Abangasekho -
- (plural) (noun)
- Ancestors.
- Those that are no longer here.
- Example: in isiZulu - “Abangasekho bafuna inkomo ihlatshelwe esibayeni” In English - “Ancestors want a cow to be slaughtered in the kraal”
- English synonym: ancestors
Abangasekho -
- (noun)
- Those who are no longer with us.
Abanguni -
- (plural) (noun)
- Umnguni (singular) (noun)
- Nguni people.
- An ancestral spirit belonging to the same bloodline as the healer.
- Is a collective name for a specific cultural group of people from Southern Africa which includes Zulu, Xhosa, Swati, and Ndebele people.
Abantu -
- (plural) (noun)
- Umuntu (singular) (noun)
- Human beings.
- People.
- Example: in isiZulu - “Abantu abamnyama abaningi batholakala e-Africa” In English - “Most black people are found in Africa”
- English synonyms: people; human beings
Abantu bomlambo -
- (plural) (noun)
- Directly translates to "people of the river (or water)" - a concept based on an old Xhosa folklore.
- In Xhosa mythology, abantu bomlambo are divine beings that abide in water and can exist in human form.
- Example: in isiZulu - “Abantu bomlambo bahlala emlanjeni ” In English - “The people of the river reside in the river”
- English synonym: shape shifting spirits
Abantwana -
- (plural) (noun)
- Umntwana (singular) (noun)
- Children.
- Human beings considered under the legal age by law.
- In South Africa, this is anyone below the age of 18 years old.
- Example: in isiZulu - “Abantwana baya esikoleni” In English - “Children go to school”
- Synonyms: children; izingane
Abaphansi -
- (plural) (noun)
- Spirits that reside below the heavens.
- Those that are from down below.
- Is a collective term that's used to refer to ancestors.
- Example: in isiZulu - “Abaphansi abavumi” In English - “The ancestors disagree”
- Synonyms: amadlozi; amathongo; ancestors
Abaphansi banathi -
- (phrase)
- Translates to the ancestors are with us.
- This phrase is used when fortunate events happen persistently. It is believed that good fortune is a gift from ancestors and an indicator of their favour and-or approval.
- Example: in isiZulu - “Uma abaphansi benathi sibona ngemithelelo” In English - “When the ancestors are with us, we see by the outcomes”
- English synonyms: ancestral favour; ancestral approval
Abaphansi basifulathele -
- (phrase)
- Translates to the ancestors have forsaken us.
- This phrase is used when misfortune persists. It is believed that persistent misfortune is an omen of the ancestor's disapproval.
- Example: in isiZulu - “Abaphansi basifulathele ngoba akuzwanwa la ekhaya” In English - “The ancestors have forsaken us because there is disharmony in the home”
- English synonyms: ancestral disapproval; withdrawal of ancestral protection
Abaphrofethi -
- (plural) (noun)
- Umphrofethi (singular) (noun)
- Prophets.
- People with a godly character that are elected by God to act as the mouth pf God.
- The hands of God.
- Co-creators with God.
- Example: in isiZulu - “Abaphrofethi bentambo” In English - “Prophets who diagnose or divine with a rope”
- English synonym: prophets
Abathandazi -
- (plural) (noun)
- Umthandazi (singular) (noun)
- Faith healers.
- People who heal using the power of prayer, faith, the laying of hands, and holy paraphernalia.
- Prayer warriors or intercessors.
- Also known as abathandazeli (umthandazeli).
- Example: in isiZulu - “Abathandazi bavame ukukubeka izandla mabakuthandazela” In English - “Faith healers usually lay hands on you when they pray for you”
- English synonyms: intercessor, prayer warrior, faith healer, abathandazeli
Abesifazane -
- (plural) (noun)
- Owesifazane (singular) (noun)
- Women.
- Females.
- Human beings that have two X chromosomes and that are capable of producing ovaries that can be fertilized by spermatozoa.
- Example: in isiZulu - “Abantu besifazane akumele bahlukumezwe” In English - “Females should not be abused”
- English synonyms: females, women
Abesilisa -
- (plural) (noun)
- Owesilisa (singular) (noun)
- Men.
- Males.
- Human beings that have one X and one Y chromosomes and that are capable of producing spermatozoa that can fertilize ovaries.
- Example: in isiZulu - “Abantu besilisa banamandla” In English - “Males are physically strong”
- English synonyms: males; men
Abrin -
- (noun)
- Is a potent poisonous protein found in the seeds of umkhokha, a woody vine scientifically known as Abrus precatorius. Abrin is more deadly than ricin and it kills the body by inhibiting somatic cells from making protein.
Acupuncture -
- (noun)
- Is a type of therapy that involves the insertion of needles through the skin to treat pain and other conditions. Acupuncture is a type of therapy that is prominent in Chinese traditional medicine. It is similar to ukutshopa.
Ajawu -
- (noun)
- Is a type of divination through mediumship that's predominately practiced in Kenya. With this divination, the Ajuoga (a Kenyan diviner) makes use of a large gourd (or a calabash). The flesh and seeds are removed from the gourd. After drying, the gourd is filled with pebbles and sealed closed.
Akha -
- (verb)
- To build.
- To construct.
- To dwell.
- To settle.
Akhela -
- (verb)
- To build for another.
Amabandla -
- (plural) (noun)
- Communites.
Amabekelo -
- (plural) (noun)
- The term amabekelo comes from a verb "ukubeka" which means "to put". Subsequently, "ukubekela" means "to put something for". In this sense amabekelo, means to put umuthi (medicine) on the foot path, road, or the place that the targeted person is known to pass or visit regularly, in order to contaminate them. In some cases, amabekelo can be placed in a sexual organ in order to contaminate the targeted person during coitus (the act of sexual intercourse). The purpose of amabekelo is usually to cause harm, illness, or to kill the targeted person.
- Example: in isiZulu - “Amabekelo afana nomeqo” In English - “Amabekelo are similar to umeqo”
- English synonym: umeqo