Okrika Dictionary

KRKN KNGBL DI RI
OKRI KA DI CTI ONARY

by

Levi Sika

[Source document, J UNE 1995]

This version prepared by;;

Roger Blench
Mallam Dendo
8, Guest Road
Cambridge CB1 2AL
United Kingdom
Voice/Answerphone/Fax. 0044-(0)1223-560687
E-mail R.Blench@odi.org.uk
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/roger_blench/RBOP.htm

Cambridge, Sunday, 15 May 2005

1
I ntroduction

The present manuscript was among those left by the late Kay Williamson, apparently produced by Mr. Levi
Sika, whose original preface is included below. I have been charged with the task of reading and editing
these manuscripts and ensuring their eventual distribution and publication. This particular dictionary was
prepared in 1995 and seems to have been typed onto a Macintosh without proofreading. The file was
converted to IBM word format but no further changes were made. The task of identifying lacunae and
resolving queries is under way, but in the meantime, the dictionary seems to be so valuable that it is
worthwhile circulating it in the present form. I have left all the comments and queries in the text in order to
clarify the status of certain entries.

I have made the following changes for this circulation version;

1. English corrected [the English is highly idiosyncratic and it is not at all clear what the author intends
at times. I have left these entries for further research]
2. Fonts changed from IPA Kiel, SIL Doulos to Times New Roman [but some conversions were
uncertain and so have been left until more information is available]
3. Text formatted as a table
4. Scientific names added
5. New synonymns added
6. Cross-references added
7. Etymologies added
8. Parts of speech re-assigned

I have not so far been able to find the original manuscript from which the text was typed but a search is
under way. The appendices referred to in the text have so far not come to light. Several other sources on
Krk have been used in the editing, including Kay Williamsons transcriptions in her ms. Comparative
Ijoid, Richard Freemans notes on Krk fish names and my own notes on Krk musical instruments.

I am well aware of the many problems with the present document. Nonetheless, it seems to me that the
information is so rich and many epxressions so unusual, that it makes the usual dictionaries of African
languages seem very pallid. I hope in due course to do full justice to the manuscript.

Roger Blench
Cambridge
Sunday, 15 May 2005

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CONTENTS

Original compilers preface...........................................................................................................................iii
1. Special consultants.....................................................................................................................................iii
2. Appendixes..................................................................................................................................................iii
3. General I ntroduction.................................................................................................................................iii
4. Acknowledgements.....................................................................................................................................iv
5. Pronunciation key....................................................................................................................................... v
5. Unproductive letters...................................................................................................................................vi
6. The down step or level sign.......................................................................................................................vi
7. Diphthongs/double vowels.........................................................................................................................vi
8. Etymology and grammar keys.................................................................................................................vii
9. Formation of Words.................................................................................................................................viii
10. Synonyms, homonyms, and antonyms....................................................................................................ix
11. Explanatory notes.....................................................................................................................................ix
12. I nflected forms..........................................................................................................................................ix
Notes on the Krk language.......................................................................................................................xii
Krk phonology and orthography.............................................................................................................xii
Key to semantic field codes..........................................................................................................................xiv
KRK-ENGLI SH DI CTI ONARY ............................................................................................................. 1

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Original compilers preface

1. Special consultants

(a) BIBLIOGRAPHY: Gospels and other Biblical books by Ven Archs. H.E. Oriaku & B.A. Obuoforibo.
Gospels, Biblical books, and scripts by Committee of Translators.
Teke Na Nime Na by accredited Translators. Okrika Primer by W.W. Peters; Kabo Na Gbun Ekwein Na
by Dinah Kalio; Tatari Go Diri by Levi Sika.

(b) PERSONALITIES:

1. Mr M.D. Selema (Late)
2. Mrs Margaret Ine Sika (Late)
3. Chief A.A. J amabo
4. Chief I.K. Gbobo
5. Chief (Dr) A.S. Abam
6. Mr S.L. Owubokiri (Late)
7. Rev. Canon Vincent B.D. Aminadoki (Late)
8. Ven. Arch. B.A. Obuoribo
9. Mr B.D. Iwo (Late)
10. Rev. S.A. Oforibo (Late)
11. Mr I.D. Gogo
12. Some individual members of the Okrika Bible Translation Project.

(c) PHONOLOGY: Mr George J . Orupabo

(d) EDITORIAL CONSULTANT STAFF:

1. Professor Kay Williamson
2. Professor E.J . Alagoa
3. Dr Charles E.W. J enewari

2. Appendixes

(i) Glossary of obsolete words
(ii) The level tone mark
(iii) Words related to culture and ceremonies
(iv) Counting system in Okrika
(v) Talking Instruments
(vi) Table of Words: Antonyms, Synonyms, Homophones, Homonyms, Onomatopoeia, Coined
Words. Changed words, Borrowed Words.
(vii) Table of Names of Fishes, Animals, Birds, Reptiles, Insects, Trees
(viii) Some Common Biblical Words in Kirike

[N.B. the appendices were apparently never typed. Editor]

3. General I ntroduction

The aim of the Okrika Word Book is to provide the general reader of Okrika language with as much up-to-
date informative words and facts as can be compiled within a single manageable volume, in the most readily
accessible presentation. It is unfortunate, a language will have to be explained to its owners in a foreign
language which here serves as lingua franca. This goes to emphasise the fact that the Word book is more
concerned with the literate class that suffers the language deficiency. Of course, it has to be explained to
them in the language they can better understand. This is therefore a boon to those who encounter this
difficulty, whose limited vocabulary tends to run down in their stock of expression. This is also the reason
why the standard of explanation is not elementary. To the rest of people who may not make the most of the

4
explanation, their stock of vocabulary is increased by words either new or synonymous to those they know.
This Word Book is concerned with the whole world of Krk S from l, Isaka, Bolo, Abuloma, Ogu to
the Island. People who speak Krk can be divided into two groups: those who have inherited it as their
birth tongue, and those who are compelled to use it as a second language. The latter may further be split into
two sub groups:

(a) the original bilingual people like the Abulomas and
(b) the village dwellers who, in considering their strangers or for purposes of their business, accommodate
a foreign language. But we find it fairly stable on the island, Ogu, Bolo, Isaka and l.

It should also be noted that the Krk spoken on the island, that is, the main town, is homogeneous, not
heterogeneous. It could be likened to the Union I gbo of the Ibos or the Yoruba spoken in Lagos, because it
could be understood by every Okrika man from the other towns of the district. But the indigenous Krk
spoken in Ogu or Ogoloma contains more original words and therefore stocks more obsolete words for
general use. Here the language is heterogeneous. For instance, the word 'buan' (a parent-in-law or g) is
only spoken by the Ogu people as bleri (to bluff or ll is peculiar to the Ogolomas; there are many of
such examples. Therefore this book tends to serve the nation with what is common to the nation (see
appendix I).

This book should not be taken for a complete dictionary of the Okrika language, for it does not give all that
is expected of a dictionary as language changes daily. Even with advanced languages there are diverse
dictionaries to explain things, but suffice it to be, that it is time Okrika had a reference book in the language.
At this stage of language study it is necessary we relieve ourselves of being confronted with a word which
appears completely new to us. It is true sometimes the context in which a word occurs allows us to make a
reasonable guess at its meaning; sometimes the context does not help at all. Either way, our reaction may
then be to reach for the dictionary or Word book to discover the meaning.

4. Acknowledgements

This collection of over 7000 words from the whole Krk-b-s and all her dialects, has been compiled by
dint of hard devoted endeavour encouraged by the availability of resources and materials. It has been an
exercise I was delightfully pushed into by the young man, George Orupabo. It was he, who, seeing our
lacking situation, suggested to me, after the Rivers State Language Workshop staged under the auspices of
the Rivers Readers Project (R.R.P.) of Professors E.J . Alagoa and Kay Williamson fame, in 1988, to compile
a dictionary of Okrika language. "What is the idea? Who will use it? In what form and expression can it be
written? Are we ripe enough to have a dictionary?" I asked him. In reply he said, "We need to retain our
language for posterity; besides, it will give you name." I then made a promise to think about it. At another
instance he broached the topic, reminding me of it. Then after thinking in his line in order to retain our
language I deemed it necessary to take it up as a challenge. I prayed over it and embarked upon the venture
after surveying the wide field of research. And today, thank goodness! We can proudly say we have got
Okrika Language recorded, though in Krk/English and vice versa.

My first thanks go to this young man, George Orupabo, and may I ask the entire Okrika nation to thank him
for his foresight. It was in 1990 I started the big task, using the available stock of materials in bibliography
and personalities. In my early research I hinted my late mother who wove the weft of the basket by
supplying me with the necessary ideas on correct pronunciation of words and synonyms. Then to our Late
Pa M.D. Selema, who gave me an exercise book, containing some collections he had already made, through
which I scanned and picked quite a good number of words. And so also to late Mr B.D Iwo who also gave
me his collections in a small note book. These two did give me a good inkling of experience on the venture.
I thank them as they peacefully rest. Like a keen steerer of a swift boat, late "Opu Saa" S.L. Owubokiri had
been my director and chief consultant, who kept me abreast of the times in current and obsolete words. May
my thanks rest with him in peace. And so to the late young Revs. Aminadoki and Oforibo, who showed me
the biblical style of interpreting meanings of words. May my thanks rest with them in peace. To the
honourable rest of Chiefs and gentlemen on the list of personalities, I say thanks; these were they who
readily gave me their attention each time I consulted them; moreso, I say my heartfelt thanks to Chief (Dr)
A.S. Abam and Dr Dima Dennis Fiberesima by whose financial aid I put my constant revisal write-ups sifted

5
now and again until the overall computer programme aided by the University of Port Harcourt through
Professor Kay Williamson, brought the production work to an upshot. I am very grateful to you all.

Last word for further editions either by the author or budding writers: Okrika would, after this publication,
expect Okrika wordbook published completely in Krk, that is, not in Krk/English. This will be when
literacy is completely dawn on Okrika, when the reading class can read meanings of Okrika words in Krk,
just as the following epitome:

bg n etete ini nw se chn inji be-
kp a. chngbl biaka-kma; blka
mkn v drye se nwngma br; ama dko nwngma br
bkrm v ny cha ye mi; tm se ye b chuu; ny baa ye pr
bdk v sarama nwng so; ibikma mu
chch n tk war; nime chu Tamn boma ny. Tamn bereni ogbo
chm v ye se gbkkma koroma
dksm v ye se yechnka; ye k iderima
dndn v oju b chaye se elekima mi kururu-nyana fb pr
fl a. dekichi
fngkp v bkarakarama pakaba ye pr
gb n ini tl-tl b dori pakma ye se inji baaba rch
nj n mengi bie anga oboku-pulo b sime dmo nyana ye, sangl cha, ffr cha, pk
oki-samsam (pamba) nyana; nangu oju nyana wu
nwng v gbr ny wrso mu jiny laa, b b
skl n diri dawo war

5. Pronunciation key

Pronunciation of Okrika words is closely associated to tone marks as the language is phonetical. There are
three main symbols used to indicate stress: These are high (
) as in 'g' (cane), low (

`
) as in 'g' (age), and
level or down step (-) as in 'g' (fish). Two other rarely used symbols are the falling and rising tone marks,
e.g. ' nj' (fish) rising; 'nm' (palm fruit) falling. More examples of falling and rising tone marks: b'?
(Do I come?); s'? (Do I go?); 'S' (Go), 'B' (Come), 'T' (Play). Another form of stress is the double
vowel like 'faa', maa', in', 'gbuun', etc. There are nine vowels in Krk, five of which are wide and the
remaining four narrow in sound. Both vowels and consonants numbering thirty-four form the alphabet of
Krk. These are

VOWELS CONSONANTS

as in m (town) b as in bn (bee)
as in b (shoulders) b as in br (yam)
as in br (hand) ch as in chn (stick)
as in n (day) d as in dd (morning)
as in gd (flat hat) d as in dr (book)
as in l (field) f as in fkfk (saw)
as in r (name) g as in g (to read)
as in ndm@ (nit) gb as in gbm (u) (bell)
as in pnd (dance) h as in hh (light)
as in r (blade) j as in jj (spray/sprinkle)
as in r (thread) k as in kr (ground)
as in r (missing) kp as in kpk (gorilla)
as in r (you) i as in ll (star)
as in r` (I) m as in m (these)
as in k (selfish) n as in nn (nose)
O as in lk (law) nw as in nw (as)

6
O as in l (pomade) ny as in ny (place)
O as in g (Inlaw) p as in p (separate)
as in l (cough) r as in rl (ruler)
as in klb (parrot) s as in ss (please)
as in l (hold) r as in tr (chalk)
U as in gbl (mullet fish) v as in vn (veer)
U as in gbn (deep) w as in w (we)
U as in ms (putrified) y as in y (thing)
as in sn (cane) z as in z (scatter)
as in ka (rice fruit)
as in fr (bad smell)

5. Unproductive letters

A few of our letters in the Okrika alphabet are not rich in producing words in the sense that they are rare as
word-beginners, even though they are quite exhaustive in usage as middle letters. In some cases, of course,
they begin syllables and here they figure more frequently. These letters are, nw, ny, r, u, , z.

6. The down step or level sign

The pronunciations of some vowels in some words either lack stress or have loose stress; the vowel is not
firm or tense. This creates some difficulty in accentuation. One can only make out the difference mainly by
careful listening. I have tried to introduce a third category in our pronunciation scheme with the symbol (-)
on top of such vowel stress. We should therefore have three classes of stress in our pronunciation scheme;
these are the high (/), the low (\), and the middle or level (-) signs to distinguish them. Furthermore, as I have
remarked, it is not easy to distinguish the middle stress and cannot be done by hard and fast rule. The stress
is relative to usage. For instance, in the following example the vowel tends to wave as it combines with
another word or usage; 'br' in 'brtmgblnm' becomes heightened. Another discovery is, there is a
tendency of a 'curve' or 'double sound' if the stress is dragged or prolonged e.g. julepuma (clumsily),
feleema (stealthily) miema mun (continue doing). These endings require sharp and prompt pronouncement
or utterance as in dp (plank) kpkp (ladder), jr (mango) etc.

More examples of this are found in g (fish) as distinct from g (cane) or gg (side); dm (life) as
distinct from dm (be alive); k (vomit or in this manner) as distinct from k (white mangrove) or k
(ulcer); d$kpkmb (to discover) as distinct from d$kpkmb$ (a discoverer) r (missing) as
distinct from r (blade); also in some of the 'b' prefixed/suffixed words we get these examples: nb`^
(on account of that), mnb (oneself), btmk (perhaps), bn m (used to; awareness). They also
characterise rise and fall accentuation.

7. Diphthongs/double vowels

Added to the pronunciation or sound value of the nine vowels there is another striking feature in Krk,
Diphthongs and synaeresis play some important role in reducing the precipice of language expression. In
Krk we have the following examples:

ia as in fa'fa (clean), bia (bright);
a as in dab (helper), pa (mockery);
ua as in p (separate);
ei as in ng (one), t (ten);
as in tn (more), kn (hair-do?;
i as in ch (stand), m (do);
oe as in be (come), se (go);
u as in r (it's a canoe), m (it's war).

7

Even though accentuation signs help to produce the correct tone in the language, their use must not be
monotonous or else they disfigure the page of any written material. Once one is conversant with letters, there
may not be the use of these signs except for rare occasions where the need demands it. The common signs of
accentuation are , , . i. aa, a, others for emphasis are maa, ngi, double letters.

8. Etymology and grammar keys

The etymology of Krk can be traced to the j language which forms the derivatives of most of its words.
As always the case of all languages, especially those not written, they sometimes corrupt into something
absolutely different from the original. For example "human being" is 'keme' in j and 'tomb'b' in Krk.
But the word 'keme' in Krk now is applied to ceremonial mourning for a 'human being', wife or husband.
P is to eat fish or meat, but it means to cut or carve fish or meat etc. in j.

The idea is still retained. Here are examples changed in spelling.

j Krk Meaning
r r she
r r he
bo b come
be b this (man)
beni mng water
r-r rmb$ woman
b b good
blbl b$lsk(tararska) long ago
bingb mmgb today
rsn rch therefore
nd nj fish
kltb$ kltk small child
wib$ wb man
fn fn bird
Kr`tm krsm sitdown
seb$ sb$ bad person

The Okrikans left their place of origin jland and settled in their new abode thousands of years ago. Down
the years, later generations and new settlements came into them and corruption or change of language
ensued. As in English you have derivatives from Latin, French, Greek etc, so in modern Krk you find
Hausa, Ibo and Yoruba. This linguistic metamorphosis is a normal phenomenon and cannot be easily ruled
out. It should be accommodated as the ages roll on. What we should look up to is speaking the correct
language in its correct pronunciation and correct writing.

The volume here contains words most commonly used in a more or less uniform fashion in communicating
within ourselves intelligibly. In short, these words provide the understandable mode of expression. Most of
them are current since they are produced at such a time when literacy dawns on the age. Nonetheless there
are indications of obsolete words like kl (majority), bach (strength), guang (money), okoba (money),
ononi (mercy) which had been in use and can be treated as old Krk.

For a guide the following symbols or abbreviations should be noted: der, for derived from, Eng. for English,
Igbo for Igbo, Ha. for Hausa, Yor. for Yoruba (n) for Noun, (a.) for Adjective, (adv.) for Adverb, (excl.) for
Interjection, (con.) for Conjunction, (v) for Verb, (colloq.) for Colloqial, (sl.) for Slang, (obs.) for Obsolete,
(ph.) for Phrase, (ph.w) for Phrase word, (abb.) for Abbreviated.

Language all over is always made up of words original and borrowed and since it is a medium of expression
understood by all of one area, Okrika language falls into the form of a graft with the stock and scion. Thus
the mgbk' that is, the native, original Okrika tolerates or accepts some foreign words in making the

8
language. Such new words will therefore adapt the 'sound' spelling e.g., sukulu (<Eng.); bl (<Eng.); ube
(<Igbo); mnmn (<Yor.); goro (<Ha.).

9. Formation of Words

The formation of new words falls into three classes mainly: calques, loanwords and coinages.

1. Calques are the natural and direct way to get at words for their foreign equivalents. This is derived by
getting the direct meaning of word in the mother tongue. These may be single, compound or double, and
sometimes sentence words; thus: Count =ki`@n; read =g; length =nng/isun; breadth =fnj; height
=gl; depth =gbn; heritage =dky; afternoon =nkk; submissive =bskrpr; necessary =
mkmkbr.

2. Loanwords are borrowed words that change their form. They are split into two categories:

(a) Those that were originally English and are now corrupted or changed by spelling into a new form to
suit the mother tongue, that is, by adaptation; Shilling =slng (sl); pound =pn (pam); awning =
nn; school =skl; bowl =bl; teacher =tch; church =chch; dirty =dt ; number =
governor =gvn; consul =ksn; sum (mathematics) =sm(); damned fool =dmfl; son of a
bitch =snfbch.
(b) There is the other class where borrowed words totally substitute for the original because of their
popularity or more common usage. These are therefore adopted by substitution e.g. zz (Igbo) for
la or sl (broom); j (Igbo) for dp (kola nut); kpr (Igbo) for trb (first son); hekr
(Igbo) for brmb (groundnuts).

3. Coinage is another class where words are formed by means of changing the main word or stem by means
of prefixing "b" or "ye" to the stem; and also by combining two words of same or two languages e.g.
addition =ycha or kngblm; subtraction =ysn; multiplication =ybr (multiply =br); division
=yda; counting =ykn; boastful =bbm; exalting =bdk-chm; argumentative =brgo (if
permissible) brchgb; bgadini bkeke; bishoprick =bspkr. Coinage in many cases arises out of
some historical or spectacular event. For instance, the word 'genocide' meaning extermination of racial group,
was coined by Dr Raphael Lemkin in 1944. (Gk genos race +cide kill) that is, during the Second World
War of 1939 1945. So also in Krk, many words are coined in answer to events and developing influx of
fashion. Thus in our increasing vocabulary we have the following as a few examples: ddl meaning to
struggle and contend with some opposing force; dcha-msn is photostat machine; gbrfey means
riddle; fs means something of no use or importance, something attained without labour; wbrkpmb
is a nickname given to a menopause who is fond of applying make-up' to her feature; lli is encased cooked
'fufu' loaf smoothly packed in polythene bags; kn-nm is poem; kbewr means conscience; vd
means eating voraciously and untidily; wl is an expression of casting aspersion on someone, s-kpkp
or akpakpa-feni for locust, bj-wr for ship, bd for grabbing and sharing (see Appendix vi).

It should be noted that sentence expressions like 'y dw wr' for school, 'Tamn tk war' for church,
are no words; they explain things by meaning and therefore do not increase or develop our stock of
vocabulary. They can only be used when there is inevitable need for explanation. Furthermore, adopting
foreign expressions or sentences in the language is irregular and dangerous. For instance, many carelessly
express the following phrases; d ka' for n sime k', m@a emele d' for matt' or ma l chima',
Names may be tolerated but even then, for purposes of retaining identity, foreign names should be scrapped.
Dick, J ames, Fortunatus, Levi, Samuel, Ogbonna, Akpan, do not show any trace of the bearer as an Okrikan,
rather Bapakaye, rakr, Kane, Tokoni, Somar, report identity.

9
10. Synonyms, homonyms, and antonyms

When Okrika literature assumes its stand the use of these literal examples will profusely be exploited,
because Okrika is rich in them. In this volume only a few accentuation has been used to denote some. All the
same the user of this book will find the examples for himself.

A word by accentuation can mean several words e.g., 'chiri' could be market square or leopard; 'kiri' could
be land, different, cut; biri' could be dog or smart, etc. These are homonyms. Examples of antonyms that is,
words opposite in meaning could be 'si' (bad) and bi' (good); 'nyana' (have) and 'fama' (lose); wub' (man)
and remnb' (woman); 'dmo' (alive) and 'f' (dead). Synonyms are those similar in meaning e.g., 'kala'
(small) and 'boka' (little); 'bo' (plenty) and 'baka' (much); 'pr' (wealthy) and la' (rich).

11. Explanatory notes

Material in this Word Book has been arranged in the order considered to be the most convenient for the user.
All items in it are in one alphabetical list: words of the common vocabulary names of towns, quarters and
persons. Similarly, all information within a vocabulary entry has been arranged for the convenience of the
user. In general information about spelling and pronunciation indicated by the accentuation marks on the
word, where necessary, comes first; the part of speech next in brackets; meanings with derivatives where
necessary, last.

The entry word appears in large bold-face type at the left of sheet or page. A full key to the pronunciation
system appears inside the front cover of this book. Italicised letters in brackets or single abbreviated letters
after the word indicate the part of speech. Inflected forms of words from the entry word are written in italics
with their meanings in brackets after them. Entries that are limited in usage are marked with such italicised
labels as colloq., sl., obs., echoic, etc. Definitions are individually numbered where necessary. Etymologies
appear in square brackets after the definitions of the entry. Synonyms are marked with the hyphen and
abbreviation of synonym e.g., Syn in blocks.

12. I nflected forms

The following are examples of inflected forms of words which are of regular usage in Okrika. The user of
this book should carefully note them particularly the varied use of m@a' as suffix.
These include:

(i) Nouns with double spellings, where a bracket envelopes the last letter to suggest a second
pronunciation, and also the ' and '/' to begin a new pronunciation, km(), km(), gbm(),
gm(). gbgb/gbgb, gblrm/gblrm. ngj or ngj (spoon) nd or nd (fish) fr
or fr (plate) ffr or ffr (scale) gb or gb =bird (hammerkop). All these words are in
common use in Krk.

(ii) The important use of ma' as suffix.

(a) In forming Verbs from Nouns or other Verbs: Kpm =to set confusion between two. (From kp =tie).
Sima =to make bad; to spoil. (From si =evil) Karakarama =to make ready. (From karakara =orderly).
dinma =to change. (From din =change).

(b) In forming Verbs from Adjectives: galagalama =to scatter. (From galagala =scattered). fafama =to
clean up. (From fafa =clean). kpekima =to concern with. (<kpeki =near).

(c) In forming Adverbs from Adjectives: beinma =fully. (From bein =full). gbdrma =complacently.
(From gbdr =satisfied), gbgbma =firmly. (From gbgb =tight). flma =laxily, stealthily. (From fl
=slow). jlpma =clumsily. (From jlp =clumsy). kueinma =keenly. (From kuein =clear). Kinma
=thriftily, economically. (From kin =counting). yama =silently. (From ya =quiet).

10

Compound words are obtained from Nouns and Verb-nouns (gerunds) e.g., ka-fan', pan-f', 'fin-joi', 'ye-
mi' (see the 'ye' series under the alphabet 'y').

(iii) 'Ma' as epithet. ma' is used as a definite article before or after the word it qualifies. It is used in the
plural number and also as quantitative adjective. Its singular form is m'.

Examples:
war m =the house (singular)
fye m =the food (singular)
war ma =the houses (plural)
fye ma =the foods (plural)
(mengi ma =the water (quantitative adjective)
(pulo ma =the oil (quantitative adjective)
(fn ma =the salt (quantitative adjective)

Exceptional case in Krke, though plural in form.

(iv) In its inflection it lapses into being part of words as suffix e.g., nma =themselves, rbe =himself,
rma =herself, rma =yourself, rma =myself, rma =the things, ym =the things.

13. Scientific names

Scientific names are included in the definition whenever possible. The reference books used are:

Birds Serle, W., G.J . Morel and W. Hartwig. 1977. A field guide to the birds of West Africa. London:
Collins.
Borrow, Nik & Ron Demey 2001. Birds of Western Africa. London: Christopher Helm.
Reptiles Cansdale, G.S. 1961. West African snakes. London: Longmans Green
Chippaux, J -P. 2001. Les serpents dAfrique occidentale et centrale. Paris: IRD.
Fish Holden, Michael and W. Reed. 1972. West African freshwater fish. London: Longman.
Olaosebikan, B.D. & A. Raji 1998. Field guide to Nigerian freshwater fishes. New Bussa:
Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology.
Schneider, Wolfgang. 1990. Field guide to the commercial marine resources of the Gulf of
Guinea. Rome: FAO.
Insects Boorman, J ohn 1981. West African insects. London: Longman.
Mammals Happold, D.C.D. 1987. The mammals of Nigeria. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
Kingdon, J onathan A. 1997. The Kingdon field guide to African mammals. San Diego:
Academic Press.
Plants Burkill, H.M. 1985. The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa, Families A-D, Kew, Royal
Botanic Gardens.
Burkill, H.M. 1994. The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa, Families E-I, Kew, Royal
Botanic Gardens.
Burkill, H.M. 1995. The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa, Families J -L, Kew, Royal
Botanic Gardens.
Burkill, H.M. 1997. The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa, Families M-R, Kew, Royal
Botanic Gardens.
Burkill, H.M. 2000. The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa, Families S-Z, Kew, Royal
Botanic Gardens.
Okezie Akobundu, I. & C.W. Agyakwa 1998. A handbook of West African weeds. 2
nd
ed.
Ibadan: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture.
Trees Keay, R.W. J . 1989. Trees of Nigeria. Oxford: Clarendon Press.

11

12
Notes on the Krk language
Roger Blench
I ntroduction

Despite the importance attached to literacy in the Krk area, there are few accessible modern publications
on the language, which may make the dictionary difficult to use for linguists and outsiders to the Niger Delta
region. I am therefore summarising the existing materials on Krk to make the dictionary more useful for
comparative research.

Krk phonology and orthography

The phonology of Krk is very similar to most Ijoid languages and uses the same orthographic conventions.

Vowels

Krk has nine vowels, arranged in +ATR harmony sets;

Table 1. Krk vowels

Front Central Back
Close i

u

Close-Mid e

o
Open-mid

Open

a

These can be arranged as follows;
+ATR

-ATR
u

i

o

e
E

a

By Nigerian convention, the ATR set are subdotted. Thus;

-ATR Orthographic

E

Krk operates strict vowel harmony with the central vowel harmonising with either set. Mixed vowels
only occur in compounds. Krk possessive pronouns have two forms that can harmonise with the stem
vowels of the word qualified. ATR vowels qualify /a/ suggesting the former presence of a tenth vowel,
which survives in other j lects. Krk has many VV sequences of like vowels, but these are not usually
considered evidence for a systematic long-short contrast, as the two vowels can often bear different tones

13
and are frequently the result of deletion on intervocalic consonants which can be reconstructed from other
j lects.

Consonants

Table 2 shows the consonants of Krk;

Table 2. Krk consonant inventory
Bilabial Labio-
dental
Alve-
olar
Palatal Velar Labial
-velar
Glottal
Plosive p b t d tS dZ k g kp gb

Nasal m n
Trill
Fricative f v s z h
Flap r
Approximant y w
Palatal
Lateral Approximant l

Krk has syllabic nasals which bear tones but which are homorganic with the following consonant, m-
before labial consonants (b, b, gb, kp, m, p) and n- before the remainder.

Krk orthographic conventions correspond to IPA symbols as follows;

b
c tS
j dZ
ng N
ny

Tones

Krk has a relatively restricted tone-system, distinguishing High, Low and Downstep, like many j and
Igbo lects. The conventions are as follows;

low tone, unmarked
high tone

downstepped high tone

14
Key to semantic field codes

a architecture dr item of dress mt mat
ai agricultural implement e emotions p person
an ant f fish pd personal decoration
fa farming
ap animal part fg fishing gear pl plant
fo food po pot
b bird fr fruit r reptile, amphibian
bf bodily fluid g grass s snake
bm body mark, sore etc. ga game sh shrub
go gourd
bp body part gr grasshopper so song
bs basket h herb t tree
c crop hu hunting equipment ti title
i insect tm temporal (adverbs)
co colour k kinship to tool
cr crustacean la landscape tp tree part
d disease, sickness ma mammal tr traditional religion
da domestic animal me medicine tx textile
dc dance mi musical instrument v vine
dk drink mo money w weaving
ms masquerade w weather

