umdudo, noun

/ʊmˈdʊːdɔ//ʊmduːdɔ/
Origin:
IsiXhosa.
A dance at a traditional Xhosa wedding ceremony, indicating acceptance of the bride by her parents-in-law; the marriage ceremony.
1891 T.R. Beattie Pambaniso 54The dance on an occasion of marriage is known by the name of Umdudo.
1902 G.M. Theal Beginning of S. Afr. Hist. 70Among these people the whole of the marriage ceremonies are included in the term umdudo.
1978 M.J. Mtsaka Not his Pride 29Meko: But you’re a liar, this occasion was never called a wedding day. I was already a big boy then, it was called umdudo. Palamente: All that you’ve just shown to us tells us of umdudo; and umdudo is the traditional wedding ceremony.
1988 M. Mxotwa in Daily Dispatch 17 Dec.A group of specially chosen men and women danced the umdudo — an indication of the acceptance of the bride by her in-laws.
1989 Greater Dict. of Xhosa 730An uduli for which an animal has been slaughtered and an umdudo [which] has been held is regarded as proof that there has been a marriage.
A dance at a traditional Xhosa wedding ceremony, indicating acceptance of the bride by her parents-in-law; the marriage ceremony.
Entry Navigation

Visualise Quotations

Quotation summary

Senses

18911989

Browse Related Words

By Category

Music and Performing Arts
Traditional African Religion and Culture

By Origin

IsiXhosa
umdoni, nounn.umfaan, nounn.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Unit for South African English