‖ngquthu, noun
- Forms:
- Show more Also inqutu, ngqutu, nqutu, and with initial capital.
- Origin:
- IsiZuluShow more IsiZulu ingquthu (plural izingquthu).
In full ngquthu beast: in traditional African contexts, a cow or bull paid to a woman by her daughter’s lover as compensation for her seduction. Also attributive. Cf. lobola noun sense 2.
1931 C.H. Blaine Native Courts Practice 15 (Swart)The Nqutu custom is one peculiar to natives, by which, when a man seduces a girl, the women of her kraal are entitled to exact compensation from the seducer.
1986 Preston-Whyte & Louw in Burman & Reynolds Growing Up 367One or possibly two or more beasts can be and often are sued for in the courts. The first is the so-called ‘mother’s beast’ (ngquthu) which is said to represent the girl’s virginity.
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