Kirike dictionary Draft Levi Sika ed. Roger Blench
1
KRK-ENGLI SH DI CTI ONARY

Krk PoS SF English gloss
A, a

A a vowel, the first letter of the Okrika alphabet
pron. she
pron. I
a excl. exclamatory expression; also a feeling of tolerance or acceptance,
stress
aan excl. yes (in response)
ab n f hammer-headed shark, Sphyrna spp. probably Sphyrna lewini
b n shoulder, also b
b p.n. town in Imo State
b v to weave in a continuous process, round and round as when laying the
cross bars on a fish-racket (kasa)
bb v. to lift or carry someone on the shoulders firmly
n 2 idiomatically applied to mean helping someone financially or
economically
bchay n vaccination affected on part of the body, esp. on the shoulder
bgl v to paint around esp. the eye, thus tr abagala
bgo n f fish sp. (also =tt)
bn n red or white mud used in building
n large mangrove bird
bj n wide sea or ocean
bjbrb n f sting-ray, Dasyatis margarita. cf. also sk
bji`$kp n nickname for gari (coined
bjpl n f whale
bj n boundary area, borderline, between Asakra (Onne) and Nunju's
village
bk n club of singers in Adedeme Biri, inaugurated in the first decade of the
twentieth century later degenerated to youthful inheritors
n climbing stem used as twine in tying water-fence (cha)
bk p.n. fm family in Okrika living in Biri and A.T.C. Road
bk v to shudder with the expressive demonstration of raising the shoulders
bla v.a. to advise with caution
bll n white drill; any whitish material
bm p.n. fm family in Okrika abound at Ambeme Biri. Chief Abam's proper native
name was Dikiskboka
bn n f mudfish found in the swampy mud (ll)
br n bluff, assertion; making a exaggerated outward show
brk n dregs in water or liquid
btm$gbl n name given to any dangerous club, commonly used in murderous acts
or fight
b`$ p.n popular joker of J ama house in Okrika
b n manila an old currency used in Okrika, replaced by the metallic coins
of penny and shilling
bl n game, like chess, played by two on a draughts board also pl
bnt n manila currency
b a. white, referring to white chicken
bn n f large mudfish in the swampy creeks, mostly used as bait in angling
bnm-sd n nickname for gari (changed from sawdust) coined by the labourers who
worked in the first sawmill at Degema under the U.A.C.
2
bj p.n capital territory of Nigeria
blm p.n. town in Okrika division situated at the mainland near Port Harcourt. It
is bilingual.
chkr n nickname given to a smart swift runner
chr n tall grasses; elephant grass (<Igbo)
ch n cooking material or ingredient, yellowish in colour and in powder form
used in making soup thick (<Igbo)
chrbm n venereal disease
ch n way, cause, road, reason, solution
d n. referring to a father
n the style of address a son or daughter makes to a father in Ogu
d n dance, thus ada'ka (its drum), ada-owu or pamba-owu (its
masquerade)
d n first female child; first-born daughter
d p.n. fm family in Okrika, living in Adedeme Biri
dn n beetle
dn p.n. fm family in Okrika, living in Awolme Biri
dn n first female child, first daughter (Ogu dialect)
dka n crawcraw, scabies
dl n comb
ddm 'Biri p.n. ward or an occupied area in Okrika
d p.n. king and family in Okrika
do n title addressed to the wife of a man by his sisters and female relatives
dk p.n. fm family in Okrika, living in Edereme Biri
da n help; helper; defence; defender, protection; favourite
adm n water mermaid like a boa constrictor
fm n name of the town where NEPA power station is situated in OTELGA
fr n f herring; flat sardine
fn n food made out of cassava commonly known as kpokpo-gari
f n main road
fgn n on the street or main road, a straight
fn n wife-mate; a rival
ftb n on the main road or street, straight looking road
frkp n lies or formed stories (usually accompanied with the phrase, afurukpa
temi i.e. blowing lies)
ga n f catfish, probably the sea catfish, Arius spp.
g n cane for making basket, chairs, furniture and fishing traps
gb n masquerade
gd n forked stick used in the fishing boat to support or suspend nets while
removing the catch from the net
gga a. not too big, not too small, sizeable (usually referred to such as yam,
cocoyam, maize, etc)
gg n side of the human body
ggmgbe n side bones, ribs
gl a. equal formation; bracketing as of racing, sporting, grading; drawn on
equal strength
glg n canopy built in canoe with supporting sticks, generally used by fish
and food traders on sea m$bt
gm-gbs n straight mangrove sticks generally used as wall-fence
gm-gm n male lizard
gm;pl n f lobster also called kpaikpai (see kpakpa)
gngn n flat oblong tray knit of mangrove, generally used in spreading fish on
3
for curing or selecting etc.
g n rag (obs.)
gd n solidified pap (<Yor.)
gj n machete; cutlass
gj-w n ms masquerade that chases with sword
gl n f fish like perch found in fresh water and streams
gl n bullets; iron balls used in shooting
gpkr n old filthy piece of cloth lying about
gr n ancient masquerade
grb n drum used to accompany other drums in modulation
grg n behaviour that causes rough encounter, wickedness, stubbornness, a
behaviour not conducive to co-operation (<Igbo)
gg n namesake
gd n town in Rivers State (YELGA)
gg n goggle eyes, terrifying and shining eyes, when wide open to frighten
someone
gr n potassium bromide
n frightening look effected by goggling the eyes
gr n f water-termite found in the empty shell of shellfish
gb n sacrifice, charm
gb
1
n paint
gb
2
n deep fishing ground
gba v to anchor, to get affixed to another boat; to approach
gbaba n snake; a deity ascribed to Ogu town by its ancestral parents
gbbl v to fish by diving especially from the holes of water-cliffs (agba-kuru)
gb Biri n ward or an occupied area in Okrika
gbd n flowing gown (<Yor.)
gbgb n bamboo stick got from raffia palm
gbgb n side used only when prefixed to other words e.g. bulo-agbagba (side
of the human body), wari agbagba (walls of a house)
gblgbala a. incidental; not very real; within reach; unimportant; immaterial
gbm-ll n sacrificial feasts, harvest festivities
gbm;-b; n altar of sacrifice
gbmb n one who offers the sacrifice in a religious group; priest
gbkr n cliff-like growth inside the water in creeks, containing holes in which
fishes hide
gbn; n oblong basket-tray with raised edges, made of cane, commonly used in
carrying yams, cocoyams and market products
gbnch v to make a sumptuous presentation to mark a special event, e.g. during
iria ceremony, etc.
gbr n f red snapper, Lutjanus agennes (also sr)
gb n shield
hekr n groundnuts (<Igbo) also barambi
jl n dangerous snake, fond of attacking fowls
jr n rust
j'rcha v to be rusty
jbl n traditional headgear used by the wealthy on special occasions
jmn n castrated male sheep
jrm n uncastrated male sheep, ram
jsk n whirlwind
jkjk n ms masquerade built of raffia material whose tassels dangle around
k n palm-frond of the water palms with thorns
4
k n tooth
k n art; tact
k excl. expression of pain
kdn n strategy
kfr n.v gnashing of teeth; to grind one's teeth together
kfan n child's faeces when teething
kii excl. exclamation of pain when someone gets injured suddenly
kn n thatch made from raffia palm fronds
kn n bitter kola also garagara (Ogu dialect <Ogoni)
kk n side, brim
kkm a.,
adv.
tactful, diplomatic, artful
kkmcha v to apply art or diplomacy in behaviour or expression
kknj n nickname for manila currency
n person with scarified face, ichi
kkr n carved teeth (an old fashion adopted by some parts of Ogoni,
perforating the set of teeth)
kkrb n white ant, termite
kl n moon
n month
klogb p.n. fm family in Okrika, living mostly in Awolome Biri
km n wasp, stinging bees
kmk n popular large talking drum with bass tone, usually standing
kmkm n fishing bird very commonly seen in the open sea
kmbl n c sluggish crab with whitish stomach, red fingers, and dark back,
commonly found in the mangroves
kmr n nickname for locally distilled gin (<Igbo)
km n pap made from maize (<Yor)
kng n c West African fiddler crab, Uca tangeri. Crab generally found in holes
bored in the mud of swamp or sand banks.
kngr n straw hat
kng n skeleton; dried body, human body that has lost flesh
knb n carpenter, trickster
kr n fried balls of ground beans
krkp p.n. ms rascally masquerade that usually plays to the rhythm of a sophisticated
drumming, owned by the J ama family in Okrika. It is believed that
when akarikpo is out, strife is imminent, because the drumming stirs
beholders to action.
ksk n edge, brim
kll n fishing bird
km n seabird, tern
kr n bird commonly found in creeks
kr n tiny frog commonly eaten by some people
krkr n f fish sp.
ks n handkerchief, a yard of cloth
k n hook; idiomatically used to mean hitch in any progressive affair
km(u) n ailment, fever
kp n bag, dirt, pocket
kpk n shoe
kpkp n grasshopper
kpkr n decomposed cassava sifted into condensed powder and prepared as
fufu for food
5
kpng n style of plaiting the hair into single long hair twines, also a style of
headgear of wide spread cloth fashion usually with a fathom or more
kpr n f chained food material e.g., pieces of meat or small fishes like chla
(mud-skipper) or abana (mudfish) etc.
kp n tick, usually found on cows and lama
kp a. unripe fruit; not sweet
kp n basket of stitched raffia-woven rings (Hausa product)
k n strong plant (tree) producing strong inedible seeds used in playing
kpk n strong and tough man (<Igbo)
kprk n thick woollen wear, usually worn during fishing to guard against cold
(akprka-bchaye)
kpt n sweater, thick garment for cold
k n billows; high waves
k a. bitter
k n drum
kachr n set of drums
kafr v to play or beat drum
kafrb n one who plays or beats various styles and types of drum; a drummer
kamr n special cloth woven by the people of Akwete of Imo State; also named
akuete (<Igbo)
-kbe n bitter mind or hatred, characterized by intense animosity
kkblk n wild ants; soldier ants
kl n special walking stick, also amgbara
klkl n harlotry; prostitution
aklklb$ n harlot, prostitute, promiscuous woman, whore, tart
km n large talking or call-drum for occasions
km v to make bitter
ket n special cloth woven by the people of Akwete
ks n largest of the set of drums in display, having deep bass tone
kwt p.n. town in Imo State, famous for cloth weaving
l p.n. fm family in Okrika living in Agba Biri
n wealth, riches, richness, chieftaincy
l n salt water
lb n growth of flesh by the side of the stomach
lbmbm n bedbug
lbrk n measles on the skin of human beings
lb n chief, wealthy man, ruler
lfn n temporary white marks on the skin caused by salt water stain
lg n eaves of a building (usually prefixed with the word "wari" thus wari-
alaga
lgb n gun
lgb n ancient masquerade
lklk n funnel used in conveying liquid from one container into another
lkn v to become rich; to acquire wealth
ll n period of merriment and jubilation, e.g. Christmas; merry-making
llsk n Yule-tide; Christmas season
lngd n special seat of respect meant for men of high rank, usually placed
conspicuously in a parlour; also ascribed to heavenly throne; modern
foam for mn
lngb p.n. fm family in Okrika, living in Ngeme Biri
lpmpm n f small flat fish, resembling the sole
lplk n bronze; brass metal
6
lplk-kpt n brass or bronze cymbals
lpna n f tongue-sole, Cynoglossus spp. (also lpnj, lnj)
lp n pl. chiefs
lpnj n f tongue-sole, Cynoglossus spp. (also lpna, lnj)
lsm v to make someone a chief; to enthrone or install one as a chief, to cause
one to be wealthy e.g. servants, slaves, workers, peasants rendering
service to their master
ltr p.n. fm family in Okrika, living in Ngeme Biri
lwrbr-
pr
n f pompano, Trachinotus spp. small flat fish of no value
lg n water-lily mostly found in streams and brackish water e.g. those at
Elelenwo waterside (kprba market)
lg p.n. fm family in Okrika, living around Okuru village
lly p.n. ms aquatic masquerade ascribed to Ogu
l a. reduced in size; declined in stature
l p.n. fm family in Ogu
lb p.n. fm family in Okrika
ll n mi drum with loud tone also imgbiri
lnj n f tongue-sole, Cynoglossus spp. (also =lpna)
l n print-cloth
m n human being, usually applied to a developed person, young man or
lady
m n town
mbr n right hand
mbrng a. right hand side
mbr n national issue
mbej p.n. arbitrary end of town, usually applied by both Knju and Tuboniju to
describe the respective ends of Okrika
mbinb n one who founds a new land, a founder
mbp n voice of the people; mandate
mb^ n townsman; native
mbr n national cake, food for everybody md;n
n ruler; paramount chief
md v.n. ceremony of the last night of the year; watch-night, 31st December
also amaga
md p.n. fm family in Ogoloma; also a common proper noun in Ikwere
mdkpkm;
n
n founder of a new land
mfem v.n. to cause breach of the peace; riot tumult
mfn p.n. fm family in Okrika living in Ambeme Biri and Krn-gn
mfn n lit. national fire; fire that is for all like electricity, idiomatically applied
to denote familiar property for all
mfr n national duty or obligation
mfy n national cake; common property of the nation
mfey n common news; current news or even
mga v to perform the cleansing ceremony of the watch-night, 31st December
(amaga-din)
mblfm n special name given to lightning without thunder (sowakam)
mgbk n national fund
mj n home; at home; homeward
mkm v to hawk; to go round town; to do marketing
mkr n soil of the land, also ascribed to the deity, "mother earth" which is
7
usually responsible for the chastity of girls or virgins
mkrmb n one who establishes a settlement; first settler
mmmy n custom of the nation; tradition
mn n name of an injiri cloth
mn n hammer
mn-rn-
snwng
n voluntary sexual intercourse between man and woman, married or
unmarried; adultery
mnmk n virgin
mngng-br n tradition; culture of the people
mnng-Br p.n. ward or area in Okrika
mnynb n king
mnynb-
mgbr
n sceptre of the king
mnynb-w n princes and princesses, royal children
mnynb-ch n crown
mnynb-p n majesty
mnyn-kr n kingship, kingdom, royalty
mnwngb n prostitute
mb n common sickness, epidemic, influenza
mb n civil war also amaowu
mchy n tribute, tax, national contribution
mgn n home; at home, where home is also amaju
mw n civil war also amaobu
m n.pl. townsmen, natives, indigenes of a place pl. of mmab;
ms n ?
mtms n mother-earth, deified spirit of the land; guardian angel of a people
mwr n town-hall; place where the people of a village or town usually
assemble; hotel
mwr-krb$ n publican; hotelier
mb n young lady, also commonly used as name
mb p.n. fm family in Okrika; another name for the Kalio family
mbm Biri p.n. ward or an area in Okrika
mblm$bl n lizard (abb. mbl)
mb'r (mbr) n sister
mb'r (mbr) n brother
mbr n waves
mgb n cheek, jaw
mgbr p.n. fm family in Okrika, living in Agba Biri
mgbr n walking stick
mgbrm adv allusively referring to something or somebody indirectly; to look
sideways, looking with a glance
mgb n millipede; also, m@gb
msmk p.n. fm family in Okrika living in Awlme Biri; the native name of Chief
Ogudire
mnkp p.n. ms masquerade of the Ogoni people, comparable to Kiri-Owu of Okrika
m';a v to wrap something, to wrap; to wrap around the body with cloth
nn n sheep
nn n sparkles in the salt water by night
v to roast on fire
nn n goggling of eye especially to terrorise someone
nn-gb n flock of sheep
nng adv as soon as; immediately
8
nngrb n lines of cracks in a canoe
nd v.a. bend; bent
anda-na-iko-na n joint
ng pron some
ng v.n live, side
ng n representing twenty in counting e.g. inji-anga (20 rackets of fish)
ngl n mangrove wood
ngnngn ph.w from all sides i.e. considering all angles
ngny n dwelling place; habitation
ngr n native garden-egg
ngrf v to extort, to grab
ng a. sour
nglf n envelope (<Eng.)
nga n spear, javelin (obs)
n n that, it
v used as the verb of incomplete predication (v.i.p)
ntb conj. because; for the reason that
nbrb`^ ph.w on account of that; because of that following that
nbjny adv again; also; in addition
nbnb adv immediately thereafter
nrch adv therefore; an account of that
ngs adv because of that, therefore
ngbrkr-kr adv at once; immediately
nknk conj or; instead
nknkbrmi
`@
v to, compel; to force also mieka-mieka-barami
ni`$km ph well; then; if so; so; in that; also adv.
nsmksmk

conj. however it is; in any case; however
ns adv even then, yet; still yet
nti-ng
(n't-ng)
adv especially; more so
nj n edge; line near a dividing portion
n brow of the eye
nj n line of weaving on a basket e.g. on the 'kata' or net or cloth
nwa v to yawn
nwkr
(nwtr)
n imaginary strange place of suffering and disorderliness
ny v to spread
nym$kpk n conjunctivitis; supposed imported infection believed to have been
introduced by the stranger labourers who used to mud our houses in the
past; it affects the eyes, which get inflamed and produce matter
hanging at the canthus of the eyes (<Igbo btmgbl)
nyn n cinder, burning coal or fire wood
nyn n egg
nym a. broken
nymnym a. weak pains at the joints as a result of tiredness arising from fatigue,
over exercise, etc. also kmkm
nym Biri p.n. ward or an area in Ogoloma
p n voracious eater (br-apa, also bru-anwua
pn n dry epidermis; skinny scale
pl n axe
9
plp n dish made up of tapioca and ripe plantain in oil
pny n f jelly-fish
pn n oath by riddle
panf v to take oath
papa n bird sp.
plk n marketing system whereby people buy on credit and sell immediately
to refund cost or value to owner of product; a system mostly applied in
the fish market, gari and other food commodity (<Eng.)
piti n fool, idiot
pitipa n big fool, a nonentity
ppnglr n f snake-like fish of the hagfish family (Ogu dialect)
pn n f longish snake-like mudfish in creeks; hagfish
n ascaris worm in the human body
pr n rind, skin, bark; sheath
pr-sr v.n. method of fishing with cast-net on tilapia (atabala) fish; rotten rind of
cassava is spread on a spot to attract the fish during flowing tide when
the catcher spreads his net over them
pur v to embrace with great joy
prmb n filthy rag
r v to roast by heating
r a. those
r a. her
rb n wide mouthed pitcher
rr n fatty, oily substance found floating on food
argrg n cloth dazzling in appearance
r n hook
r d v.p. angle, fish with hook
r pron. she
r pron. they
r a. their
rp n.pl. sorcerers, wizards, people addicted to supernatural powers
rmgb n all of them
rs ph.w those, those also
rs ph.w even herself; she too or she also
r excl. expression of assent, denoting 'that's it' isn't it?
r n boat, canoe, vehicle
rb$ n partner in business; a canoe-man; fellow crew
rda v to separate business front; to break off partnership in business, like the
biblical references to Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:36)
rdkt n regatta
rda v.n. complete, competition, racing
rdat n sports; games display
rdkn n stern of a boat or canoe or ship
rfr n dish having the shape of a boat. Boat-like dish, pan or earthenware
rkl n bow or fore of a boat, canoe, ship
n social entertainment spree accorded to friends or members of a family
or society (arkl-ocho)
rpkchn n pole pinned deep at the waterside to which boats are tethered for safety
rpkny n anchorage; space allowed for safety or convenience of boats
s p.n. people in Imo State living very close to the Rivers State (they live on
the other side of the Imo river)
sb n cloth with black and white stripes running down
10
smba p.n. ms masquerade with long wooden legs
sr n f sardine like fish, more full of scales than the sardine. It develops to be
the herring (afar)
s n youth in men
smn n.pl. young men
smnb$ n young man; gentleman (Mister-Mr)
smnl n reddish cloth introduced first at Ogu
smnmnb n small lizard commonly found in dwelling places
n cramp as a result of lack of blood-flow
st v.n. to display youth; youthful assertion
stb n one who displays youth in any form
sk p.n. rhythmic dance that is accompanied by songs and music produced by
drum and cymbals
skn n f fish with long bill, like the swordfish but smaller. ? marlin Makaria
spp.
smglgl n f assumed mammal in the ocean characterized by unsteady habitation;
abusive term usually applied to a wicked vagabond who loafs about
sn n horse
tb n people and a town in Andoni (Obolo) district of Bonny LGA
tbk n mangrove vegetation with broad leaves and whitish stems
tbl n f tilapia
tmgb n loud small drum usually played on with tiny long sticks
tmgblmgbl
(b)
n earthworm, also, foot-rot suspected to have been caused by the fluid
from earth-worm
trm n rope made from a particular shrub
t num. ten in counting
tl n road, way through passage; way for solution of a problem (also =
mb; ach
tgr n flowing, gown similar to agbada
tkpn n fool
tmp p.n. ms masquerade of raffia with horns on the head; one of the masquerades
that dance to Oboni
tm n tar obtained from the swamp;. [Ogu dialect] (also =tm
tn-br n prolific female goat
wkb n monitor lizard, iguana
w n children
wlme Biri n word or an area in Okrika
wmn n children, when/groups
w n red colour, also camwood
wf() n money attained without being worked for. Also fosa (coined)
ww a. reddish
y a. first, ancient
ym adv. newly
ymbrm a. beginning life-stage; very youthful
yprpr a. very early stage of a phenomenon; beginning of an event
ysn n early nightfall; dusk
ysk n ancient times; earliest period
y n things
y excl. exclamation of lamentation
y n onion (<Port.)
y n easy drift in favour of the tide
y- excl. expression regretting or thinking of a supposed error
11
yng-Biri
(Ayungu)
p.n. ward or an area in Okrika
yn n.v. iron, to press (<Eng.)
zabe p.n. village owned by Okrika people, sharing boundary with the Ikwerre of
Oginiba
zz n broom (<Igbo)
zz n spice, in grains, mostly used with other spices like onyi, to prepare
some concoction for correction of irregular menstruation [borrowed]

B

B,b al consonant, the second letter of the Okrika alphabet
b excl. expression of the negation, "no" (borrowed)
bb v to cut or chop a log of wood planlessly, to make a rough and careless
cutting
bbsr v to talk carelessly and irresponsibly; to gossip; to cut into pieces
bdr a. wide open, spread wide
bn v to bite off with the teeth
bl n fish with faint scales
bl v to be cautious of something; to consider other people; to be considerate
bklm adv spread open
bll a. bright, radiant
blbl n.ad
v
crucial point; climax or turning point; urgent also chrm
bmm adv all of a sudden
bmmfk v.adv to jump out all of sudden
bnbn a. clear, plain, understandable, strong; real
bnn n fruit
brr a. wide open expanded like a big sea or estuary
brbrm adv shedding tears profusely
b v.adv to hurry; to be quick; quickly; to be fast
be excl. expression made by an interrogator, in a game of riddle, alerting the
person interrogated, to guess the thing the interrogator has in mind a
stroke is made on the head of the interrogated to call his attention
banbo n stranger, visitor
banm v to meet; to collide with; to jam
banbap n foreigners
bblb n animal sp.
bl v to dye cloth or hair
v used idiomatically to mean doing something seriously e.g. eating,
drinking, writing, etc.
brj n bridge (<Eng.)
br n biro, writing material (<Eng.)
bsp n bishop (<Eng.)
bsp-kr n office and position of a bishop, bishopric
b a. plenty, much, enough
b v to touch lightly; dub
bbb v to pat someone as of rocking a baby; to connive at a child's faults thus
letting him go loose
Bd p.n. town in BOLGA in Rivers State
bd v to eat untidily
12
bk a. small, not large in quantity or size
bkt n bucket (<Eng.)
bk-bk a. not tight, loose
bl n bowl; football (<Eng.)
bm n.v praise
bmnyn n having respect and dignity
bmss v to awake
brm v to allow for a gradual increase
bn n masculine of fua; father-in-law to a husband
banbn a. large and wide, as of meshes of net
bpk adv happening all of a sudden unexpectedly
bpky n accident, sudden happening
bb n casual loose wear with open sides (<Yor.)
bdkm adv falling into water or some mishap altogether, knowingly or
unknowingly
bk v.adv to sell by auction; selling at considerably low price
blbl a. bungling, not orderly and neat
blk n frock for ladies wear, blouse
bn n bee
bn a. serene, clear, fair, smooth
brkbrr a.adv growing luxuriantly, plenty in rising quantity
brsn v to uproot

B, b

B, b al a consonant, the third letter of the Okrika alphabet
b v to kill or destroy
v to crack or break \n 3
n tomorrow; also as name abbreviated
b n daughter; luck
bb n bye (<Krk) collq.
bch n strength, power
bn a. blocked with phlegm in the throat (pk-bn)
bny n cold in the head as when the nostril is filled with phlegm; also bny
bk a. plenty, many, much
bk v to strike with hand or something, to crack
v to reprint or weave akuete cloth from another cloth, copying
bk-skr; v to wash a piece of cloth without soap especially after soaking
bl
1
n stick
bl
2
n fishing trap set in the river or sea
bl
3
n minute and hour hands of the clock [coined]
blbl a. fair in complexion
blbl a. confused, worried
blbl v to struggle, to contend with a task
blf n.f fear
blfm a. fearful, frightening
bltntn a. having fear with fickleness
bl v to add in order to effect a change in taste or fashion or speech; to
embellish
bll a. word usually applied to describe a disfigured eye, as when eyelids
appear raised and steadily open
13
bm v to impose some responsibilities on someone; shifting duty to someone
forcefully or by appeal
bngng n wax in the ear
bny n lit. a place of killing
n cold in the head
n treacherous planning
bp n calabash, keg
bpsn n skin infection common with children where the craw-craw like
swellings contain yellowish fluid
bpk n chin, the lower extremity of the face, below the mouth
bpr a.v stammering
br n hand
br n method, style, size
brb n f electric fish or eel
brcha v.n succour, help, bet
brd v to shake-hands with someone
brd n method of fishing for mudskippers, mostly undertaken by women, who
rush the mudskippers into holes on the swamp from which they pull
them out
brmbm v to have a dealing with someone; to be connected with someone
somehow, privately or secretly
brfr v to clap hands
brfr n handwork
brfkm v to be good at making presents to people; to be free-handed, liberal
brimb n groundnut
brjj adv completely hale and strong, economically and physically (generally
used in describing age of man: barajj-bjj)
brkng n arm
brknmy n remnant; last proceeds of any stock; what remains from the lot
brkb n palm of hand
brlbrlbr adv anyhow; in a careless manner; as it pleases one
brlklk adv anyhow; in a careless manner; as it pleases one
brlyly adv anyhow; uncontrollably; as it pleases one; irresponsible behaviour
brn adv provenly, testifying or observing something by oneself
brbr a. pilfering; stealing in a secret way; pinching
brbrk n honesty; also furuka
brpn v to confirm; to sign or make thumb impression on paper
brsn v to forgive; to remove ones hands from; to disconnect; to forsake; yield
brsnprmr
m
n.p. remission of sin
brs v. a. succeed, overcome; successful
brssm v. a. to pre-occupy with; to engage oneself with something, whiling away
time
brt km v to point at a place or someone by way of showing or explaining or
estimating
brtngbl n fingers
brtngbl-
nm
n finger nails
br v repeat, again
brch^n v.a. surnamed
brkrrk a. not mensing again; stopped mensing
brm v to multiply
14
barnyrk a. not seeing again, blind
brnyrkb$ n a blind person also trmgblpnb#
bryk a. barren, not bringing forth child any more
brykb$ n person not producing again; a menopause
br n daughter belonging to him or her someone
bs n very early day-break; twilight
bwrm a. left over as remnant and kept away against the future or another day
e.g. food saved against another day like rice, soup, etc.
bwr ph.w bye bye; we meet again, see you
b pron referring to this or that man; he
b pron demonstrative pronoun used despicably, referring to someone (usually
goes with the suffix "s" thus, be s (even this)
b v to say
bb a. filled as of corpulent stomach
b id. expression denoting a flat fall of body, thus bim kr, falling flat
prostrated
bin a. full; complete
bn n honey
bn-kp n honeycomb
binm v.adv to fill; fully
bkr n spear
bkn n white people
bknb$ n white man
bknk n cocoyam
bknngu`$ n pineapple
bktb n weekday; also chch that is, chch tradn n, ending with n
(day)
bl a. wide open
bl a. sweet
bl n pot
n tongue
blchkplk a. having speech-defect in the language, consisting of bad pronunciation,
taking j for z, t for th, s for z or sh etc. talking with a lisp
blg v to wag the tail around its master as does dog
v to flirt like a girl
blg v to have a disturbance as of a disorderly stomach pain, possibly ending
in frequent defecating
blm v.n love, blessing
blk n fat, lard, grease
blbp n flattering; honey-coated tongue
blpk n sweet tune, melody
blbl n suffering; having no stand; frustration
bm n f fish of mullet group
bnbn id. for ever and ever; everyday also bsk-bsk
bere n.a. prediction; fortunate
br n case; palaver; story
brgo v.a. to argue; fond of arguing or dragging issues; argumentative [coined]
brkn n panel of judges; those who sit over a case to decide the findings
brb a. so-called
brb n doctor, soothsayer; foreteller
brbrs n guilt, failure in a suit; damnation
brba v to counsel
15
v conspire
brchgb^ v to argue, to drag issues
brfm v to make peace; to reconcile; compromise
brkrkr n truth, right
brkn v to judge cases
brknbrsm v to condemn; to pronounce adverse judgement on
brn v to allow, to agree
brn n faith
brnby n destiny also gby
brnkrm v accord; agreed
brnpkm v to admit; to confess
brnpr n permissiveness; sexual and moral tolerance also blkmr
brnpry n solemn promise, a pledge
brny n vow, something promised; oath
n belief
brtmkn n allegory
brplbp n judgement, verdict
brr a. bent, slanting
brs-
tbgbnb
n accused person
brs n guilt
brs-brn v to admit; to yield; to accept
brsa v complain, to state guilt; a grievance
brttm v.a. to advise; to offer an opinion to; advisory
brtanp n. pl. rulers
brtn v to rule; to give order
brtnb n ruler
brtnpr n governance
brtnprkr n government, governing power
br n ear
br a. bent, not straight, slanting, shifting to a side
brgblm v to open the ears carefully for listening
brgblm-pk ph.w to listen attentively
brsk n hair on the tragus of the ear known as the trages: also gd (<Nembe)
(it determines age)
bskbs k adv always; for ever and ever: also bnbn
bypk n vowels of the Okrika alphabet
b v to ask for; demand
b v to consult; to plan
b a. bright, ripe, cooked, healed
bb a. white, whitish
bjnn a. shining brightly
bam v to flash, to brighten
pbapk v to shine forth; to radiate as of light
baym n supplications; petitions; things asked for by prayer
bb$ n demander or one who requests or asks
bd v to ask for much for use, and lay aside as surplus
b v to discharge faces
be n inside of anything; room, hole, etc; also used as prefix to words to
denote the inner part or feeling of the human body e.g. bieb, biebara
bk=kbek n compunction deep and painful regret for wrong doing
beb a. creating a feeling of excess in satisfaction and as a result causing
16
nausea
bebr a. forgetful
bebrm v to forget; to have no more thought of something again; to leave
thinking about something
bebl v.n to be happy; joy, happiness, jubilation
bebebe a. full of rooms
v bearing something inwardly; to bear in mind
beb# v to be angry
becha v to assert, to develop to puberty
bechkrm a. producing nausea or sickening feeling; nauseous
bed v to moan
bed`$ba n f smaller form of rm() (grouper) (also =rnj
bedn v to charm the mind of someone with love philtredly
bednm v.n to change one's mind; a change of mind
befe v to groan
begngn v to clear the voice by making some sound with the mouth shut, to
indicate the presence of human being by making a voice sound with
the mouth
bekrm v to endure; to resist pain
bej n innermost, far inside
bej-dp n forefathers; ancestors
bekr n parlour, drawing-room
bekrm v to think or remember
bekrb n reliable servant; one who is always at the beck and call of a master
bekpm v to dare
bekrma v to endure; try to resist
belklk a. having ready feeling to help the needy; freeminded to render help
b ny n latrine; a place for passing stool or discharging faeces
bek v to cough out phlegm in a rude way, forcing it out with some disturbing
and disgusting groaning noise
bes a. annoyed; vexed; odious, disgusting
besm v.a. to cause some obnoxious feeling; nauseating
betny n wishes, will
bwr n latrine; waste closet; latrine house
befe v to groan like a sick person
bfe v to give heed or attend to what is said; to hearken
bk v to fall; to fail in life or venture; yield
bkd`$rpr v to yield; to disdain; surrender
bkkr v to fall or fail flat
bl n elephant
bl v to run frequent stool as a result of stomach disorder
Bl p.n. town in DELGA of Rivers State
bl v to dive in
v to capsize with canoe or boat
blm n method of fishing with net, usually carried out by night
blmstnk n ms ancient masquerade fond of sleeping. It characterizes the sleeping
nature of the night job. Owned and played by Ngeme Biri people
Blm Br n ward or area in Okrika
bny n land alienated to someone; place in demand
bp n mouth
bpbr v to revoke or recall a statement or pronounsement; to recall a curse
earlier declared
17
bpbl n tongue
bpbl a. convincing tongue; talkativeness with flattery
bpblm v to converse; chat
bpb v to remind someone of a former prediction made against him or her in a
querying tune
bpbru n first drink an intending husband ever offers to request the hands of a
fiancee to her parents; it is also known as bkgbl-r i.e. drink for
knocking at the door
bpbk n lips of the mouth together esp. when shut
bpb$kb$k a. reluctant; slow of speech; hesitant to say or speak
bpbrm v to allow someone to talk, check someone from retorting; to make
passive insult to an unconcerned person
bpbu n f catfish with longish head, and not as tasteful as the real catfish
bpbny n report esp from news or gossips
bpb v to talk with reserve; to hide or conceal by not talking out or saying
what one sees or knows about something
bpch v to concern oneself with; to involve in
bpcha v to make a vow; to consult for persuasion; to brief one for consideration
b pchapr v to pronounce curse against someone's progress or plans or pursuit
bpd v to receive abuses and curses; to defend oral attacks and reproaches
bpf a. speechless; not capable of making statement; nearly full as of a
container lit. loss of mouth
bpf v to cause someone to eat or taste something outside her home for the
first time (generally an applied custom of lovers or newly joined pair
where the man is made to "buy her mouth"
bpf a. intentionally being unable to say something one knows of something;
tongue-tied being naturally dumb
bpfn v to argue; to be mindful of pettiness; to bother oneself of trivial things
when orally spoken
bpfrr a. incapable of saying something as a result of embarrassment, looking
agape, lacking speech
bpgngn a. orally vibrant, talking with emphasis; good at speech also bpfr
bpgbn v to shut one's mouth
bpgbiny n cover, lid
bpgbs a. protruding mouth with thick lips
bpk a. tongue-tied as a result of shyness
bpkn v to be boastful
bppnkpn a. flippant of tongue; fond of rteporting what one sees also bpsrsr
bp lm v to taste, to sip
bpmp a. high-lipped mouth
bpn n boasters; proud speakers
bpnyn a. fond of high talks, exaggerators
bpfr a. rhetorical; good at speech
bpfrbdfk n f fish of the "okola" group having a long bill with a longer lower jaw
bpgbs a. agreeing, living together co-operatively
bpgbsnyn v.a. compromise
bpgbsk a. disagreeing; unco-operative, being in disagreement
bpk v to reply, to respond to
bpk v to discuss and plan with others; to take decision after discussing
bpkl n tip, apex, peak, spout of a kettle
bpy a. painful at the mouth (abusive)
bpym a. pungent; sharply affecting the organs of taste, as if biting or irritating;
18
acrid
bppk n f guitarfish spp., Rhinobatos spp.
bppkr v to reply; to retort; to answer
bppkr n either of the two lips esp. when open
bppk v.n to obey; to do what one is told; obedience
bprm v to say something one ought not to say; to say something mistakenly;
slip of tongue
bpsbm v to make reference to someone unconcerned in an affair disrespectfully
bpsrsr a. flippant of tongue
bpsbfem v to talk to oneself; to soliloquize
bpslk v.a. to disregard oral attacks; unmindful of abuses
bpsgbch v to come together in order to plan agreeably; to discuss together
bpsn v to taste before any other; not to interrupt
bpssm v to while away time with casual conversation or eating of snacks or
fruits, before the real talk or eating takes place
bpsso`@ a. hesitant
bpssmy n snacks, toast
bpsysy n careless, wild, irresponsible talk; anything not worthy of serious notice
bpsm v to make mouth at; to make disdainful reference
bpt n oral play, use of words in pretentious language
bpylb n person worthy of honour whose word is valued
br(br) n wards or quarters in Okrika
n age group also polo
br v to dress (y br =to dress up)
br v to bathe in water (mng br)
bry n dresses; fashion wear; clothing for fashion
brm v to dress someone; to endue or invest
brmbr n loin of the body; girth of the body
brkn v to guard one's loin
bsp n bishop, head of the church; a consecrated clergyman for the spiritual
direction of a diocese
bspkr n bishopric
bt n cloth
bt-kbb a. fathom of cloth
btkpnbrwr
mn$
n f small monstrous fish like f, not generally eaten by indigenes
bt-knj n one and a half fathoms of cloth; also, erekonju
b t-pkr n rag; piece of useless cloth
btwr n piece of cloth usually six or eight yards
by n something asked for will
b v come
b n animate something of note representing higher animal like man; also
used to suffix words to denote "somebody" and verb nouns, e.g. "fb"
(buyer), "drb$" (seller)
bb n incomer; a stranger
n.pro
n
every, each, every person; all and sundry
bf adv lest
bg n eel-like fish with silver skin; cutlass fish; silver fish
b$ (b`$) v to hide
bf v.a. to hide away; hidden off
b$ny^ n hiding-place; covert
19
b$-ry n vision
bj n original home; place of birth
bj (bj) part. used as a stress when attributing to someone, (r-bj) "you for that
matter" or "you yourself"
bk n door
b$kr-bkr a. clumsy, lazy
bl n f large sea-fish like the manatee; dolphin; porpoise
Bl p.n. town in Okrika
bl v to loan money; borrow; to lend something to somebody
b$lo`@ a. far, distant; difficult
Blb p.n. fishing-port situated between Opuada-kiri and Tombi-kub in Bonny
River
b$lj a. afar
b$ll v to lie down
bll v to build exhaustively; to make a large building surprising people's
imagination -also wll
b$lm v to delay someone
b`$b`@ a. not very dry; dry outwardly but with congealed inner flesh, as of cured
fish or meat
bp v to eat veraciously
bprb n mildew
brkr p.n. fishing-port
p.n. area in Port Harcourt, so named
b r conj whether, if
br^ v to pass by
brm v to save; to help; to open door ajar; to promote
brny n passage; a road, way
b v to drink; drink
b a. lacking salt
b` n self
a. used as prefix to words in order to indicate or describe things, feelings,
temperament of the body e.g. bdn (to feel all right)
b n mangrove forest
bbl v to be mindful of oneself
bak a.n body-pain; having a feeling of laziness to do something promptly;
retuctant to exert energy on something
bkm a. capable of creating or causing pain
bam v to wrap oneself
bb` v to be serious and devoted to duty
bb`lbl n confused state of the body; disturbed body
bb`lbalma a. confounded
bbrnk a. hesitant; doubting, undecided; inactive
bb a.n self-checking; judging oneself
bb`chm v to pretend or presume well in order to face some eventuality -also
b lr (Ogoloma dialect)
bbd$k a. fond of seeking one's personal interest in affairs, self-centred
bbè n one's inner self
b``blm v to hide oneself in order to create chance for a purpose also b`$gb'n
bbn v.a. take advantage of familiarity
bbm v to boast oneself
bbrm v.a. saving oneself
bbam a. amazed, amazing
20
bbamfr n miracle
bbay n drinkables; things for drinking or smoking
bbb a. unpalatable; lacking salt in taste; insipid to taste
bbr v to be busy occupying oneself in looking for something here and there;
struggling for relief
b`ch n method of fishing where the catcher silently stays on the mangrove
branch to spear the incoming fish being lured by the bait already
spread at the spot before the flowing tide
bchm v to erect oneself
bchtrk a. restless, hasty and unsteady, anxious
bch v to be involved; to concern oneself in
bchay n clothing for the body, cloak
bdchm v to support oneself
bddk v to test oneself
bdrm v to give way, to quit, to avoid, to depart
bdn a. to feel all right
bdinm a. feeling comfortable and satisfied
bdkchm v to exalt oneself to be proud
bdkk a. feeling out of sort; not quite active to do anything also bnwnn
wnk
bdrm v.a. to submit oneself; respect and humble oneself
bdepkm v.a. to be officious, to be concerned with issues of a community; to show
oneself
b dkdk v to take care of oneself; self-guide
bdkdky n something used to take care of oneself; a self-guide, e.g. a religious
observation or policy like prayer, religious cap etc; also charm,
talisman, ring as self-guide
bdn v to change oneself as for changing dress
v also applied to insects and reptiles as metamorphosing
bdk v to massage the body
bda v to defend oneself; to protect oneself; to save oneself from danger or
trouble
bday n something used to protect oneself like medicine or charm
bdkpkm v to confess and say out one's faults and wrong doing; to admit openly
bdksn v to excuse oneself from faults, charge, blame etc.
bd`$kk a. feeling undecided or hesitant, being precautious of oneself, not
responsive to act also bbrnk
bbr v to sympathise with someone who is bereaved or in pains of agony
blkm v to test oneself after being well from illness
bfi`@ a. benumbed, impotent
bf a. used to oneself; body being fashioned to a particular behaviour
bfk n pains of the body; trouble; torment
bfkblk n.a. risk-taking; daring
bfkmy n problems
b fkpr v.a. to persecute; to punish or torment; troublesome
bfr a. odorous body
bgrgr a. shivering and quivering, being afraid or nervous, trembling
bgrr a.n being ashamed; shame; disgrace
bgrrm a. disgraceful; miserable; wretchedly; bad
bgi`@ excl. expression used to mean "beg your pardon", "excuse me", "hold on"
etc. as when someone makes a slip of tongue
bgg a. feeling bashful and inactive; shy
21
bg a. curative; self-curing
bgbl v to be careful and get prepared in order to avoid danger; to be defensive
bgbn a. befitting, worthy of; convenient
bgbnb`r a. worthy, merited
bgbnb`t n cover cloth
bgbnm v to place oneself in some circumstance; to consider; to attribute what is
said or announced to oneself
bgbn a. lonely
bgbrp n tingling sensation of the body as a result of surprise of tickle effected
by an external force or agency
bgbrpm a. surprising, marvellous
bhh a. panting as a result of exhaustion; feeling light
bb` n.a. thinking more of oneself; self-centeredness; selfishness
bkr a. thick-skinned to reproach or rebuff; insensitive
bj a. swaggering as a result of being drunk
bjk v to be active in working; be agile and alert
bjnajna a. doubting, not decided; fickle-minded
bjkjk a. being disturbed by insensitive perspiration
bknb` v to realise oneself in error or misdemeanour
bkn v to rape; to force sexual intercourse on someone
bkn a. that is enough for the body; suitable for the body
bknk
1
a. not adequate for the body e.g. undersize garment
bknk
2
a. pomade to smear the body with
bkn-b n leprosy
bkrk
1
a. not enough for the body
bkrk
2
a. someone who lacks
bkrkrm v to get oneself prepared; to be ready
bkk v to discipline oneself
bkk a. being checked by horror and therefore cautious to act
bkmkm a. physically weak
b`$k n monkey
bkb`r v to prepare oneself in readiness for any eventuality
bkm v to drink and leave some remnant
bkrkr a. getting weakened as a result of much exertion or tiredness (<Kal.) also
bkmkm
bkrm adv really, completely satisfactorily, fully occupying also jkm
bkp v to take good care of oneself medically, neatly etc.
bkprp a.n tingling sensation of the body arising from some spontaneous urge;
some exhibition of surprise caused by inward feeling of impulse
bkpkp a. exhausted as of body
bkpm v.a. body-strengthening, rejuvenating as of efficacious medicine or
nourishing tablets
b`k n vagina also rb
b`$k n hole in the ground
bka v to avoid something by retracting oneself; to shrink back
b`$kb`$km adv appearing sluggish and dull
v struggling to attempt or try what one is ignorant of
bkl v to board a canoe or ship or any vehicle
bkr n economic hardship affecting someone
bkrk a. not physically fit; being unwell, infirm
bkrm v to try; to endeavour physically, mentally and economically
b`$kr n a fishing net hemmed with cane, mostly used by women
22
bkr a. adjustable and adaptable with people
blky n something that is above one's status
blkym v to assert doing what is above one's status
blr v to bluff; misleading someone by presenting a bold front i.e. ll
(Ogoloma dialect)
mb`$l n stomach
b`$lmb n navel, the umbilicus
blk a.n tired, tiredness
blklk a.n prosperous, prosperity
blkm v to admit of physical submission
blkmpr n permissiveness
Blm-Br n ward or area in Okrika
b`$lprpr n weaver-bird, yellow bird
b`$lsb` v to prostrate
bm=bnm n sand-bank
bndenkr v.a. to feel satisfied; to be all right
bnny a. habitual to oneself; someone being used to a way of life or action
bnkr a. convenient; agreeable to the needs of oneself; suitable
b`nmbl n large bird like the bl found in the mangrove forest (it is supposed to
be the largest mangrove bird hence the name literally meaning
mangrove cow)
b nm a. keeping oneself respectable and honoured, by good behaviour and
appearance
bnm a. aware of situation of things and to be cautious to know oneself
bnmk adv unknowingly, happening unawares
bn n wet dust, dampness shown on glasses; misty appearance especially on
furniture
bnngnng a. feeling uneasy, worried
bnwnnwn a. brisk and smart; agile
bnwng a. pervading the body; chronic as of old sickness in oneself
bnwnw a. fond of being annoyed; looking unhappy; frowning generally
bnjnj n filth, disgust
bnjnjm a. horrible, disgusting, rejectable, warding off, obnoxious, objectionable,
offensive
bnyn a. deep-rooted in the body
b n foot, leg
bb`r v.n. to repeat performance of entertainment or act; rehearsal during
preparation for any ceremony e.g. masquerade display, dancing clubs,
cultural shows, concerts, dramas, operas, comedies etc.
bb v to take care of oneself
bbrm v.a. alert to activity making oneself suited to action
bbl n the fleshy part of the back of the human leg below the knee; calf, tibia
b b n generation
bchim v to stand firm and own responsibility
bcha v.n. to undermine; guile, treachery
bchap n adversaries
bchk n lower part of the leg; ankle
bchkj n lower part of any object or furniture e.g. bed, table, chair etc.
bolkm v to test the results of practice against a show under preparation e.g.
drama, masquerading etc. to rehearse
bolkm n footprint
bfr n that part of the leg between the hip and the knee; thigh
23
bgbn v to place one's legs across (a sign of showing off)
bgbny n foot-rest, footstool
bgbar v to miss one's steps; to stumble also bt mbl
bkplkp n the lower part of the leg between the foot and the knee; lower part of
the tibia; the ankle in man; the hoof in animal
bkpk n knee
bmgbs v to cross legs; to forestall someone by disturbing or impeding his plans,
progress
bsn v to have a stroll; literally, to stretch the leg
bjj a. firmly and strongly
bkr a. feel satisfied with a reason; understand
bl n self control; discipline; temperance; abstinence
blk a. craving, eager, desire; indiscipline
bs n self respect
bs v to move; get going; leaving a place to start with
bos a. being annoyed; painful
btn v lit. to kick with the foot; to treat with disdain
botm v presume; to compare oneself with another
btmbl v to stumble; to miss one's steps
btng n heel of the foot
btngbl n toes of the foot
btngblnm n nails of the toes of the foot
bw v.n to bemoan or recount ones sufferings or experience; self-pity
by n affliction; anguish; bodily pain
bym a. painful to the human body
bplk adv perhaps, probably
bplm a. being of necessity; compulsory; inevitable
bpl v to circumcise
bpikm v.n to free oneself by taking oath when accused; self denial
bpn v to endure with great carefulness; to be very careful under pain
bpnm a. repressive; keeping desires under control
b`$r`@ a. rotten
br n yam
brtb n yam seedling
brb n famine; starvation
brdk v.n going for food; errand (usually an engagement common with fishermen
while at fishing-port when food is finished, the steerer goes home to
collect food
brgbbl n carved stick used in picking yam balls or akara balls in a pot
b rkn v to make a first harvesting of yam, that is, harvesting the first seedling
brknm n fasting under religious obligation
brm n indigo ink from its fruit
brm n f cuttlefish, Sepia spp.
brm-dk v to admire some physical performance or production or exhibition by
making presents with money and in kind; to spray money in
admiration; to present money to the girls undertaking the "iria"
ceremony in their booths
brmm$ v.n voluntary fasting at home on personal or economic reasons
br-b n dropsy
brpk n taste or desire for food; desire to work hard for food; hunger
brpu`$tr n.v being hungry for food; hunger
bsbchn a.n self-conceitedness; self-centred
24
bsch v to involve oneself; to be concerned in
bsfpr n risk-taking
bsfpkm v to take risks; to dare; to undertake a venture willy nilly
bskm a. eager; creating anxiety
bs'kirpr a.v presumptuous, arrogant, proud; to pride in
bs-m v to presume oneself to rank; to take for granted
bst a.v to be careless with oneself; to belittle oneself
bstk a.v fond of making oneself grand and puffed-up; careful about the
appearance of oneself in the public
bsychn a.v self-regard; to honour responsibility or duty; self-respect
bskm v to dissociate from a group; to stay aloof also bsn
bsm\ v to dishonour oneself by disdainful behaviour
bsn v dissociate oneself; to refrain, looking unconcerned
bsn v to finish a drink by emptying the content
bsnnm a.v deprived of sensation, cramp affected body; shocking
bsn n stretching of the body in exercising
btm v to enjoy oneself
btmk adv peradventure, probably (Bolo and Ogu dialect) also bplk, basn
btktk a. anxious to do something by way of service; intending to offer free
service
bt^n v to keep aloof
btrb`m n drunkenness
bt a. almost rotten or sour
bt a. ignorant, stupid
b`tbt a. very soft as being over-ripe also ptmptm
bwr a. self-abuse as when one puts on an unfitting wear or admits of personal
fault or weakness
bwro`@ a. emaciating; reducing in size and appearance
by a. habitual, being accustomed to

