Ndhlovu
ZuluEnglish: 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
Also a major Zulu clan name (often 'Ndlovu').
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
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
Know Elephant in another language or meaning?