Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have seen the terms "dagga boys", "dagha boys" and "dugga boys" referring to bachelor cape buffalo.

I'm trying to determine which spelling is correct.

I did a little research and found all three spellings used. I found one reference to the word "dagga" which said it was Zulu for mud (it also appears to be slang for marijuana).

I found a reference for "dagha" which is an African word (it didn't say what language) for concrete.

I couldn't find any definition for the word "dugga".

When I was in RSA, the PH pronounced it "dogga" with a "soft o" (same "soft o" as in the English word "dog").

Anybody got any more information?

Thanks,

Terry

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Well put Alf, you are very knowledgeable � it�s nice to see people from overseas with a good understanding of things African.

I my understanding, the term �dagga boy� does not so much refer to Buffalo bachelors, but more to old lone Buffalo bulls.
It is a reference to their love of wallowing in mud � a method of skin parasite control - I�m not sure why it is connected to the old bulls only, because Buffalo generally like to wallow in mud, as do Elephant, Rhino and Warthog.
Perhaps the old boys like to spend far more time relaxing in a nice mud bath and taking it easy � nothing wrong with that � leaving the problems of the herd to their offspring and younger upstarts - sound familiar?

Bush baby

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Alf,

Thanks for the information.

So the correct word is "daga"?

I know this isn't very scientific, but when I do a search for the different spellings, I get only one reference to "daga", a couple of references to "dagha" and a couple of references to "dugga". The most common spelling (about 25 references) is for "dagga".

Thanks,

Terry

/

Oops .. double post

[This message has been edited by Peter V (edited 11-06-2001).]

Alf has pretty much covered it, (based on my understanding of the Nguni based langauges I speak Zulu and Xhosa fairly well, some Sindebele and the lingua francas Chilapalapa / Fanakalo)

Correct spelling though is as follows: in Zulu and Xhosa is udaka (as a noun) for "mud" while mdaka is used for "muddy" or "muddy colour" again in both languages. I am pretty sure of this, else they have to fire Vilakazi and Sikakana at Wits University and my Zulu house help are imposters.

Mdaka is often used to describe the building material used in plastering outside of huts in certain areas (Transkei as opposed to Natal). My Sena staff in Mozambique are also familiar with the term (Sena and Zulu share pretty much the same roots).

Have spent a fair spell on the gold mines in my "youth" I state with certainty that Daga is used in reference to cement and mortar, and as pointed out, is derived from the Nguni languages use of udaka for mud as a building material,

Many are of the view that Dagga bulls derive their name from their fondness of rolling in mud or udaka .... or is it perhaps because they can be as bullet proof as cement bunkers (only kidding)

Regards

------------------

Peter
www.shafa.net
Shafa Safaris

Alf, bushbaby and Peter V,

Again, thanks for the information.

So it appears that "dagga" is the common spelling, although it is derived from "daga".

Regards,

Terry

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Gentelmen my account screen name is DUGABOY1, the reason for the "1" at the end is because Frank Wells, the builder of fine African type rifles from Arizona, already had DUGABOY without the "1". In the old days one almost never heard any spelling other than DUGA-BOY, or DUGGA-boy, and it was pronounced the same way you would pronounce the short name for someone named Douglas, ie:"Doug" -a-Boy! I was given this pronounciation by a PH, Johnny Vivier, when I asked the same question that is asked here in this string.
In recent years I have seen a great many different versions of this word, and today most are some dirivitive of "DAGGA" The term origenaly was a Swahili phrase for a very cantancorus Cape Buffalo bull, usually a LONE Bull!

I really don't think there is a proper way to say this word, but it depends what section of Africa your hunting in. I say DUGA-BOY, right, or wrong they are all the same animal, and how ever you say it, you will be understood, in the thick bush!

------------------
..Mac >>>===(x)===>
also DUGABOY1
DUGABOY DESIGNS
Collector/trader of fine double rifles, and African wildlife art

/

/

Carefull about asking for dagga, least you end up in an African jailhouse..Like Alf sez thats Marihjuana...A little knowledge is a dangerous thing in this case.

As I recall there are several pronunciations of this word depending on the geographical location you are in and the tribe your dealing with, same with M'Bogo, N'Yati etc., also has a number of exceptable off shoots.

------------------
Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

/

11 years and 9 months?

I get it.
Alf varies his deletion markings to keep his post count.
Either " * " or " / "
depending on the toss of the coin for the "deleting session."
Search Alf's posts.
Start deleting Alf's posts.
Reckon he got bullied in grade school?

Just write it "dagga" and pronounce it with whatever accent you like.
Common usage.
Like danke, donkey, etc.

... From my cold, dead hands,
... or when I go blind,
... but I will keep the shotguns if just blind.

quote:

Originally posted by MacD37: in 2001
Gentelmen my account screen name is DUGABOY1, the reason for the "1" at the end is because Frank Wells, the builder of fine African type rifles from Arizona, already had DUGABOY without the "1". ------------------
..Mac >>>===(x)===>
also DUGABOY1
DUGABOY DESIGNS

Gentlemen, let me correct my origenal post on this thread written back in 2001 when my screen name was DUGABOY1 everywhere except at work before I retired in Feb 1996 with American Airlines!

Back then I was going by the sound of the word the way it was pronounced by the locals where I have hunted. I have, since been made aware that the true way to spell it is DAGGABOY, but it is pronounced DUGABOY by every PH I've come in contact with. This is why it is so confusing to those who have not heard it pronounced by PHs from Zambia, Botswana, or Tanzania. like the sir name in RSA spelled "UYS", it is seldom pronounced correctly when only read in print, and if only heard would be spelled incorrectly. The pronouncement of "UYS" is ACE as in the ace of spades!

So, I guess it is how you hear it spoken, not how it is spelled that is correct! There are many words in Africa that are not pronounced the way they are spelled!