CH, ch

Ch, ch consonant, the 4th letter of the Okrika alphabet
ch excl. derisive expression denoting query reproach
chkchk n negligible remnant of liquid or grain
chkrp v to escape suddenly; to put into the mouth all at once chakarapuma
adv.
chkpm adv swallowing up something automatically
chm adv.a
.
in a continued process, continuously, repeatedly also chm
part. introductory word commonly used interrogatively to emphasise a
constant act or practice, what sort? what type? what kind? e.g. chm
gbr br? chm tmb$?
chrttm adv escaping very smartly
ch excl. expression indicating surprise at wrongdoing e.g. telling lies, accident
etc.
chb`^ pron in what instance? in what respect? usually interrogative; what?
chcht=chch
tb
ph.w if it had been; were it not that; but for that, in other matters etc also
mgbk
ch excl. exclamation showing pity usually accompanied with kk to show
sympathy expressed
25
chsk int. when? what time?
chtb adv because; why?; on which account
chy' int. what?
Chybos pron. native name of Chief Okujagu
chygs=chgs

int. why? for what reason?
chan a. suffocate; disturbing the breathing of air
chanm v to cause to suffocate
ch v to stand
chchb n an allusion usually made to an erander who keeps on moping in
absorbed attention; as a result of her mood, she is tossed about from
place to place fro joke, looking for the standing daughter chichiba
chchch a. being in a hurry; anxious, quick desire; standing all along
chkr n position, status, standing
chkr v to stand and wait to attend a master by standing by
chm v to put erect
chmchm a. descriptive of people standing here and there in anxiety, as a result of
some happening like death, accident, fight, commotion and intrusive
mood of people
chmgbn v to cast down
chsm v to stand steadily
chkchk a. miserly, takes time to release anything in hand
chkchkb.a n large lump of food (usually applied to fufu; heap of food)
chkrchkr a. plump with fat calves and fleshy waist
chn n stick
chn-r=chnr n messengers sent to call family people not at home when there is some
happening e.g. death or case (lit. call boat)
ch'n v to call someone, to think
chn v to chain up; to link together e.g. putting beads together on a line of
thread or rope or fish on a stick
chnbp n call or invitation made by someone on another
chngi`@ n elevated land; hillock
chngbl n fruit
chnpkr n piece of stick; beam (biblical)
chnpk v to restore; call back; reinstate; to recall what was said; to withdraw
chnpmbr n small pieces of stick; fragments of stick
chnsp n the sanctified; the called people of God
chr v to lock horns e.g. two rams battling their heads; to buy something on
credit; a tick
chr v to put on a hat on the head
chrp v to penetrate through a natural division (clouds, rocks etc.); thrust
through a mob
chr n open field or square generally used for assembling; also chr-gb;
market place (Ogoloma dialect)
chr n leopard, tiger
chrbnm n lion, also odum (<Igbo)
chrm v to join by knitting together or sewing together; also joining of wood
e.g. canoe, boat, shutters
chs v to sneeze
cht p.n. market in Eleme in OTELGA, also Ichita
cho`^ int. where? in what way? a despicable aspersion cast on someone
chch n church, house for public Christian worship (<English) also used to
26
name the week days, thus, Chch-gbr-dnie "Monday", Chch-
mama-din "Tuesday", Chch-tradin "Wednesday", Chch-sonio-
adin or Kalaoruene "Saturday" (<Eng.)
Chch-n p.n. Sunday (also Oruene obs.)
chm-chm-chm a. moving about from one corner to another; descriptive of the unsteady
movement of a vagabond
chk n fish-drying oven built with locally trodden mud
chp-chp n soursop, succulent fruit with white pulp and black seeds; also (<local
Eng. sop-sop)
ch n hat; headgear
ch v to put in
v to sing
ch n weir, water-fence for fishing trap in the sea
ch v to put s.t. into s.t. else
ch v to put on clothing
chach n.v method of fishing with spear by the weir (cha) at the open sea; the
catcher stays on the canoe watching the big fishes fanning at the
entrance of the inner fence; from the canoe he spears them; to fish by
this style
chagbn v to overthrow
chajk v to instigate someone seriously to action
chan n f big fish that develops from the mullet, gbl family
chapk v to divert; to cause to change plan or opinion
chasn v to push off; to remove from a course or rank; overthrow also chagbn
chay n extra share or measure; a bonus, gift, or sum added to price or wages
chkn v to pierce through destructively
chk v to fill with fibre or any soft material in order to prevent leakage e.g.
perforations and cracks in canoe being patched
v to plug tightly
chk n under-part, bottom or lower section of anything; under
n source or starting point of anything
n as of old, attribute of the long juju of Arochukwu, also known as
Chkwbam
chkcha v to start; to lay foundation; initiate
chkchay n foundation
chkfr n south wind
Chkn Br p.n. ward or area in Ogoloma
chkrm v to swallow in toto with some sense of commitment; to push; to
instigate
chum v to penetrate in
chn n long pole for pulling in water
ch'pu n island
chu`$ v to cook
chu`$fn n liquid salt made from the kn (ashes of mangrove wood); cooked salt
(generally used in cooking special meals such as $d soup and
tmnk)
chgb v.n to argue, to be disputatious; argumentative
chrchr a. in a state of deadened sensitivity; swaggering and idiotic; mentally
feeble
chrm v to congest; surge, heap up
chr n nail
a. filled to a heap; up surge; over-loaded; heaped up
27

D, d

D, d consonant, the fifth letter of the Okrika alphabet
d a. some
d v to receive with receptacle; to take; to help load down from a carrier
d n method of fishing on mullets in the mangrove creeks where light is
used against the floating sleeping mullets; as the light dazzles their
eyes, catcher uses his net-bag to bail them in. It is peculiar to Isaka
people. The mullet so caught is called dandk
d v to point that way; to support; to face or challenge
dnd`$k n f mullet caught by light (lamp) fishing
Dbr p.n. fishing port
a. wide, broad
dbrm adv complacently; sitting satisfactorily
db v to receive or bring in also dk
db$ n receiver
dbrm v to receive and pass on
dch v to end or stop
dchk a. infinite; unlimited, endless
dchm v.n to hold on; to stop a process; prevention
dch v to direct in; to pass in; to admit also kch
dcha v to snap (photograph)
n picture
dcha-msn n xerox, photocopier
dchay n camera; photo
dd adv straight away; directly; objectively
ddm adv boldly facing some eventuality or effrontery
dgbkkm v to discipline
drm v to misdirect; to pervert
dkdk a. scratchy, irritating
dkl v to roll about on the surface of the ground
dl v to pick off by scratching e.g. the behaviour of a cock or hen; to comb
the hair
dlsn v to pick off with condemning effect; to push off as declared bad or unfit
dl a. protruding, turgid, hanging, shooting out
dll a. indented to last stage as of a hungry child's stomach
dm suf usually applied to end of counting series e.g. siidam, soidam; also
sharp, dot, exactly
dm v to face a rival
dmdm a. opposite, facing one another
dmn n diamond (<Eng.)
dk v to receive, take
dpk v to face; to rise against; attack; to undertake a challenge
dpkm v to direct out; remove out; take out
dp n some; some people
dpu v to expand or distend to a breaking point
dtn v to aim and plan or measure; like surveying
dtkrm v to straighten or put erect or right; to discipline also dgbkkm
dy n something
d v to drive
28
d# v to sit together in a group for a meeting or function
d v.aad
j
to settle or sediment like mixed or dirty water, gari, salt in container
db$ n husband, (pl.) dp
db$nynk a. having no husband, husbandless
db$nynkb$ n woman having no husband
db$frb n widow; one who has lost her husband by death
dbl n table (<Eng.)
dch v to drive in used when directing chickens or animals into their places of
rest
Dd p.n. fm family in Agba Biri
dd n morning
dd v to tread; to press softly, patting with care
dd be adv in the morning
ddfnfn n very early morning about 5-6 a.m; first appearance of day-light
dn n.a. cool; gentle; peaceful; quiet; calm
dinm n.ad
v
peace; peacefully
dk n f fish of the mullet group
dk n deck or decking (<Eng.)
dk v to carry or lift
dkdk a. well ground; masticated or beaten into powder or slimy substance as of
grains like pepper, maize, okra, etc.
dkgbn v to defeat or conquer
dkchim v to lift up
dkgllm v to exalt; to raise in rank
dksn v to take away; to remove totally
dks v to take away with an aim of claiming or possessing
dmngm v to pup to flight; to drive away
dpkm v to cast out; to expel
dr v to sell
drb$ n seller
dskm v to drive aside; ostracise; to cast off
dsn v cast away; to exorcise as of evil spirit
deyepk n consonants of the alphabet; having to do with sound
d v to touch slightly with something like pin, fire, stick, sword
ddl v to struggle, to try; attempt
dinm adv pointedly; directly
dk a. burnt
dkm v to burn
dky n burn on the skin
dkm-ksm v to burn off totally as of devouring burning of bush
dk v to effect motion by paddling, pedalling, driving mechanically
dku`$r n transport; means of transport; transport ways or methods
dl n shea-butter made from sheanuts, used in massaging as ointment; a
product from North of Nigeria
dn n style of dress for men, sewn like a big flowing long-sleeve shirt; its
seams fall to the ankle of the legs; it is mostly worn by wealthy men
and chiefs
dn v to meet someone expectedly or unexpectedly
dt n dirt; unclean something; untidiness (<Eng. dirty)

29

D, d

D,d consonant, the sixth letter of the Okrika alphabet
d v to angle, fishing with hook and line
v to imitate or mimic
n father
db$ n father
dd n term to address a father also d (Ogu dialect); pp (foreign)
ddk v.n to test; examination; temptation
dgn v to copy; to reproduce what is original; to transcribe
dgn-msn n photostat machine
dkdk n.v. test, used when a dedium for testing is applied e.g. when one's
electrical system is faulty and he is required to use something to effect
the repair, that instrument stands as dakadiki (verb or noun) noun)
dmng n family shrine where the family meets to ceremonise and libate
dp n pond; brook; ocean
dr n small fragment of stick; conflagrable pieces of chopped wood
dr v to boil; to move in a vexatious mood to an offender in a way to express
extreme anger
a. boiling, foaming
n used in praise of someone who proves expertise of an art, thus drb
drm v to cause to boil
drm v to give way, to move out of a place; to shift from a position
dw n.v dream
dw v to learn
d wkky n vision also b$-ry
dwm v to teach; to cause someone to learn
dw n father ascribed to a someone; a father belonging to someone (his
father, her father)
d'n a. tumescent like the genital organs when one is in heat
dk v to wean a child; to bring up or nurse a child (orphan) from babyhood
v to surround an enemy territory during warfare
d v to laugh at
d v to share; to barter, trading by exchange of commodity, a common
practice during the manila currency in Okrika
dam v to share into
dak v to inherit
d-kbay n legacy, inheritance
dky n heritage, share also dekr
dn n trap for animals, figuratively used to mean entangling someone
dn n deep section of sea
d v to share; divide; show
dey n gifts, presents
dey n teaching, doctrine
de blm v vindicate; reveal
dn n trapping instruments; a device usually consisting of a noose, for
capturing animals or birds; also, small carved sticks for toothpick and
also used for chaining small fishes like mudskipper or mudfish or
meat; arrow
dekr n share, portion
depkm v to declare, execute; to show by proof, manifest
30
depry n gifts, offering
dk n rope
dk v to look
dkadka a. opposite; face to face
dklm v to despise
dkblf v to fear; to respect with fear
dkbeb v to hate to abhor
Dkb$ p.n. fm family in Okrika, living in Amanungo Biri
dkb$trblb
l
a.n period of the day when one rarely identifies somebody; early night;
dusk
dkbgrr v.n to have mercy; compassion
dkbngng v to have an objectionable feeling for something and thereby to avoid it
e.g. bad smell, rotten or unclean thing
dkbnwnw v to hate with jealousy; feeling resentment against someone's success or
progress or behaviour
dkbtn$ v to avoid; to restrain oneself from some other group or thing or act
dkd v to imitate; to copy
dkdktr n providence
dkdrm v.n to look down on someone
dkgn v to rebuke; to upbraid; to vex
dkm v to follow someone's footsteps; to imitate
dk-b n musical bow also dk-nn
dkpksl v to have envious eye on; to covet also sl
dkr n place at the family shrine containing a number of small clay pots
(km)
dksm v to despise
dktbfin v to be sympathetic; to have a feeling of mercy for someone
dktrgbn a. splendid; beautiful, presentable
dktrfk a. jealous, envious, feeling ill will against someone's well being
dktrsn v to forgive
v to be unconcerned with
dm v to change; to disguise; to convert
d'n v.a. to have thorough knowledge of some art; expert
dn n night
dnkn n snake that moves at night, fond of eating eggs (lit. night fishing)
dnkr n vigil, wake-keeping
v to keep awake like the night watch man
dnkrb n night watch man
dnlsp n the aged
dn-gb n midnight
dp v to bury, to plant
dr n book; treatise; medicine
drf a. susceptible, capable of receiving as of human body e.g. oju dirif i.e,
body, that can easily admit medicine for cure or poison, also dying of
poison as one who dies as a result of poison
drg v to make medicines; to cure with medicine
drkr v to indulge in making medicine for evil intention like a witch-craft
drkrap n witches; wizards; necromancers
drm n rings of flesh around the neck
drpnb n page in a book; leaf of a book
drtl n letters of the alphabet
dr-gz n package of tobacco
31
d$k v to look for; to want; to search; to wish; yearn for
d$kb v to realise; to perceive; to observe
d$kk v not bothered about; not to find or look for; not to want
d$kmm v to get on finding or looking for; to be in search of
d$kpkmb v to discover
d$kpkmb$ n discoverer; founder
d$kd$k a. small in number and size
dnw n f large fish regarded as mammal
dnw n ringworm
dr v to weave
dr n f barracuda, Sphyraena spp.
drk v to jubilate; shout for joy
ds v skip; jump
d v to use a container to get food or water out from another container
d v to defend someone against an attacker; to save
d;ab n saviour; a defender; salvager
dabrm n saving grace (biblical)
dabrmb$ n saviour (biblical)
dapkm v.n deliver, rescue
dapkmb$ n deliverer, rescuer
'db a. large, fat, big
d`$bsb a. exceeding
dcha v to put in or fill from another
df v to scoop and eat as of cereals
dk v to inform; to tell
dk v chewing-stick
dky n news; information tidings; gossips
dkdbm v to extol; to magnify; to talk big of
dkm a. next, following
dkmdkm a.adv following each other in succession also mbkmbk
dkm v to follow up, to pursue, to chase, to accompany
dknyny n subject
dknwng v to follow some one; to accompany; to form company with another
companionship
dkpkm v to declare, to confess
dkpnm v to accuse; to charge innocently
dksm v.n to reproach; blame; guile; revile; slander; to condemn someone
dktlm v to persuade
dky n statement, report; an account of speech
d
k v to allow; to permit
d
kk v to disallow, refuse
d
kn n steering part of a canoe or ship; a stern

d
knb$ n steersman; the person who directs the course of the canoe or ship
d
mny n mermaid immortalised by a masquerade

d
m n life
a. alive
d
mdp n fountain of life

d
mkk v.n. sustenance also dm-l

d
mm v to make alive
d
mnyn-
brn
a. lively faith
d
m-l a.v maintaining life; nourishing

32
d&n n giraffe
dn n ghost; dead body; evil spirit; fairy
d[n-m n hell; sheol; fairy land
dndn v to mourn for the dead by wearing black dress or refraining from
putting on fine dress
dndpny n cemetery; a place of burial; burial ground
dnfl n dry spittle found at the angles of the mouth especially after sleep, as
one wakes from bed
dnwr n family ancestral home regarded traditionally as the central shrine of the
family; house of the ancestral parents
dpr n rock; stone
dp n plank, wooden board
dr n that portion of the canoe where the steerer rests his legs; also drbe
dsn v to remove liquid from a container by using a bailoer, or cup or spoon
dv v to bail and dash out in splash

E, e

E,e p vowel, the seventh letter of the Okrika alphabet
e! excl. precaution or warning expression, checking oneself from danger; also,
derisively applied against a person or object by demonstrating
e! excl. exclamation commonly used in gossiping and anecdotage, meaning a
look down
b n water-fence for fishing usually adopted by the Ikwere people at their
water sides along the brink of the bush
beb n threat signalling fright; frightening somebody also trcha
bed n respectable headwear or hat, usually broad brimmed; sombrero hat
bej n ocean or wide fishing ground (<Kalabar) cf. Okrika bj
bel=bel n calabash keg or container mostly used in containing palm-wine
ber v to sympathise with someone who is bereaved or has been in trouble
br adv long since; since; quite long ago
dn n altar; an elevated place at the hearth under which fire is made for
drying fish or meat
drm Br p.n. ward or area in Okrika
d n bear, a mammal, fond of moving by night [<Igbo] Okrika call it
mnmng
frf p.n. ms old time masquerade with double face and decorated in a flowing
gown, owned by J ama family. It usually carries broom in hand with
which it strikes the ground and prays oputibya sisi
eflf n flower of cotton tree (sikaka)
a. description of one with unworthy character and standard; vagabond
gs n condiment used in thickening soup
gb n hammerkop; hammer-headed stork
gblrm=gbl
rm
n respectable women of a traditional descent who help to maintain
morality and check unchastity among adolescent girls
gbr n drama; story
gbrfey n riddle; a conundrum
gbrgbn v to dramatise a play e.g. owu display when a new owu display is
staged; it is shown for three days, the third day is set aside for
ceremonies that is gbrgbn (the day of ceremonies)
gbr-n-k-n- n politics; political practice
33
mmye
gbr-n-k-n-
gb
n political party; pltk-ogbo political group
j n tree sp.
k n mark; borderline
kbr n f smallest mudskipper (chl) Periophthalmus papilio; also smallest
sardine
kk n sign of hunger; when anxiously desirous to eat; when hunger disturbs
kmb n f smallest size of sardine, Sardinella spp. (cf. sng)
kk adv in line; line by line; according to marks
kpn v to jubilate, shouting and croaking
kr n mi wooden gong used for proclamation
n mi drumming played in honour of an important dead chief or warrior
kr v to shout with anger; roar, bark, scold in loud tone
ksb v to trespass, lit. to overdo or pass mark
kp n bosom, chest, breast
kpdn=kbe-
dn
n peace of mind; inward satisfaction
kpr n mi small short talking-drum commonly used by necromancers (tr-t
lp) during the burial of their member; it is also used during the
prg ceremony of a dead chief
kpt n dc agile rhythmic dance danced to special drum produced by water-pot
(nng) music
n herbaceous plant used as medicine
l excl. expression of disdain
l n play ground, open space
n high jump stand (Ogoloma dialect)
lch n traditional season when it is believed the dead visit the town from their
fairy land; during this period nobody weeps if somebody dies (see
appendix 1)
lk n lump of carved meat or flesh, usually the limbs, hand or leg
lkd n measure of drink by bottle also lkd-ll
lk n.v indirect behaviour of some habit; to pretend
lkm n sign, mark
v test; attempt
lkw n change of circumstance; inevitable condition (mostly used in parables)
obs.
ll n swamp exposed to tidal influence
llnd n corridor
llnd n orange fruit
lm n people in OTELGA, living near Okrika
lgb n open field
lsk n pigeon
ltnd n f small flat fish like the sole
mn n f manatee, seacow, Trichechus senegalensis
mnga n vegetation in brackish waters; the leaves are lineal in shape
mng-be n bad bush situated nearly opposite Kalio-ama where Ibaka people bury
dead people of questionable feature
mn n throne; adored seat
n n rain
n crossed bar put up for sports-high jump, hurdles, obstacles etc.
n n day; time or period
34
nb n. tomorrow; day-break; the first appearance of day light in the morning
ndn n. night (Ogoloma dialect)
ndprmgbl n hailstone
ngygy n everyday
ncht n showers of rain
nkk n afternoon; daylight
nkb n daylight
nm n palm-fruit
nmmgbu`@ n palm-fruit
nmgbnb& n palm-cutter
nmkr n palm tree
ngbn n mid-day, noonday; afternoon
nsn n nightfall; night
ntb adv daily, each day, everyday
ny n line of meshes of a net
v to watch carefully as a spy; to spy; to audit an account book ny$
pl n game played on draughtboard, a sedentary occupying two contestants
one on each end; seeds or plates are displayed on the squares. The
seeds are designed to varied permutations by one for the other to
disfigure and vice versa, until the game ends. It is like chess; it is
nicknamed bl.
plgb n water yam; carved water yam used during the ceremony of "perigo"
(see appendix) at the instance of the burial of an important man
pln n dissemblers, tricksters
plp n horn; pipe; trumpet
pp n sun, morning or evening sunshine
prr=prr n fish like kigbo commonly found in brackish or fresh water
r n women, females
rbr a.n left; left-hand
rbrng a.adv left-hand side
rb n vagina also bk
r'dda n exchange of women (it used to be a custom that if House A gives out a
woman in marriage to House B, as time goes on, B pays back to A
from the progeny
rdk v.n watch or spying of women's nakedness. This is done by immoral
fellows who are in the indecent habit of watching or spying the nudity
of women in their latrine area during defecation
rdkb n man who practises the habit of spying women's nakedness
rdk v having numerous casual affairs with women; to womanize
rmn n women
rmnng n women's side; a place where women resort to for disguising and easing
themselves
rmnw n young women (plural of "eremenitk")
rmnb$ n lady, woman (singular form of eremeni)
rmnekn n term ascribed to the secrecy of women's mood as related to mensis;
privacy; and nudity (see jbs)
rmntk n young woman or lady also iremenitoku
rsr v.a. denying marriage to women by frequently divorcing wives
rsl v.a. fond of selecting women for marriage; accepting and denying marriage
promises to intending wives
rsm v.n to marry a woman; marrying of women
rt v to flirt; being fond of women's company; to have sexual intercourse
35
with a woman
rtbfy=rtb
y
n dowry
rt v trapping women into love making; luring women
rwr v.n ms detesting women's company; fond of abusing women and their
companionship; popular traditional masquerade among the "kiriowu"
masquerades
ry v.n performing of lawful marriage; the ceremony of lawful marriage of
women
rym v to assist a female in giving birth, as of a midwife
sn n loudest drum among other instruments used during bn dance
sne num. nine in counting
t n drinking cup of calabash material
tb n special feather decoration prepared like sunflower used on
masquerades
tr n mat, couch
tt n small fish, fairly greenish in colour and mostly found at the water
sides, also called bg
wkrng adv just now, not long ago
wkrr adv and then; than; hitherto; now then; at this time, also wkrr
wrnw n three-leaved yam; also, tn (Ogun dialect)

,

, vowel, the eighth letter of the Okrika alphabet
ba n gari soaked with hot water (<Yoruba)
be n altar
b n ms ancient masquerade owned by the Anyengu-Biri people; it is usually
played with satellite masks such as obirinangulo, breb,
okpokiriobolo, owukpara, onanaowu, okule, etc. Its full name is
Okulemeni-b.
bkbk=bk
bk
adv probably, peradventure; perhaps, maybe
b`$l v to move carefully amidst shrubs and hanging ropes
v to pursue or track someone under hide and seek
v to use some material to underline an adornment in making a dress
br` n xylophone, keys placed on plantain stems
n style of cloth-tying adopted by women where the last fold at the back
is hoodshaped
e excl. ?
e excl. ?
ffr n scales on the body of fish or mammal
fr n dish; plate of earthenware material; corrugated iron sheet
frb n notorious female mermaid
fry n notorious male mermaid
glm a.n noticeable point of difference; turning point; climax; big in size; also
glmbr
gn n marked edge or line on a dress; the top fin or sting on a fish; sign of
healing change of a sore
gbgb=gbgb n f powerful large fish like the ray and of the cartilaginous group
kk n piece of broken clay pot or pitcher generally used in frying groundnut
36
or dry fruits; potsherd
kl n wide round flat tray woven in warp and weft with cane, used in
spreading dry or fresh fish
km v to filter or sifter as of water and food material
kp n calculated sizes or demarcations
kr n fishing material conical in shape woven in form of a longish basket
kr v to bend in order to avoid hanging shrubs and tendrils in the bush or the
lintel of a door
n small bird
kpn n he-goat, also, kpn
l n f fish of the mullet group, fond of eating black swamp, and usually full
of fat
lj n lead
mb n chance, privilege, vacancy, area, way, etc.
mbm ?
mmb=mmb

n. sand-fly, gnats
nd=nd num. four hundred
nd n gum, the flesh covering the bases of the teeth; also nd (nd)
ndm@ n nit. the egg stage of louse hanging on the hair
ndgblgbl n term given to child birth at short intervals; children born at short
intervals, looking short in size
nm n black paint or dust from charcoal; also wax from the smoke of lamp
nmk n iron wood; also called akawai (<Kalabar)
ngm v to filter; to sediment
n excl. No!
nh excl. Aha, alas
nw=nw) a. indelible; thorough
n feeling of constriction in the chest and coughing asthma
nw a.n c very small crab; very small; inedible
nwn=nwn n rattle-bells tied to the wrist or ankle during dancing
a.n blue eyes like those of a white man
ny n line of meshes of a net
v to watch carefully as a spy; to check or audit account (diriny); to
spy; also, ny
pr=pr v to belch
ppr n light leaf
r=r n name; wood used in carving canoes
rch adv because of, on account of
rchn n roll call
rd n aerial yam produced through flower, not by tuber (Dioscorea
bulbifera) whose inner rind is violet in colour. It is sweet in taste.
rpk a. notable, famous
rpkp n nobles, notables
rr v.a. developing gradually like fire; sore etc.
rs a. famous, renowned
wrw n fur of animals around the neck; mane

37
F,f

F,f consonant, the ninth letter of Okrika alphabet
f a. lost, finished
fb$ n term usually attributed to a vagabond, who forgets his home
fblk n risk-taking
fdkb n perdition; spiritual ruin or damnation, destruction; danger
ffk a. unfinishing, never ending, eternal
fkp id expression to describe the sluggish and noisy movement of the tortoise
(onomatopoeic).
fl a. lifted or raised, usually applied to someone with raised lips (bp fl)
fm v to settle or finish a squabble
v to lose
fngkp v.a. to guard one's loins, to be fully prepared against any eventuality or task
fngl a.v wrap, entwine, entangle
fnt n style of skirt tied with rope around the waist spreading down to the
ankle also ptkto
fr
1
v to beat drum or play an instrument
fr
2
v to sharpen a knife
fsn a. perished totally
fy
1
n.a. lost thing
fy
2
n commonly used as abbreviation of the name Fayeofori
f v to buy
n market
fb n buyer
fchr n market, market place or square
fd n lit. (buying and sharing, exchanging) that is, trade by barter, a custom
commonly practised in the days of manila currency
ffr v to get close to someone with a view to creating familiarity
fkfk a. light in weight
fkp a.v carried in toto; to rise for a move all at once adv. fekepuma
fkpm adv rising suddenly
fl a. slow; sluggish
flm adv sluggishly, lazily, stealthily
fn n bird; name for colourful flannel cloth; omen
fn n customers
fnbs p.n. god of thunder, usually regarded as the supreme god of the Okrika
gods
fnb$ n market person; customs or being one who patronises someone's
business
fnbrm v giving a sign of omen
fpk n market port, that is, the waterside of a market, same as market place
fpfp a. pulsating, throbbing interpretation of reflex act (onomatopoeic)
f v to eat
f n death
f v to die
f a. being on good terms; friendly; not inimical
ff a. clean; holy
n applied to cleanliness with serenity and respect
ffk a. unclean, dirty
fafagbny n mystery
f akfak a. questionable, uncertain, doubtful
38
fn n faeces, excrement, manure, dung, shit, excreta
fang n where one's aim is based on eating and enjoying; fond of eating or
lavishing
fb v to reduce by evaporation; to minimize
fb$ n dead person
fb n eater; user
frbbrsn v.n to resign from work; to retire; resignation
frb'sn v to be retrenched; to sack
frbs n.v retirement; to retire
frfrm v to send on message
frfrm-dr n letter, epistle
frj n fridge (<English)
frkr n office; work place; company premise, frkr pl.
frm v to send on an errand
frnwng v to work; to do some work
frnwngb n workman; messenger
fr;nwngp n workmen; messengers
frnwng-
krfy
n oath of office; also frnwng-r
frs v to get employed in an engagement or office
fsn n alligator pepper
fsn v to finish eating; to eat up
fs v to eat off; to clear by eating
ftr n bread (changed from fitoru i.e. edible chalk, bread being as white as
chalk)
fy n food
fyll n feasting; conviviality; merrymaking
fygbnd`$pr n grinding stone; millstone
fyskk v to nourish; to feed
f a. vacant; hollow
ff a. aloof; good and free spacing
ffm v.a. give space; making space; spacious
f v.a. roast, roasted
fn v.n drag; disputing with someone; argument
ffy n food that precedes the major meal; snacks, breakfast, lit. (roasted food),
usually regarded as light food
fn a. swollen
fkfk a. light and not heavy, as of bread having much air space
fmbr n punishment
fm v to flog or beat up
fmy =fmy n material for flogging like cane or whip
fn n dust, ashes
fnbl-bk excl. idiomatic expression in Ogu dialect meaning God forbid as Okrika
would say Kpakpa-sisi
fng n rainy season
fngm v.a. to invoke, to invoke the spirit of the dead; splashing as of rain into an
open door
fng mn v to celebrate a season of jubilation e.g. dancing, masquerading etc.
fnj n tobacco pipe
fn v to drag along; to pull or draw along
fo`$m adv quietly or silently resting and watching; lying at ambush in silence
fm v to quieten; to appease as of a crying child; to pat a crying child to
39
silence
frk n singlet (<Eng. frock)
frr a. saying nothing, being embarrassed with mouth opened ajar; looking
agape
fr n wind, breeze, tempest, sea-waves
frbe-kn n.v telephone
fs a.n something attained without labour; of no use or importance; loss
without a feeling (coined)
fsm v to be sorry for an offence on somebody or mishap on somebody;
expression usually announced to appease or condole a wounded or an
offended or bereaved person
f excl. expression to ward off evil; also s; to condemn something or
pronounce a curse; to forbid
f n in-law; mother-in-law of a man, he addresses her, yf, y-fr,
far; she addresses him, fn; all pertaining to in-law
far n title or term given to a man's wife's mother by the relatives of the
husband both male and female
fay n presents pertaining to dowry on a woman also gbrfy or gfy
fbr n forehead; lucks; front view
ff n lungs (also, s-prng); also foreign name for decomposed cassava
fk a. painful, aching
fk v. to jump or skip
fk a. tight handed; miserly; one who rarely shares with another also k
fkm v to handover something by throwing it, that is, causing it to fly to reach
the receiver
fl n spittle, saliva
f l n soup
fllfll a. unsteady; slippery in behaviour or movement
fmma v to cause to be half-dead or suffocated as of treatment on mudskipper
when being prepared for curing
fm n.v epilepsy; fainting; to faint
fn n.a. salt; bitter
fn n refuse; particles
fr n family; tribe; stomach; womb
frtry n ms small pad like pillow placed under the belly of the masquerade
nicknamed fng
frtk n freeborn; indigene; son of the soil; an aborigine
fr a. odorous; bad smelling
fr v to steal
frk a.n honest; honesty
frm v to dust; clean up either by some material of the hand
frmsn v to wipe off; to clean off
frnemk n name or expression given to plantain or banana that bears plenty of
fruits; lit. "stolen unnoticed", also applied to mixed up keeping of
money where shortage cannot be easily detected
frmng n period of darkness; the period when there is no moonshine throughout
the night
ftbl n football (<Eng.)

