Lemba, noun

/ˈlembə/
Plurals:
unchanged, Lembas, Balemba/baˈlembə/.
Origin:
Unknown.
A member of a people, apparently of mixed Semitic and Black African origin, living mainly among the Venda of the Northern Transvaal (now Limpopo) and in parts of southern Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Mozambique. Also attributive.
Note:
The Lemba have no language of their own, but speak the language of the people among whom they live. Both physiological characteristics and cultural elements suggest East African and Arab origins.
1928 G.P. Lestrade in A.M. Duggan-Cronin Bantu Tribes I. 20They (sc. the Venda) are excellent smiths (the Balemba who dwell amongst them are noted copper-workers).
1952 H. Klein Land of Silver Mist 191It is evident from Lemba legend and tribal custom that somewhere in the distant past these people were closely allied to the Semitic clans of North-Eastern Africa.
1972 J.F. Eloff in Std Encycl. of Sn Afr. VI. 581Lemba,..Bantu ethnic group living in the Northern Transvaal and Rhodesia and displaying certain Semitic traits in their physical appearance and way of life...In South Africa there are probably fewer than a thousand who may still be considered to be of pure Lemba stock.
1972 J.F. Eloff in Std Encycl. of Sn Afr. VI. 582A marriage between a Lemba and a non-Lemba meets with the strongest disapproval.
1982 S. Afr. Panorama Sept. 17 (caption)The traditional apron, adorned with copper beads, is worn prior to initiation by young Lemba maidens in the North-Eastern Transvaal.
1985 G.T. Nurse et al. Peoples of Sn Afr. 164The Lemba, a dispersed people living mainly among the Venda and the Karanga, show morphological and cultural features very suggestive of an East African and Arab-related origin...The derivation of their name is uncertain.
1986 K. Ngwenya in Drum Sept. 50An estimated 40000 black Jews — the Lembas — are preparing themselves for a ceremonial gathering at Sweet Waters near Louis Trichardt later in the year.
A member of a people, apparently of mixed Semitic and Black African origin, living mainly among the Venda of the Northern Transvaal (now Limpopo) and in parts of southern Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Mozambique. Also attributive.
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lekuka, nounn.lemoenhout, nounn.
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