Now updated for CSW19. New words, if any, and new inflections of existing words, are shown in red.
baraza | in E. Africa, a public meeting-place. |
benga | a form of Kenyan popular music featuring guitars. |
boma | in Africa, a thorn enclosure. |
bwana | a master, sir. |
dengue | a tropical fever. [Swahili dinga]. |
harambee | a Swahili rallying cry, 'let's organize together'. |
jambo | an E. African salutation. |
kanga khanga | a piece of cotton cloth wound round the body as a dress. |
kanzu | a long white garment worn by men in E. Africa. |
kikoi | a piece of cloth wound round the waist. |
kitenge | a brightly coloured cotton cloth. |
kwanza | the standard monetary unit of Angola. |
matatu | a type of taxi used in Kenya. |
miombo | an area of deciduous woodland occurring in parts of E Africa > MIOMBOS. |
mvule | a large African tree of the mulberry family. |
mwalimu | a teacher. |
mzee | an old person. |
mzungu | in E. Africa, a white person. |
panga | an African knife, like a machete. |
pombe | an African alcoholic drink. |
safari | a hunter's or traveller's party or caravan, esp. in E. Africa; (verb) to go on safari. |
serkali | (in Africa) the Government; white rulers. |
shamba | in E. Africa, any plot, farm or smallholding used for growing crops. |
simi | in Africa, a short two-edged sword or large knife. |
sitatunga situtunga | a species of African antelope. |
suffari | a SAFARI. |
uhuru | freedom. |
ujamaa | in Tanzania, a form of village community resembling the Israeli kibbutz. |