40
G, g

G,g consonant, the tenth letter of the Okrika alphabet
gbrm adv standing or sitting in a mood descriptive of being annoyed, vexacious
and challenging
gduruma adv standing stubbornly in a challenging manner, possibly with goggling
eyes
gg a. strong and taut
ggm adv trying with much effort, endeavour fervently
ggrggr a. as of hard chewing-stick in the mouth, not elastic, coarse and indelicate
ggrggr a. coarse in the mouth as of unripe pawpaw; loose and lacking liquid or
saliva
gn excl. exclamation denoting deafness
gngn a. warm not hot
glgl a. scattered, not located at a place
gll a. tumescent, standing erect and tough
gl a. disappointed, embarrassed
gmgm a. brisk in walking; forceful in moving or marching
gmgmm adv moving or walking forcefully
gmmm adv mood presenting a challenge especially as shown by the eyes
gnn a. bright and piercing; also gnn
gpm adv standing stubbornly as if threatening to fight
grgr a. well dried as of cloth, fish, food and cereals
grgr a. usually applied to a healthy body especially as of a smart person
grgr n bitter kola (Ogu dialect) [<Ogoni] also kn
grm$grm$ a.adv forceful in action; rapacious
grpm adv cutting off or disconnecting automatically e.g; rope, relationship by
friendship or family usually (grpm pl)
gr n staple food made from cassava tuber prepared with hot water for
swallowing; also eaten with cold water and sugar or coconut or fish
(<Yoruba)
gsm adv pointedly, plainly, directly
g part. commonly used after verbs to entreat someone to take the action of the
verb e.g. so gee (please go/go now); ku`n g (talk now/please
talk); f g (eat now/please eat)
gb r a. bow-legged
gg a. sizable; big; reasonably good for consideration
gn v to crack; quake
gn-lk n statutes
gnp a.v crack by itself; cracking or breaking open as of land slide or rock or
any brittle domestic article such as earthenware, glass, clay pot, etc.
gl a. being weakened by the result of much physical exertion arising from
fighting or accident
gl a. high, lofty, tall; also gll
gl n height
glgl a. roaming about, unsteady in situation
glny n heights; cliffs
gl-pwr n mansion, edifice, magnificent building
gm a. reasonable in size; large; considerable adv. gemm
gm a. capable of breaking or cutting sharply e.g. sugar-cane, stick etc.
grgr a. shivering; nervous; highly excitable
gr v to slice lengthwise e.g. slicing of cassava, yam etc. also sng
41
gsm adv really, pointedly, actually (<Ij)
gm adv.e
xcl.
gripping some one unexpectedly; an expression of unexpected grip of
someone
gd n apple
gn v to write
gngn a. lustrous, shining glossily
gnp v to crack on its accord not forced like any brittle material e.g. glass,
coconut, shell
gg n decorated canoe with a canopy, generally used in conveying chiefs and
notables [<Eng. gig]
gg a. tight; firm; taut
gngn a. dim as of eyes, not seeing clearly
gnn a. loose and irregular as of the meshes of a net when some knots become
loose
a.n when relationship is not smooth-running e.g. husband and wife; two
friends not being on good terms or harmony
gngn a. sparkling; crystal clear as of water
gr v to struggle, to do something with some pain of exertion, to play
aimlessly on the ground creeping here and there, like a child
grr a. quick and sudden, thus grrm adv.
grr n cloth purse hemmed with zip usually tied to the waist by market
women; zip
grgrm adv in a moving crowd especially during ceremonies like burial, ra,
meetings etc.
g v to read; to mention
gby n destiny
gd$gd a. untidy, awkward, clumsy
gdn a. sounding in the head, echoing and ringing in the head as for one who
hears faintly
gdr a. stalwart, huge, gigantic
gdk a. ascribe, recount, mention
ggb n namesake; one who bears a similar name with another ; also agogo
gl v to abuse in silence (usually during gossips); to spark quarrelling
attitude
gl n gold (<Eng.), also score at football
glgl a. golden
gl-gn n reproach, query
gll a. high, elevated
gm() n floating material or symbol used by anglers and fishermen mostly, to
indicate the position and presence of their fishing lines and nets as par
the tide; buoy placed by the Marine Department
gngn a. straight on; along the stretch of road or course
grgr n.a. light pepper soup prepared with fresh or dry fish or meat
grr a.v scratch, rub lightly making some mark
gs adv therefore, on account of; why
gvn n leader in a dancing group (<Eng.) changed from "governor"; the
governor of a state
gvment =gmt n government, the word that, stands for the ruling power (<Eng.)
gygy quan
t.
every (usually applied to persons, things, periods etc.) thus, tomb-
goyegoye (every person), sk-goyegoye (every time), ye-goyegoye
(every thing), etc.
g v to mix or put together
42
g n.v act of cursing someone who wrongs another as he encounters
misfortune a retaliatory expression (usually the pronouncement is the
word "kpw" or "kpwk" meaning it serves you right
gm a. of mixed character; dealing with various subjects; miscellaneous
gmgm id. disorderly; carelessly; impatiently rough Gr
p.n. town in BOLGA
gd v to eat voraciously, to make merry; indulge in boisterous festivities
gg a. shy, inactive, exhibiting stage fright ass when an actor or a performer
behaves when he appears on the stage or in public e.g. a masquerade
making its first appearance (the prefix "bu" is usually affixed to it to
complete or make its meaning vivid), thus bgg
gg n silk fish which usually contains itself in broken bottles or tins in the
water; it stays in this place and develops; stargazer
gg v to strike out dust from pieces or fragments, and dirt from cloths,
containers or paper
gggm adv behaving in an unbecoming sly manner; not welcoming the presence of
people; frowning
ggsn v to strike out the undesired from a lot; to cast off
gl n tree whose wood is used in carrying out the material known as png
(water bailer)
gl n gold earring; earring whether of gold or not (<Eng.)
glgl id. out of order; scattered as a result of confusion in respect of human
beings; entanglement in respect of fish in a net; spoilt condition of
anything
glglm v to ravage, destroy, devastate, scatter
gm v to increase in stench; to diffuse or exude foul air
gn v to fume getting out of temper; to get angry
gn n.v awful or odorous smell that diffuses the atmosphere of a place
gngn v to struggle for release under a tight situation
g v to cure; to aid someone to good condition of health and vigour
gor n kola nut that has two cotyledons (<Hausa)
gos adv suddenly jamming an object (description echoic)
gr v to rub also skr
grmsn v to rub off; to erase
gr n large basket with cover used in storing fish and always placed on the
altar at the hearth

GB, gb

GB,gb consonant, the tenth letter of the Okrika alphabet
gb adv time indefinite; for ever; completely spoken as "gbasin" or "gbaso"
gb excl. slapping expression (echoic)
gbdrm adv as of door opened wide; also sitting loosely with legs open or scattered
gbgbrm v to slip especially when the foot slips or when the lip misses the cup,
etc.
gb excl. touch and run; a game children play by touching one another and
running away as each toucher announces "gb"
gbn n f large fish with a long bill;
n centipede
n sound of bell so expressed (echoic) gbn-wk--wk
gbk v to change a plan as a result of some happening
43
gbkktll n name of an imaginary mermaid that loafs about irresponsibly; an
attribution made to any vagabond
gbkm =
gbkim
adv to be concerned with
gbl v to collect by picking up respectively
gblm v to recoup oneself; to exercise the body
gblm n short time fishing tour
gbl =bgbl v carefully prepare oneself for any eventuality
gblm adv singly and exclusively careful of oneself; disallowing any touch of
body
gbm() a. slender, slim
gbn v to place on top
gbn v to go aground e.g. canoe or ship on a shallow bay
gbny n dispute
gbr v to miss something
gbrk a. sure; certain
gbrmk adv surely; must; without failing
gbs n ms old masquerade played and owned by Amanungo Biri
n sizeable, straight mangrove stick
gbs a. equal, exact
gbs adv.a
.
comparatively equal
gbsm adv equally; in actual fact; really; truly
gbsn adv for ever; continuously
gbs adv for ever
gbd`$gbd adv sitting heavily in a sinking chair possibly; sitting complacently in a
seat also gbd`$rm, gbrrm
gbn v to grind; to cover or cloak; to pay or reward
gbnfy n retaliation
gbnfy-f` v to retaliate; to return like for like
gbnm v to pretend, presume
gbnmbdks
n
ph.w feigning to excuse oneself or exempt an issue
gbk prep as if; if
gbkgbk a. hanging; shaky; not taut, slack
gbkn v to fry in a dry pot or container without liquid e.g. garri, groundnut etc.
idio
m
idiomatically used to mean beating someone brutally
gbl v to ask; to investigate; to take care or notice of; knowing how one fares
especially relations
gbl excl. pretentious or ironical expression usually applied to undesirable
attitude or happening, generally spoken as "gbl-gbl-gbl
gblm adv closely, carefully
gbmch v lit. to stand against, to confront; to assail, to appear before a person
suddenly; besiege; intercept
gbn a. sober; quietness realised from past experience
gbrk a.adv to be awake all of a sudden; getting up suddenly
gbrkm adv getting at alert suddenly
gbrr a. wide open
gbrrm adv leaning backward on an easy-chair or stretcher
gbrr-gbrm adv.a
.
descriptive of sluggish or lazy behaviour or someone who does not
promptly do things; walking in a clumsy manner
44
gbr num. one (in counting) (Ibaka dialect, also Ogoloma dialect)
gbangbn a. being tossed about
gbdgbdm adv totally; completely (usually preceded with the word "gbn")
gbgb a. tight, firm
gbgbm adv tightly, firmly
fbjm adv besieging overwhelmingly; also gbjm (Ogu dialect)
gbjp a. dull, cloudy, heavy
gbjpm adv looking suspicious with heavy eyes; looking dull
gbkgbk a. shaky, unsteady like a pinned pole or flag rattling under wind
n used as nickname of the fabric linen
gbkk id. descriptive of a sudden action of changing, shaking, drawing, turning
gbkkm
gblam adv invading or besieging with overwhelming force
gbn v to throw at; to weave or sew; to decorate as of masquerade etc.
gbngblm v.a. knit or sew together
gbnkn v to smash or scatter through stoning
gbnp v to cause inujury or wound by stoning
gbrpgbrp a. acutely uneasy looking startled and apprehensive as effected by
external force
gbsr a. unlevel
v to slip into a low level or sinking spot
gbsrnyo n ditch; sinking spot; quagmire; bog
gb =gb v to peck; to swallow balls of fufu in eating; to pin something among a
lot
gb =gb v to invoke; to push to action; to send
gbb v to invoke death on someone
gbb v to kill by pecking as of birds of prey e.g. hawk; also killing by snake
bite
Gbb p.n. fm family in Ogu and Okrika also
gbgb v to cut with matchet; to butcher
gbin n.a. silence, calm, dumbfounded
gbinm adv deafeningly, silently
gbinpk v to be silent about something; to deafen one's ears against someone; to
concern oneself with somebody's affairs
gbk excl. expression of sharp cut or breaking
gbk adv at once; immediately
gbklm adv conspicuously; properly; openly, in open display
gbl v to knock or strike
gblk v.adv intentional getting together for some special operation; throwing much
force combined
gblm v to put together
gblm n.a. getting together; concerned with
gbl a. short
gbl v to crack someone on the head; to connect the kingpost that rests on a
tie-beam to carry the ridge of the roof; to criticise an expression
gblm adv plainly, pointedly
gbn a. lonely, alone
gbn-l n arid place; desert
gbnm adv.a
.
lonely; desolate
gbnm adv really, actually (Bolo dialect)
gbr v to fence
45
v to attack a person from all angles as of sandflies besieging someone; to
encompass
gbr n one in counting
gbrklm v to encompass; to fence round
gbrkrchk a. not steady, unstable; slippery in behaviour
gbrkbe n.a. one mind; one accord; united
gbrgbr a. sizable, big, plenty
gbtbr adv at once; immediately
gbtm adv at once; immediately
gbtm-nysr n lit. total rest, retirement
gbk'n v.a. to burst or explode with force; to be wealthy all of a sudden
gbany n depths; deep areas
gbd a.adv completely full e.g. market gathering or crowd of people
gbkk adv drawing someone by force; in a snatching manner
gbl n f mullet sp.
gbm n bell
gb'n n f fish like the golden fish (ona)
gb'n n fruit like alligator pepper with sweet succulent pulp
gb'n n. croaker
gbn a. deep
gbny n mystery
gbrgbr n.ad
v
rush, streaming without a break or gauge; also gbrgbr \w gbs
a. protruding; commonly used in abusive description of someone's
buttocks or lips (tmgbs) and (bp gbs)

H, h

H,h alph consonant, the twelfth letter of the Okrika alphabet
hm$hm$ a. vexatious, irascible; rough with anger; getting uncontrollable
hamhamma adv.
hh a. light; feeling tired
hin-hn excl. expression used to inspire people during working; also to acclaim
during conversation and story-telling
hj excl. expression to interpret comotony; it is too much; what again? also
"j"
h a. open; vacant; empty
Hn! excl. exclamation to call the attention of listeners during story-telling or
conversation
hny adv then again; starting afresh; begin once again
hrr a.adv open hole; easy, go through; bored open
hn excl. expression to ward off bad odour, usually adopting the manner of using
the palm to sweep off the bad odour at the nose
hm adv getting out of a dark place or winding course, into the open
unexpectedly
hmtlpk adv.p
.
bursting out into the open surprisingly e.g. after meandering in a
winding creed and then bursting at the open estuary, a missing man
suddenly appearing to sight

46
I , i

I ,i ;I , alph vowels, the thirteenth and fourteenth letter of the Okrika alphabet
a excl. expression of annoyance denoting, "too much for you!", "enough of
that!"
i excl. expression of annoyance and refusal, meaning why or no
bl n mat made of bamboo material
blpnj n piece of the inner stuff of bamboo, ibila
blwrkr n historical spot surrounded by Awlme, Adedeme and Anyogu ends,
noted for a celebration square, where ceremonies are performed
dances, masquerading, burial, etc.
bm v to do good; to be kind
bi`$kn n gospel; good talk
bi`$km adv properly
btn a. better, best (always used in the superlative)
bymbr n good manners, behaviour
b n deep mud; thick swamp; the idiom "ib dk" means great annoyance;
heavy thinking or thought
b n f large ray
b a. lying with face downward
bm a.v upside down; bent like akimbo waist; to lay someone face downward
bm(be) n veranda; open space immediately after the main door outside, meant
for resting or relaxing
bp n blister
brm =brm n ripe plantain preparation, roasted and pounded into a mixture of
crayfish, oil and salt etc. believed to be traditional food for gods and
water mermaids
br n grass (Ogu dialect)
ch n.v tribal mark made on the face, usually vertical cuts made on the
forehead; man with scarified face-most commonly of Igbo origin
v used as slang to mean "taken care of"; women in their quarrels abuse
one another "tb ch" i.e., who cares for you?, who knows you?
chpn a. shameless, immodest, insensible to disgrace also bgrrnmk
chrm n higher degree of some performance or play; a stage of note
chk n thick hair on the skin; furs
chk-frm n caterpillar (larva), an insect, hairy in nature
chk v to dance with keen interest seriously especially with the waist
dbr n style of high-jumping with legs stretched sideways and body parallel to
the cross-bar
dr v to drift along or in favour of the tide downward; to move downward
drm v to go on the process of moving downward; to shift an anchorage
downward i.e. as the tide ebbs
drm v to move down while sitting or standing in a line
v to subdue; to be reduced
drmng n stream
drpkb v to gush out
dp n grave; monument; sepulchre
fk p.n. Efik; the name Okrikans give the Calabarians ifkap
fn n my son-in-law; term given to the husband by his wife's mother
gl n metal gong
gr p.n. fm family in Okrika living in Ayongu Biri
grmng
47
gr n huge, stalwart person
g n eagle
g n hip, loin
gd n padlock
gnbanwr n hotel, guesthouse
gnb n stranger
gnkn v.n hospitality; hospitalize; to entertain a visitor
g n hard mud of swamp nicknamed "chikoko" commonly used in
reclaiming land
g n famous old set of dancing masquerades played by Ambeme Biri
gng n money (obs)
gen n.a. poor, poverty
gb n box
gbk n money, currency
gbkkn n or the end of the counting system i.e. twenty "poku" or 20 times 8000
(160,000) which could agreeably be equated to a million lit. the root of
money
gbknbrm ph.w cash at hand; cash sale, no credit
gbknbrn ?
gbr n chained seeds that produce some rattling sound, used in tying around
the ankle of a masquerade
gbrrr v to dance rhythmically, while on igbiri, to the tune of the drum
especially kiriowu; to clatter
gbrgd n sandflies in a swarming group; gnats also mnb
gbrgg v to perform some cleansing ceremony on a person or place in order to
expel evil spirits or malignant influences
gb n dance men perform by shaking the legs in astride position usually
during masquerade display
gb n net for catching fish
h excl. abbreviated form of hb, an expression to indicate surprise, usually
accompanied with the action of raising the shoulders
hb excl. an expression made at a surprise when one shudders at an incident;
also seb
in excl. yes!
jr n ants in groups as in swarming period
jbs n usually goes with the descriptive prefix, rmn thus rmn-
jbs, it is the reactionary state a man is put into as a result of the
woman's failure to keep the rules of sexual tidiness and cleanliness. For
example, it used to be the custom that a woman hides away her
menstruous materials from the man; cleans up the man after sexual
intercourse; does not allow her urine to touch their bed; does not allow
a man to pass under her inner cloth (underwear) spread outside; does
not use her left palm to rub the man's face. It is believed that in
violation to these rules, a man becomes indolent, stupefied, sheepish,
feverish, and staggering in his movement. He is termed to be under the
influence of rmn-jbs. His lazy irregular mood is called "sk"
and he is described as being jljl that is, imbecile. Also, a man in
the indecent habit of spying on women's nakedness at their latrine area,
when caught, and this "juju" is invoked on him, suffers the same fate.
He will have to undergo some cleansing before regaining energy to
start normal life
jkl n head-pad, coil a snake makes when resting
48
jr n sensation as of a current of cold atmosphere, that surrounds one; fear;
aura
jr n mango
k n hunchback
kn n bunch of plantain, banana, palm fruit etc.
kl a. deformed, lame
krr n very common type of sardine, smaller in size than the kparakpara; it
is nicknamed r-sng
k v to use a log of wood to place at the hearth for making fire
ka n friendship; being amicable; attachment
kab n friend
kaw n friend of somebody; a friend
kba n fraction; part
kfn n log of burning fire; short size of log to form fire basis
kn n practising shrine of the cult of the traditional kiriowu secret society
n metaphorically used as secret pact between lovers; deity for secrecy
knj n f silkfish (with dark colour and slippery skin)
kr v to creep
kr a. blunt, having no feeling; insensitive
krk p.n. fm family in Okrika living in B`lme Biri
krk n mi large slit-gong
krm v to endure especially physical pain (=bekrm)
krng n harmattan period; dry season
k v to fold; fold
k a. bent; not straight
kl n chain; prison
kp n swelling in between the leg and the lower part of the abdomen;
swelling in the groins as a result of some injury on the leg (boil,
crawcraw, abrasion)
kwr n tent
k n louse
n jaw, cheeks
k n cocoyam (<Kal.) [cf. Okrika ku]
k a. heavy
k n jaws; mandible
kfn n. nickname for manila currency; lit. swollen jaws;
kl a. lazy; indolent
kll n iron
km adv heavily
kn n root; stumbling stump which portends good or bad luck
kn v to stop; to end a process
ky n heavy thing; load
ky-pnm n.a. heavy laden; weighty
kp n wilderness; open grassy area
kpkkpk n owl (<Igbo) [=Okrika kpngbkngbk]
kp n towel; Kano cloth
kpk n.a. hard; knot that is hard; protruding bone of the body e.g. hibhone or
ilium (knj-kpk), ischium (tm-kpk)
kpkp n f small size of the fish bl
kpp n f cockle fish (shell); bivalve
kp n thick small bush full of tendrils, hanging twigs and grass over a stream
n family shrine decorated with young palm fronds and dmdm and
49
collections of empty wine bottles with animal skulls etc.
n game usually played by two teams of males, each player holds a loop
of "sn" (cane string) to catch the tossed sheath-pad, made from the
sheaths of maize. Any catch made by a player of one team draws a
player to the opposing side; when a total score is made by several
people's loops at a time, the score is described as gbr
kpklbe p.n. fishing port very close to Port Harcourt situated opposite
Comprehensive Secondary School
kprch n cannon
kprkp n food prepared from maize and plantain
kprkp n maggot (cf. also ngl) (<Igbo)
kprm n swelling of the skin arising from scratch or sting by insects such as
mosquito, tsetse fly, bees, wasp; weal
l p.n. fm family in Okrika, living in Edereme Biri
l n shady tree wrapped with climbing stem, having broad leaves
ll n bush fruit violet in colour whose pulp is sweet with a single round
seed; a drupe
lp n stomach carved out from a fish
mb n coconut; kernel
mbba a.n description of palm fruit with soft nut also sk (<Igbo)
mbkmbk adv in quick succession; one after the other
mbmbl v to roll; turning over and over
mbr n brother; my brother
mb n human force engendered by the presence of great number
mbgrgr a.adv the presence of human force taking to motion e.g teaming up in
functions, funerals, elections, religious gatherings, national call
mb n navel (b`$l-mb)
n bud of a flower, plant, sugar-cane
mbb n person, being (male or female) imbuap (pl.) also tomonib
mbk n f shell-fish like "ikpopu" whose shell bivalves are light
mbrknkn n.a. threatening heavy storm with dark cloud anciently conceived of as
surrounding the deity of thunder
mgb n f oyster
n od of Abulome
mgb n bone; strength
m@gbl n stone or stick used as club for fighting; also, mgbl
mgbp n f fish resembling okue (horse mackerel), sweeter in taste
mgb n f big fish of the ray group
mgb n small triangular bone forming the tail end of the spiral column or
backbone known as coccyx; also pronounced m$gb
mgbl p.n. ms ancient masquerade believed to be a mermaid
mgbr n mi drum with high tone (=ngbr)
mgbl n f smaller mud-fish in the swampy creeks
mgb n any round object like orange or lime used as ball for game; round ball
mgblm v to dress a fish by pressing its flesh to a retracted shape
mgblm-kr p.n. borderline fishing port owned by Bolo, situated near Bodo water-side
in BOLGA
mgbs n part of owu decoration around the waist, where a projection is made at
its back to carry segmented frills of cloth
mgbs n fruit
mk v to wriggle
mm v to squeeze out water or oil from wet cloth or fibrous material
50
mkpl n bronze anklets worn by girl during the "ra" ceremony
m n sweat
m n hard wood
mp n pangolin
mp n fruit commonly found in the mangrove forest, eaten by monkeys
mpt n plantain or banana stem
nd v to wash the anus after defecating
nd =nd int. meaning which? who? what? often used to stem other words to form
compound words e.g. indeb (who or which person?); indeju
(where?); indesiki (when? which time) etc.
ndnd$ excl. expression used generally for greeting, meaning how is it; how do you
do?
ndn v.a. can; being able to (changed from ineda)
nd n nipples or teat on the breast
v to suck from the breast
ndmng n milk from the breast
n bush fruit from shrubs that tastes sweet
ndkm a.v descriptive of a child to stop breast feeding or liquid feeding
nd n vulture also dl
ndb n daughter; son's wife as called by his father or mother; my daughter
ndlm a. crouching; being in uncomfortable position
nd v.a. can; capable to do; being able to
ndblk a.n inclined to lust or waywardness; lasciviousness
ndmk a. unable to do; impossible
ni num. four in counting
nm v.n endure, endurance; to bear up; to be patient; long suffering
nr n banana
ngbr'r n mi drum with high tone
ng n one in counting
nglng n mi xylophone (also br)
ngm Br n quarter or ward in Okrika
ng v to feed by begging from others
ngrngr a. suffering in diverse forms
ngrn v to lick off soup with fingers or ball of fufu
ng n mi water-pot for music
ngl n larva of housefly, maggot, generally found in decaying matter and
faeces
ng n sugar-cane
n pron. they
n v to smell
n a. their
nab pron. themselves
nk a. deaf
nk n friend, my friend
nm n hair, fur
n nails of the fingers and toes; claws of animals etc.
nmgb p.n. fm family in Ogoloma
nmgb pron all; they all; all of them
nn n stubbornness
nnch`n v to be stubborn and obstinate
njl n wire, metal string
nj n crawcraw that appears in the private part of human beings; venereal
51
disease people take for syphilis
nj n fish
nj-br n f shoal of very small fish that serves as food for big fishes. lit. fish food
njn-fng n air-conditioning also letrik-fng
njkr n whitish creature like pupa of an insect always found in the mouth of
kaka fish
njr n cloth otherwise known as real India; also called George (<Kal)
njnj n yellowish dye for the skin
nk n tattoo marks printed on the skin; liquid for writing and printing (<Eng.)
nyng n lit. my mother, special term used by the wife of a son in addressing her
husband's mother; she, the mother, in return addresses her son's wife
ndb
nya n refuge
ny a. to be used to
nyas v to take refuge
nyasny n place of refuge also naswrbk
nm v.n cheat, fraud
nm v.n conquer, defeat, overcome
nmf v forego; knowingly making room for defeat
prr n fish generally taken as fresh water kigbo
pangb n maize, corn (also piamgba)
pn n.a. swollen scar, being left by a healed wound
p n mangrove forest fruit on which monkeys feed. It is also eaten by men
pp n smashed and beaten yam mixed with ripe plantain with oil in it; staple
diet for the rich and well-off, it is regarded as special diet and therefore
usually provided in ceremonial festivities such as family feast, clubs,
religious gatherings, churching of women after child birth etc.
r n youth in women
rmnay n youthful display of women, behaving in a manner likely to snub
someone; a bluff, showy and swanky mood of women; fashion
rmntk n young fashionable lady; coquette
rt v.n act of being fashionable; practising the act of being fond of women
rtb n one who is fond of being in women's company; a woman who is fond
of fashion
r n thread
r n blade; native blade
r v to miss the way; to go amiss
r v to exclaim a name of someone or oneself or any object or thing at a
happening; to express surprise
iriaba n rumours; what people hear and say, true or false
ras n indirect and unexpected results of past events; results of guilty
conscience; repercussions
raw n gentle fashionable ladies
rs n a storm; gale; tempest
rm n top; a game in which the wooden reel, carved into a shape with pointed
end, is spun on the ground, where is it flogged up with a sling to
continue the spinning along the field of play. The materials used are
the top, and the flinging sling tied to one-foot stick
r n wine, drink
I rnb`$r n chief and family in Ogu
rkr n palm-wine tree (raffia)
ro n false statement; lie, untruth
52
rommy n falsehood
rokn v to tell a lie; to make a report, true or false
rosbdk n propaganda syns. trgbnma-rokn; nmmrokn
rtrb a. drunk (<Kal.)
rtrba-
beb`$l
n revelling
rtrs a. drunk, intoxicated
s v to spread
sb excl. expression to indicate surprise (usually accompanied with the
mannerism of raising the shoulders, that is shuddering also iheb
s-s adv line by line
sb pron the other person
sb n my friend; someone who knows one's secrets (ironically applied)
sn n loop with a running knot, as in a snare; a noose
sr n holes in the water-cliffs in which fishes hide
srbe n inside of the holes of water-cliffs
sn n cough
sl n sweeping material made from the dry palm fruit bunch
vr n heavy spread of crawcraw on the skin; scabies
w v to ascend
y n call word used by equals, male or female
y n common name for males, also y
yrk n making light of something; something made common to everyone

