ukumkani
The English word king is translated into Xhosa as ukumkani.
The term refers to a male of a royal family who is the supreme ruler of his nation.
Meaning: a male of a royal family who is the supreme ruler of his nation (noun)
Did you know?
- In Xhosa culture, a kumkani is not just a political leader but is often viewed as the spiritual link between the living and the ancestors.
- In modern South African media, the term might be used metaphorically to describe any person who has achieved absolute dominance in a specific field, such as music or sports.
- When discussing royalty, Xhosa speakers often use different honorifics depending on the specific clan, meaning the word ukumkani might be replaced by a specific title to show deeper respect.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a history book.
- LwaziUbani lo kumkani?Who is this king?
- LwaziNguKumkani we Sizwe.He is King we Sizwe.
- LwaziNgaba ukumkani ubusise loo ndawo?Did the king bless that place?
- LwaziEwe, ukumkani wenze oko.Yes, the king did that.
