Ndhlovu
NdebeleEnglish: 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
Same root word across Nguni languages.
Pre-colonial context
“Elephants were revered across Africa as symbols of wisdom, strength, and ancestral memory. Many clans carry elephant totem names.”
In other languages
Luhyapre-colonial
Enjoli
Also 'Enjofu'.
Bukusu · KE
Luhya
Inzofu
aslo Injofu
Luhyapre-colonial
Inzofu
Wanga · KE
Xhosapre-colonial
Ndhlovu
Siswatipre-colonial
Ndhlovu
Zulupre-colonial
Ndhlovu
Also a major Zulu clan name (often 'Ndlovu').
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
Know Elephant in another language or meaning?