,

b n some whitish matter appearing at the canthus of the eye especially as
one rises from sleep, rime
n soaked garri for food (<Yoruba)
n forked stick
n mote (biblical)
bchn n forked-stick for supporting and building
bdk a. not difficult to perform. mostly used in the negative
bd`$pr n cornerstone; important stone
bf v to insinuate someone against another in order to curry favour; to betray
or prove treacherous; to bribe
bfb n traitor
bk n name of one of the towns on the island of Okrika
bn n tribal or native name of the people of Bonny
bn v to make a noise; to shout without control
bnchk p.n. fm king and a family in Okrika
bnm-Br n ward or quarter in Ogoloma
bnp n larva found in logs of dead wood (it is edible)
btmgbl n ailment affecting the eyes eye-lids get swollen and white matter
appearing at the canthus conjunctivitis (see nymkpk)
b n.a. good, fine, beauty, beautiful, goodness, saint
bm adv.e
xcl.
momentously; at once; all of a sudden; trifle; etc. usually spoken as
"gbr bm"
bammy n goodness; virtue; good manners, also
bamybr ab.n ?
bb`$r n gospel; good story
53
bfbr n fortune; good luck
bfbrp;ry n mascot; something like bird, insect, animal, person, that brings good
luck
bkr n perfect beauty
b`$g excl. corrective expression cautioning a person when he errs in speech (in
low accent, he says, "excuse me" or "pardon me" its equivalent; it is
also pronounced on another who errs)
b`$kr n fishing-net hemmed round with cane to size, used in dragging under
water; hand net
bl n grey hair
b`$lb`$l n f smallest tilapia (tbl)
bp n f puffer fish; fish with thick skin and big head, having a set of teeth as a
human being
br p.n. fm family in Okrika
br n net for fishing weir
chl n f mudskipper, Periophthalmus papilio. cf. also kbr
cht n perforated holes in wood, mostly found at the keel of canoe or boat
chkr n c small crab found in holes of dead wood in the mangrove, usually
applied to describe someone with small size, thus chukru-oju
chkr-j n small-bodied person
dm n infection that attacks the sole of the foot especially near the heel; it
renders the sole inflated inwardly like hard boil; eczema
dp n kola nut
fl n horn (<Kalabari)
f n c very small crab like chkr; smashed crab used as bait to trap
mudskipper
ffppl n hard boil on the skin which rarely produces pus, carbuncle
fb n sweet cassava, commonly found in upper j (Odi, Kaiama, Sabagreia
etc.) which can be cooked or roasted and eaten like yam in one
process; also known as the Panya type
g p.n. fm family in Okrika living at Tomo Biri.
g n thorn
gbr n yam produced by the Ogoni people, full of strings on its body; term
used in the game of "kp" (see kp).
gchn n thorny tree like the skk (the cotton tree with digitate leaves).
ggg a. thorny, full of thorns
g-nm n curly hair; dark strong and straight hair
gn n wrath, indignation
gndk a. irascible; easily provoked to anger; vexatious
gnm v to offend someone; to find palaver; to annoy someone ga
p.n. fm family in Okrika living in Ngeme Biri
g n game where the empty termite shell, carved into a shape, is used; it is
twisted with the fingers to revolve in a dug out hollow to crack out a
challenger
gn n cataract on the eye
gn v asserted power as a threat also bb
gp n waving of the waist during copulation
ga n marriage (see Appendix)
g n wooden flat planks or boards used by a woman when weaning a baby
in the fattening room. In the days before maternities had not operated,
nursing mothers, used these boards so that they could have easy access
to the cinder which is always within reach, to warm the waist
54
n seats made of plank at the layout of buildings or waterside (wsr)
for breezing, relaxing and gossiping
gfr n traditional ceremony whereby a husband steals a chance to have sexual
relationship with his wife during her period of nursing a child. It is
customary that a nursing wife does not have sex with the husband
before the expiration of the first three months after childbirth, thus this
action is termed "stealing"
gb n strong wooden climbing stem used in making rope mostly for water-
fence (cha)
a. strong, magnificent as of building
gb n period quite long past and nearly forgotten; time immemorial "gb
kr be
gbn n horn of animals
gbn n weal, ridge produced on the skin by the stroke of rod or whip
gbn v to demand; to claim
jp n bitter cassava
kk n tortoise
n thick Akuete cloth
kk n shell of shellfish
kn n dandruff
n dry solid ashes of mangrove wood at the hearth, generally used in
producing liquid salt (chufun)
kl n smallest finger
kr n scabies, crawcraw
kr-br n dog affected with scabies
kr a. rough, scaly, thorny
krkrkr a. rough and scaly
krn-w n swarms of soldier ants
a. quarrelsome wild children; ragamuffin
ks n chair, seat
v to lock a door or box etc.
ksy n something to serve as seat; anything used as seat-bench, stool, chair
kt n fish-trap in basket form
kl n conical fish-trap; usually placed on the bed of sea or river to receive
stray fish. It is later picked out after a number of days for the catch
kp n distributive shares in small sizes e.g. part of meat or flesh; 5 branches
of political areas
k a. selfish to a considerable point, miserly
kn n omen; sign; lot
kankr v to prophesy; to foretell
kankrb n prophet
kn-wk v to cast lot
kk n biscuit
kkl n seedling of angala (mangrove); long and pointed seedling of angala
plant
kk n difficulty; awful experience, usually prefixed "si- thus s-kk"
kl n c crab also p
kl n branch, section
km n tree-bark used as flavour in cooking
kn n.v constant crying and disturbance of a child
n constant obstinate bluff of a wife
n mi small short talking drum
55
v to be naughty as of children
k n rock in water; cataract
k n protruding forehead; (as in fbr-k)
n outgrowth on the head of a cock; cockscomb; the carbuncle of a cock
kpb n my salvage (compound word)
kpn n squirrel
kpk n piece of baked mud, generally used as missile; stone
kplb n long iron pin used in picking yam, akara balls, etc. in cooking pot
kplkp usually prefixed with "b" the ankles of the legs
kpnk n water-fence (cha) where a single arm is made springing from the
main circular fence (<Ataba dialect)
n size or measure of local gin (kmr) in jar (<Igbo)
kpng n branch; projection as horn
kprkpr n f big bonga (sardine), the size of sardine next before "kigbo" (bonga
fish)
kpt n flag
kpn v.n to instigate someone to act against another; to incite some action; to
stir
kpkp n ladder
kpkp n bird like the snipe, much smaller in size
kpkr n f short and small mud-fish
kpr n crawcraw appearing on the body in good quantity
kpk p.n. fm family in Okrika living in Ngeme Biri
kpk n knot on a tree or made with rope or cloth
n joints of the limbs in human body
kpl n fist
kpkm n knot on a cloth tied round the waist (special style of tying by men)
kpkmkp v to adopt the style of tying "kpkma"
v used as idiom to mean being prepared to face some eventuality (to
guard one's loins-biblical)
kprb p.n. market near Okrika owned by the people of Elelenwo in Ikwere
l n bead
n intestine
lchng p.n. historical hillock of relics reminiscent of the deeds of the ancestral
parents of the island, now levelled down to accommodate the civic
centre. During "agiji-owu" display in these days, it used to be a
security land or refuge. He who mounts it during the chase is never
touched
lkp n bile
la n broom bunched together from the midribs of coconut palm fronds,
generally used by elders in warding off flies, rarely used in sweeping
(obs.)
l n summons
lgb v to take action against someone legally; to sue someone
ll n dirt; filth; rubbish
l n hidden fishing grove in a creek usually paraded by bkr fisher
women
l glg n.a. end; final stage of anything; the depth of something
lpn excl. colloq. slang coined, generally used to retort a questioner in order to
prevent him from getting further; a rude expensive joke
m n soul of man; spirit believed or supposed to be possessed by every
living being
56
m n pus from sore
mb n.v practice of consulting a priest or priestess of a special or agency whose
god gives a divine communication report of the enquiry; its priest or
priestess is the mbb oracle
mch v.a. septic, producing pus as of sore
mn n.v two in counting; to vanish
mnf v to vanish away; to disappear totally; to perish
mm n.v thanks; thank you
mbbr n swallowing a ball of fufu without soup, that is, after chewing a piece of
fish or meat with saliva to help the swallowing
mbj n beads, flat in shape and generally black or red in colour, worn around
the waist by the female folk; a cultural attire
mbs n.v mischief making; a purposeful action to annoy someone
mbb a. very small in size, appearance, and age; immature
mblr adv umbrella (<English)
mbn n plantain
mbnbr n finger of the plantain crop
mbnch^n n bunch of plantain crop
mbnfng n stalk of plantain or banana after the fingers are removed
mbnpt n herbaceous stem of plantain or banana
mbk n swelling on the wrist; carbuncle
mbrbr a. smooth and glossy as of clean skin
mbk a.n joyous temperament of the mind; excessive inward happiness
mbr n sister, my sister
mbrmbr v to moan; making inarticulate sound as if suffering physically; murmur
mgb n wrestling
mgb n phlegm from the nose after sneezing
mgbs v to lie across; to stop someone's progress
mgbschn n cross; cross-bar
mgbk v to murder by strangling
v to seize some property or money kept in care of someone who in order
to claim refuses to give it out to the owner
mgbk adv would have
v belated correct action following the mistaken action
n regrettable end
n deep meaningful expression only understood by indigenes
mgbl n seed of any fruit
n heart
mgbpm-
mng
n neap tide; period when the sea attains the lowest tide
mgbk n drupe, yellow in colour, whose plant has a hard bark
mgblb n fist made or fixed with the fingers and wrist
mpp a. very small; infinitesimal
mk a. selfish, miserly, stingy
mnmn n young palm frond
nchm@ n f slimy whitish wormlike creature commonly found in decaying
perforated mangrove logs known as ototoloba (it is edible)
ndr v being in melancholy; placing palm under chick
ng excl. playword used by children to snatch food from one another. a bond is
struck by the children ever before the practice is carried out. when
some food-snacks, sugar cane, fruit, sweet etc. (not cooked food) is
found in one's hand, he should shout "nga" to the other in order to
57
secure the food for himself. but if the other shouts it first, the holder of
the food is compelled to share it with him; also, ng
ngj n spoon
ngbnj n f big fish, fair sized fish
ngrngl n notorious and pugnacious water mermaid
ngrbnyn n independence, self rule or self government
nglr n f hagfish (Ogu dialect for pn)
ngl n nickname for money
nglm v to screw or press forcefully
nglmch v pressing in objectively; to cause to penetrate in
ngm v to take in breath and press hard with a frown e.g. as when a woman
delivers or during defecating
ngr v to be grieved
ngs adv not at all
ngs adv since
ng n wealth, riches, property, merchandise, mammon (biblical
personification of riches as an evil spirit or deity)
ngr n to snore while sleeping
v to talk in a muttering manner
ng& n frog
ngl n yam, commonly produced by the Elemes and Ogonis of OTELGA
n n son; my son
nkm a.v patient; to be able endure
ny n forceful
nydk a.v to secure oneself under a forceful submission to someone's refuge;
seeking protection
nyny n leaf of a plant; pages of a book
ny n strength, power, breath
nyb v to be patient; to hold on; to wait a bit
nybfrb n weakling; a weak person
nykpm v to endure; to bear up; to try to hold one's strain
nykrk n.a. frail; frailty as of morals
a. weak, feeble as of physical appearance
nym adv just carefully; cautiously mindful
nysr v.n rest, leave, holiday
nysrn n Sabbath day; Sunday, also Chch-ene
n n sore or ulcer
nbr n dry yam; seasoned yam
p n c water crab
pgbr n f small red snapper, Lutjanus agennes (agbara), (also =kn)
pl n c crayfish, shrimps, lobster
plb`$rm n gunpowder
p&n n jigger, usually found on the foot of people
r pron you (sing.)
r pron I
r v to meet with someone
r n the transitional ceremony of girlhood to womanhood performed by
every chaste girl of adolescent age; also the traditional three month
fattening room or feeding custom undergone by a nursing mother after
child birth
rab n lady in the ra ceremony; ceremonial woman. pl. rap
ram v to meet for a purpose; to consult, to refer
58
ram-ram v.adv meeting, consulting frequently for mutual discussions; referring to one
another on points
ra v to undergo the ra ceremony
rmgb prep "with you"; "upon all your presence"; an expression used in preceding
a query levelled at a person
rr n.a. female (short form of iruor)
r a. small, minute
ra n sun, sunlight
rkpn n hot season, sunshine
rpkpkng n east
rpkpkny n east
rssny n west
rtmtmny
rtmtmng n west
r v to spread something in the sun with the intention to have it dried; to
place fish on the altar at the hearth for curing
rr n female
sk n town in Okrika division situated nearly opposite Port Harcourt by the
marine wharf
sk n tassels; hanging strands of any material
smfl n s mamba, poisonous snake, slim and green in colour, that bites without
being provoked;
smgb n minute tubers of cocoyam; rhizome that continues its growth
sm() n f periwinkle
srm n tassels of maize
san n vein; rope from raffia palm
s'n a.v abraded; skin being peeled by injury
sn v to weed grass on farmland or garden
sn n small worms found in the flesh of fishes and meat especially gbulu
(mullet and pork); also in the eye-lids of human beings
sn n stretch; length
sn n rabbit
sn v to lay or put at a stretch
snchm v to stretch up standing as erecting a pillar or stick pinned
snpkm v to stretch out as of hand
tktk n f small catfish
tl v.exc
l.
to avoid or get off from an awful situation; proverbial language of the
crayfish (pl) as it escapes from its catch ongoro
tt n small perforated leakages on the keel of canoes also cht
tl n meshes of net
tl n dimples at the cheeks or back of the waist
tl n f oyster
tl n letters of the alphabet
tm n black plastic material obtained from the swamp; tar also tm
t'n n dry mildew mostly found in very dry fish
vl n sail attached to a canoe or boat or yacht
vl n horns on the heads of animals
nwnnwn n peppery fruit like alligator pepper
w a. new, fresh
wbrkpmb ph.w nickname for a menopausal woman who is fond of applying "make-up"
(coined)
wb n regeneration
59
wjrjr a. very new and fresh; brand-new
w bk p.n. New Testament
wtmkr n regeneration
ymnbd n special respectable headgear meant for a king; a crown
yy n rash on the skin
y n in favour of the tide
yr n c shrimps
yr n long plumes for decorating masquerades

J , j

J ,j consonant, the fifteenth letter of the Okrika alphabet
jkjk a. rough, disorderly; not in good condition
J m p.n. fm family in Okrika, living in Anyongugu Awolome Biri
J mb p.n. fm family in Ogoloma
jn a. bright, sparkling
jnn a. shining brightly
jr n gift added to a sale also chaye (coined)
jr-jr a. very new (a word usually prefixed with w, thus wjar-jar
jrrm adv.a
.
very plain; very new and plain
jsjsm adv marching or treading without care; intentionally treading to annoy
someone
j excl. Oh! also j
jk adv yet; awaiting a moment
jn n another day; some other day
adv ever
jnjn adv never; never in the least; not at all
jnrt n generator, motor to effect motion (<Eng. generator)
jnj adv.a
.
no harm; things going well and normal
j v to off-load; to carry out from the lot
j v lean to; to consult; to refer to
jaj a. staggering as being drunk
jan a. other
janmb n stranger
janmp n.pl. strangers (pl.)
janmp n Gentiles, non-J ews (Biblical) also J iukapu
janp n others
jany n other things
j num. fifteen in counting
jgd n beads worn on the waist by women (<Yor.) also mbj
j v to off-load
jj a. firm; strong; intact; full
jk v to shake; inspire
jk v to minimize; to sink into oblivion; to submerge and diminish =jkf
j v to off-load
jkjk a. shaky; unsteady
jn a. another
jnb n another person
jnbchksmb n subject; one under somebody
60
jnbdkmmie v to emulate; to imitate with a view to equalize or surpass
jnbnkrk a. being at variance with others; disagreeing
jn v to draw of force
jn n alcohol, hot drink <Eng. gin
jn v. to drag an issue; to dispute over something
n a dispute or argument
jnajna a. doubting, fickle-minded; having double mind over some idea or
something
jny n another thing; what more; further more
jny n another place
jp a. compressed (a term applied to one with short neck kng jp); plenty;
surplus
jk v to be at its full operation e.g. marketing play, fight or war etc.
jkjk a. feeling worried with perspiration; perspiring insensitively
jkm adv really; in actual fact; actually
jkr n bedroom, chamber
jljl a. lazy indolent, lacking keenness of mind
jlp a. looking dull and clumsy (julepuma adv)
jn =join n paddle or oar used in pulling canoe on the river or sea
j a. (suffix) referring to follow or similar object, commonly used as suffix
to pronouns e.g. ojuo tomb (his fellow man) etc.

K, k

K, k a consonant, the sixteenth letter of the Okrika alphabet
k adv not expressed interrogatively
kab n b large bird with large beak generally seen on sand-banks
kba a. dry like skin not moistened with pomade
kabrkabr a. proving very officious, showy; expressing zeal truly or falsely
kb n fable, proverb, parable
kbkn v to talk idiomatically, to speak in a language not easily comprehensive;
to tell a story for entertainment
kbkny n byword also kpkn
kflm adv lying carelessly and disorderly with face upwards
kk n nickname for locally manufactured dry gin
kn v to pluck or pick fruits; to set the fish, "ichila" on its small stick-pin
(mengii) also china
knb v to understand; to perceive the meaning of what is said or spoken
kk v to tie cloth, to wrap or fasten a cloth round the waist
kk v to tie firmly as of a parcel
v to implicate someone in trouble
kkl v to warn
v to tune a drum by tightening the screws or side-sticks also kk
kkm v.a. to be numb; to be deprived of sensation; benumbed
kk v to reproach with good intention
kk v to advise secretly against some suspected eventuality; to prepare
someone against a case or problem
kk v to crucify; to hang someone with impunity
kk n f fish, the small type of wl
kl pref. small; also used as prefix to names mostly in order to create the
diminutive, e.g. Kalasika; kalajohn etc.
61
klng n toilet, latrine, urinal. Place or closet for passing out bodily wastes or
latrine (lit. small place)
Klng Br n word in Ogoloma
klsksm a. temporal
klkng n standing with one leg and hopping (a game)
kmkmkm adv rushing through without cognisance of any object, refusing to be
disturbed or halted
kmbk n appearance in flowing clumsy dress; over coat
kamkm-mju n dreamland; (kamkm-mj)b`$r =fairy tale
kms v to quarrel
km() n quarrel, dispute
kmdk a. quarrelsome
kn v.a. to tear, disperse, break down; torn
kn n bs basket
v to hawk article about
kn v to crack kernel; to wish or desire for something or somebody
kn v to go round; (cf. also knbr)
knkn a.n dark; darkness
knmny n bending corner; environs, roundabout
knfnj v to break open; to open wide
knglgl a. scattered, asunder
knglglm v to shatter; to tear into pieces
kngr n straw hat
kng a. skin rendered dry and scaly esp. during harmattan
kng n temporary white marks on the skin caused by salt water
kn v to tear with care as of breaking or tearing or carving a piece of meat or
fish
knkn a. being in pieces; ragged
knp v to tear and eat; to kill a prey; to pounce on a junior person bullying
knknkn adv rushing in a fury
knks v.a. torn into pieces asunder
knpkb v to gush out, to come out in crowd as of dismissing or dispersing from a
service or workshop
knprpr id. rushing and moving here and there as being disturbed by some
incident; anxious for some sudden happening; stampede
knsr v.a. flash forth as of light; tear, break or burst into pieces
knsn v to cancel; to break off
kpm adv firmly, securely, steadily
kr v to carve; to backbite and gossip about someone
kr a. complete in number or quantity
kr v to be enough to satisfy a demand
krk a. incomplete, not correct
krk adv instead; rather
krkr a. true; real; upright; straight
krkr a. rough, thorny not smooth and regular
krkrm v to prepare
krkry n righteousness, uprightness
krgbs a. perfect; all correct; having all essential elements, characteristic etc.
krm n bottle container for wine, oil or any liquid; also ll
krm v to complete; to make up
krmnl n long whitish beads used by rap
krmn n deity ascribed to the people of Bolo
62
kry n idols, carved things
kr v to pray, to invoke discreetly or prayerful
krby n fulfilment promise; something used to fulfil a promise e.g. Isaac used
as such to God
krf v to swear
krfy n oath sworn to
ks n racket for fish
kscha v to set fish on racket for the purpose of drying and preservation
ks n cashew (<Eng.)
ktkps n.a. gigantic in appearance; stalwart and masculine, virile person; giant-like
(ke. adv) not expressed assertively
k adv not, expressed assertively
kb`$kb`$m adv moving dwarfishly as if under the weight of some heavy load;
swaggering and watching left and right
kn n f small red snapper, Lutjanus agennes (agbara), nicknamed knba,
denoting beauty
k n style of hairdo traditionally adopted by girls and adolescents;
fashioning of hair to several designs by shaving parts of the hair on the
head
kn v to harvest yam that is, making the first harvest and leaving the balance
for the final harvesting br-kn
kn n bunch (of plantain or banana)
kn v to print, design artistic work or decoration on a paper or walls; also,
kn
knkn id. sounding in thrilling treble tone, melodious tone
knm adv carefully or watching closely
kl excl. introductory expression of entreaty or appeal; please
kldk adv afterwards; sometime later; a little moment after
klll a. round, circular
klkl adv bit by bit; little by little
klkl v. a. surrounded, encircled
klm v surround, encompass
klmny n roundabout; circular road junction
kl v to go; to move away
km n mourning ceremony performed by a customarily lawfully married
woman or man
n people, person (obs.) (<j)
kmkm a. tired; weak as a result of exertion or over-exercise of fatigue. (also =
krkr (<Kal.) nymnym
kng =kng adv only, alone
kng n score in the game of draught or chess
kng v to hatch (hen)
kng v to carve or shape a marble from the shell of "nngl (igia)
kngr a. to kindle; the burning log of wood cracking out into pieces of cinder
also rrkn
kng v to trade by barter
kn v to carve or slice meat, fish, bread
kp v to resemble; to be according to one's name; when one acts according to
one's name
kri-kri-kri excl. proclamation to call people's attention for information
krn v to greet
n greeting
63
krn n to be in greeting terms
v to plan with someone; to consult, also b
krndn v to know how to greet
krkrgbtp n firefly; night insect that light
ks a. little, small
kskly n very small thing; narrow or least chance
ksm adv in small amount or quantity; shortly; briefly
kw n animal sp.
kwkwm adv clumsily, moving in a crouching manner
kar n bird, kingfisher
kn v to count
knbp` a. under record; to be reckoned with
n account
knbsk a. condemned, not reckoned with, worthless
kngblm v to add up; add together
n addition
knm v to be cautious; to gauge; to imagine
a. thrifty; economical
knmng n economic living; economics
v to live thriftily, thrift
ki`npakma v to calculate; to account
knpl v to counter balance; to deduct after calculation
kgb n f bonga shad, Ethmalose fimbriata (also =kl)
kk n demarcation, boundary border
kk a. tight, firm
kk v to stop or prevent
n prevention; disturbance
kk a. resembling (<Kalabar)
kka a. resembling, similar, identical also kkn
kkch v to create impediment; to prevent
kkcha-lkm n mark showing boundary; border; demarcation mark
kkchab n hinderer; supplanter
kkchapr v to taboo; to place under a general prohibition; ban
kkm a. hidden, concealed
kkn a. similar; alike; resembling
kkn-kkn a. comparatively resembling; similar
kkn-kkn-
kngbl
n synonyms. insert under 142
kky n name of mermaid, supposed to dwell around Ogu area, its offspring are
Otofa and Aleleya
kl v to track someone; to chase; to look for with secret caution
klnng n f eel
klr n coral beads
kl n majority of people
klmklm a. clumsy; awkward in movement
klmklmm adv clumsily
kll a.
adv
dripping of liquid, water, oil, etc.
kn a. fairly dry; when material still contains moisture and damp
v to tap "tombo" or palmwine; to wink one's eyes; squeeze out
knb n tapper of palm wine or tombo; idiomatically a workman
knd v to tie an underpad at the private part of one's groins, a style adopted by
64
women especially when menstruating; to tie a towel around the waist
and in between the thighs, clasping the frontal organs
knd n style of wrestling where one hooks his leg with the opponent's and lifts
it with a forceful twist of the body and throws him down
kng n knife
kng v to trade by barter; giving or exchanging an article for another article
(see kng)
kngm n light pepper soup especially that prepared fresh fish (Ogu dialect)
kn v to cut or butcher meat and fish
kn n person (<Kal.)
kn-nynb n (lit.) owner of person; the lord
knjk n big snake, dark grey in colour, also gdkp
knknm adv looking very sharply and keenly into the eyes of another
knmn a. small, narrow and longish (usually applied as abusive term to an ugly
face: also fin
kp a. tight and undersize as of dress; also physical misfit as a result of
deformity e.g. short hand or leg as a result of accident or sickness
kr n group, position or situation, or reason; earth
kr a. different
Kr p.n. fm family in Okrika
kr v to cut or barb
krfl n fo soup prepared without being boiled or cooked on fire, e.g. into a warm
water put in roasted fish, pepper, salt and stir with finger or spoon
krgd excl. expression of joy usually uttered when an incident or happiness offers
itself
Krk p.n. original and native name of Okrika (Okrika is the anglicised and
adapted form). History: Oputibeya, the founder on meeting
Opuogoloya, the founder of Ogoloma, discovered that they both spoke
the same language. Thus Oputibeya averred spontaneously "Wa krk"
meaning, we are not different; no difference
krkr adv. immediately; at once
krkr adv. respectively; orderly
krkr a. fine, small close together as of meshes in a net
krkr a. varied, diversified
krkny n what remains; what more; remainder
krmkrm a. crisp; hard but breakable
krmb a. blunt; having an obtuse thick round tip like nailless toe or finger
krnwng-
mar
n chariot
krk v taking place; reigning; being staged
krk(ba)b n heir; a successor
krr n.v menstruate
Krw p.n. special set of traditional masquerades owned individually and played
once a while. The are licensed to talk in a special mode; they check
immorality, bad behaviour, and quarrels omens among women; they
are regarded as cultural, sacred and secret
krpl a.v well measured; sharply cut; clean cut
krpr v.n to humiliate; to reduce someone's respect etc.
krp adv.a
.
being cut off automatically, putting a sudden limit or end to something
ktkt n native stew, cooked dry with fresh pepper and fish
a. full to capacity
65
kbr v to gather
kbr v to hold a meeting
n gathering
kbrk n turkey; also tltl
kbrm v.n to congregate; to assemble
kbrmwr n synagogue
kb n Nigerian money
kfkfm adv moving in emptiness; appearing grand superficially but of no substance
physically and materially, like a braggart
knkn a. well dried to a point of being crisp
Kk p.n. fm family in Ogoloma
kk v to keep safely; to breed and bring up
kk adv so
kkbr n safely, how cared for
kkr v to avoid; to dodge
kky n truth; really; also kkmy
kk n back of the human body; back of anything
klkl(y) slang expression used mostly by children to tickle someone to a liking of
something which he may not have
kl excl. expression to ascribe sympathy to someone who coughs especially
hiccoughs
klkl v to collect; to gather in bits; to bring together from various points or
pieces; to collect and carry
klpklp a. climbing and jumping in a clumsy manner like old or weak arboreal
animals; irregular in movement; looking rickety
kmb a. undersize; close fitting; smallish [Ogoloma dialect] also kpar
kmb v to scorn; to mock
kn v.n to decide or judge cases; to remain; fishing
knch v to make a fish trap or weir
knd a. left-handed
knfy n occupation; business
kng n singing club in Bolo; a measure for the sale of distilled gin
kng n sword also kl-gj
kng n neck
kngbe n place where women defecate or disguise themselves freely for bathing
or passing faeces (usually) at the mangrove watersides of d`m-dapa
and Anyangu-Bori
kngkrm v.a. stiff-necked; perversely obstinate
knn n fishers; fishermen
knb n fisherman; business partner also rb
knd`$rk ph.w expression denoting goods or articles of special choice, kept or set
aside on reserve, as when the fisherman returns from his catch, he
removes special fish from the lot, not to be sold, but to be used by the
household; a trader keeps off article of his choice for himself; anything
kept on reserve
knj p,n, lit. (place for fishermen) name arbitrarily given to a section of the main
town of Ok town of Okrika
knmng n fishing season or period (usually falling within a fortnight)
knj n waist, hip, loins
knj n last born of any creature; the least of any species
knjkr v.n period of immoderate excitement during sexual act; period of orgasm
knjkrmy n semen; the impregnating fluid from the man; sperm
66
knjkr a. situation one is described as having bad luck, to have none born after
him or her
knk n fg any empty container, generally used in making traps to catch red crabs
on land
knm v remain; to keep aside; to lay by
knmknm a. indefinite; not proper; half and half; in parts or fraction; lacking
certainty
knbl v to judge; to make decision
knky n remnant; what remains
kp a. spring tide. kprkrk kpjj, kpgbmgbm, etc.
kp n container used for drinking or measure (<Eng. cup)
kr v to burn; to work on farm land
kr v to seize; to snatch; to take by force
krfn n burning fire; flame of fire
krkr id. weakened as a result of tiredness; exertion or strain (<Kal.) also
kmkm
krpkb v burn forth; idiomatically used as showing forth good examples or
results as of one's character or labour
kr n palm tree
kr v to grate food material like nutmeg, cocoyam, cassava, etc.; with knife
or grater
v scratch
kr v to move about carelessly and aimlessly; to spread information with bad
motive (usually goes with the word m thus mkr)
kr v to go down from a height like rain from the clouds, kill, ladder bed
etc.; to prostrate
krch v to land as an explorer or navigator or sailor to settle on a new land;
also to land from a height like plane or train
Krn Biri p.n. ward in Ogoloma
krr v to scrape roughly as of removing old coating of paint on walls or
canoe, etc.
Krn-gn p.n. name of an area in Okrika equated to a ward (biri)
krm n thought; common sense, imagination, consideration
a. resembling
krmdk v to consider; to imagine or conjecture
kr v to wait; to wait for
kr a.v smashed in pieces
ksm v to smash into pieces; to crush
kt n court (<Eng.)
kt n coat (<Eng.)
kt n pouch; container for snuff ktkt
kt a. falling in bits or droplets as of rain lessening
krmkrm id. crisp
k n cocoyam
ka excl. expression of incomplete statement which stands for "what of?" J ohn
b ka? What of J ohn? r ka? What about her? Y m ka? What
of the things?
k;a excl. expression to describe the failure of release of bullet from a gun as the
trigger is pressed
interpretation of two forces jamming or two people unexpectedly
meeting themselves or agreeing opinions or ideas
k';ak';k a. two things matching from all angles as of dress or style of fashion
67
kan excl. what of interrogative expression always
katr n case or key of gunpowder (plb`$rm)
kay n choir, choristers in a church pl. kayp (<Eng. choir)
kb v to fold one's arms
kbe n heart; mind; conscience; thinking; opinion
kbechch n anxiety
kbechchch a.n anxious; desirous of quick results
kbecha v to form an opinion or premeditate against someone
kbedn n peace of mind
kbefk n heart-pain or chest-pain; annoyance
kbekrm v to make up one's mind in facing some project bravely to strengthen;
encourage; comfort; console
kbelk a. not serious; insincere
kbelklk a.n freewill; doing good out of one's volition
kbelkm v to discourage; dishearten
kbemnmn a. doubtful; double-minded; confused; fickle-minded
kbem$gbl n heart
kbemlkm v to disappoint
kbesbgbng
bn
n faithfulness
kbesgbn a.n trust; confidence; yearn
kbes n unhappiness
kbesytn v.n malice; evil intention
kbetntn a.v to lose heart; being beset; afraid
kb n bay; open water space near a coast
kb n front part of the human body; breast; chest; bosom
measure of cloth representing a fathom (usually measured by the
spread of the two arms from fingertip to fingertip
kbdk v to race by pulling canoes
n regatta
kbsm v to escape one's memory; to forget
kbt v to display at the bay by masquerading or any other form of display on
water
kn a. clear; careful; keen
knm adv carefully; closely; watching keenly
knkr a. sickly; relapsing with illness; a short time well, a short time down
krku`$r a. emaciating in appearance; looking sickly and reduced; wearing away in
size
kk n scrotum
kkmb n testicles
kk n pitcher; water pot
kk a. much; too much; too less
kkkm adv moving with fear as if struck with guilt of conscience; shivering
kk'l a. small, narrow as of mouth or any hole with spout e.g. kettle, baby's
mouth, etc.
kkr n f threadfin? fish like 'ofo' but much sweeter; spade fish
kkrch n flat hat made with special fronds, used by women in their fishing and
marketing; straw hat
kkr n human skull
kkrkkr a. behaving miserly and secretly; unnecessarily shy
kll n slime, juicy substance
kll a. slimy, juicy
68
klkl a. ugly appearance of a child with spittle and phlegm dripping down the
nostrils
kl n bow of a canoe
klb^ n person who pulls from the bow of a boat; the leader of an enterprise
kld v to lead; to be at the forefront
kl-k';m v to be on one's own in business; to undertake an enterprise; to be
independent
klkl n ebb tide when well drained
klkl-
kpnkpn
n ebb tide at its dry lowest stage when the bed of the river is exposed
klm n end; last; uttermost
kmb n native or locally made axe
km n expression made with mouth shut denoting aspersion cast on someone
[onomatopoeic]; deriding unvoiced word
kn n respect; honour or esteem
kn v to catch; to arrest
knb v to oppress a subject lit., catch and kill;
knb v to bend or tilt;
knb v to cheat, swindle
knb a. bent, not straight, deformed
knbr n under arrest; in custody; captivity
knblm adv crouchingly; in a retracting position; making oneself smaller
knbpk a. discharged; acquitted
kng n larva of the flea usually found in rats and children who sleep on floors
kngr n head of yam seeding (buru-kunguru)
kngr v to bite off in bits, e.g. fish, meat, bread, etc.
kn n root
end, stopping points, 160,000 in figure i.e. twenty 'poku'
kn v to stop or end a practice kn (Ogu dialect)
kn n bow adorned with rattling seeds, generally used by priests to signal
human presence in the bad bush and to exorcize evil spirits on arrival
at the spirit forest
knk a. continuous; perpetual, non-stop
knp v to prey on; to cheat
knpy n prey
kn a. sweet smelling fragrant
knn a. empty; totally finished
k n canopy built of 'ibila' material in a canoe having only the ridge
supporter (also =m$bt)
kr n year
kr a. agreeable, accommodation
kr v to keep safely
kr a.n strong; hard; power; permission; commission
krdk n pimples
krbr n violence; force
krbs n dark early morning hours of 4 a.m. 5 a.m.
krb$ n strong man physically or mentally
krch v.a. to stand firmly; steadfast; to be sure
krchblm n steadfast love; unflinching love
krfn n large powerful bird, capable of carrying little children away. Legend
has it that in ancient Okrika when a kurofeni alights in the market
square, the omen reports something to happen which would necessitate
69
consultation of the oracle, 'long juju' (igwe) at Arochuku. Rituals
would then call for sacrificial ceremonies to appease the gods
krkr n stronghold; good foundation
krkn v to perform a noble or fierce act; to murder
krkbe n confidence
krkr-
memey
n violence; forceful act; riotous act
krnb n mighty in battle; a murderer; a killer
krpr v to permit; to grant power
krttm n admonition
krtr n false bravery; cheating by force
kry n serious encounter; difficulty
kr n small basket with cover used mostly in preserving dried fish these
days. In ancient Okrika when boxes were not known, kr was the
main container of cloths and clothing kr
n plant whose wood is used in producing canoe. It has red flowers
kr a. agreeable; ready to compromise and consent to ideas of others
krkar n bird sp.
krkr a. black
krkr n f smallest type of horse mackerel
krr v.a. to mourn; to be grieved; sad; sorrowful
ks v.n sprain; a violent wrenching or straining of the part of the body around
joints without dislocation
ksmgb n small seedlings of cocoyam rhizome, which continues growing
ktb` n propagated cocoyam head

