Mzungu

Mzungu (pronounced [m̩ˈzuŋɡu]) is a Bantu language term used in the African Great Lakes region to refer to people of European descent. It is a commonly used expression among Bantu peoples in Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Comoros, Mayotte and Zambia, dating back to the 18th century.

Etymology

Literally translated mzungu meant "someone who roams around" or "wanderer."[1] The term was first used in the African Great Lakes region to describe European explorers in the 18th century, apparently as a result of their extensive travelling all over the world. The word mzungu comes from Kiswahili, where zungu or zunguka is the word for spinning around on the same spot. Kizunguzungu is Kiswahili for a dizziness.[2] The term is now used to refer to "someone with white skin" or "white skin", but can be used to refer to all foreigners more generally.[3] The word mzungu in Swahili can also mean someone who speaks English.

The possessive kizungu (or chizungu) translates as "behaving rich". However, in some areas, such as in Rwanda and Burundi, it does not necessarily refer to the colour of one's skin. Traditionally, Europeans were seen to be people of means and rich and so the terminology was extended to denote affluent persons regardless of race. It would therefore not be unusual to find any employer being referred to as mzungu. In the Bantu Swahili language, the plural form of mzungu is wazungu.[4][5][6] The plural form may be used to confer a respect, such as the use of the term azungu to refer to individual foreigners in Malawi's Chichewa language.[7][8] The possessive kizungu (or chizungu) translated literally means "of the wanderers". It has now come to mean "language of the wanderers" and more commonly English, as it is the language most often used by wazungu in the African Great Lakes area. However it can be used generally for any European language. Wachizungu, bachizungu, etc. – literally "wandering people" – have come to mean people who adopt the Western culture, cuisine and lifestyle.[1]

Everyday use

Mzungu can be used in an affectionate or insulting way. It is used in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi and Burundi. It is often called out by children to get the attention of a passerby.[9][10][11] For example, in Malawi, it is common for people to use the casual greeting Azungu boh! to individuals or groups of foreigners.[7]


Regional variations
Language Singular Plural Possessive
Swahili in the African Great Lakes MzunguWazunguKizungu
Shikomori in Comoros MzunguWazunguChizungu
Luganda in Uganda MuzunguBazunguKizungu
Chichewa in Malawi MzunguAzunguChizungu
Chinyanja in Zambia MzunguBazunguChizungu
Kinyarwanda in Rwanda / Kirundi in Burundi UmuzunguAbazunguikizungu
Bemba in Zambia and Democratic Republic of the Congo MusunguBasunguChisungu
Kisii language in Kenya OmusongoAbasongoEbisongo
Sena in Mozambique MuzunguAzungu
Shona in Zimbabwe MurunguVarungu
isiZulu in South Africa UmlunguAbelungu

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Chemi Che-Mponda. "Swahili Time". swahilitime.blogspot.com. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  2. ↑ "What is a muzungu? Definition". Diary of a Muzungu - Uganda travel blog. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  3. ↑ . What is a muzungu?. Retrieved on 2018-07-14.
  4. ↑ H-Net Discussion Networks – Etymology of the term muzungu: reply. H-net.msu.edu (2002-09-19). Retrieved on 2011-05-28.
  5. ↑ The Wandering Wazungu. Travelblog.org. Retrieved on 2011-05-28.
  6. ↑ Notas. The Janissary Stomp. Retrieved on 2011-05-28.
  7. 1 2 "The 12 Words You'll Hear in Malawi". Peace Corps. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  8. ↑ "Chichewa (Bantu)" (PDF). Blackwell Publishing. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  9. ↑ "Rwanda: A Mzungu's Thoughts On Justine Sacco". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  10. ↑ "Mary Walker: Christmas in Kenya". steamboattoday.com. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  11. ↑ Jens Finke (2003). "Tanzania". Rough Guides. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
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