‖umnumzana, noun
- Forms:
- Show more Also mnumzana, numzan, numzane, umnumxana, umnumzan, umnumzane.
- Plurals:
- abanumzana.
- Origin:
- IsiXhosa, isiZulu, SiswatiShow more IsiXhosa and isiZulu umnumzana (plural abanumzana), Siswati umnumzane (plural abanumzane).
1.
a. In historical contexts. In traditional Nguni society: (the title of) a lesser chief, usually the headman of a village. See also induna sense 1 a.
1835 A. Steedman Wanderings I. 257Independently of these hereditary Chiefs, every village or kraal has its master, who is called the ‘Umnumxana.’
1955 E.A. Ritter Shaka Zulu 2A number of kraals, in any one clan..was..grouped together..and placed under the supervision of a local headman, umnumzana, who functioned at once as a petty magistrate and a Member of Parliament possessing authority to adjust all minor disputes and acting as the voice and ears of his people.
b. The owner of a house; the head of a household.
1857 J. Shooter Kafirs of Natal 15This [house], at the head of the kraal, and a little larger than the rest, is for the umnumzana, a compound word signifying the owner of a place.
1979 M. Matshoba Call Me Not a Man 3‘Where’s the owner of the house?’ asked the first one in a gruff voice...‘Are you the mnumzane, you?’
c. An employer.
1980 Voice 23 July 2Where they sleep, where they come from (homeland), whether they have families or not, what they eat or wear, is none of the mnumzana’s business.
d. A person of some status, wealth, or importance.
1984 S. Zungu in Pace Oct. 64Amasi is the food of ‘abanumzane’ (honourable gentlemen)...In the past..abanumzane used to enjoy amasi with umcaba (corn which is first cooked and then ground).
2.
a. ‘Sir’, a respectful form of address. Cf. morena sense 1 a.
1949 O. Walker Proud Zulu (1951) 33He sensed a feeling of deliberate respect along the footpaths as they stood aside, and with right arm raised to say: ‘Nkosi’ ‘Chief’ or ‘Mnumzana’ ‘important person.’
1982 Voice 5 Aug. 2There was this guy who wanted to be classified Tswana. He wrote a long letter to the Department of Bantu Administration...The letter said: ‘Greetings Mnumzana, my name is Muziwakhe M—.’
b. ‘Mr’, a respectful title used before a proper name; also used ironically.
1952 F.J. Edmonstone Where Mists Still Linger 26We always used to say that when Umnumzana Utomu died, his spirit would remain on the farm and its lands to protect them from the doings of the evil ones.
In traditional Nguni society: (the title of) a lesser chief, usually the headman of a village.
See also induna sense 1 a.
The owner of a house; the head of a household.
An employer.
A person of some status, wealth, or importance.
‘Sir’, a respectful form of address. Cf. morena sense 1 a.
‘Mr’, a respectful title used before a proper name; also used ironically.
Chrome
Firefox
Internet Explorer
Safari