KP,kp

KP,kp consonant, the seventeenth letter of the Okrika alphabet
kpa v to keep something safely and orderly; to guarantee the security of some
property; to control
kp a. used in describing anything of narrow flat shape like oblong head, chin
of a ship etc. (tb-kp)
kpb# n salvager; one who takes good care of some property or person
kpf n c sea urchin, abounding around sand banks. It has thorny scales and is
inedible
kpkpa n c lobster of the crustacean family found in holes of chicoco (g), with
hard skin
kpn a. neat; orderly and tidy
kpnm adv neatly, tidily, carefully
used as an expression demanding assurance of some doubtful idea or
notion
kpkp v to remove outer rusty coat of metal e.g. body of ship, corrugated iron
sheet, enamel basin
kpkpss excl. "Never to happen" God forbid 'fnblb k' (Ogu dialect)
kpkrp adv suddenly entering secretly e.g. swallowing automatically
kpkk a. very dry
kpkk-kr n parched land
kpkr-kpkr a. dry and crisp
kpk n orang-utan; anthropoid apes commonly found in the East Indies; large
long-armed monkey
70
kpkm a. concerning
kplkpl v to bother oneself for something of great need; running here and there
kplmkplm a. tiny; thin (usually applied to tall lean fellow)
kplkpl a. ebbed to the base as of tidal water
kpll a. reduced to the bottom of a container e.g. oil, stew, soup, etc.
kpmbr v.a. take off bits from a whole e.g. food like fish meat, cake etc. (also =
kngr
kpngkpng n light measuring pan-basin used as dry measure for rice, beans, etc.
kpngr v to fry without water or oil dry frying, e.g. groundnut, garri, etc.
(<Kalabari) Okrika is gbkn (both used)
kpngbkngbk

n owl [cf. kpkkpk]
kpnj n f small shark and related cartilaginous fishes
kpnj last born living thing, esp. mammal
kppl v to explode automatically; burst with some crack or sound
kpp n pair of scissors or penknife
kpp a. narrow; close up
kpp v to take away something unnoticed; pilfering
kpptl n narrow road; lane or pathway
kprm a. narrow and slim
kprn v to rub or clear with broom, hand, or duster
kprkpr n f the sardine bigger than the large sardine but smaller than the 'kigbo'
kprpm adv winking the eye at an unpleasant object or situation thus kpr pm
tmb$ sn that is, opening and closing one's eyes at someone in
disdain or warding off
kpr a. reducing and longish; dry and lean, affecting structure
kptnm adv clasping tightly
kpt v to cramp; to compress; to hold tightly from end to end
a. very dry; compressively reduced
kp v to separate two fighters in order to maintain peace
to prevent a suspected happening or trouble or omen
kpch v to put together (usually applied to making of fire in order to increase
the rate of burning) also, to reconcile parties
kpch a.v joined or put together getting two or three ends into one
kpkl a. short cut; quicker method
kpkr a. appearing satisfied with peace of mind; balanced feeling k kpkr
=flabby jaws as a result of good living flat
kpkrm adv sitting or posing complacently
kpk a. near; within reach
kpkm a. concerned with
kpkm v to get near
kplk v.a. mix; get mixed up; smear onto
kpl v to assemble in a place in large number; to be together in group
kpl v to collect little by little in order to save
kplkpl a. clumsy, dangling, looking disgraceful
kpndp a. low and stunted
kpngb v.a. outer hard metal or paint peeling or breaking off
kprk v to kneel as for prayers
kpr a. reduction or deformity caused by loss of flesh or bone e.g. when one's
teeth are off, the jaw dimples or falls in
kpsn v to appease; to divert for safety
kpt v to converse in a loose manner, having no definite objective; to gossip.
71
kpl v struggle relentlessly for something in order to achieve it
to suffer in pains
kpm n tingle; some sensation in a person for some happening; a silent feeling
kpng excl. an expression to interpret "yes" for "no" that is promising without
fulfilling [coined] an irony
kpnh excl. expression to spur a people or group: the author begins 'kpi' the group
responds 'iha'
kprpkprp a. looking uneasy started and apprehensive as a result of some
spontaneous purge
kprrm adv entering in with a push, forcefully and immediately
kp v.n group; assembly; union; mob; crowd; summersault
kp a. congealed; changed from a soft-state to a hard one as of liquid
v to roll into balls like fufu, to fold. also kp as or kp
kp n sound of very high waves (k) in the ocean when getting to splashing
point
kp adv only, alone (also =kng ngr)
kp a. aged; pertaining to living long
kp (kp^) v to tie, make a knot or fasten
kpb v to hang a person to death; to die by hanging
kpch v to form momentum; to gather into a group; to come together in good
number or force
kpf` v to commit suicide; to hang oneself
kpkp a. toy, not sizeable as for a measure
expression for oral tapping at someone's door; also for sound of
gunshot
kpn n drop of liquid
kpnkpn a. dry and hard
kpnkpnkr n dry and hard tableland like Bolo town and some of the villages on the
mainland of Okrika
kpnkpnm$ adv pouring in little drops
kpklm v to wrap round
kpkr v to exploit; to get into details; to take or bite off in bits
kpkr adv then; started then; then again; persistently repeating
kpkr a. huge, stalwart
kpkr v to frequent someone with attacks and insults; to be fond of someone
kpkrrm adv dropping something with some cracking sound in a careless way
(echoic)
kpkrpm adv settled state of satisfaction or security; entering fully in e.g. sitting in a
comfortable cosy chair; entering, completely into a house etc.
kpkkpk a. loose and dangling life a knot
kpkp a. exhausted as of the human body
applied in abusive terms to describe someone's forehead as flat and
bare (with a change in the accent fbr kpkp)
kpkp v to dismantle any built up structure; to break down
kpkpn v lit, to chop off the outer material like coconut fibre; to carve
to discuss issues as in a symposium
kpkpnm v to gather together; bringing together
kpkpnm-
gblm
v to compile; to put together what is gathered
kpkpnmy n something gathered together, some things kept or put together
kpkpnsbn n thick clouds (also =kpssbn)
kpl v to climb. To carve out rope from cane
72
kpl a. emaciated
kplsbtl n bridge
kplkkplk a. as of an awkward movement of an old man; descriptive of a clumsy
gait adv. kplkplkm
kplak-kplak a. not level; uneven and irregular, as of land; rough and wavy
kpm v to set confusion and disagreement between two people or among
groups: the performer of such act is known as kpnb (a traitor)
kpm adv sorely; greatly
kpmkpm a. doubtful; controversial; contrary; disputatious etc.
kpmb` v to tie a fathom of cloth sideways
kpmb v to pinch off
kpmbkpmb` a. being in separate bits; scattered in bits or pieces, like unkempt hair
kpmbl a. thin, reduced in size; lean; wasting away in flesh. (Ogu dialect)
kpmbl a. upward pointed growth like a hillock (usually attributed to shape of
head)
kpmkm adv in actual fact, really (<Igbo) (also =jkma)
kpm(u) a. heaped in convex shape like a hunch-back
kpnglm adv left in solitude; alone like a widow or a marooned sailor
kpnjsm v to sit down
kpp ndk a. slimily congealed
kpp v to hold up something in the mouth
kppm adv in a situation when the access of air is prevented from flowing out;
suffocating
kprkpr a. bare like the bald of somebody's head; empty having nothing
remaining
kprkpr n a rolling chair with wheels; a carriage
adv. all at once (kprkpr)
kprn v to clear or rake together
kprn v to swerve; deviate suddenly
kprnsn v to clear or rake off totally
kprr v to drag with fishing material in the water e.g. using ibukuru or ongord
kprr a. finished, empty
kpssbn n thick clouds
kpsknkn n deep darkness
kptn v to somersault
kpt v to deride a person; make a ridicule of someone; jesting; to rally; to
banter
kpt v to repeat a course or action; to do a thing over again
kpt v to buy in large quantity; wholesale buying e.g. yams from a barn or
goods from a factory
kpt v to disguise or strip off oneself; to overhaul for servicing
kpt-k v to restore; to bring back into use; position, etc.
kptr a. spoilt by being filthily kept; wetted; dregs settling in congealed
condition
kptn a. reduced or disfigured deformed from original features
kptnsr a. totally disfigured; completely shattered as of a broken vehicle
kpa excl. interpretation of the explosive noise or sound of the oil bean and the
like
kpam adv careless placing of something; keeping or placing something anyhow
without bothering where it is kept
kpf a. impish; looking dwarfish
kpfkpf a. behaving with assertion; puffed up
73
kpkkpk n rhyme used in a game among girls to determine their future husbands
kpkpr n sloping down descending
adv. to move here and there struggling to search for something
kpkl a. shortish and plump
kpl a. short
brief as of statement
kplkkplk a. undated ground; irregular piece of land; not level
kplm adv briefly as when making a speech
v to shorten
kpngbr a. hale and vigilant; on the alert
kprkpr a. healthy and strong agile; quite alive
kprr n hernia, an occasional rumbling of the testicles moving up to the groins
kps n. kick
kpskps(ma) adv struggling and kicking one's legs at random like someone suffering
from fainting-fit or convulsion
kptkpt a.n description of boiling point of stuffy soup on fire (echoic) adv.
kptkptm
kptu a. looking dark, shabby and serious as if appearing in an oversized attire;
heavy and fierce looking
kpum a. moping, looking sheepish
kpw excl. abusive or cursing expression usually pronounced on someone who
wrongs another when he encounters misfortune. He says, 'kp' wa'
meaning it serves you right or you deserve it (see ga)

L,l

L,l consonant, the eighteenth letter of the Okrika alphabet
l v to be enough
l v to visit; to reach
lbp n what it costs; cost price; value; price; worth
lbr-lbr adv any how in a careless manner; at all events
lb#lb# pron whoever; anybody; everybody etc.
lg n needle
lk v.a. not enough
llk a. hopeless; unworthy
llm v affect, due
llmy n entitlement; share due someone
lm v touch; taste
lk-lk id. at all costs; whatever it may fetch; however it is
lsklsk id. whenever due; for ever and ever
ly n cost or value. (also =lbp)
lyly pron anything
lklk n f small fish like a big needle used by children in playing
lkr v to know, to have an idea of
lkr v.n to agree to be lovers, love making
lkrab n lover
lkrb$ v to make out; to identify
lkrsm v to be denied of correct identify, to doubt somebody's identity
ll n open swamp having no mangrove forest on; parlour
llbe n sitting room; drawing room; parlour; open space for assembling
ll a. plain; open; exposed; comprehensible
74
llm adv plainly
llm adv crying openly without shame but with full regret (usually suffixed
owu)
lm n anchor; means to control the steadiness of a boat; also used in securing
a fishing line
lt a. bare; open; appearing miserably exposed
ltrk-fng n electric fan
ltrk-tng n electric light
lb v to eat heavily
lgl a. jealous (Ogoloma dialect)
lk n religious clay ascribed to a group of churches
ll v struggle; suffer; to fight hard for existence; to struggle in bringing up
as for a motherless child
lp v to pass out faeces in good quantity
lp a. plenty, full (also =bin)
l v to hire for labour; to make presents to a wife in order to please her or to
appease her for wrong done to her
lk a. very soft
lklk a. flexible; soft
progressive, prosperous
lklk a. free minded; light hearted; prepared to co-operate and accept
suggestion; kindly disposed (usually prefixed with 'kbe')
lkm v to soften; to reduce the force
lk n jaw
lk-mgbl n jawful, that is, taking in by measure of one's jaw
lli n star
ll v to prosper; improve; of a wife or child, to prove obstinate, not easily
controlled
lli n coined name for encased fufu, akpakuru, being wrapped in polythene
bags and hawked
ll a. over-lapping and dangling adv. llm
llm v to treat with love and admiration
lmn n lime
lb n arrow; sheath for sword
lg n special high seat for unseen ancestral parent placed in the shrine; also
statue or monument
lkplkp a. looking miserable and dejected; objectionable in appearance adv.
lkpl-kpm

M,m

M,m consonant, the nineteenth letter of the Okrika alphabet
m excl. expression of acceptance; yes
m(m) pron these, those; also, "this" referring to this woman
m aff. (prefix, suffix,epithet) in varied uses 'ma' denotes these or those e.g.,
war ma =the houses; matt =wait yet; ma yema =these things etc.
mn num. two in counting, also man
mm num. two; also ma
man a. feeling dizzy to a point of swooning
mnmmnm a. sparkling and glistening with intermittent glow; diminishing as one
looks on
75
mng a. squint eyed
mng a. double-sided; two ways of the happenings or things
mng v to run
mngm v to respect with honour
mngnkrn n unsteadiness; preoccupation; attention given to moving here and there
mpwm n twins (also =ngziaw <Igbo)
mss n matches (<Eng.)
mtrchap n hypocrites
m@bj n beads in form of plate-rings worn around the waist by women
m@bs n mischief making
m@b n coconut; kernel
m$br n brother; my brother
mbrm@br a. smooth and glossy as of clean skin
m$b n human force engendered by the presence of great number of people;
also mb
mbt n canopy in a canoe built of bl, running from one side to the other side
of the canoe
m$br n sister; my sister
mbrmbr v to moan; making inarticulate sound as if from physical suffering
m$brknkn n threatening heavy storm with dark cloud; anciently conceived of as
surrounding the deity of thunder
mk n f larger horse mackerel, Trachurus sp. (k)
mm a. stealthy; secretly slow
mm a. tepid or lukewarm as of water
mmm adv moving softly or stealthily
mmbr a. swelling to a bursting point, making the skin smooth and light
mnpm adv entering or sneaking in a manner unnoticed by anyone; hiding away
mng n water
mng n carved stick-pins used in chaining up two or three 'chla'
(mudskippers)
mngbrb n f seahorse, Hippocampus spp.
mngbk n f duck bill eagle ray
mng-ng n eckoning of ten mng sticks, (also called bl or kpr), twenty
'ngo' that is groups of ten make one t
mngbrbsn n wash basin (water +<Eng.)
mngbr a. usually used on putrefied fish caused by long stay without being cured
after the catch until a change of tide
mngbgls n drinking glass, tumbler (also =mngby)
mngdrpkb
ny
n spring
mnmn a. sweet, sugary
mp a. depressed appearance of lips; light lips (bp mp)
ms n forty in counting
m$gb n all
a. phlegm from the nose
m@gb n wrestling
m$gbf n guava fruit
m$gbf n v to blow out phlegm from the nostril
m$gbm@gb n riddle (also =gbrfey)
m@gbl n.ad jaw measure of food (usually prefixed with 'loku' thus 'lk-m@gbl)
76
v
mgbe (see imgbe)
m@gbl n club for stoning or throwing as weapon for fighting
m@gb a. big, sizeable e.g., mgb inji
m@gb n millipede
m$gbm adv rarely, scarcely
m dem. this
mng adv here; this place or this way
m v do; perform; make
mi`@bk n thanks; "thank you"
mi`@br n how done; solution; method applied
mi`@binm v.n fulfil; fulfilment; replenish
mi`@chm v to establish; (also =mi`@-pkm)
mi`@dnm v placate; to make peace
mi`@dk a. zealous; eager
mi`@dbm v to enrich; to make big; to enlarge
mi`@fm v to accomplish; to conclude; settle; finish
mi`@fafam v to refine; cleanse; purity; sanctify; anoint
mi`@fafamb
$
n purifier
mi`@ffm v to create space or accommodation; to effect freedom of chance
mi`@gbn v worth doing; be responsible for
mi`@gbny n thing worth doing
mi`@gblm n.v communion; common dealing with someone
mi`@bmb$ n benefactor
mi`@bmy n propitiation
mi`@drm v to reduce; degrade; disappoint
mi`@rm n mistake; error
mi`@wm v to elevate; accelerate; to raise higher
mi`@wm v to renew; to purge
mi`@wmb$ n a refiner; a renewer
mi`@kmi`@k a. bounden; willy-nilly; urgent; necessary; pressing
mi`@kmi`@k
brmi`@
v to compel; to force; to drive to action
mi`@kmi`@k
brb`$
adv urgently; necessarily; compulsorily; etc.
mi`@kmi`@k
b`$
n compulsion; necessity; urgency
mi`@kmi`@k
br
n urgency; necessity; compulsion
mi`@knknm

v to blindfold; to deceive; darken
mi`@krm v to put things in order; to behave in an agreeable manner; to rectify
mi`@krm v to strengthen; to maintain; support; confirm
n grace
mi`@kplm v to be brief; to summarise
mi`@lkm v to weaken; to disappoint
mi`@mi`@y n habit; behaviour
mi`@mi`@yb
rlk
n precepts
mi`@nngm v to prolong; to extend or lengthen
77
mi`@k n how or what to do; knowledge of; method
mi`@kmi`@
k
adv however; in any case; Syn mi`@brmi`@br
mi`@knm a. knowledgeable; comprehending
mi`@pbm v lit. to make bare; to impoverish; to reduce to nothingness
mi`@pkm v to establish; to make known; to launch (also =miechiema
mi`@prm v to enrich someone; to cause one to be wealthy (also =lsm
mi`@sbm v to overdo; to perform in excess
mi`@s adv so that; grant that; let (also =y
mi`@sm adv to disgrace; to spoil
msy n commitment
msyfr n.a. innocence
mi`@s-km adv in order that; so that; to the extent that
mi`@sm v to multiply; to increase; to swell
msngm v to continue doing; lengthen
mi`@tkrm v to make right; to straighten; to correct
mi`@tlm v to repair; to make better; to refine
mi`@tlm v to induce; to influence
mty n,a. easy; simple; easy matter; joking matter; very easy
mi`@tkrm v to disfigure; to cause something to change from its good form to bad
form; to falsify; to spoil
mi`@y n cause; happening
mi`@ybrs n.a. prosperous; progress; prosperity; successful
mi`@ynmk n ignorance; stupidity
mj adv here; this side or way
mkrkr adv just now; immediately
mlk n milk (also =ndmng)
mmgb n today
mm n wooden frame of bkr
mn pron this; also used adv. when it stands for "so" "then" e.g. 'min a bo ye-'
i.e.; "then I came"
mn a. our
mn n relation
whose
mnb n relative
mnb n oneself
mnjb$ n fellow person; neighbour
mnmnk a. that much; all the quantity of
mnp n relatives
mn pron we; us
mn n flesh
mn v to swallow; to reach a required gauge
mnmn a. tiny, thin
mnmnm adv secretly; not wishing to be exposed; whispering, as of speech
mny n this place; here; also m (short form)
mk adv now; this moment
mm a. pointed and sharp like pin; needle, penknife
msk n these days; nowadays
m a. as of eyes looking morose and steady
mnmn n baked or caked beans (<Yor.)
mnmn a. smooth
mn v to sleep; to have sexual intercourse with
78
mn n f mackerel
mnbr n f very small fish, of the type of ekemba (smallest size of songu) used as
food for most big fishes such as horse mackerel (okue), shiny nose
(nda), etc. also called inji-bru; seafood
mnmng n bear; fond of sleeping
mng n f fish full of bones in its flesh. It has silvery scales whose flesh appears
soft but when cooked becomes hard, (lady-fish)
mny n bed; sleeping material
mt n car, vehicle (<Eng. motor)
m@ptk n dried tapioca prepared from cassava
m$p n also m$p fruit found at the fringe of mangrove forests, mostly eaten by
monkeys
m$pt n plantain stem
mm(mu) v to go, to move
mk n idiot
mkmkm adv muttering; talking in low tone to oneself
mkrmkr a. very secret and miserly in behaviour
mmb n thwart, sitting bench in a canoe or boat
mmb n mortar
mng a. waste from grief esp. in the eyes; change esp. in the eyes and of tide
mnmnm adv looking with eyes slightly open
ms a. getting putrefied e.g. fish, stale food, meat, etc.

N,n

N,n consonant, the twentieth letter of the Okrika alphabet
n conj. and, plus, that
na v to hear
nn(m) adv throwing oneself and falling unconsciously as in coma, falling as a
result of fainting
nm n mammal, animal; meat of any animal
v to build (house or anything)
nmblk n fat, lard
nmbl n stomach of animal
nmblk n intestines of the stomach of animals
nmbly n contents of the stomach of animals
nmchm v to build up some structure
to increase or develop one's faith spiritually or morally
nmfn n faeces of animals; animal dung
nmkrmny n zoo
nmi n animal skin nmjpr
n hide of animal skinned
nmasobr n lit. bad god; a cursed person for evil or bad behaviour; bad to the point
of resembling a bad dog
nmbl n cow
nmblblgb
gb
n lit. the whitish side of the cow's stomach, the dark cloud with silver
lining indicating break of day; very early morning within the hours of
4-5 a.m.
nng v to trample, tread; march;
nng n fg method of fishing with 'ikata' where at flowing tide, it is placed
79
sideways on a slightly trampled soil and secured with a line of stick
pinned over it from side to side; fishes esp. mudskipper and silkfish
rush in for the catch
nngnng a. distant; far off; high up
nngb v to trample to death; to smite; idiomatically, to cheat
nngb`$ n step; stampede
nng n sting of fish or insect
nngl n f shell fish in marble
nng a. tall or long
nngbom adv moping speechlessly; standing and looking agape like a sheep
Ncha p.n. town in OTELGA
nd n f shiny nose or thread fin.
elision like nde, whose preceding vowel "i" is dropped; it is often used
as prefix to form compound wards with other stems in the interrogative
mood e.g. ndap (how many people)?
ndy? int. how many things?
ndgbk? int. how much money?
nd b? int. who? which person?
nd j? int. where? which place?
nd sk? int. when? which time?
ndnd int. how? how do you do? how is it? (greeting expressions among familiar
people
Ndl p.n. town in KELGA of Rivers State
ndkm(k) a. infant still sucking from the mother's breast (see indokumaka)
Nmb n town in BALGA of Rivers State
nmb n fg fishing weir usually set at the side of mangrove bush, done by single
hand
nm n wisdom, cleverness; insight
nm v to know; to have some idea of
nmks prep. if, whether
nm-r n experience
nmmrokn n propaganda
nmmm adv deliberately,
v internationally
nng a. older, superior, senior to
nngm v prevail, overcome
n$g excl. exclamation declaring an agreed expression generally used by children
in begging by force, if a child has some snacks in hand and another
child pronounces 'nga' earlier, he the holder of the snacks, is bound to
share it with him. But if he who has it forestalls the other to shout 'nga'
he retains all of it also, ng
ngd n chair; seat
ngj n spoon
ngng n gay and flashy looking, most of the time (<Igbo)
ngngkp v being fond of showing off;
a. proud and flashy appearance
ng n one (see ngei) in counting
nglng n mi xylophone
Ngm Br p.n. quarter or ward in Okrika
Ngeri p.n. fm family in Okrika, living in Anyungu-biri
ngr a. alone; single
ngrbnyn n liberty, freedom, independence
80
ngrf a. selfish, greedy
ngrpkb n only born
ngrtbnyn a. independence, not subject to another; free autonomous; self-governing
g n metaphor for force, difficulty etc. usually applied in figure of speech
gatr n figurative expression meaning bold attempt or bold face
ngr v to be aggrieved; unhappy
ngrngr a. suffering
ngs adv not at all
ngs adv since, all the time
ng n c smallest kng crab
ng n wealth; property
ngfy n benefit derived from the wealth of the dead; all relatives of the dead
person (females), contribute freely towards this traditional fund which
the major family (mar) and the immediate family (furo) share in
the ratio of 2.1.
ngkn v to acquire wealth
ngknb n rich man; wealthy man
ngkkwn n storehouse
ngl v to remove congealed liquid like oil or pomade with the finger
ngr v to snore
to groan; to talk in a muttering manner
ngwar n store or shop
ngz n term given to twins (<Igbo) Okrika is mpw
ng n frog
ng n clay pot or pitcher used as pot drum for music production
nga excl. term used to order a start for a journey or departure or speech making
ngenge n flower
nnbrw n brother of his or hers, also nnbrw
nm n song; abuse
nmch v to sing
nmwr v to taunt; to abuse
nn n urine
nnkp n kidney; organ that excretes urine
nn num. eight in counting
nn n nose
(nin) v to commit murder secretly; to waylay and kill
nnpng n the openings of the nostrils of the nose; nostrils
nnfn v to blow the nose in order to remove phlegm
njl n wire string
njl-';ab^^ n harp; string instrument. (also =dk-b)
nj n craw-craw (syphilis) appearing around the affected area of the body-
the penis, vagina and ankles
nj n f fish (generic)
njnj n yellow dye made out of yellowish wood pulp
nkab n pineapple, (<Igbo) Okrika is Bekeni-ngu`$
nnr n banana fruit
nm() n madness,
a. lunatic
nnd n mangrove forest nearest to the habitable area; usually a water-free area
nnd-mp n legend has it that there is a place along the lower part of River Niger,
where human beings that have tails, like monkeys, abound, these
beings of this place bear short tails and live exclusively
81
nng n f catfish
nnj v to suck
Nnj p.n. fm family in Okrika abb. from Nonjuwaribk, living in Adedeme-Biri
nnj-m n special burial place located in the mangrove forest, where people who
die with bodily complaints such as sores, leprosy, dropsy, madness,
blindness, pregnancy, hunchback, cancer, childbirth, drowning,
hydrocele, suicide, etc. are buried, it is also called opuama
ntr n large white sea-bird, like the okola
nknk a. feeling uncomfortable as a result of some physical pressure, being sick
and cannot move freely
nknk a. feeling uncomfortable as a result of surrounding e.g. stuffy room, bad
seat, stench, bored otherwise etc.
nmbr-w n brother of his or hers
nnbr n sister of his or hers, also, numburaro
nmbr n huge, elegant, well beautified masquerade,
handsome stalwart
nng n compound
nngbk n gate of a compound
nng n side glance;
v looking askance at
nn n screw-pine, the pandanus plant
nn v to draw
nn v to argue or drag issues

NW, nw

NW, nw consonant, the twenty first letter of the Okrika alphabet
nw n duiker
nwnnwn a. smart and agile
nwnnnwnn a. glittering shinning, dazzling
nwn-kr n small pot for quick preparation of food
nwin excl. frying noise of cooking as when onion is poured on to hot oil
(onomatopoeic)
nwnm adv sounding like frying
nwnnwn a. smallish in appearance
light rain
nwng v to move; walk; journey
nwngbr n style of walking; gait; movement
nwngb n step, footstep, planned movement; plan
nwngrm n transgression; going astray
nwn n people
nwni adv until
prep. till
nwnbby n poison; deadly thing
nwnnkrk a.n variance; at variance with people; disagreeable
nwnmgb n all; all people; everybody
nw prep. as, such, when
nwp n such people
nwp n such things
nwch`n v called; thought
nwf adv if, whether
82
nwn(nwny) v to clean by scrubbing off with knife as of roasted cocoyam, yam,
plantain, etc.
nwngr v to mix; to turn up and down; to manipulate

Ny, ny

Ny, ny consonant, the twenty-second letter of the Okrika alphabet
nyn v to own, have appropriate
Nynb$ n Lord
nynb n owner; master
nynbkm a. wealthy
nynb$rnk a. to be rebellious; seditious
nynkb^ pron. attributive expression pointing to oneself or another in enlisting
sympathy for some happening; another expression meaning "poor me"
or "poor you"
nypnypm adv making queer sturdy movement that suggests fun; disorderly brisk
movement
nysm adv appearing with protruding stomach, and stout bodied; looking
stupefied
nynyny a. rascally; unsteady in behaviour
nyngnyng a. hanging in a fanciful manner like flowers and leaves in a foliage; also
like plumes hanging decoratively on a masquerade
nyng n placenta
nyngb$ n mother
nydk v to inspect a place
nydkb n inspector; health officer or sanitary inspector
nydkdk v to rule a place; to reign over a people
nyfem v to make a noise to create commotion or disturbance
nyfn v to sweep a place
nyfny n sweeping material; broom
nyfn v to snatch a chance
nyn adv extinguished like fire; also breath, putting a stop to anything with life
ending suddenly; quenching. (also =bn)
nysn v to weed a place
nykn v to scatter a group to cause a breakdown or disorderliness
nykr v to keep watch
nykrb n security man
nym v to go fishing; to go in search of one's daily bread; being on a business
trip
nyn n place; fishing or business trip
nyng v moving with a jerky behaviour; a gait with a slight flinging and waving
of arms, neck and body
nyngnyng a. fancifully hanging
nyngr n mother belonging to him or her; his or her mother
nyn a. reduced in size
nytn v clearing some gathered refuse of a place
nytlm v keeping a place in order; clean up somewhere
nytn v to survey or plan a place

83
O,o

O,o vowel, the twenty-third letter of the Okrika alphabet
pron. he
pron. you (pl.)
b n sickness
b n yaws, framboesia
b n yam-beetle, usually found in farms
b n native or local pear, usually, roasted or steamed and eaten with maize,
also b (Igbo)
bl n longish calabash used for palm wine
ban n deity belonging to the people of Ogbogbo
bd$k a. sickly; fond of being unwell
bk a. healthy; whole (also =jkr-gbs)
bkl n nickname given to one fond of being sick
bb excl. exclamation made during the hide and seek game, warning the
partakers of the start
blng n sea-gull
br n dog
brkk n bush fruit resembling the testicles of the dog, red in colour
brnngl p.n. ms satellite masquerade played with 'b'
b-g n f catfish with a long flat head
bn n wild bush pig
bn n. f small shiny nose (nda)
bk n den or meeting place of detractors; generally where they plan evil; a
meeting place, more often used in a bad sense
bk n cold
a. dull in action
bk n f large catfish
bkjr n some sensory experience occupying or confronting someone;
overwhelmed with fear; aura of fear
bkjrbsr ph.w being overwhelmed with fear as a result of sudden sensation e.g.
coming across a ghost etc.
bkbpf a. lukewarm; tepid; not cold not hot
bl p.n. Obolo people
bl n large mangrove bird (also =bnmbl)
bl v to stick to like paint or gum
bl to embrace or clasp fully
br n goat
brb n fool
brchn n.v deceive, deceit
brchm v to deceive someone to misdirect someone
b# a. sharp
bm v sharpen (also =fr)
bt n mist; fog
ch v to collect money; tax, etc.
chay n tribute; things collected and paid; contribution
chn n material scraped from the rind of mangrove root to be used in checking
leaks in canoes
ch n water fence (ch) where the two arms spread out by a passage from
the main circular body (<Ataba dialect)
ch n roof of a house
84
dl(dl) n vegetable concoction used to beautify the skin; mostly used by women
when undergoing ra ceremony; a sort of make-up
d p.n. town in YELGA of Rivers State
d n yellow colour
compound or yard or premises
d v to purl or knit; to weave
dbr p.n. deity of wealth which Atorudibo worshipped and became priest of
dd n larva of moth and other insects usually found in corncobs
d n ivory husk; horn; native bugle
dmb n button
dm$ p.n. fm family in Okrika living in Amanng Biri
dm(u) n lion (<Igbo) (cf. Okrika chrb-nm)
dmdm n special plant or shrub with deep green leaves used in demarcating land
boundaries; also used by diviners in their juju practice (Newboldia
laevis)
fgr n confusionist; double dealer; one who acts differently from his promises
by word of mouth
fn n bush mango which has a strong smell; also eddy of a stream or river
f n f flat fish. Spade-fish
f v to investigate secretly
fr v not available; absent
frfrk a. unreasonable; unimportant; wild; riotous; irresponsible
fngr n rat
fr v to blow; to emit some current of air from the mouth
gdkp n large dark-greyish venomous snake
gogo n snipe, a fishing bird commonly found on swamps shaking its tail as it
moves
gr n cartilage from fish
grr excl. expression usually made to admire a dancer and stop him from
continuing
g n in-law to the brothers and male relations of the husband; another word
for 'ta', being wife to the male relations of the wife's husband
gd n nicname for a tall person
gny n deity of hunch, believed to disfigure the victim, usually symbolised
with the white mangrove (k) owned by a family in Ogoloma
gl n skylark
gl n mi drumming tone of a type; a group or set of drums (Ogu dialect) (also =
kachr one of the towns in Kirikese
glm n major fractional part of Okrika island
gn n costly cloth mostly used by women
infection that affects the skin esp. the face; rendering it not clear or
dusty
grr n drains; natural gutter
grr-mng n torrent; drainage water rushing from gutter
g n town in Okrika division
g n age for a set of equals
gbr n equals of an age group
g-p n age-grade, equals
gaw n children of the same age
gen p.n. ms water masquerade popularly played by Ogu people. Also goin
gem Br p.n. ward in Okrika
glm Br p.n. ward in Ogoloma
85
gmbr n market
gn n peacock, distinguished for its beautiful long feathers at the tails; legend
has it that its feathers sing that is, probably when it clacks; a good
singer is nicknamed gn
gr n fierce animal like the lion; severe sunshine
n. proverbially, a serious case
grgr n palm fronds
gb n hammerkop, Scopus umbretta; heron-like bird, brown in colour. (also=
gb)
gbkm-Br p.n. ward in Ogoloma
gb n club; society
gbchn n kingpost of a building; idiomatically, the head of a family
gbcha v to band together
gbchanwng v move together in a group or procession
gbd v to keep aloof (also =btn)
gbgb n town in Okrika division
gbgb n flat board usually placed in a canoe to carry the fishing materials nets
basket etc.
gbnj n f large horse mackerel, Trachurus sp. (cf. k)
gbka n.v fencing round; to make a fence; fenced place
gbka v to mobilise and fight against one person; many joining hands to attack
one person (also =gbka-w(n)
gbkay n fence made of block or brick or plants or sticks for defence
gbkany n fenced yard or compound; a campus
gbk n.a. centre or middle; central
gbkknbp n average
gbkspk v to interpose, intervene, intercede; mediate
gbll n large bird sp.
gbldm n the god of the mangrove forest
gb-n-ng-n a. midway; neutral; considered both sides
gblm-w n fight involving more than two, i.e., retaliatory fight; each fighter
defending his relation
gbrgb n name of an ancient masquerade
gbtn(gbto`
@n)
v to plan or organise a company; to band together; to partake of; to keep
company with
gbt^n(gbt
n)
v to keep off; be apart; keep away; be aloof (also =gbd)
gbd n style of cloth tying by the 'ra' participants like hoop skirt
gbl n coral beads
j(j) n tree sp.
jn n tug-of-war game: each team is made up of equal number of members
who chain themselves by encircling each member's waist with his or
her hands; the two team leaders hook their hands while the rest tug
jl(j) n style of headgear adopted by women, where the tips and ends are extra-
ordinarily widened and overlapping and occupying space (also =
kpng [coined]
jng n jug
jngw n dancing masquerades usually played by the people of Oba Polo,
Ogoloma and Ibaka
j n human body; skin
game played in a heap of sand by two or more players: hide and seek?
Players attempt to pick out a buried rope-ring with their respective
86
stick-pins; whoever picks out the ring, scores a point and takes his turn
to bury it again for others to search out
jakpkp n physical body of mammal: mostly applied to dead body as waste body
japr n human skin
jf^ a. close fitting, tight body
jf` a. paralysed; palsied
jgb n rich flannel cloth (feni) used for traditional wears
jj n toy frightening children; posture of the mood of frightening
jkrgbs a. whole (Biblical); hale and healthy; fit.
jkrmy n repetition; a second time
jmn n flesh of the body
jmnpktr
y
n lusts; carnal (Biblical)
js n emaciation of the body (also =jwr)
jtkr a. maimed
jy a. being used to; agreeing with one's constitution
jwr n emaciation of the body
k (k) n demarcation, mark (<Igbo) Okrika is kk-lkm
kpn v to jubilate and make merriment by shouting and howling also kpn
k n f sawfish, Pristis pristis
k v to swim
kge n locally manufactured iron pot-stand (<Igbo)
kl n f bonga shad, Ethmalose fimbriata (also =kigbo)
kobl n powerful bird commemorated in the famous ancient Kiri-owu
masquerade display-Okrika traditional secret society masquerades
koll p.n. ms large bird, also a senior masquerade of the kiriowu
kr n castrated he-goat
ksn n shark-liver
k n shrine representing a section of a family
k v to carve in or scoop out from a material such as stone or wood in order
to make a hollow
kb n cowry, a small shell used as currency by the ancestral fathers also
cataract of the eye (<Kalabari)
kchk n. ?
kchr p.n. later name of Okopiri, when the increased population befitted full
habitation of settlers
kk n nickname for the parrot (klb)
kkr n dimple made on a ball of fufu meant contain some soup to aid
swallowing; a hollow
kl n large white bird commonly found around Bonny bar. It is believed that
the name, Okoloba, is derived from 'Okolo-ama' this is a town or place
where the bird okola abounds;
kl long sword 'kl-gj', otherwise known as kng
kl n. f swordfish, Xiphias gladias
kl n creek that terminates at a point
klkpch n corned-beef
klba n native and local name of Bonny, a town and headquarters of OLGA of
Rivers State
km n clay pot or baked mud pot with wide mouth; the first type of pot made
and used by the ancestral parents
km() a. repulsive appearance as a result of physical degeneration; not worthy
of associating with people, being leprous or ulcerated
87
kmb n one who bears leprous or ulcerated body and very feeble to walk
kn n people of Eleme
knb$ n person from Eleme, man or woman
kha n whitlow; a painful swelling on the finger containing pus (<Igbo) (also
=sy; spr)
kpr p.n. ?
kr n ankle-shoe or rain boot
krm n water-passage connecting two water areas or rivers; a straight
krnkrn adv totally; altogether; all at once
ktb n. family head
p.n. name of one of the ancestral fathers and first settlers of Okrika
mainland, thus kpr (bush belonging to Oko) being named after
him. He was the husband of the first woman settler, Tomaniaro
k n cylindrical mortar
weekly or monthly contribution (<foreign)
k n message; errand
k n f horse mackerel,
sedentary game played with seeds into ten holes
kjg p.n. fm family in Okrika; also title name of Chief Chybos, living in
Ogueme Biri
kk n pigeon; cuckoo
kl n one of the satellite masks attached to b, usually decorated with sack
kn p.n. fm family in Okrika, living in Awlme Biri
kn p.n. god of fire and smoke owned by Okuna family of Awlme Biri
knwngb n messenger; ambassador
kr p.n. fm family in Okrika, living in Ogueme Biri
kr n raffia cloth
kr-kp n sack-like enlargement of the alimentary canal forming an organ of
storage; the part of the body containing the stomach, belly or abdomen
(in man and animals)
kpt n dc agile dance performed by men mostly, it is danced according to the
rhythmic music supplied by the water-port music (ng)
vegetative herbacous plant, also, kpt
kp n imported masquerade, characterized by wild display, derived from the
Ibibios or Efiks
kp n balls of fufu (kpkr-kp) decomposed and sifted cassava
v back of some creatures and canoe
kpch n helmet hat
kpk n bolt of a door
pipe for smoking
kpkr1 p.n. fm family in Ogoloma
kpkr2 n name of dance or music play with the bass-drum, ks
potto, nocturnal arboreal animal, characteristic of its tasteless meat and
hard skin; it usually has either two or three toes on the front feet also
known as sloth
kpkrb n spot, area
kpkrbl n satellite mask accompanying the famous b masquerade
kpkr n fg special box-like trap used in entrapping red land-crabs (l)
kpkp n lump;
mass of any matter solidly placed e.g. nama-okpokpo, pulo-okpokpo,
bru-okpokpo etc.
kpm n mound; an elevated area of land; a portion of exposed land when the
88
tide is at its ebb
kpng n wattle building usually made to claim or retain land; a temporary
building; a dwelling place; a house of a sort
kpkrmb$ n ?
kptk n dirty dregs of liquid or stored water
l n open space for playing or dancing
l-- excl. expression used against a coveted taste or performance; a tacit
admiration of someone's deeds also, l--
lgb n imaginary place where the dead go; fairy land also, lgb
l n pomade, ointment, cream
l lovemaking
l excl. derisive expression used against a person of low rank who asserts;
when fully expressed it is l-m
lgblm v to put together; to combine; collate (also =chrm, kpcha)
ln p.n. ms masquerade mostly played by the people of Kalio-ama
lb^ n lover; someone having love deal with another, male or female
lin-chn n plant with linear leaves generally used as boundary plant
lk n law or rule
lk f whelk
lkbrb n spider
lkbrb-wr n cobweb
lk-kb n outlaw; one not bound by law; freeman
lkmmy n precepts
lk v to shout aloud
lk-tb n shouting; noise of shouting; echo
lkp n f fish with dark skin commonly taken as black snapper
ll n bottle
llsngb n phlegm that comes out from the nostril when one is eating
lm a. advanced in age; old
lmkpkkpk a. very old
lmadp n forefathers; ancestral parents; ancestors
lmsk n in olden days;
lmsk adv. ancient times
lsn n flannel cloth, blue black in colour
lsn liver of cartilaginous fishes like the shark, sawfish etc.
ls a. ill-fated
l n c land-crab; large reddish crab that bores deep holes near houses
lb n bitterleaf vegetable
ll n well, hole
mn(mn) a. whose
mn a. your (pl.)
mn pron. you (pl.)
mn n throne; heavenly seat; an encircling large seat mostly used to enthrone
ceremonial sedentary masks like oguoin of Ogu fame (on water) and
Bolo fame (on land) (also =mn)
mn n. raft used by the early Okrika before canoes
mng a. aged; elderly
mn n slaves
mnbrbe n bondage; slavery
mnb$ n slave pl. mn
mntb n slave trade or slave deal
mn n market in OTELGA
89
mnm$ba n victory sign made by the fork of the fore-finger and the middle finger,
usually applied in mockery against the loser
mr p.n. ms masquerade dance originally owned by the Agba Biri 'Pioru' mask
club
ngr n fg fishing material made of bamboo sticks and two poles to edge the
bamboo work; one edge is tied to the side of the canoe and the other
side is held down by the two fishers into the water to sweep in fish
along the coastal strip
nn n f large silkfish (knj)
nn n tn town in OTELGA, also skr
nb n veranda-like passage; lounge in a building or compound (<Igbo)
nbbk n gate of a fence
nn n mercy; consideration for others (obs)
n n fencing with short sticks or broken canoe parts or planks to reclaim
land
n n stench, odour esp. of human being; bad smell
nkrm v to make feast or merriment; to entertain with feasting
nychi`@ v to testify; to be a witness in a case; to pledge
nychb n witness; guarantor
nychi`@dr n testimonial records
nychi`@my n testimonial guarantee; testimony
nwn n smoke
nwin v to bite
to bale out water from a canoe or boat
nwir n ship
nwn n sand
p(p) n flannel cloth
pklpp n confusionist; a double dealer; one who talks something different from
what he does
pl n thick
pp n sun; morning sunshine; also (pp) evening sunshine
pl n basket
pltn v to administer; to explain, report, plan and account to a family or
friendly circle of something
prp n pig or swine (<Port.)
p n.a. big; large; importance; dignity
pam n fairyland; the place where dead bodies resulting from bad death are
buried; bad bush lit. big town
pmb p.n. fm family in Okrika living in Ambeme Biri
pap n important personalities; also applied to the famous 'kiri owu' esp. when
they are on a nocturnal parade or outing
paymi`@ v.a. being proud and arrogant; assertive
pb$ n lit. big man; important personality
pdb$ n grandfather
pd`$by p.n. fm family in Okrika living in Oba Polo
pbr p.n. fm family in Okrika living in Biri
pgn n wrath; serious reproach
py p.n. fm family in Okrika living in Edereme Biri
pkbes n extreme unhappiness; misery
pm adv much; very much; greatly
pmng n flood; spring tide
pngrk p.n. fm family in Okrika living in Adedeme Biri
90
pnyngb$ n grandmother
ptby p.n. fm name of the founder of Kirike; also family in Okrika, living in
Awolome Biri and Oputibeya compound, near Krn-gn
pwr n temple; assembly house
py n some important happening or incident
p-ygnmsn n printing press
r(r) n women
r pron. he; himself
ra(r) a. his
r n fungus
rm() n f grouper, Epinephelus spp. A large big-mouthed greyish fish with fine
scales
rp n f surgeonfish, Acanthurus monroviae
rrto adv expression indicating co-incidental happening, proving true of
expectation (rrtb) abridged rrto; in speech, luckily or
fortunately (also =brr)
r n juju; idols such as objects like gbldm, gny, bj,
kmbl, etc.
adept in some art such as an academician like PHD holder is termed
'Oru' in the sense that his expertise in the art venerates him to perform
magically. He has become a "juju" so to say
the grey matter of the skull of fish, animals and human beings (Kal.)
rbem ?
rbef ?
rb$ p.n. fm family in Okrika living in Ngeme Biri; one who must have been
rescued by the power of "juju" during illness
rbrnmap n heathen; pagan; those who believe and practise fetishism
ren n tday after Saturday, that is Sunday (obs)
rnj n f smaller grouper (rm()) (also =bed`$ba)
rkr n.v practice of divination being possessed of some spirit, marine or
ethereal; fetish-like practice exhibited in singing and dancing
irreligiously; one so indulged is an rkrb
rmpnb n cobwebs containing or carrying dust and small insects; also soot
formed from smoke
rmn p.n. fm a family in Daka house responsible for the dead during Elechu period
(see Appendix iii under religion)
rpb p.n. fm family in Okrika living in Ambeme Biri and around Krn-gn
rtk v.n idolatry; worshipping idols, etc.
rw n snake
s n snail
s v.n respect; hour
s v to spray from the mouth
skr n sugar (<Eng. sugar)
snyn a. respectable; honourable
snynk n dishonour
a. not respectable, not honourable
sr v to chew and blow off any substance or chaff
srsrb n chaff in the mouth after chewing; remains of any materials ground or
sifted or filtered
sn n grass (also =br Ogu dialect)
convulsive ailment suffered by children
tkt n fishing where the net is used around the mangrove section selected as
91
the spot, the catch is mostly mullet (dk)
tt n dew
t n traditional bath place of a nursing mother; this is situated at the
backyard or near the house, where a pit is dug, into which the
cleansing water pours
t num. term used in counting; in the commercial fish market all fishes are
checked in twenties i.e., rackets (kasa) or pieces, thus twenty big fish
(inji-anga), twenty kasa (sticks), etc.
tb p.n. fm family in Okrika, living in Agba Biri
tb n hippopotamus
tb-kp n hude worn by graduates;
bag usually at the back of the 'otobo' masquerade as decoration
tin a.n very sweet; pronounced sweetness
tk n mid-day sunshine esp. during the dry season
upper part of the altar at the hearth where dried or cured fish is stored
tl n details in any branch of study, the squares on the face of the chess or
draught-board (pl-tr)
tm v to compare or create a balance; to exemplify
tmdk presume; assume; compare
tmy n example; comparison; illustration
tm-dwy n exemplified lessons; illustrations
tnglb n that part of the brain cell of a child that shakes in corresponding
beating of the heart; the neurone, usually at the meeting suture of the
frontal and parietal bones of a child's cranium
ttlb n decaying perforated log of wood in the mangrove forest
tb suff. (suffix) usually affixed to other words (verbs) to indicate probability
e.g. b'otubo (whether she came) br'tubo (whether he passed)
sosa'tubo (if he has gone)
tbl n f small fish with protruding bill or mouth
tmgbl p.n. popular deaf and dumb man from Oyika family who lived in Ngeme
Biri
wl n bald head; bare scalp of a person
w n cotton
wi a. wild and rough;
n masculine; male
wi p.n. fm family in Awlme Biri
wib n fast rate in pursuing things; imbalance; anxiety
wikbe n hot temper; intemperance
wim v to hasten or make faster; to accelerate speed or rate of anything
wk v to scoop out or carve off in large bits
wk n f remora, sharksucker, Echeneidae; a clasping fish specially equipped
with a sucking disc on the top of its head with which it clasps shark,
sawfish, or any moving object in the sea like ship. It dangles there
passing a symbiotic life without disturbing its carrier; a voracious
eater; shark-sucker
wl n hollow depth of water
w v.n to cry, bewail,
w masquerade
w mermaid
w n fight; war
w Br p.n ward in Ogoloma
wakmbl n tears hanging around the canthus of the eye as if one intends to cry
92
wamp n mermaids of the sea
wmmy n strife; warfare
wap n men sg. wb
wbekanp n captives
wbeknbr n captivity
wbeknwn n captured soldiers
wbebebr n an ancient masquerade
wbray p.n. ms costume for masquerade decoration
wb n man pl. wap
wmng n Traditional chasing game is held in the market square during the
evening just before the evening market when new corn appears. A
chaser holds two 3ft bamboo sticks (agbagba) with which he is aided
to corner his captive. The chased hold in their hands horns with
openings on the body for blowing as bugle. Each captive pays a fine.
At the close of each days game, all fines are collected and used in
buying sugar cane or cigarette or fruits for consumption lit. racing by
masquerading
wel n open layout found in the mangrove forest close to seas and banks
where, it is supposed, mermaids exercise themselves and play
wpk n crying or weeping voice
tone of taling masquerade, like kiriowu
wpk-ch v putting the voice of masquerade that is, yodelling like the kiriowu
wmng n tears that drop
wn n fighters; soldiers
wnn n ?
wnigb n troop of soldiers
wkl n gulf, narrow indentation into the island or town, original gutter
connecting the waterside
wkpr n satellite mask that accompanies a major mask
wsr n open space at the waterside where men casually assemble to chat,
breeze, and gossip, whiling away time
ws v to have a physical encounter with someone; to fight
wtb n sound of cry or lamentation; wailing
wyb$ n person possessed of some marine supernatural agency, usually believed
to have been espoused to a mermaid; also one who behaves under the
influence of hallucination
y n ten in counting
z n farmland (<Igbo)
zb$k p.n. village noted for religious healing of the Christ Army Church, situated
along Canaan, near Port Harcourt
zkr n farmland
zkr v to work on farmland; to farm

