Ingcibi

Ingcibi is a Xhosa traditional surgeon who performs circumcisions on young males during initiation.


His grandfather is ingcibi of the village.

Ikhankatha

A Xhosa name for a traditional nurse that takes care of an initiate (umkhwetha) during initiation (circumcision).


Ikhankatha plays a major role during initiation.

Amasi

A Xhosa and Zulu term for thick curdled milk, also known as maas; similar to yoghurt. A traditional drink, amasi is now produced commercially.


Xhosa people would choose amasi over meat.

Ag

(exclamation) – Expression of frustration, outrage, impatience or resignation.


Ag no! I spilled coffee on my keyboard again!

Afrikaans

South African language, developed out of the Dutch spoken in the country since the first Dutch East India Company settlement in the Cape, established in 1652. Afrikaans was considered a dialect of Dutch – known as “Cape Dutch” – until recognised as a language in the late 19th century. From the Dutch for “African”.


They forced us to do Afrikaans in high school.

Umkhwetha

A young Xhosa man being initiated into manhood at initiation school.
Plural is abakhwetha.


He is scarce on facebook because ngumkhwetha.

Habiya

Another Xhosa term for vamna - which means a love portion given to your lover to make you love more.


"Ndingayitya nephepha layo lo habiya" - Driemanskap

Vamna

Is the Xhosa term for korobela - which is love potion given to your lover so that he/she only loves you.
It basically translates to yiva mna ndedwa (only hear me).


I won't mind even if you can give me ivamna.

Korobela

Korobela refers to a love potion given to a man or woman to love you more and be more submissive towards you.


She gave him korobela that's why she controls him like this.

Nyatsi

A nyatsi is a woman who is dating a married man. Sort of the same as a side chick.


No one:
Daily Sun: Korobela chased my nyatsi.


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