African Words in English

  • aardvark – Afrikaans, for "earth pig"
  • apartheid – Afrikaans, for "separate living"
  • banana – Wolof, for the fruit
  • banjo – Bantu, for the instrument
  • chigger – Wolof and Yoruba, for "insect"
  • chimpanzee – Tshiluba, for the animal
  • cola – Temne, for the kola nut
  • gumbo – Bantu, for "okra"
  • merengue – Fulani, for "shake"
  • mojo – Fula, for "medicine man"
  • safari – Swahili, for "travel"
  • trek – Afrikaans, for "move"
  • voodoo – Ewe, for "spirit"
  • zombie – Kimbundu, for "god"


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