93
,

, vowel, the twenty-fourth letter of the Okrika alphabet
pron. he, him
pron. you (pl.), all of you
b p.n. fm family in Okrika
b p.n. title of the traditional ruler of Ogbaland (mk) in ALGA of Rivers
State
b Pl p.n. area taken as a ward or quarter in Okrika
b n yam barn (usually as kept by the Eleme and Ikwerre)
b n calabash container with cover
b n slang meaning gone for nothing; a waste
b n sickness characteristic of pains and swellings
bkbk adv probably; perhaps; maybe; peradventure, also (bkbk)
bl v to move carefully meandering in pursuit of someone; carefully moving
through buildings and caves
b v to be careful; to be on the look out; to be vigilant; take care; to mind
oneself
bng v.a. to be thrifty
b(sn) adv. perhaps; probably; peradventure
br a. smart; fast; quick
b n native guitar
b n turtle
b$gr n pumpkin fruit with broad vegetable leaves (<Igbo)
bk n fowl of the rasorial group
bktbk n bush fruit resembling cockscomb
bk n covenant; agreement; oath; testament
b$kb$k n lazy tsetsefly with white spots on the wings; it becomes weak as it
sucks and cannot easily fly off
b$kr n cockroach; nocturnal flat insect (also =tnjeb-m)
bl n f small shiny nose
bn p.n. social club whose drumming instruments are played in an enclosure,
never exposed
b$n n seeds of bush-mango (fn) used in making soup (<Igbo)
b$pl n c a small crab black or dark grey in colour. It oddly appears at
unexpected places; it is a silent obscure creature
b`^ pron. himself
b`$ n back of anything
b`d v.a. to be at the rear; not progressive; to retrogress; to get behind
b`d`kp n disciplines; followers
b`$gbn v.adv
.
to back someone by posture; happening immediately after someone's
presence; to get off from a spot for a while (also =b`$pk,
bblm)
b`$f` v to take bribe
b`$fy n bribe; bribery
b`$j n.a. behind, back
b`$jb`$ n posterity
b`$k adv. after all; afterwards later
b`$krb n page; orderly
b`$klm v last; to be at the tail end
b`$pk v to get aside for a while; to get behind waiting
b`$pkby n descendants; offsprings progeny
94
d`$l n vulture (also =nd)
d n yam-digger in form of a pointed short pole or stick, (also =d)
d$ n.v. dress; fashion
d`$ n soup prepared with the liquid derived from mangrove ashes and water
or liquid salt or lime stone
dm() n python, boa constrictor
fany n refuse; gatherings from sweeping
fn v to sweep
fnsn v to sweep off
fr a.n hot;
fever or feverish,
brilliant
frd`$prmgb
l
n brimstone; sulphur
frkbe n zeal lit. hot tempered
frm n shark
frm v to warm; to make hot e.g. water, soup
fs n work place (<Eng. office)
fn v to grab; to seize
fnbay n loot; spoil; captured property
fkb n corner of a building
fng v.n fan
$gn p.n. fm family in Okrika, living in Ogan Polo
gnk n b hawk
gn n f small fish with a glassy transparent body
g n gonorrhoea; venereal disease
$gm Biri p.n. ward in Ogoloma
gz n leaves of smoked tobacco encased in cartons; tobacco leaf that is
usually ground as snuff or smashed for piping, also diri-gz
g n in-law between son, father and mother
gbrfy n food or presents from in-laws, son or daughter and their relatives; also
gfy (also =fuaye)
gfy n food or presents on behalf of a daughter, from in-law (also =
gbarafye, fuaye)
gn n market place
gn a.n top; above
gnfr n north wind
gngny n superscription
gngn a.adv
.
careless; not done with discreetness; haphazardly
g n vegetable of fluted pumpkin; vegetable leaves
g n native hoe (<Igbo)
gbemgbl n fluted pumpkin, Telfairia spp.
gudire p.n. fm family in Okrika; title name of Chief Amiesimaka
grf a.v. amazed to satisfaction
gr n beard; also ogure (<Kal.)
gbgb(egbegbe) n f large and fierce cartilaginous fish, like the shark, with sharp grained
skin
gbk a.n. tall elegant person; handsome man
gbl n f large baracuda (dr); tall person, so nicknamed
gbd n thick mangrove swamp; bog
gbnn n roof-beam, long stick used to form the ridge of a roof
95
gbnncha v forming a single file or being in long rows of line like soldiers or
school children marching
h n hard crisp vegetable used in cooking (<Igbo)
hm n unexpected happening; accident (<Kal.) Okrika is bapky
n excl. phonic expression meaning take or "have it"
j n t iroko tree or wood
j n kola nut (<Igbo) Okrika is dp
j p.n. fm family in Okrika, living in Ambeme Biri and Kalio's compound
jfn n b ostrich, named after Chief Daniel Oju Kalio being the person who
introduced this creature into Okrika
jkr n conical net spread by casting skilfully
jl p.n. ms nickname given to any lazy person; also of one time armour bearer of
the popular akarikpo masquerade of J ama house, who took a picture
with the masquerade
kz n hard vegetable wildly grown in thick forests, used in cooking (<Igbo)
kl n large fish-tray made of palm frond material or cane, used in spreading
the catch, preparatory to processing the fish for setting on the rackets
(kasa) against curing or smoking
k v to take or receive
kch v to admit into a society or school or group (also =dch)
km v to direct a boat or canoe with the paddle or oar
kmn adv as long as; until
k adv accordingly; like that
k n t white mangrove, Laguncularia racemosa, whose leaves are narrow,
long and pointed, and produce salty liquid on the stomata
v. to hire, contract
k n ulcer, chronic sore
k v. to vomit forcefully; to cough out with force as when a bone disturbs
the oesophagus
kb n stick with hook end generally used as rafter from the ridge of a roof
hireling; one who takes upa contract to do some work
kb& n iron material used as hinges to suspend door shutters; also applied as
staple and hasp
kfr n hired labour or contract
kk n foam on the surface of water
kkcha v.a. having foam produced; bearing foam like sour soup which has become
fermented
kkpkm v.a. producing lather or foam like soap or hard pulling of paddle or steam
engine on water
klb n corner stone, border line; the corner post marking the end or border of
a building
klbpk v to make or mark the border line of a building. Custom akin to laying
the foundation stone of a building where people gather, offer prayers
and pin pegs to start the border lines, and end with drinking
klb n parrot
kmbl p.n. deity of Ibaka
kr n tusk of elephant; horn of animal
krnm n buffalo
ktm adv accordingly
k p.n. ms masquerade that maintains discipline by flogging with a long cane
always in hand
ka n bush-fowl
96
rice-fruit (<Igbo)
kblb p.n. ms rascally masquerade usually engaged in chasing children with canes in
hand; legendry has it that he is a water mermaid that lives more in the
mangrove forest. He is also named kk
kn(kn,
kn)
v to talk or speak
n speech
knbp n language; speech
kn-br n talkative person; chatterbox, noisemaker
kn fray n talking instruments (see Appendix v)
knfnj v to introduce issues at a speech making
knm v.a. to be on talking terms as of non-enemies; to hold talks with
kn-ngbl n words
kn-nm n poem
knpka v.n debate; to argue; to partake in a symposium or quiz or discussion
knsm v to speak ill of someone; to err in speech
knsm v to make an allusive statement of one to another person
kntb n subject matter; main talk; principal idea
knws v to spread information; to announce; to publish; broadcast
k-nmk int.
p.
interrogative statement generally made to a retortive answer or
expression when someone retorts after realising his folly; term is put to
him meaning Didn't you know it before? Full expression is 'si-k'
nmk? (Didn't you know that it is bad or wrong) the 'si' is usually
dropped (slang)
kk n mermaid that lives in the mangrove, fond of flogging
kkmn int.
p.
interrogative expression drawing a parallel from the behaviour of
okuku against a stubborn, disobedient person (slang)
km conj. but
conj. yet
k&d n bugle or trumpet (<Igbo) (also =plp)
kr n vegetable fruit, slimy in nature
kpn n yellow yam
kpr n loop or snare for hooking or entangling the neck and mouth of a victim
preventing him from shouting
basket container used in preserving dry pepper or fish, usually kept on
the altar of the hearth (also =kr)
first born male child (<Igbo) Okrika is trb
kpn n he-goat
idiomatically, a womanizer
kp n stinging beans, used in thickening soup
kp n secrete message
kpch p.n. ms masquerade played by Bulome Biri people
kpkl n cotton-reel
kpt n dregs
kp n fufu ball prepared for swallowing
kp n. disease of the vagina
kprkp n palm fruit with hard nut
l p.n. town in Okrika District, near Ogu
l n cough
l v to hold; to handle
lchm v to hold on; to restrain
lk n abusive term given to soft and lazy creatures, e.g., kp lk p (soft-
97
back crab)
lk a. held together in twist; hooked up as two wrestlers or fighters
entangling
l n second born in family male or female
mb n chance; room; aspect, also mb
mb v to rub; smear on the skin
mb n nightfall
mbfr n.v when the moon peers; reference to the moon as it appears immediately
after nightfall (also =akalupu)
mbs n brightening colour of the sky as reflected by the appearing moon; the
moon, before appearing of that time, is also described as skrm
mb n f small mullet sp. (dk)
mnb n sandflies (also =gbrgd, mnb)
m n bush flower whose pollen dust is irritating
mn a. your (pl.)
mn(mn) a. whose
mnb pron. yourselves (pl.)
m n mi drum with baritone tone (Ogu dialect)
m n ebb tide
md n f small tilapia
mnb-
ktnb$
n 'kata' fisher man who goes afishing lately esp. during neap tide
(mgbopuma mengi)
mnblb n wart
mnblb floating materials tied to the top line of fishing net to aid the net afloat
for security
mngo n mug (<Eng.)
m n war
mar n war-canoe; big house comprising families
marwr n war-canoe house that is major house comprising branches
mbrb n victory; triumph
mb$ n warrior; fighter
mbeknbr n captivity
mbekn-wn n captured soldiers
mgbn v.n to wage war; warfare
mk n fight between small groups of bodies; skirmish
mkbl p.n. ms special masquerade played by the Adedeme Biri people during funeral
obsequies; it is usually accompanied with dancing and singing of war
songs and agile demonstrations
mm n flies
mmgb n swarm of flies
mt v.n to jubilate around town, singing war-songs and firing guns esp. during
performance of funeral ceremony by war songs and dancing all in
praise of the deceased
mwr n fortress (also =wnwr)
n n dark cloth or calico, usually worn for mourning; also, the fish
commonly called golden fish
n n f golden fish
nnw p.n. ms satellite masquerade, dressed in dark cloth, which accompanies the b
mask
nd(nd) num. four hundred in counting
ndgblgbl n child birth at short intervals, children born at short intervals, looking
short in size (also =ndgblgbl)
98
ng v to peel (yam or cocoyam)
ngbn v to beg; to ask for politely
ngbnga p.n. fm family in Ogoloma
ngbaym n supplications demands from a giver of higher rank (also =baym
(biblical)
nn n canopy for shelter (<Eng. awning)
nj n line of weaving on a basket or mat
nnj excl. abusive term used on babies or children who are fond of sucking their
thumb; also fond of sucking
nng n waves of the sea tempest
nn n mi organ; accordion; the native lyre
nnm n y pounded yam; yam fufu
nwn n cough-like asthma; appearing persistently like indigo or ink on the skin
nwn a. c small crab (p)
nwn n mi rattle bells tied on the wrist and ankle
ny v to watch with a motive to audit accounts
ny n spice for cooking
b excl. retaliatory mockery expression usually pronounced on an aggressor,
who fails at last
pr v to belch out (also=pr)
pkpk n giddiness; swaying about resulting from dizziness; fits
pp n mouse; idiomatically used to describe a pilferer
p n corner between walls of buildings; indentations along the coast of the
mangrove forest; family section or group
pchk n hearth where fire is made
pkr n lane between two buildings; narrow passage in between buildings
pkrbe n inside of a narrow passage between buildings
ppl n boil on the skin
prp n lungs or windpipe of fish
ptk n mud; bog; swamp
pt p.n. fm family in Okrika, living at Alawar
pt n f big fish like the golden fish but has unpleasant taste
pn n slimy substance formed on keels of canoes, walls, tanks, ship's body,
etc.; algae
pr v to collect a whole mass of things
rd n y yam produced through sexual reproduction, that is not by tuber; the
rind is violet in colour and tastes sugary (Dioscorea bulbifera)
r a. his
r(r) n name
r v to see
r n pubic hair on the private part of the body in between the groins at the
lower part of the abdomen; pubes
rbrrbr a. anyhow; in a careless manner (also =rik-riku)
r excl. utterance commonly used to punctuate or terminate expression,
denoting someone's irregular behaviour or performance; also used as a
verb e.g. i oriome (you've erred)
rkri`$k adv anyhow; in a careless manner (also =rbararbara)
ri`$mri`$m a. symmetrical arrangement of any type of decoration e.g. plaiting of hair,
hairdo, meshes of net, etc.
ry n vision; something envisaged
rn n tsetse fly
rnm adv. stealthily and unnoticeably silent and avoiding being disturbed
99
rs n rice (<Portuguese arroz)
r
1
n size; age; things in varied sets or groups
r
2
n line of meshes of a net; a portion of something verse of a chapter in a
book
rani`@ran pron. each and everyone (in groups)
rb b adv. everyone individually; one by one (also =rbrb#, bb)
rtn a. orderly; arranged in regular sequence
rtnm v.adv to keep aright to perform or order things carefully and distinctly
sk n hiccough
smbr n gnats or sandflies (also =mnb)
sk n palm fruit with soft nut (also =imbiba)
sm v to cause to vomit to cause to pour our e.g. obnoxious drug reacting on
someone
sn v to vomit
s&n v to pour over as overflowing
tr n pounded yam ('dumbai' or 'fufu'); also used for fermented and
pounded cassava (akpakuru)
tn adv nearly, wanted to
tt n f small sardine or small herring
v n oracle symbol or oracle medium meant to predict views and thoughts;
pronouncement of fortune or fate by blessing or cursing, that is ' v
kari' or ' v gbolo'
w n mark of victory of honour inscribed by dubbing white chalk on the
forehead or any part of the body of the victor
wrw n mane; the fur of animals around the neck or back, overgrown beard,
e.g. lion, he-goat, horse, etc.
wk n dc dance performed casually and leisurely in tone with music supplied by
singers and water-pot drums
wl n f fish noted for good taste grunrwe or big eye
w n vapour; air; heat; breath; power or strength
wm v to overhear; getting information not from the speaker's source; to be
aware of
y n pawpaw fruit
y excl. to start moving or to carry out a procedure (<Yor.)
y a. painful; aching
ykyk adv perhaps, maybe, peradventure, probably (colloq.)
yry n fermented cassava that is grated and sifted; condensed flour of
fermented cassava

P,p

P,p consonant, the twenty-fifth letter of the Okrika alphabet
p adv. just fairly; yet; still
pb v to be older than
pbm v to cause self or someone to be naked; to be naked to render something
bare; to impoverish
pn v to utter the characteristic cry of a cook;
pn to utter inarticulate cry of a mob; to crow like a cock
pk v to go out; to shoot out like young plant
pk a. revealed; exposed; e.g. a hidden information, etc.
pkb v amount to, come up to (also =pkmn)
100
pkb n.a. popular; known; known person
pkch a.v towering; to take position in the scheme of things
pkpkd$k a. officious; showy; fond of putting oneself forward over issues
pkpky n common happening; regular incident
pkp n kinsmen; neighbours
pk v to pawn; to mortgage
pkm v to take or remove out from a place of keeping
plng a. congealed with slime;
v to clear something of a slimy nature with struggle (with raised account
plng)
pl v to shut in; to close
plngp n neighbours
plb# n helper
plm v caught red-handed in an act
plm v.a. being pressed by nature e.g. to urinate, defecate, deliver a child;
choked
plm v. to support
plmpky n sudden happening, accident
pm v to lead someone; to escort
pn$ a. looking pale and whitish
pnb a. empty finished, idiomatically meaning reduced in health and wealth
(obs.)
pnb n wings; leaf or page of a book
pnbbsk n large mangrove bird with long and broad wings
pnbw n ms dancing masquerade with flat circular headgear decoration; also
dw
png n instrument used in bailing water out from a container like, boat, canoe,
tank, etc.
pn n any material made of pan or tin (<Eng. pan)
p-k-n ph. presume; assume
pnkk n pan-cake (<Eng.)
pp n form of address to a father by his child
pp adv. just; ordinary; ordinarily
ppb$ n. ordinary person; commoner
ppb n.a. naked; nakedness
ppsm a. idle; desolate
ppyê n ordinary thing; irrelevance
prfn n kerosene (<Eng. parafin)
prng n liver
prpr a. very sweet; sugary in taste
pr v to plait hair; to take someone to task; to entwine
pr a. twisted as of tightly entangled knot; elastic to a point as of pounded
yam or fufu
pss excl. expression to entreat someone for consideration; seeking the pleasure
of someone
ptl a. broad and flat
pm adv. shouting rudely with evil intention on somebody's name
pê (pee) adv. here; this way
p v to eat fish
pm adv. falling flat, possibly with face downward
pk(b) n groins; area between the thigh and the pubes
pkl v to turn an object here and there in order to examine it
101
pkl v to jump in a semi-somersaulting manner for joy esp. during 'owu'
display
pkldk v to examine thoroughly; to review
pkldkaym n meditations (rel.)
pkpk a. flying like flag; distant
pkpkm adv. rushing from a distance without break, arousing anxiety in people
pkr a. half or fraction
pkr n side; part; portion
pkr v to answer; reply
pkrb$ n redeemer
pkrb v to save, redeem
pkrpkmb v to ransom
pl v to cut
plbk n window
plgbn v to cut down; to fell or hew down a tree
plkr n passage; corridor; verandah
pll v to deviate course or divert to another direction
pllpll a. unsteady or slippery in behaviour
plm v to siphon; to pour (liquid) from one container into another
plm v to forestall; to overtake
plk v to deduct from money or material; to curtail and take; to
counterbalance
plpkny n short cut; back door
plskm v to cut aside; separate
p lsn v to cut off; to reduce
pmpm a. light; membranous; thin
pnb adv. even
pnbm a. similar; like; about
pnd v to dance joyously out of tempo
pndr a. disfigured in shape e.g. dimpled empty tin
png a. bent; not regular
pn v to press aside the outer skin in order to expose the inner part
pnj n f special fish chosen for food
pr a.n wealth; rich and wealthy
prmm v.adv to flee all of a sudden; to vanish like a criminal
prmprm a. fear expressed by the beating of the heart
pr n butterfly or moth
prpr a. membranous and distended to a point of bursting
ptkt n underwear for women like a short frock (<Eng. petticoat)
pr n f fish sp.
prg p.n. ceremony performed in honour of a dead chief or warrior by his first
daughter and two others (see Appendix iii)
prgb n ms ancient masquerade
prt v to jubilate profusely
ps a. lazy, the expression, 'klps' is usually attributed to a very lazy
person
ps` n low level; a valley
ptkptk id. plump with good, soft physique; fleshy all round in balanced symmetry
ptr a. broad and flat commonly used to describe the head, thus tb ptr
(flat head)
ptkt n underwear for women (<Eng. petticoat)
piamgba n maize, corn (also pangb)
102
pn v to cause to stick to with paint, glue
pj adv. here; this way
pk v to pin; to anchor or berth like a ship
pkchm v to implant or anchor firmly
pk v to deny; to gainsay
pk v to turn something
pk conj. and, again (also pkn)
pk v. to turn about or over; to convert
pk n.v competition; a challenge; to contend
pkchm v to dare; to perform defiantly
pkdk v to interprete; to translate
pk-b v to pervert; to lead astray; to blaspheme
pkm-
kngbt
n antonym; word opposite in meaning to another
pkn conj. and; also; again (also pk)
pkr v to mix; to stir
pkrpkr a. unsteady and slippery in manners
pkr'jp n mixed cassava (also =plp)
pkrpamgb n mixed maize (usually with ripe plantain)
pk n feather
plk a. very soft; sticky slimy
plk(pnlk) n plank (<Eng.)
plpl n bird sp. (=kpkp in Ogoloma dialect); also, nickname for a child
fond of urinating while asleep
pm n tingle; some sensation in a person for some happening ( b pm b
k) i.e.; no feeling in him
pmb v to have sexual intercourse
pn a. white
pnb n white man
pndm v to effect a mixture for a thickening and sweetening result in cooking;
to add some ingredient to thicken or sweeten or savour the soup or
gravy
pn n pin (office, safety, etc.) (<Eng.)
pn v to strip off the skin, rind or bark etc.
pnj v to gradually ooze out from an original or parent body or a container
e.g., juice from a tree, liquid from a tube
to makean unexpected appearance (pnjpk)
por n ms set of face-worn masquerades with long bills usually played by Agba
Biri people
pi`$r-pkb v to escape from tribulation or difficult experience or encounter
pp v to manage with meticulous care; to continue discussing an issue
unnecessarily; to bring as a child from its cradle with the strictest care
and economy e.g. an orphan
ppkl adv. perfect silence cautioned; slight sensation
pppkm v to wean up an infant esp. an orphan; to help out a helpless child to earn
a livelihood
p$r n bush
pr v to give
pramb$ dweller in the bush; people from the hinterland e.g. the Igboman lit.
bushman (pl. pramp)
pry n offerings; gifts
prkmbl n poisonous spider
103
prkk n bush biscuit; bush fruit of brown pods whose substances taste like
biscuit when cracked to eat
pribr n wild dogs found in packs and bushes; jackals
prbk(ka) n bush fowl
prr a.adv escaping in quick succession e.g., bullets from the muzzle, faeces from
the anus
prrprr
(prrprr)
adv. smartly moving here and there; appearing evey where within a short
time
pry n tribute; gift; present; token
ps v to scratch
ps a. wet
psjl(p) a. totally wet; completely drenched and soaked from heavy rain
psrm v to remove chaff from grains by rubbing the grains with the fingers as
from friend groundnuts; also; to disintegrate any dry substance, into
smaller particles by pressing it with the fingers dry leaves, dry native
chalk, alligator-pepper etc;
psm v to wet; to soak in water; to make wet
ptk a. usually used as an intensifier to 'lk' thus lk-ptak; i.e., very soft
to the point of being sticky and slimy
pch v to force in; to add an idea to someone's speech
pchk n latrine; place for passing out faeces
pk v to listen
pk v to use pin or needle to pick out something from a substance e.g. jigger
from the body, periwinkle (isam) from its shell; also to make a hollow
by scratching e.g. dog, digging a hole; fowl making a scratch
pk v to drop off; to release from a hooked condition or a hanging position
pkl a. tall and lanky with hollow stomach
pkl n cave; den
pksn v snatch away, release or remove from a stock where it hangs
pk n waterside, anchorage
pk n bat
pk num. quantity; bundle; 8000 in counting
pl n ward, quarter
pl v,a. burst; punctured; perforated
pl v to puncture; to cause a hole
plch v.n custom whereby a young man is initiated into the regular customary
contributions such as burials in a family; he is thus regarded as full
fledged person and achieves manhood. The qualification for this status
could, in a modern light, be based on being a taxable adult, working,
marrying and being on one's own business that is, outfitting his fishing
occupation or enterprise
pm n.v fart, diffused bad smell; to diffuse bad gas
pnd a.v disfigured by pressure like a dimpled tin
pn n pound sterling (<Eng.)
pna n f tongue-sole, Cynoglossus spp. Two common species are lpna or
lpnj=lnj
pnj v to press and squeeze (one's hands) or press out water from wet cloth or
oil from palm oil fibre
pnj n white kernel from unripe palm fruit
p v to castrate an animal
p v to force open a locked door
p v to rape
104
pp n locally produced cloth by the people of Popo and Ghana
ps n equals who grow together thus psgb (group of equals); pspk
(equals from childhood
ps n cat (<Eng. pussy) (pu$s)
ptmptm a. very soft; over-ripe as of fruit
ptn n puncheon; cask containing oil
p v to split; break
p v to separate
p v.a. to mock, flatter
pfnj v to explain broadly and explicitly; to give details of something
pglglm v shatter; to break into pieces (also =pksm)
pk n throat, covetousness neck
pkd$k v.a. fond of depending on the food of others or on other people property; to
be covetous
pkgbrgb n throat; oesophagus; tube connecting the gullet to the stomach
pkkpo`@ a. capable of resisting hunger
pkkpm v to withstand hunger
pkmgbl n throat by which food passes to the stomach; gullet; idiomatically
applied to mean covetous
pko`$l v to check or try to withstand hunger or thirst
pkll n trachea, the tube from the larynx to the bronchii; windpipe (also =
klpk)
pkpn a. hanging in the throat; unable to swallow
pksmn a. lit. dry throat; thirsty
p kslm a. jealous; creating attration or likeness
pkt'n a. contented; satisfied
pktr v to long for food, drink, water, clothing, sexing etc); feeling of desire,
lust
pl a. tastless; sour; defiled
plm v to defile; to desecrate
plm n bitterleaf
pl n blood; oil (tb-pl)
plplpl a. red
plplfnb n weaver-bird
plstbsr v anoint; (also =mfafam)
pm v to slice into smaller pieces
pmb n bad or foul air exuded from the anus; fart
pmbb v to pollute the air by exuding fart
pmb v to totter; moving as if wanting to fall
pmbr n chaff; pieces; fragments; crumbs
pn a. shut; blind; filled up; blocked
pnd v.a. to oppress; to suppress one's feelings etc.
pnm v to blockade; to shut or close
pnm adv to sneak or move stealthily (also =mnp m)
pn n ma fox
pn v to press
pnkrm v to subdue
pnm v to pressurise; to overcome by placing much pressure on; to accuse
innocently
po`@s (ps) n pussy, cat (<Eng. pussy)
pr v to carry
prm v to take refuge with absolute surrendering (also =ssm)
105
pry n load, burden; responsibility
prk a. rumpled;
v. to ruffle up
prkprk id. in a rough bundling up
prpr a. disorderly; untidy; scattered; unkempt
prprb$k n fowl with unkempt feathering
prrpk a. appearing suddenly; accidental
prrpky n accident
psr v to tear or break in pieces
pws v to cut open widely as of cloth; to spread abroad as information or
declaration

