Ngonyama, noun
/(ə)ŋɡɔnˈjaːma/, /əŋɡɔnˈjaːma/
- Forms:
- Show more Also Ingonyama, Ingwenyama, Ngwenyama, and with small initial.
- Origin:
- IsiZulu, SiswatiShow more IsiZulu ingonyama, Siswati ingwenyama.
1. Always with initial capital. ‘The Lion’, a hereditary title of Zulu and Swazi kings. See also Indlovu.
1994 King G. Zwelithini in Tribute May 40I, Zwelithini Goodwill Zulu ka Bhekuzulu, presently the Ngonyama of the Zulus, pledge..my solemn word that I will withhold myself from any participation in any form of politics.
‖2. A lion.
[1961 T.V. Bulpin White Whirlwind 55‘What is it?’ Johan whispered. The guide inclined his head. ‘Ingonyama,’ he replied, using the Zulu name for a lion, which means a wild beast of prey.]
1981 Bona Jan. 38One night, the ngwenyama comes to a lonely tracker’s camp in a northern Transvaal game reserve to eat his wife...and the nightmare begins.
Always with initial capital.‘The Lion’, a hereditary title of Zulu and Swazi kings.
A lion.
Visualise Quotations
Quotation summarySenses
Copyright © 2023 Dictionary Unit for South African English.