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Watusi

Watusi

1 9.9
A group of people from Rwanda and Burundi who are also called Tutsi
  • noun
  • /wɑːˈtuːsi/
: watusi
  • Ernie is from one of those Watusi tribes or something because she's so long and thin, but that evening, she looked kind of shriveled and showed all of her seventy years and then some.

Examples

  • When Elizabeth finds a picture of a Watusi queen in an old National Geographic, she imagines Zeely to be an African princess that she can befriend.

    Academic text (2016)
  • My father was a big Watusi.

  • We're not Watusi.

  • In both Jahdu and Zeely, the cultural connection promised in oral storytelling remains somewhat unfulfilled because the stories will not furnish "true" images of Africa, either through a Watusi princess or the face of Jahdu.

    Academic text (2016)
  • During their exchange, Elizabeth insists that Zeely is a Watusi, to which Zeely replies, "We all came out of Africa—what of it?" (97).

    Academic text (2016)
  • Not only does Shimin provide an illustration of this moment, but Hamilton describes, with photographic detail, the image of Zeely sitting in the grass in her regal gown telling a folktale to Elizabeth, who holds the photo of the Watusi woman on her lap (108).

    Academic text (2016)
  • The Watusi people have a rich cultural heritage that includes unique music and dance.

  • During the ceremony, a Watusi chief presented the traditional dance of his tribe.

  • My friend studied the customs and traditions of the Watusi community while living in Rwanda.

Synonyms

Tutsi
vsWatusi
26 7.1

A person from a group of people in Central Africa, mainly in Rwanda and Burundi

focuses more narrowly on those living chiefly in Rwanda and Burundi
Watutsi
vsWatusi
9.8

A person from the Tutsi people of Rwanda and Burundi

is an alternative name used alongside the more common form

Surface Forms

Watusi singular
Watusis plural

Etymology

The word Watusi comes from a local African language like Swahili: it joins the plural prefix wa- and the name Tutsi, so it literally means 'Tutsi people'. That's why Watusi refers to members of the Tutsi ethnic group in Rwanda and Burundi.