lapa, noun
- Forms:
- Also lappa, ‖lelapa.
- Origin:
- Sotho
1. In a traditional Sotho homestead: the forecourt, the first of two courtyards in the walled enclosure which contains the cluster of huts belonging to one family, providing an area for cooking, eating, and recreation. Also transferred sense, used of any enclosure, and attributive.
1924 E.B. Ford Waterfalls 10My boy! My son! He brought me everything His mealie-cart, his whip, his earthen cow And I played with him in the ‘lapa’ ring.
1990 E. Koch in Weekly Mail 30 Mar. 11With that (sc. R200 a month) he tries to feed his wife, nine children and a horde of grandchildren who scamper around the lapa of his homestead.
2. boma noun1 sense 2.
1982 S. Afr. Panorama Dec. 13Dinner is served in a reed walled boma, or lapa, within which tables are arranged in a big semi-circle. In the centre burns a log fire.
1991 C. Urquhart in Weekend Post 16 Mar. (Leisure) 4These ‘safari farmers’ offer a variety of activities, including game viewing,..lapa braais, conducted tours and night game spotting drives.
the forecourt, the first of two courtyards in the walled enclosure which contains the cluster of huts belonging to one family, providing an area for cooking, eating, and recreation.
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