Street
ijele
What does ijele mean?
Named after the Ijele masquerade, the towering, elaborately decorated 'king of masquerades' in Igbo culture, regarded as the largest and most revered masquerade in the region. As slang, calling someone (often a woman with a striking, statuesque presence) 'Ijele' or 'ijele nwanyi' is high praise for grandeur, class, wealth, or sheer impressiveness.
"She walked into the wedding in that outfit and everyone said she was the Ijele of the day."
Origin
Named for the real Ijele masquerade (mmanwu), a giant, richly adorned masquerade figure regarded in Igbo tradition as the 'king of masquerades' and a symbol of grandeur and greatness. The name has been carried into everyday praise-slang for someone or something exceptionally grand or impressive.
Frequently asked questions
What does calling someone Ijele mean?
It's a compliment meaning they are the greatest, grandest, or most impressive person in the room.
What is the Ijele masquerade?
It's a real, towering traditional Igbo masquerade regarded as the largest and most revered in Igbo culture, which is where the praise-slang comes from.
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