Browse dictionary
Showing 1-20 of 358 results in 358 entries
1. abakwetha, adj. and n. View full entry 1846
...Of or relating to the traditional initiation period or ritual symbolizing passage into manhood among Xhosas....
2. abatagati, n. View full entry 1859
...With pl. concord. Esp. among the Nguni peoples: witches or wizards as a class; practitioners of evil magic. Cf. umtagati1....
3. Abelungu, n. View full entry 1836
...With sing. or pl. concord. White people collectively. Cf. mlungu, umlungu2....
4. abeng, n. View full entry 1890
...A type of bugle made from a cow horn, used by the maroons as a musical instrument and to send signals....
5. abura, n. View full entry 1921
...A tree of tropical West Africa, Mitragyna ciliata (family Rubiaceae), from which a soft pale wood is obtained; the wood of this tree, used esp. for furniture, flooring,...
6. accra, n. View full entry 1864
...W. Afr. and Caribbean. A ball-shaped fritter or sautéed patty of seasoned mashed beans, esp. black-eyed peas. In early use freq. in accra cake....
7. ackee, n. View full entry 1792
...The bright red pear-shaped fruit of the tropical tree Blighia sapida (family Sapindaceae), containing pale flesh which is commonly used in Caribbean cooking. Also: the tree itself, West...
8. adinkra, n. View full entry 1895
...A type of stamped cloth worn in Ghana, esp. during mourning. Also: any of numerous symbolic geometrical patterns typical of this cloth....
9. afara, n. View full entry 1920
...A tall West African hardwood tree, Terminalia superba (family Combretaceae), cultivated for its straight-grained timber; (also, freq. with distinguishing word) the timber itself, used for furniture, flooring, etc.;...
10. agbada, n. View full entry 1852
...A long, wide-sleeved flowing gown, often embroidered, worn by men in parts of West Africa, esp. Nigeria....
11. agboin, n. View full entry 1920
...= dahoma...
12. agidi, n. View full entry 1853
...A gelatinous starchy food made by boiling a paste of (fermented) maize meal or flour....
13. agogo, n. View full entry 1889
...A handbell of West African origin, consisting of two or more joined cones struck with a stick or rod, used as a percussion instrument in African and Latin rituals and music....
14. akalat, n. View full entry 1902
...Any of various African songbirds, including West African babblers now in the genus Illadopsis (family Timaliidae), and robin-like chats now in the genus Sheppardia (family ...
15. Akan, n. and adj. View full entry 1849
...A member of any of a group of West African peoples mainly inhabiting Ghana and the Ivory Coast....
16. Alafin, n. View full entry 1874
...The political leader (formerly the king) of the Yoruba people of Oyo state in south-western Nigeria (see Yoruba). Also as a title. Cf. Oba...
17. Alhaji, n. View full entry 1951
...In Nigeria and other areas of West Africa: = Al-Hajj1....
18. amadumbi, n. View full entry 1851
...= madumbi...
19. amakwetha, n. View full entry 1833
...= abakwetha1....
20. Amandebele, n. and adj. View full entry 1872
...= Ndebele...
