Native names of some species

26 July 2004, 17:43

Apologies for the intrusion ....

I have been trying to find the NATIVE names of different animals found "on yonder" in either Africa or even other parts of the world. While scientific or common names can be found, I am more interested in what the LOCALS call these critters.

For instance, the cape buffalo is Syncerus Caffer, but locally referred to as Nyati.

What about the sand snake, side winder, or other venomous snakes, or similarly scorpions, spiders or other small fearsome critters?

Reason for asking, is that I am looking for a different name for a wildcat cartridge

Outside of Africa, the Poison Dart Frog captures my interest. Other suggestions are welcomed as well.

Many thanks for your assistance

26 July 2004, 20:50

Dave James

OOOOO!! Marty,what cha dreaming up now?

26 July 2004, 23:47

cchunter

The Ultimate Field Guide that can be purchaded from http://www.african-hunter.com/ has all the answers you need, at least for Africa.

27 July 2004, 22:54

zambian

MartytW,
Some suggestions from Zambia

Mbobo-----Black Mamba
Chipili------ Puff adder
Njovu---- Elephant
Nkhalumu----Lion
Ngwee----Leopard
Njoka-----Snake

28 July 2004, 01:57

Rich Elliott

Martytw,

That would be a tall order to cover evey language in Africa. There are 44 dialects that I know of in Ethiopia alone. It get confusing too. In Amharic (the main language there) doro means chicken. But in Masongo it means hat. THe same word in Suro means elephant. You have to be careful which tracker you send out for a chicken!

People are surprised to learn that in Amharic
Bohor means reedbuck and Defassa means water buck

When you say bohor reedbuck or defassa waterbuck you are being redundant.

Ahgasin- Greater kudu
Gara Ahgasin- Mt. Nyala
Amberalee- lesser kudu
madoqua- duiker
inshu- dik-dik
meda fiel- covers any of the gazelle and
literally means "plains goat"
meda hya- "plains donkey" so guess what!
Korke'- covers any of the hatrebeests or the tiang
neiche mala gama- means "hair on the neck" this is a roan
Zuhon- elephant
gerenuk- is a Somali word but the Ethiopians use it for
that animal

Rich Elliott

28 July 2004, 08:19

Atkinson

South Africa:

Sawbona Mfana,

Mt. Reedbuck......Nxala
Buffalo...........Nyati or Ri
Vaal Rhebok.......Liza
Chicken...........Inkhuku
Grey Duiker.......Mpunzi
Springbok.........Intesepe
Gemsbok...........Khukama
Blue Wildebeest...Inkhonkon (I think thats right???)
Blesbok...........None
Steenbok..........Quina
Oribi.............Iwula
Zebra.............Dube
Fly...............Mbungane
F---king Baboon...Matanazane, should you decide to tick someone off I tossed in this last one for you.........

Hamba Ghahle y Ngiabonga,
Ray

28 July 2004, 08:54

Boghossian

Hey Rich, don't forget SUSS (klipspringer), MIDAQUA (duiker) and DUKULA (bushbuck) NEBUR (leopard) AMBESA (lion) and GINGERO (baboon)

28 July 2004, 09:10

Rich Elliott

Boghossian,

Ishi, le'la alle".

Rich ELliott

28 July 2004, 10:11

David W

Not sure any of these help with your cartridge name, but...

In Zimbabwe, a few names are:

Eland = Mophu
Wildebeest = Nkongoni
Impala = Mhara
Kudu = Nhoro
Hippo = Mvuu
Elephant = Nzou
Lion = Shumba
Leopard = Imbada or Ingwe or Chui
Sable = Mharapara
Bushpig = Ngurungunda
Warthog = Njiri
Zebra = Mbizi
Waterbuck = Dumukwa
Giraffe = Tweeza
Rat = Gonzo

28 July 2004, 10:41

Adam Clements

Some quick Swahili names for you.

Lion - Simba
Leopard - Chui
Buffalo - Nyati or Mbogo
Elephant - Tembo
Crocodile - Mamba
Hippo - Kiboko or just Boko
Greater Kudu - Tandala Kubwa
Lesser Kudu - Tandala Ndogo
Gerenuk - Swala Twiga
Grants - swala Grant
Thompson - Swala Tomi
dik dik - Diki Diki (this would be be perfect for you)
Giraffe - Twiga
Eland - Pofu
Zebra - Pundamalia
Wildebeest - Nyumbu
Hartebeest - kongoni
warthog - Ngiri
Impala - swala Pala
Oryx - choloa
snake - Nyoka
Monkey - Tumbili
Baboon - Nyani