R,r

R,r a consonant, the twenty-sixth letter of the Okrika alphabet. The letter,
R,r, is one of the unproductive letters as word-beginning. Its main
importance lies more on its inevitable peculiar grammar usage. Thus
the suffix-r or rr, is mostly used in forming words by affixing to
other words. Its functions are (i) to express and denote the meanings of
only, unless, except; (ii) to introduce prepositional clauses and phrases.
Thus
r-r Is it she that?.......
r-r Is it these that?......
be-r unless he .......... only he ............ Is it he that ......
f-r Unless it is finished......
f-r Unless death .............. only death ................
n-r Unless they ............... Except they ...............
r-r Is it you that? ........... only you that? ............
r-r Except I .................. Is it I that? .............
r-r Except I .................. Is it I that? .............
r-r Only drink that ...........
m-r Is it she that? ...........
m-r Only this:................. Is it this that?...........
mn-r Unless you ................
r-r Unless he himself .........
s-r Unless it is bad ..........
bmrr It is all well that........
brr It is well that ...........
brr Unless he comes ...................... It is only when he comes
that ........
b$r-rr Unless he passes ..................... It is when he passes
that ............
r k-rr Unless he accepts ..................... Only when he accepts
that ............
rdi n radio (<Eng.)
rgrg a. feeling tired and disturbed physically
rng n ring worn on the finger (<Eng.)
rl n ruler (<Eng. ruler)

106
S,s

S,s consonant, the twenty-seventh letter of the Okrika alphabet
s n debt; anything owed; a score-point in a game
sb v to cross; to go over to an opposite place
sbtl n bridge, ferry
sbn n soap (<Port.)
sbm v to pass on; to take to the other side
sdr v to sell on credit
sf v to owe
sn(m) adv throwing oneself down consciously e.g. at a bathing pool, springing
from a pier into the water (see nnm)
sj n f turbot, Psettodes belcheri [RF]
sj n serge, woollen cloth, twill, worsted; (<Eng.)
skn a. elegant and austere looking magnificent
skl a. wide apart (like large ears)
sk v.n start
ske excl. vocative expression used in calling the attention of listeners during
story telling
skm v to start doing
sk n f fish sp.
skrm v to give on credit; (also =spr, sdr)
sl a. distant, aloof
slm adv behaving in an unconcerned manner; getting aloof from others;
nonchalant behaviour
sm adv. more than required
sm-brsn v to leave off with consideration; to let go with discretion
smsm a. opposite
smb n key
smn a. dry
sn v to urinate; also used as adjective to describe nightfall (n-sn)
sn v to fling; to spray
sng n dry branch of any plant
sn v. melt
sn n alligator pepper
sn v to sign a document to append one's signature (<Eng. sign)
snsn a. glistening; shining in oily colour; "shineshine"
sny n urinal; place for urinating
spr v.n credit sale, giving article of sale on credit (also =sakoroma)
sr n refuse heap; dung hill (a.) reduced e.g. swelling
sr v to pour or drop
chorus in singing
srgbl n i small greyish hopping larva or insect commonly found among refuse
heaps
srkrm v to abandon; to leave off completely
srm v to be quick; in haste; to be fast; quickly
srm v to force womanhood on a girl who has been impregnated before the
'ra' ceremony
srm v to overhear; to reach somebody by hearing (also =wm)
srsr a. light; not heavy; simple and accessible; easy; reduced in weight
ss v to renew power as of charm; to revitalise
ss a. distant; apart; not in close contact
107
ssny n distant place; abroad
ssm v to get aloof; to be afar off
ss n evening; period close to night-fall
s n nation; clan; tribe
s conj. and, then, what; also used as auxiliary word ;to phrases e.g., s nw
bre meaning by the way?
adv. used in the Infinitive Mood in elliptical statements e.g. 'S cha i.e.'
k s cha meaning "take to put in" ("take" not usually expressed)
prep. s tm i.e., for instance, for example
sfi`@ v to practise harlotry; to fornicate; whore
s-lkm n national sign or mark e.g. national flag
sfp n adulterers
s-fb n harlot, prostitute, whore (also =amanwngi-eremb)
s-fy n national food or cake
sn v to send; to load in; to allow someone a lift; to shave; to give presents
during dances or displays; to spray currency notes on performers
sn-snb v coming in succession across a waterway or bridge in batches by means
of ferry by boat, canoe, vehicle esp. during festivities
sn-sns v going in succession across a waterway or bridge in batches by means
of ferry by boat, canoe vehicle, esp. during festivities
s-ng n national wealth
s-krfy n national pledge
sk v to place under; thus chksky (pad, tbsky (pillow))
sk n time or period (Ogoloma dialect) (also =sk)
sk v to awaken; to arouse as of old sickness in the body or cough arousing
lungs ailment
skn n traditional group of recognized intelligent and respectable men who
liaise with the common people for the chiefs, and with the chiefs for
the king; a group of people responsible for the government of the
people
sk v.n dance
sk n crocodile
Skb p.n. fm family in Awolome Biri
skb n dancer
skr n the world
skrb-y n worldly things earthly things; also tmkr-y
sl excl. expression used to ward off unimportant matter, or to condemn a
person (slang)
sl v to select; to choose
sld`k v to examine
sle`@k a.n chosen; elect
sly n something selected
slm a.v separately selected from others
Slm p.n. fm name of family in Okrika, living in Edereme Biri
slt v to jubilate without control
smb adv. not knowing that; incidentally
sm a.n.v article or message sent; to send on errand
smn n.a. poor; not wealthy; needy
sng v to slice e.g. cassava tuber into tapioca
sn v.n to grow; to rise to increase; growth
sn adv. and so; and then; so; then
snb n elder; as senior person, pl. snp ()
108
s-nm n national song; national anthem
sni`$r n age; age group; people belonging to an equal set of age
snsnm adv. making the face pucker as with disdain
snsnm a.adv in little bits like showers of rain falling; also applied to newly cut hair
growing, oil poured on sliced yam
s-p n national pride
srr v to lean to; to lean on something
sr a. flowing as of tidal water
sr v to skim, carefully removing dust floating on water; to dust slightly and
carefully
Str n patriotic society of an age-group; loving one's nation
sychn v to give heed to
si n.a. sin; wrong doing; bad; evil
si n twenty in counting; also s
s v to break off from loving one another, like husband and wife being no
more on terms or two friends in dispute
san n veins, artery; rope or twine esp. that made from raffia
sbrsmbs v to be wantonly treacherous
sbr n crocodile, alligator
sb`$fm n absolution
sb`$vnpk a. penitent
sdkpkm v to confess
sifa-j n vile body
sfl n woo; curse against someone
sg v to confess; to avow
Sk p.n. fm family in Okrika, living in Adedeme Biri
sk n f sting-ray, Dasyatis margarita. cf. also bjbrb
skk n cotton tree with thorns
skk mast in a ship
skk-ch n n tree or wood from cotton tree
sk` v to reject; forsake; renounce
sk n time by the clock or period
sk n bay; out into the open sea
skfmk a. immediate
skfmkb`$ adv. immediately; forthwith
skmmgb adv. always
skkny n clock, watch, time keeper, (also =skiny)
skm prep. except; unless
skm v to give way; get aloof
skmny^ n abroad
sknskn adv. as time goes on; eventually; time and again
skp adv. thence; from that time (usually applied as cheekword with the prefix
'mk' i.e. from now upward)
skr v to wash
skr v fade; changing from its original colour
skr v to rub or smear with some force; to massage
skt n mi big drum with baritone tune, usually used in marking the tempo of the
music produced by the set
sk n f caterpillar like lobsters
ms conical material used in decorating masquerade at the back of the waist
(tm-mgbs)
skmskm a. not proper, of doubting nature; not well born
109
skrm n evil thought or plan against someone; bad feeling
skrmny n place where bad things are deposited like the bad "bush" where
sacrificial materials, dead bodies resulting from accidents, withcraft,
sores etc. are deposited
sll n shilling (<Eng.) also sl, slng
slng v eating fufu, that is, rolling fufu balls and swallowing profusely
sm v to destroy and to spoil intentionally; also sm
sm v to sigh
smb v to pull harder; to use a pole to pull by pushing the pole against the bed
of the water underneath
smb v to drown someone by pressing him into the water, denying him
breathing
sm n conception; being in family way
sm v to stay; to sit down; to marry
smbsmb a.n everyone; all and sundry
smgbms adv. everlasting; remaining for ever; eternal
smkpt v to miscarry as of conception also sms
smgb adv. while; in space of time
smsn v to commit abortion
smtby n dowry in money or kind
smtnb$ n fiance or fianc; intended wife or husband
smyê n dowry
seat
sm n underwear for women's gown [<Eng. chemise]
smmy n iniquity
sn v to drink tea or soup
sn$ v to remove
snbnnmkb
e
n conscience
sinbarabu n retrenchment (also =frbs)
sndk a. elastic; spontaneously expansive and flexible like pounded fufu or yam
snd v,exc
l.
an expression to indicate sympathy for someone physically hurt or
otherwise disturbed with worries; to take courage
sn n noose
sng n f catfish
sng v f to slumber
snglbl n f moray eel, Muraenidae. with white and black colour segmentation
sng n f shellfish found in sand bank; clam (bivalve)
snn n velvet cloth
snn v to slip (b-snn)
snnsnn a. smooth; slippery; velvetine
snn a. cramp; lacking flow of blood in some part of the body; spasmodic; the
muscle retracting, also smn-mnb
snpkm v to bring out; to subtract
snwngkn v to transgress
si`$k^ abb. abbreviation of the phrase 'si`$k I , nmk?', a blaming tone on
someone who ought to know the facts of an affair but poses not to
know
sprng n lungs; lit. bad liver also ff
spr n whitlow, okoha (<Igbo) lit. bad bush
srttm adv. gushing sound of liquid (blood, water etc.) from a source (echoic)
ssytlm v to make restitution; to make amends for wrong or injury done by
110
giving an equivalent compensation
ss v rise, awake; get up
ssbn adv. two days before yesterday or after tomorrow
ssk n bad moments; ill fated period; irregular period
ssm v to force oneself on another for responsibility, feeding, and shelter
to demand debt forcefully
stny n. the worst of all
stlmy n propitiation bringing to a favourable and peaceful satisfactory
condition
stb n wickedness
strski`$nm v to imagine or believe to be rightly chargeable with something wrong;
to suspect
strsknmb
$
n suspect
st n stew (<Eng.) also st
sy n vice; evil; whitlow
syb-bsr v to eschew evil; to abstain from any evil or bad thing
sybvnpk` v to eschew evil
s v to go; move
s n sky; fate or fortune
s adv. too; also
s v to enter; initiate as member of a society
slgb n thunder; lightening
sbin a. fully entered (also =spl, sgbgb)
sbe n heaven
sbeng n heavenly treasure
sb v to return; come back from a journey
sb v to enter in as the door opens after knocking
sbn n clouds (also =str mng) (lit. water of the atmosphere)
sdcheny n horizon
sd`$pr n hailstone
sbrm n mole on the human skin
s-lkm n natural sign e.g., rainbow on the sky; also unusually size of mole on
the human skin or mark one is born with; birthmark (also =snm)
sfn n vulture (also =nd; d`$l)
Sfr p.n. work from heaven usually taken as name for "Godpower" i.e.; God's
labour (also =Tmnkr or rkr)
sgbgb adv. fully entered or contained
sgbsr adv. fully entered; gone right through inside; to enter into a house
completely
sgbrr n c brownish crab found in light mangrove forest and waterside, believed
never to release its victim when it bites, unless the weather thunders.
si num. thirty in counting
sny n power from heaven or above
sj n soldier (<Eng.)
sk n occasional lazy, mood of a person as a result of (i) his wife's sexual
indecency exercised on him (see rmn-jbs) (ii) guilty
conscience (see rs); repercussion
sk v to pick out from original body or container e.g. oyster from its shell;
revealing hidden facts
skny n time keeping instrument; clock or wrist watch (also =skkny)
skpkm v to pick or extract from original body or container (also =sksn)
111
skr v to find out hidden facts scrupulously; investigate thoroughly; to be
solicitous about minute details
sks n socks (<Eng.)
sksn v to pick out from the original container with pin or needle like the
removal of periwinkle (sm) from its shell
skp a. lifted high pointedly; titling out conspicuously from a point
skr v.a. to fall; to cast down; to become
skrm v usually refers to the moon or sun just before it comes to view; the
clearing state of the sky before the moon or sun appears
sk v to dig; to harvest
Sk p.n. "juju" of separation or enmity invoked by a relation. An offended
relative, not wishing continuity of the love link between him or her and
his or her relative (sister, brother, children, parents, cousins, etc.)
openly declares that the offender should no more have any link with
the offended, even unto death. This declaration is known as the "juju",
sk
sksk n harvesting period; harvest
skskll n harvest season; harvest; thanksgiving ceremony
sksn v to dig or scoop out
sktln v to bore a hole through digging
-s aff. also. Agrees tonally with stem
sl v to have the linking for another man's possession; to covet (also =
dkpksl)
sll a. hanging; dangling
sm v.a. onward; forward; go ahead
sm v. do not enter; commanded not to enter
sm conj. then; there upon; there and then (carefully used in the same sense as
tr)
so$ma v to make reference to someone by word (usually preceded with the
auxiliary 'kun' thus, 'kun iso$m (referring to me); 'kn
sma' (referring to her etc.)
smsm a. not proper; something not regular and not aborigin esp. as of birth of
someone (also =skm-skm)
smb v to squat
sm ph.w. to go in; commanded to go in
sngl v to screw inside; to turn repeatedly inside; to find fault (idiomatic use)
sng n sardine, Sardinella spp. (cf. kmb)
sn conj. too; also
snm n heaven's mark; natural or original mark; birthmark; congenital mark on
the body like mole (also =s-lkm)
sno num. six in counting
snj n nautical mile arbitrarily reckoned from bends (capes) of either
mangrove forest or river vegetation; nautical kilometre adapted
sn num. five in counting;
ants
snm num. seven in counting
snsn a. irritating; scratchy; feeling uneasy; itching
sny n porch; entrance
sp (sp) n shop (<Eng.)
spsp n succulent fruit with white pulp and black seeds (<Eng. soursop) also
chchp
spl a. tightly entered in full
112
srsr a. haphazardly done or said; anything said or performed with little care or
not
sr n f red snapper, Lutjanus agennes (also gbr)
srwr n isolated hut built on a dunghill or bush for a mad person, idiot or a
patient with an infectiious disease
ss n saucer (<Eng.)
ss n phrase word, meaning if entered
ss adv. perhaps; maybe; probably
sskm adv. particularly; especially; moreso
stny n something planned by heaven i.e., God's plan (usually taken as name)
str n atmosphere; sky
sw a. entered in excess; full and overflowing
swkm n lightning; that casual winking lightning that opens and closes without
thunder also known as mblfm
sw n. repercussion; some happening to cause results in the bad or negative
sense
swb v.n. to fight in return for a past grievance or misunderstanding; to retaliate;
vengeance
sy n profit; gain
s v to soak; to immerse; to steam fresh fish, meat, etc., in order to preserve
it
s v.a. increase; risen in size e.g., bread loaf as it bakes; to swell up
s(sw) excl. expression of forbidding anything evil; pronounce curse, wishing evil,
failure etc. a parent to a child or master to his subject
s (sy) n roasted pieces of meat on stick (<Hausa)
sa v to lodge complaint to someone with the intent to expect a redress and
compromise
sb n fg hooked spear mostly used in fishing
sk a. hooked
sk v to hang on a hanger
increasing or doubling line of meshes in a net
sk v.a. to waver in behaviour; to be slippery or unsteady in decision; unsteady
like a canoe with narrow keel
skl n school (<Eng.)
sl v to deride someone by openly hooting at him
slsl v.a. hovering about in distress being embarrassed; moving here and there in
quest of help when one is involved in trouble e.g., court case, death
slslm adv. like a chained criminal having his legs dangling as he struggles under
torture
slk v.a. entangled like fish in a net; soaked in a bog or mud or swamp
sm v push; using force to move something steady
smgbn v to push down a steady object e.g., a standing object or human being
sn v to struggle by throwing oneself about; to be worried inwardly over an
issue
sndk n hunchback with chest protrusion
sngm v to be in procession or recession; to form a single file; to be in line
sn n cane
snfr n inside pith of cane when the outer material is removed
sickness which causes disorder of the stomach, setting unrest, frequent
stooling, vomiting and sometimes developing to fainting-fit
snn v to massage the body using ointment to smear part of the body or rub
with strain
113
ssftr n leaven; leavened bread (biblical)
st n stew (<Eng.) also st

T,t

T,t consonant, the twenty eighth letter of the Okrika alphabet
t n wife
ta excl. expression to ward off an undesirable; term to check noise or to quell a
child
tb v to lick with the tongue
tb$ n wife; married woman; spouse
tb v to soak; to immerse or soak oneself in water
tbtbm adv. talking like a learner of a language; talking with a lisp; uttering words
resembling each other
tbrtbr a. too fond of making speech before any other in a gathering; forward in
behaviour; officious; retortive
tntn a. trembling; palpitating
tk v to attach or place at a tip of something like cloth; to append something
to another, leaving it dangling like epaulet on the soldiers of high
military officers
tktk a. untidy; rough; slipshod; disorderly; unkempt (adv.) tktkm
tl n yeast
tlb a.n extraordinary; awkward; queer in looking e.g., with any inanimate
thing or structure like extra large paddle; wear; oversize, etc.
tltl a. scattered and disorderly like unkempt hair
tl a. neatly projecting out; to be turgid and erect
tl excl. term in the dub-game; as the pursuer pursues the runner, he who
quickly reaches the co-ordinator, registers and declares his escape by
dubbing the co-ordinator with the shout 'taalo' that is, I register my
refuge; a moon light game for children
tmtmtm adv. rushing out to check and disturb an incoming person; intercepting the
furious incomer
Tmn n God Almighty
Tmnbr n Godly, religion; divine ways of God; religion; worshipping of God
service of God
tmnbrdkb
$
n evangelist; preacher
tmndkblf a. devout; pious; devoted
tmndksm v to speak impiously or irreverently of God; to blaspheme
tmn-gbê n ark of God
tmnkk a. Godly; divine; God-like
tmnkpt v to dissemble; speak or act hypocritically
tmnkptap n dissemblers; pretenders; fanatics
tmnnm a. religious; pious; devoted
tn v to collect and carry off to throw away as of refuse; also to paint; to
smear as oil on wound
tn a. satisfied; contended
tnd n elevated seat prepared to display the body of a dead man who in his
life time maintained respectable fame as a warrior, or a wealthy Chief,
or a patriot
tnd v to clear or take burning coal or cinder from the hearth with the purpose
114
of kindling fire
tngltngl a. thin; tiny; lanky
tngbn v to remove and throw away (<Ij) (also =tnwkm)
tnj v to climb; to ascend
tnjsb v to cross by climbing a bridge

U,u

U,u vowels, the twenty-ninth and thirtieth letters of the Okrika alphabet
excl. pronounced oo as in fool, is an expression of derisive hooting made on
someone who performs a shameful act in the public e.g. a thief caught
in public
uuu excl. ?
b n native pear (<Igbo)
U@k p.n. fm family in Abua in ALGA
k n rice fruit (<Igbo)
rr p.n. fm family in KELGA

,

kpkl n oil bean (<Igbo)

V v
V,v consonant, the thirty first letter of the Okrika alphabet
v id. expressing the tear of cloth (echoic); splash of water dashed on
something or someone
v id. splashing sound as of bailing water out of a boat or container (adv.)
vm; also dv
vn id. frying sound also as (v) indicating flow of money
vk v to roll balls of fufu furiously
vm a.adv description of the brightness of light or colourful cloth, thus vamb
i.e. shining brightly
vpvp id. descriptive of the method of bailing water out of a sinking boat; quick
removal of water from a boat with png (bailer)
vl n cloth known as velvet; smooth carpette stuff (<Eng.)
vv a. descriptive of the style of wearing cloth far down to touch the ground
as overflowing, mostly peculiar to women's fashion
vv-kr n fishing-port
v a. shining bright; clear with a spark
vn n automatic wavering like light
vnvn adv. wavering
vnpk v to turn about instantly
vnpkkbe(m$gb
l)
n penitent heart
v'n a. clear and matching in colour
vp id. expression of a sudden removal of something from a tight substance or
container like a cock of a bottle; a sudden breaking or cutting off from
original body like a link in a chain, etc.; viopuma (adv.)
vopmpk v to cut off or break off suddenly from the parent body or stalk
115
v adv. pouring out something in quick release thus vmsr; also, plenty
v a. overlapping, dangling like 'don' or women's dress worn below the
ankle; loose dressing (also =vd&)
vd v to eat voraciously and untidily
vkm$ excl. an expression describing the sudden burning or lighting of fire
vkmkr v.adv to catch fire suddenly, like gunpowder or petrol
vkrvkr a. loose as of wear e.g., oversize of dress or show
vmsr adv poured out in quick release; available in great quantity
vrkt id. descriptive of surrendering to a benefactor at his feet; sudden collapse;
total purposeful fall like a soft material
vrvrm adv pouring out of liquid in regular sequence like urine from its organ or
wine from a bottle or leakage of pipe water
v wavering; swinging here and there
vkp a. descriptive of a big head, usually 'tb-vkp' (n) big, abnormal head
ablong in shape
vkm n fg method of angling where a rope with a single hook is used in flinging
any fish that gets itself entangled from the trapping point
vum id. moving in a straying manner as one under the influence of some evil
spirit, being carried to places planlessly
vvm id. passing in quick succession without break like operating machines in a
factory

W,w

W,w consonant, the thirty second letter of the Okrika alphabet
w pron. we
w v.a. to rush to meet somebody (usually as auxiliary to an accompanying
verb mu' thus 'wam'
overflowing to pour out like beer or drink in a cup
wk v to shake in a swinging manner from side to side like afloating a boat
that is sinking; shaking or rocking in order to remove the water from a
boat
wk v to cast (net or lot) to throw any object to another; to swerve to another
side
wllwll id. unsteady, moving here and there
wnnwnn id. glistening; sparkling; shining brightly
wnn id. dazzling and piercing in the eye
wpkb v to gush out as blood from artery or water from a spring
wr v to scratch roughly; to extort or grab
wrk adv expression generally used after verbs to confirm the force of the verb
e.g., '' b wrk' (hope he came)
wrm$ n seizure by hand; grabbing like animals
wrwr a. coarse; porous; like dry gari
wr n house; home
wrbe n inside of house
wrlg n the end of the eave of a roof
wr'b n gecko
wrb$k n door; refuge
wrkl n corner of a house
wrkb n waiting or sitting room or drawing room of a building
wrmngay n rats and mice in a house
116
wrnwng v to ask for someone's hand in marriage
wrnwngr n drink offered during the wooing period of a fianc to the parents of the
fiance. This is done before the marriage ceremonies take shape. It is
known as 'bk gbolo ye' i.e.; something denoting a tap at the door,
something requesting the hands of somebody
wrtn v to make bequeathal plans of a late person's property; to bequeath
ws v to scatter or spread
wsl a. extra wide as of ears
wsm v to spread information or news or anything that can be handled
wtwt a. full to the brim
ww a.v reduced esp. in body; emaciate
ww n membrane; fluid that bursts out before a woman delivers a child during
labour
wy n cheating (<Yor.)
we a.v wavering to this way and that way; unsteady; double dealing
w a.v splashing of foam caused by the waves of the ocean or paddling effect;
over flowing foam running over a cup or soup pot
wkrng adv not quite long; just now also ewekerenge
wkrr adv now then; then; at this time; it is then
wlem adv distantly; being at good space; wide or quite apart
wlwl a. flippant of tongue beating tales etc.
wrwr a. gushing out arising from spilling any liquid-oil, kerosene, petrol etc.
wr v to keep; to retain
wrpkb v to come about
wrs v to leave off; to spare; to forego or forgive
wk n wick (<Eng.)
wk n week (<Eng.)
wlwl a. descriptive of fast, deep colouring like ebony black, indigo etc.
wrkwrk a. vesatious; disputatious; vexing repeatedly; adv. wrkwrkm
wsl n whistle (<Eng.)
w v to awaken from sleep
w excl. shout of noise
wf n wharf (<Eng.)
wk v to disturb orderly packed things by scattering them as a result of
searching; searching for pieces of some materials food, cloth, etc.
wkk adv act of seizure with force or gread; total grapping (also =gbkk)
wkl a. spoilt; disfigured; appearing flimsy
wkwk a. echoing in the ear
wkm v to throw away
wl v to cut or break a long material into a short one; to break into small
pieces or segments e.g. sugarcane into pieces
wl v to insult somebody; frequently touching some material or object
wlg n.a. confused state; in a jumbled situation
wll v.a. to put up a magnificent building (also =bll)
wlm v mixed; diluted; mutilated
wlmsn v to deface; to erase or dust off; blot out
wr v abuse
wrnm v reproach; abusive term
wr v to draw out; to remove from a group, marsh or substance or hole
wr a. reduced by emaciation
wrpkm v to draw out from a container like sword from its sheath or feather from
the body of a bird
117
wssm v to awaken a sleeping person; to revive an affair at its moribund state
wrr adv. entering successively into a container through a spout or mouth or
passage
wm adv shouting or echoing continuously
ww a. echoing
w pron. it. used for lower animals and inanimate or household objects
masquerade (<wu)
wb n short form of wube the mask; also used casually for 'type of cloth' or
anything; that thing
wkm v to throw away
wl excl. expression of condemnation and abuse; term following a look down on
somebody or something (colloq.)
wl a. spoilt; changed to a bad condition; unrealistic
wrwr a.n unsteady; deceitful and pliable in behaviour; also sand the smallest
type of gravel or pebble
wswsm adv growing precociously; fast in developing

Y,y

Y,y consonant, the thirty-third letter of the Okrika alphabet
y excl. exclamation esp. of greeting, denoting 'hi'; derisive expression to call
the attention of someone of lower rank,
also applied to a familiar person or an equal or friend,, also, yy or
yyy
w n.v highest form of marriage in the culture of Okrika (see Appendix III)
ybe n vocative address, calling the attention of a male friend or an equal or
lower person; a casual call
yab$ n woman married by the yaa system; a lawfully married woman in
whose marriage the ceremonial custom of kuru' (raffia cloth) and
kpo' (Kano cloth) with other accompanying things like 'real-india'
(injiri) cloth, money and drinks are adopted
yma n feminine of 'yabee'
ymnm adv. quietly; calmly; unnoticed
yng n.a. appearing well clad and pretentiously showy (<Pidgin)
yngr v.a. to roll and twist as a result of being restless as caused by over-feeding
or irritation like the behaviour of a snake after swallowing some
creature or being smeared with petrol
yrr a. erect; straight; upright; clear in standing order or growth
Ys excl. expression made to drive away domestic animals like fowls, goat etc.
(<from yasikima)
y (yw) a. quiet; calm; silent
ym adv quietly; silently
yw excl. exclamation of expressing surprise and fear (short form of 'yawoto')
Ywt excl. exclamation denoting surprise
ywyw a. softly crisp and coarse in the mouth like fairly ripe pawpaw
yykrr n army-worm, brownish destructive creature that attacks crops in the
farm
yyy a. disorderly; unsteady; scattered
yy excl. same as yawoto exclamation expressing surprise
yy n son of a parent
yytk n paternal grandson; little son of a parent
118
y pron. it; thing; something
ye excl. stammering expression used unconsciously while thinking to say
something
y v do; lot; allow it to be; grant that; cause it to be
ybl v to be mindful of something; to consider something
yb v to break something; capable of dyeing or staining something; to kill
something
ybrs n prosperity
ybr v to repeat; do again
ybr n multiplication in maths
yb v to say something; to be fond of talking or insinuating; uttering;
gossiping
yb v to ask for something; to enquire or consult the oracles of a god at a
shrine
ybbr n supplication
ybb n consultant
ybofr a. empty; desolate (also =ybesmk)
ybn v to pick up something
yb v to dab; to touch or hold for firmness or security
yb v to smoke or drink something
yb prep. of something; pertaining to something
ybkr a. being satisfied with some explanation; comprehensive
ybkr a. to be in need; lacking funds
ybkrap n the needy; people in want
yblkkk a. bountiful; abundant
ybs a. being annoyed
ybsk a. vain; worthless; valueless; not important
ychn v to name; to invoke; to ascribe
ycha n. addition in maths
ycha v to add or increase something
ych v to cook something
ychwr n kitchen (also =yechu-ny)
yd v to help put down load; to focus; to point or face
yd v to imitate something; to entrap
ydgn$ to copy
ydgnmsn n xerox, photocopier; photostat machine; also yedacha-masini
ydk v to receive or accept something
ydw v to learn something
ydwnm v to acquire knowledge
yd v to drive something; to exorcise as of a medicine man or charmer
yd v to spread things as for sale or show
ydr v to sell something
ydi(ydi) a.v to know how to do or perform; capable of doing
ydn v to disguise; to change something into another form
yde v to share something; to teach
n division in maths
ydeb n teacher
ydk v to look on
ydky n telescope, magnifying glass (also trdky)
ydk v to find or look for something
ydr v to weave something
yd v to bail something e.g. using a spoon or cup to remove liquid (soup or
119
water). Idiomatically applied to mean making much profit; profiteering
ydk v to tell or speak; to engage in telling something; to discuss
ydk v to chew something
yf a. something being lost or being finished
yfm v to lose something; finishing or settling or resolving an issue; to waste
or spend something esp. making expenses
yf v.n buying something
yf^ v eating something
yfbr n how to eat
yfn v.n jumping something
yf v.n roasting; to roast
yfr v.n stealing; to steal
yglglm v to scatter things; to set confusion; to cause disagreement
ygn v to write
ygn-msn n typewriter
yg v to read or name something
ygs n.ad
v
on account of something because of; reason
yga v to mix something; to make some concoction
yg v to cure or treat some ailment
ygbn v to add something; to put something on top
ygbnm v to add more; to bid higher in auction sale; to make better offer
ygbny n shelf; cupboard
ygbn v to make demands
ygbl v to inquire about something; to seek information; to consult the oracles
ygbn v to throw something at; to mend or sew
ygbn-msn n sewing machine
ygbnb n person who mends or sews; tailor or seamstress
ygb v to invoke something; to invoke evil spirit against someone
ygb v to peck as does a bird or fowl; to strike as with a pointed instrument;
also to roll 'fufu' and dip into soup and swallowing
Y excl. O, oh! Shout of exclamation for being surprised at something
ybpr a.n prosperous; progressing in endeavours; prosperity (also =
ytrkmn$)
ygbn v to demand something
yks v to lock something; to prevent from action
ynm v to endure or bear something
ynmbeb n long suffering; long and patient endurance (Biblical)
yn v to smell or sense some odour
yj v to offload something; also, to load on
yjk v to shake something
yjna v to strife; to drag an issue on
ykn v to pluck something e.g. fruit from a tree or plant
ykinb v to understand; to be able to comprehend something
ykk v to tie or prepare or parcel something; to brain-wash someone with
some plan of evil intention
ykn v to set confusion; to tear something
ykr v to pray; to invoke; to plead; to curse
ykn v to print or make a drawing of something; to make a painting of some
article work
ykn v to count by numbering
ykk v to stop or prevent
120
ykn v to extract something
ykn v to accumulate or acquire something or wealth
yknf v to do business and live by it; to earn a living by being in an occupation
yknm v to serve someone economically; to live with a master or mistress,
rendering to him or her all that one realises by trade; to practise
feudalism
ykn-k v to be independent; to start serving oneself after rendering services to a
master
ykk v to save or keep under safe condition
ykn v to have or make a good catch as in a fishing trip
ykp v to take good care of something; saving it
ykpkp v to remove the outer coat of something metallic
ykpkp v to hold something tight, avoiding anybody, noticing it; to pilfer
ykpt v to fasten together; to clinch
ykp^ v to tie something
yl a. valuable; to be costly
ylk a. cheap; unworthy
ym n things
v don't do
ym v to do something
ymbr n behaviour
ymbrblk n precepts
ymkrm v to plan things agreeably and in good order; to make or arrange things
accordingly
ymkrm v to arrange things firmly; to confirm plans
ynm a. wise, sensible clever
ynmkb$ n idiot, fool, twit, stupid person, blockhead
yngb$ n mother; also nyngb$
ynna v.a. to drag issues; to argue; to be disputatious
ynyn v.a. to own something
y-blmy n gum, glue
y-f v to investigate something secretly; to research
y-fn v to seize something; to be rapacious
y-fr n zero; nothing
y-k v to take something
y-l v to hold something; to be wealthy; to be rich
ytmy n analogy
ypkm a. fruitful; fertile; prolific; productive
yp v to eat fish, meat or insects (specially applied to this class of protein
food)
ypl v to cut something; to finish or decide something
ypk v to deny something
ypk v to turn something
yp v to castrate or remove the inner part like the testickles
ypk v to listen to something
ypk v to pick out something from the ground or the body like picking out
jigger
ypk v to remove from a stalk
yp v to break or split something
yryr a. transparent; inflamed appearance of the skin caused by burn or scald or
boil
ysk v to start something
121
ysr v to pour something
ysnwnlm v to hurt some people or someone
ysn v to remove or subtract something (n) subtraction in Maths
ysn v to accomplish or finish (also =msn
yskr v to be interested to know details of things; to argue or persist with
issues of minute points or details
ys v to steam or parboil something like fresh fish or meat
ysk v to hang something
ysky n hanger
ysn v to stretch something
ytb v to pass the tongue over the surface of something; to lick
ytb v to soak something
ytn v to collect things with the intention of carrying them off; also ytnsn
ytk v to worship things; to beg for something; to apologise; also ytksn
ytkbr n act of praying or worshiping; supplication (also =ybbr)
ytlm v to effect repairing; to make things better; to refine something
ytr v to take good care of something feeble; to be particularly mindful of
something
ytb n reason; main point; chief account of something; subject; cause
ytkr v to chew something
ytn v to plan things; to measure; to survey; to forbid
ytny n measure; something for measuring like cup, rope, tape etc.
ytrkmn n progress; prosperity
ytnd v to drag chances or performances; to shirk duty on account of another
ywk v to be fond of touching and disturbing and thereby disfiguring, mixing
up and placing things disorderly
ywl v to cut or break something
yw l v to be fond of touching things; hands not kept steady
ywlm v to be fond of mixing up things
yye v to do something (also =ym)
yy excl. of no value or importance (<Pidgin)
y v.n to bear a child; childbirth; parturition
ya excl. expression to strike fear into someone; also in low accent into
suspecting fear
yblbl n labour; travail
yb$ n one who delivers or brings forth a child; a nursing mother of a newly
born babe
yb-frktk n parentless child; orphan
ykb^ n barren woman
ykk v.n to stop childbirth; prevention of frequent delivery of child by applying
contraceptives etc.; adoption of family planning methods to check
childbirth; checking of childbirth
yl n womb
Yr p.n. name or title given to a son's wife by his parents and their relatives
(also =tkt
yng n attitude of bluff; pride; showy attitude (<Pidgin)
yng v to swagger stylishly; to swank; moving with neck and body calmly
swinging; jerky in movement
yngr n mother belonging to him or her; also, nygr or nyngb$ (his or
her mother)
yn a. reduced in size; lean; emaciated, (also=nyn)
yryr a. crystal clear
122
yrtt a. straight and austere; clearly straight like discharging without any
disturbance or delivering a child without any hitch adv. yrttm
y pron. usually applied to an elegant masquerade (yb)
yb pron. referring to a particular masquerade, where the player is well known
yd excl. expression of joy and jubilation during masquerade display
ynfm n common dress; uniform worn by members of a society or group
(<Eng.)

Z, z

Z,z consonant, the thirty-fourth letter of the Okrika alphabet
z id. expression denoting scattering
zm(zm) adv. in a scattering manner e.g. occasion when a mad fellow scares a mob;
also used as prefix to mean automatic departure e.g. to leave off
instantly and arbitrarily
z id. expression denoting sudden escape
zm adv. vanishing from sight automatically

Okrika Dictionary

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Okrika Dictionary

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KRKN KNGBL DI RI

OKRI KA DI CTI ONARY

) as in 'g' (cane), low (

kn n steering part of a canoe or ship; a stern

mny n mermaid immortalised by a masquerade

mdp n fountain of life

mkk v.n. sustenance also dm-l

m-l a.v maintaining life; nourishing

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