The Tongue of a Continent

A Nyumbanian Glossary

Abosonnan:--a sacred god-shrine.

Adinkra:--a type of finely patterned cloth worn by the people of the Forest Kingdoms.

Afrafokonmu:--the Washer of Souls, symbol of Onyame the Sky-God.

Ahosi:--the women warriors of Abomey. They are considered to be virgin brides of the king.

Ajeji:--a term of the West Coast meaning literally, a "foreign stranger."

Akpadume:--title of the commander of the Ahosi army of Abomey. It means "the Queen of Spears."

Akuapem:--a sub-chieftain of the Akan people.

Amri:--title of the commander of the regular army of Kundwa.

Arem:--a spear used by the Ilyassai for war and ritual lion hunts. Length---six to seven feet, half of which is edged iron.

Asokabas:--a colorful woman's garment that extends from waist to ankle, leaving the rest of the body bare.

Asufos:--the Ashanti word for "killer," the title of a type of foot soldier.

Azaundato:--the chief sorcerer of Abomey.

Bachi:--the smooth-faced masks of the Yaoule people in Central Nyumbani.

Baraka:--a mystical power bestowed upon the user by the god he worships.

Basenji:--a small, non-barking dog common to rural areas of the East Coast Kingdoms.

Bela:--a person who makes a living as a traveling song-teller.

Bhoki:--a minor official of the Manomatopa Empire.

Biru:--an elder, a person of high social and political standing among the Mwambututssi.

Bokono:--divination; the foretelling of the future.

Boma:--a thornbush enclosure to pen cattle or protect temporary encampments among the tribes of the Tamburure.

Bure:--barren hill country on the western frontier of the kingdom of Kitwara.

Chamma:--a length of white cloth worn as a mantle by the people of Axum.

Chemosit:--the giant hyena-ape of the Soudanic Plains. More feared than any lion or leopard, this legendary creature is an eater of men and cattle.

Chephet:--The Cushite concept of spiritual and magical balance between the influence of the Cloud Striders and the influence of the Mashataan.

Chimbo:--a low walled dirt pit in which men fight bare-handed for the benefit of spectators who exchange wagers on the outcome.

Chipete:--headgear worn by the nobles of the Maguvurunde (see ndau).

Chipimbere:--rhinoceros-like animals used as war-beasts by the armies of the Maguvurunde.

Chui:--leopard.

Daga:--hardened clay used as building material in the Maguvurunde.

Daju:--footloose warriors who sometimes serve as mercenaries, but more often become bandits.

Daku:--a pygmy breed of hippopotamus, used as a pack-beast by the people of the West Coast.

Danganyifa:--a poisonous shrub of the Tamburure Plain.

Dawa:--healing magic.

Deben:--gold bars used as money in Cush.

Dhoruba:--typhoon strength storms that occur on the ocean during the wet season.

Dibatag:--a creature of Nyumbani prized for its beautiful hide.

Dik-dik:--a small, delicate antelope the size of a small dog. The people of the Forest Kingdoms keep them as pets.

Dilali:--a water-lion. A cat-like creature larger than a lion, it has the dense brown fur, long thick tail, and short legs of an otter.

Diop:--the chief of the town of Bagara.

Djautau:--the personal soul belonging to an individual.

Djinn:--malevolent, malicious supernatural beings that sometimes goes in human guise.

Dubwana-ya-jiwe:--elemental demons that dwell in underground rock strata.

Dyongu:--a spirit-cock that embodies the luck of a Soudanic town.

Dyula:--an international merchants guild that controls most of the commerce of the West Coast, as well as having interests in the Soudanic nations and the Jungle Kingdoms. Membership in the Dyula is indicated by a string of silver-plated cowries worn around the neck.

Erriten:--title of the True Adepts, the loftiest rank in the hierarchy of the Mashataan-worshipping Sorcerers of Naama.

Farisi:--a war-beast similar to a horse used as a mount by the armies of the east coast. Each of its feet has three digitigrade toes instead of a hoof.

Fedi:--a guardian tree that is the watcher of one's fate and protector of two of a person's three souls.

Fisi:--carrion-eating hyena.

Ganulan:--title of the commander of the men's army of Abomey.

Gbo:--a personal item imbued with great magic.

