Elephant

elephant, (family Elephantidae), largest living land animal, characterized by its long trunk (elongated upper lip and nose), columnar legs, and huge head with temporal glands and wide

14 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

Kalenjin

Beliot

Clan totem of Kipkoitin and Teriki Tugen; also Balio in some dialects

Kalenjin · KE

Luhyapre-colonial

Enjoli

Also 'Enjofu'.

Bukusu · KE

Luhyapre-colonial

Inzofu

Wanga · KE

Luhya

Inzofu

aslo Injofu

Xhosapre-colonial

Ndhlovu

Zulupre-colonial

Ndhlovu

Also a major Zulu clan name (often 'Ndlovu').

Ndebelepre-colonial

Ndhlovu

Same root word across Nguni languages.

Siswatipre-colonial

Ndhlovu

Vendapre-colonial

Ndou

Swahili

Ndovu

Also Tembo

Shonapre-colonial

Nzou

/n-ZOH/

Nzou is also a major Shona clan totem.

Afrikaanspre-colonial

Olifant

Swahili

Tembo

Also Ndovu

Tswana (Setswana)pre-colonial

Tlou

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