Ọbatala
From Yoruba ọba, "king", and àlà, "white cloth": "king of the white cloth", the Yoruba creator god who shapes human bodies.
Meaning and origin
Ọbatala is one of the great orisha of Yoruba religion, credited with moulding the human body from clay on Olodumare's behalf and honoured as a patron of purity, peace and people born with disabilities.
How to pronounce Ọbatala
| Yoruba (Nigeria) | aw-bah-TAH-lah /ɔbatala/ |
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About this entry
Drafted with the help of an AI model, then checked by a person. Last checked on 16 September 2026.
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