Gbona:--a member of the blacksmith society that worships the "god that dwells in the metal."

Gereza:--a combined prison/police headquarters in the city of Mwenni.

Griot:--a type of Soudanic bard; part musician, part storyteller.

Gunkwu:--a gigantic, two-horned war-beast used by the Cushite army.

Gyaase:--the inner yard of a chieftain's house.

Hakht:--a series of athletic contests held annually in Cush.

Haramia:--bandits who roamed the hills bordering the country of the Giant-Kings.

Hibi:--humanoid sea-dwellers created long ago by the Mashataan.

Hila:--fox.

Himaya:--a talisman, usually fashioned from gold, that has the power to ward off inimical supernatural beings.

Ikengas:--a fleet, domesticated antelope. The brawny, horse-sized ikengas boast a deadly pair of forward-pointing horns that are tipped with steel when used as cavalry mounts.

Ilmonek:--an Ilyassai youth who exhibits cowardice during the ritual lion-hunt of manhood. Literally, "un-man."

Imba:--the palace of the ruler of a Maguvurunde kingdom.

Imandwa:--a shape-changing forest-spirit once worshipped among the cattle-raising people of eastern Nyumbani.

Impi:--a regiment of warriors of the Abamba tribes.

Indashyikuwa:--title ascribed to the Priest of Virunga, a god high in the pantheon of the Mwambututssi.

Irimu:--the shape-changing lion-demons enlisted to fight on the side of the Naamans. A second mouth on the back of their neck marks them as creatures of the Mashataan.

Isangoma:--a witch-smeller of the Abamban Highlands.

Izingogo:--quadrupedal, carnivorous humans enlisted to fight on the side of the Naamans.

Izizalwana:--a term for "kinsman" in the language of the Ngwika tribe.

Jaculi:--a viper more venomous than a mamba or spitting cobra. It is brown with distinctive octagonal markings.

Jahazi:--a medium-sized, two-masted merchant ship common to the maritime kingdoms of the East Coast.

Jambiya:--a razor-sharp knife of the Komeh people.

Janga:--a hallucinogenic herb whose smoke instills courage and fighting ferocity in its user.

Jini Wangwa:--the "Silent Ghosts", a spirit-folk believed to carry off the strongest men and comeliest women while they sleep.

Johos:--a type of voluminous shirt popular with the men of the Soudan.

Kachasu:--a potent liquor distilled from sorghum, commonly drunk in the Maguvurunde.

Kakun:--a white loincloth of the West Coast.

Kalimba:--a musical instrument; it is a hollow wooden soundbox fitted with eight keys that resonate against a raised metal rim.

Kambu:-- spirit-beings that manifest themselves on Earth by imbuing an animal with their power. The spirits can control the actions of the animal they invade, and can even take on human appearance.

Keita:--title of the Emperor of Songhai.

Ker:--the Royal Palace of the Kandiss of Cush.

Khetunga:--title of the commander of a company of Ahosi.

Kibana:--a round, thatch-roofed dwelling favored in rural areas.

Kibanda ya Kufa:--literally, "Hut of Death."

Kiboko:--a hippopotamus.

Kifaru:--rhinoceros.

Kirri:--a knob-headed club used as a weapon by Abamba warriors.

Kisujini:--red panther.

Kiswa:--the root-tongue of the East Coast of Nyumbani. Variations of Kiswa are spoken in a wide variety of coastal and interior kingdoms and tribes.

Ko:--a seven-stringed musical instrument.

Kposu:--title of the leader in a group of ten Ahosi.

Kpulu:--the linguist of the Leopard King of Abomey.

Kufuhuma:--a total sensory attunement or rapport between an Ilyassai warrior and the environment around him.

Kukata:--a sharpened spur-like weapon favored by the Giant-Kings.

Kungurus-Kansusu:--a spirit of the West Coast that can take physical form. If you capture one it can grant you four wishes.

Kutabana:--a magical spell that influences emotions, perceptions, and dreams.

Kutendea:--a gift of succulent grass given by Ilyassai herders to the cattle of a friend.

Kwaba:--a small offering, customarily presented to song-tellers by a monarch.

Kwaku Anansi:--the "Trickster", a West Coast God. It usually manifests itself as a gigantic, hairy spider.

