Dictionary IMITHI YESINTU Traditional Medicine

Baba -

Ubaba (singular) (noun)
Obaba (plural) (noun)
A male parent.
A father.
A husband. Zulu wives use the term to call their husbands.
Bitter taste.
Example: in isiZulu - “Ubaba ka Amanda uyabuya” In English - “Amanda's father is coming back”
English synonyms: father; dad; husband

Bala -

Baleka -

Bamba -

Banda -

Bantu -

Umuntu (singular) (noun)
Abantu (plural) (noun)
African.
Bantoid.
Is a large ethnic group of over 450 languages that are spoken across Sub-Saharan Africa. It is believed that Bantu originated in Cameroon or Nigeria where non-Bantu languages are presently spoken. The spread of farming has been linked with the spread of Bantu.
Example: in isiZulu - “Imfundo yabantu” In English - “Bantu education”
English synonym: Bantoid; African

Bayethe -

(noun)
Is a regal salutation.
Is a royal hail.
It is used by Nguni people when addressing royalty or the president.
Example: in isiZulu - “Bayethe nkosi yama Swati” In English - “Hail the king of the Swati people”
English synonyms: royal hail; regal salutation

Bethela -

Ukubethela (noun)
(verb)
To hit the nail on the head.
The act of nailing something or someone.
The act of crucifixion.
Ukubethela is a ritual that is performed to protect and fortify the home from witchcraft.
Fortification of homestead.
To reverse bad luck.
Example: in isiZulu - “Ujesu wabethelwa esiphambanweni” In English - “Jesus was crucified on the cross”
Synonym: to fortify, ukuqinisa

Bhaca -

Ibhaca (singular) (noun)
Amabhaca (plural) (noun)
Cape Nguni.
A South Nguni ethnic group that predominantly inhibits Mount Frere, formerly the territory of Griqualand East. Bhaca have a distinct dialect that's different from other Xhosa speaking people namely, Mpondo, Hlubi, Ngqika, Ndlambe, Gcaleka, Bomvana, etc.
Example: in isiZulu - “Amabhaca abantu base-Transkei” In English - “The Bhaca people are based in Transkei”
English synonym: Cape Nguni

Bhala -

Ukubhala (noun)
(verb)
Write.
Inscribe information on a surface of something or an empty space.
Example: in isiZulu - “Ngibhala ingcwadi emfushane” In English - “I'm writing a short letter”
Synonyms: write; author; pen; scribble

Bhatata -

Abobhatata (plural) (noun)
Ubhatata (singular) (noun)
Sweet potato.
Ipomoea batatas.
It is a sweet tasting root (of a plant) that is eaten as a vegetable.
Example: in isiZulu - “Ubhatata umnandi” In English - “Sweet potato is delicious”
English synonyms: Ipomoea batatas; sweet potato

Bhejane -

Bheka -

(verb)
To look.
To direct one's attention towards a particular thing or person.
To gaze.
Example: in isiZulu - “Bheka mina ngedwa” In English - “Look at only me”
Synonyms: look; buka

Bhema -

Ukubhema (noun)
(verb)
To smoke, a joint, pipe, or cigarette.
To sniff, powdered medicine or snuff.
Example: in isiZulu - “Umkhulu ubhema ugwayi” In English - “Grandad is smoking a cigarette”
English synonyms: sniff; smoke

Bhodla -

Bhukuda -

Ukubhukuda (noun)
(verb)
To swim.
To make movements in a body of water such as a swimming pool, a river, a lake, or an ocean.
Example: in isiZulu - “Asambe siyobhukuda olwandle” In English - “Let's go swimming in the ocean”
English synonyms: swim; take a dip

Bhula -

Ukubhula (noun)
(verb)
To divine.
Divination in the African culture and tradition that makes use different types of a mediums, such as bones or abalozi.
Example: in isiZulu - “Isangoma esibhula ngamathambo” In English - “A sangoma that divine with bones (or osteomancy)”
English synonym: to divine

Bhuti -

Abobhuti (plural) (noun)
Ubhuti (singular) (noun)
Brother.
A male sibling.
Example: in isiZulu - “Ubhuti wabo ungumfundisi” In English - “Their bother is a pastor”
English synonym: brother

Bika -

Ukubikwa (noun)
(verb)
A ritual that’s carried out when a member of the family is being reported to the ancestors as newcomer either by birth or by marriage.

Biza -

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