ikhazi, noun

Forms:
Also ikazi, khazi.
Origin:
IsiXhosaShow more IsiXhosa, ‘dowry’, ‘marriage cattle’.
In Xhosa society: lobola noun sense 2.
1858 Cape Monthly Mag. IV. Oct. 218The dowry, or price paid for a wife, is called the ‘ikazi.’
1891 T.R. Beattie Pambaniso 102Frequently a match is arranged through the negotiations of friends, as to the number and quality of the cattle to be given as a dowry. This custom is known as that of Ikazi or ukulobola.
1897 F. Macnab On Veldt & Farm 272Among these semi-civilized Kaffirs the custom of giving ‘ikazi’ (cattle in payment for wives) is becoming rare.
1931 F.C. Slater Secret Veld 311The cattle so tendered are known as ikazi (dowry). Should a wife have reasonable cause for complaint she may always return to her father (or his heirs) who, having received ikazi, are bound to protect her.
1962 W.D. Hammond-Tooke Bhaca Soc. 132The marriage ceremonies of the Bhaca have shown the important part played by the handing over of cattle...The verb ukulobola is used to express this action, and the cattle which are handed over are known collectively as ikhazi.
Entry Navigation

Visualise Quotations

Quotation summary

Senses

18581962