Kwetu:--a dome-shaped dwelling made of bark and tree limbs.

Legba:--the boastful god of Ife.

Lwanzi:--trade-fair held outside the walls of the cities of the Maguvurunde.

Mafundishu-ya-muran:--a period of warrior training lasting from the fifth year to late adolescence of the Ilyassai male. During this period, youths are isolated from the rest of the tribe.

Maka:--a member of the Meroitic City Guard.

Mangabaan:--monsters, half-flesh, half-stone, created in ancient times by the Mashataan.

Manyatta:--the basic Ilyassai dwelling, constructed from hides stretched across poles. To facilitate transport, the manyatta is collapsible.

Manyoya:--a plumed headgear worn by the people of west central Nyumbani.

Marufuku:--forbidden, taboo---a term applied especially to the Palace of Shihazz in Mwenni.

Matisho:--hunting hyena.

Mbizi:--zebra-like beasts used as riding animals in the lands of the Maguvurunde.

Mboa:--buffalo.

Mbuli:--title of the king of Engaruku.

Mbwa:--wild dog.

Mbweha:--jackal.

Mchawi:--witchcraft; magic based on the power of the Mashataan; hence, generally considered to the malevolent. Derivative: n'tu-mchawi, "man of witchcraft."

Mganga:--a spell-casting witch.

Mhalifu:--a Kundwan expression for "a criminal," analogous to "a crook."

Mhondoro:--the spirit of the Great Ancestor of the people of the Maguvurunde.

Mhuri:--the dwellings of the people of the Maguvurunde.

Mjimja:--a professional jester and acrobat, commonly attached to the courts of the East Coast monarchs.

Monomatapa:--the title of the king of Zimbabwe, now Emperor of the Maguvurunde.

Moso:--a small brass statue.

M'paa:--antelope-like creature of the Maguvurunde.

Mpunia:--bandits of the Maguvurunde.

Mtekwa:--a commander in the army of the Monomatapa.

Mtumbwi:--a large trading-canoe of central Nyumbani. It can seat fifty people.

Muaji:--a landless mercenary, the term means "sword-for-hire" in the Dogue language.

Muruwi:--a fighter involved in gladiatorial entertainments in Zimbabwe.

Mutanda:--a walled village of the people of the Abamba Highlands.

Mwana Pwo:--a mask of the Yaoule people that marks you as a ritual bride of Umenya Kwi.

Nandi:--the legendary bear-dog, a huge, shaggy creature with long talons and curved fangs. Possibly a carnivorous ground sloth.

Ndau:--a noble of the Maguvurunde kingdoms.

Ndevu:--a beard-like decoration that is part of the crown of the Sha'a of Azania.

Negus:--title of the king of Axum.

Nems:--headcloth worn by the men of Cush.

Ngaos:--the city-guard or police of Mwenni and other Kundwan municipalities.

Ngatun:--lion.

Ngombe:--the cattle of the Ilyassai; a long-horned, powerfully built stock bred by the tribes of the Tamburure.

Ngumbi:--a race of hairy man-apes that live in remote regions of Nyumbani.

Ngwana:--a Kundwan form of address signifying respect, analogous to "sir" or "mister."

Ngwidi:--a long-necked war-beast used as a mount by the armies of the east coast. Looking like a cross between a giraffe and a camel, the ten-foot high creature was trained to strike with its head like a serpent.

Njobo:--beaded dresses worn by women of the Maguvurunde.

N'kaa:--animate soul-essences enslaved by the Mizungus of Yahannis for the purpose of artificial life-extension.

Nkosi:--a chieftain or headman among the tribes of the Abamba Highlands.

Nsanga:--a legendary river-iguana that can grow to be over twice the size of the largest crocodile. It has no natural enemies.

Nwanga:--a were-creature of the Mashataan, that once a month must drink the blood of humans.

Nyakas:--a gigantic creature halfway between an elephant and a rhinoceros in bulk and distinguished by a Y-shaped horn on their snout. The men of Gaungara are the only men able to domesticate this usually irascible beast. The five-ton nyakas are able to bear loads that would tax an elephant. From the description, the nyakas would be a type of brontothere.

Nyuvha-ya-chipimbere:--the heavy cavalry of the armies of the Maguvurunde (see chipimbere).

