emerged in the region between 15th-18th century, long after Proto-Yoruboid existed. Even the earliest estimates place the entrance of cowry money to the 10th century, which is still later than Proto-Yoruboid. Because its clear that languages in Volta-Niger have cognate forms, its likely that it may have represented an early form of currency, or another concept of trading.
Compare with cognates Igbo egō (this may not be related but from a different Igboid root), Nupe ewó, Urhobo ígho, Edo igho
A potential hypothesis that the root may be *ɣó (“to be small”), referring to the root in Yoruboid languages meaning "seed," "particle," or "grain." See Olukumi íghóró (“seed”), Yoruba wóró (“seed, particle”), Yoruba hóró, thus suggesting that the word ultimately comes from the form "seed," which was later applied to the form cowry shell as they were introduced in later centuries. It is not clear if seeds/particles (perhaps something like beads) were historically also used as money, though it is likely. However, these roots have not been discovered to be found in other Volta-Niger languages who have this form, like Igbo, Nupe, and Edo.
Noun
*V́-ɣó