inkatha
9.9
A ring of woven grass used in Zulu ceremonies to show unity
- noun
- South African
:
inkatha
- In Zulu culture, the inkatha is often used as an ornament that represents community and togetherness.
Examples
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At the festival, the participants displayed their colorful inkatha as a sign of cultural pride and heritage.
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The inkatha, the circle of grass of Zulu speakers, no longer exists and was, in any case, a localized sign of male leadership.
Academic text (2000) -
The inkatha, made from woven grass, was worn by the chief during the ceremony to symbolize unity among the tribes.
Surface Forms
Etymology
Inkatha comes from the Zulu language and originally means 'a coil' or 'ring' of grass, like a small wreath used in gatherings. Because people wove these rings to show togetherness, an inkatha became a strong symbol of unity.