Nyuvha-ya-mbizi:--the light cavalry of the armies of the Maguvurunde (see mbizi).

Ogolukun of the River:--a West Coast god.

Ogukun:--the West Coast God of Chance.

Ohoni:--witchcraft.

Oibonok:--a shaman who interprets the will of Ajunge, highest god of the Ilyassai. Sorcery is an important adjunct to the role.

Ol-arem:--a clan chieftain of the Ilyassai. Literally, "first spear."

Olmaiyo:--the ritual lion hunt that marks the final test of manhood for Ilyassai youth. The lion must be slain single-handed.

Omal:--title of the king of Punt.

Omari:--title of the king of Zanj.

Oruba:--the lingua franca of the West Coast nations of Nyumbani.

Piobo:--a Deinotherium, this legendary creature is known as the "elephant's mad cousin". An average piobo is a tall man's height taller than the tallest elephant, which they closely resemble. They differ from elephants in that their tusks push downward from their lower jaw, their shaggy coats are the color of mud, and their ears are small and round. Mindless rampage and utter destruction are two other attributes of the piobo.

Pombe:--a thick, yellow beer fermented from maize, millet, or sorghum, and consumed throughout the East Coast kingdoms.

Rafiki ya Kufa:--a title bestowed upon Imaro, it means "Death's Friend."

Sabane:--a type of powerful sorcerer; a "Master of the Black Talk."

Saffiyeh:--a small square off a city's main marketplace, where traditionally griots display their talents.

Sakkhar:--the resting-place of the dead kings and queens of Cush.

Sarafus:--silver, disc-shaped coins used as a medium of exchange in the kingdom of Kundwa.

Satipwe:--a sable antelope that grows nearly as large as a horse.

Selido:--the soul that speaks before the judgement of the god of the dead, Mawu-Losa.

Semido:--the soul that makes an individual one with your ancestors.

Shamba:--a tract of land used for farming or gardening. Shambas are found in the lands east of the Tamburure.

Sharangwa:--leafless tree common in the Maguvurunde.

Shati:--a collarless, loose-fitting upper garment worn by men of the East Coast.

Shauf:--a section of the city of Meroe devoted to a specialty of the iron-working trade.

Shenti:--a pleated loincloth worn by the men of Cush.

Shingona:--Ilyassai ceremonial headgear made from the mane of the lion a youth slays on olmaiyo.

Shongo:--a type of weapon used in the Jungle Kingdoms, it has three L-shaped blades and a counterweighted wooden handle.

Shuka:--a woman's garment consisting of a rectangle of cloth wrapped around the body from breast to knee.

Sichi:--a tall gaunt humanoid creature of the Mashataan. They steal the lives of humans to prolong their own. Umenya Kwi was a sichi.

Simi:--a short, hilted sword favored by the tribes of the Tamburure.

Suruali:--loose-fitting trousers of cotton or silk, worn by men of the East Coast kingdoms.

Tawa:--magic based on the power of the Cloud Striders; hence, generally considered to be benevolent.

Tembo:--elephant.

Tira:--a leather charm pouch.

Tuyobene:--the living dead. They have slate-gray skin and dog-like snouts. In all other ways they appear human.

Tyerkou:--a type of demon that sheds its skin at night to wander the land and drink the blood of the unwary.

Tynbibi:--a person who can foretell the future; a diviner.

Ufalma:--a member of the royal house of Darfur.

Ufalme:--a noble of the kingdom of Azania.

Unga-ya-kufa:--a sorcerous death-dust employed by the Kalamungu of the Giant-Kings.

Unkansi:--trance-like state associated with prophecy in the Abamba Highlands.

Unthlatu:--a race of men with scaled, reptilian skin, enlisted to fight on the side of the Naamans.

Upepo-uchawi:--a magically harnessed gale, skillfully coaxed from the clouds of an unborn storm by Kisiwan witch-women. They use the witch-wind to propel their ships through the sea.

Vembi:--one of the most feared creatures of Nyumbani, its name means "Eater of Souls."

Woyaya:--"Death's Guardians," a lion-sized creature that protects the realm of Death from intruders. Its appearance is a cross between an lizard and a carnivorous rhinoceros.

Ya Nyuyu:--the West Coast Goddess of Luck.