Tosin Adejuyigbe
Due to the fact that these seven words have been accepted globally, many would not believe they were gotten from Africa. These are words we all use frequently when the need for it arise, today we have chosen to educate our readers about them because we want you to understand that words from African continent are great enough to be globally accepted just like unique ideas developed by Africans too.
These seven words are:
1. Safari
Safari is a Swahili terminology that originated from East Africa. It is often used to describe animal watching expedition.
2. Kwashiorkor
Kwashiorkor is one of the world famous phrases that originated in Africa. It is actually a Ghanaian word that means malnutrition in infants and children.
The word kwashiorkor is usually used to describe severely malnourished children in impoverished regions that is due to poverty.
Most dictionaries have the word/phrase in it. So, the next time you see kwashiorkor in any dictionary, know that it is a word that originated from Ghana.
3. Juju
Juju is also among the world famous words that originated in Africa. In fact, you must have used the word once or twice in your lifetime.
Should I blow your mind now? The word juju comes from Nigeria and it is now a popularly used word around the world.
Also, it is now in most dictionaries. And it means being fetish, the act of using magic to charm someone etc.
4. Lamba Lolo
Lamba Lolo is a popular Africa phrase that has become a global slang. It actually Swahili slang and it means “suck a d*ck”. The slang originated from Kenya and most foreigners use it in their everyday slang.
5. Buckra
Buckra is another popular word that originated from Nigerian Efik and Ibibio languages.
It actually means a white person or a person with a predominantly white ancestor. This word is in Urban and Merriam Webster dictionaries.
6. Hakuna Matata
Hakuna Matata is obviously one of the most phrases that originated in Africa. Hakuna Matata is actually a phrase in the Swahili language.
The phrase was popularized by the famous Disney animated film “the lion king”. In the film, Hakuna Matata means “no worries”.
Disney film production team claims that they picked up the term on a tour guide while on safari in Kenya.
7. Mumbo Jumbo
Mumbo Jumbo is also among the world famous words that originated in Africa. It is actually a West African term and it refers to a ritual causing or intending to cause confusion.
Always remember these world-famous words originated in Africa when next you come across them.
Source: HowAfrica
