Elephant
animals12 translations across African languages✓ Verified
Pre-colonial context
“Elephants were revered across Africa as symbols of wisdom, strength, and ancestral memory. Many clans carry elephant totem names.”
Translations
Afrikaanspre-colonial
Olifant
Luhyapre-colonial
Inzofu
Wanga · KE
Luhyapre-colonial
Enjoli
Also 'Enjofu'.
Bukusu · KE
Luhya
Inzofu
Ndebelepre-colonial
Ndhlovu
Same root word across Nguni languages.
Shonapre-colonial
Nzou
The Nzou (elephant) clan is one of the major Shona totems.
Siswatipre-colonial
Ndhlovu
Swahili
Tembo
Also ndovu
Tswana (Setswana)pre-colonial
Tlou
Vendapre-colonial
Ndou
Xhosapre-colonial
Ndhlovu
Zulupre-colonial
Ndhlovu
Also a major Zulu clan name (often 'Ndlovu').
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