ɔheneba
The Twi word for prince is ɔheneba.
ɔheneba is used to refer to a son or a male-line grandson of a reigning monarch.
Meaning: son or male-line grandson of a reigning monarch (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of ɔhene, meaning king and ba, meaning child.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word ɔheneba is used for both the singular form (prince) and the plural form (princes).
Did you know?
- While ɔheneba means 'child of the king', Akan kinship is matrilineal. This means a prince inherits his royal status and claim to the throne from his mother's side, not his father's.
- The royal title ɔhene is often associated with the 'golden stool' in the Ashanti Empire. An ɔheneba's legitimacy is tied to his connection to this physical object, which is believed to house the soul of the nation.
- The word ba in ɔheneba is a general term for 'child'. In Twi, this same root is used to describe the 'fruit' of a tree, linking human offspring to nature.
Examples in context
- Ɔheneba no yɛ ɔhene.The prince is a king.
Example conversation
Afia and Kwesi are discussing a royal visit.
- AfiaƆheneba no bɛba ha nnɛ anaa?Will the prince come here today?
- KwesiAane, ɔrebɛba nnɛ.Yes, he is coming today.
- AfiaMe kyerɛ dɛ ɔheneba no yɛ hyɛ no animuonyam.I mean the prince is highly respected.
- KwesiYɛn nyinii hyɛ no animuonyam.We all respect him.
