Matigari

Matigari Glossary

Aici Acio Biu (Gĩkũyũ)

"The real thieves"

AK47

An assault rifle

Alsatian

A breed of large dog, also called a German Shepherd

ANC

The African National Congress, a social-democratic party in South Africa that historically opposed apartheid

Cerere Khama (Seretse Khama)

The first President of Botswana after decolonization

chapati

An unleavened flatbread

comprador

An agent of a foreign nation who engages in investment negotiations or other forms of economic exploitation

coup d'etat (French)

A sudden, violent overthrowing of a government

"hakuna njia" (Kiswahili)

"No way"

in absentia

Referring to a person who is not present at an event, often a trial

Iregi

A settlement in central Kenya

kabaka

King

Kĩama Kĩrĩa Kirathana (Gĩkũyũ)

"The ruling party." In Gĩkũyũ, the initials of this party spell KKK, emphasizing the party's racist policies by comparing it to the white supremacist terrorist organization, the Ku Klux Klan

"Lakini watona cha mtemakuni" (Kiswahili)

"They will be dealt with"

lasso (Kiswahili)

A fabric shawl

matatu

A kind of taxi, usually a converted pick-up truck, in which passengers often debate ideas and politics

Mararanja (Gĩkũyũ)

A song and dance festival held during a ritual circumcision in Gĩkũyũ culture; the initiation ceremony before an armed struggle

Marxism

A political and social philosophy developed by Karl Marx that criticizes the exploitation of workers by the ruling class and incites workers to seize the means of production; communism is derived from this theory

Matigari ma Njirũũngi (Gĩkũyũ)

Matigari's full name, referencing the anti-colonialist fighters who survived the liberation war and their political offspring; literally, "the patriots who survived the bullets"

Mercedes-Benz

A brand of German luxury car

mũgumo (Gĩkũyũ)

Fig tree

mzee (Kiswahili)

Old man

non-prosequitur

A court decision in favor of the defendant because the plaintiff did not appear in court

sababu

Kiswahili word for 'reason'

samosa

A fried or baked pastry with a savory filling

"Shauri Yako" (Kiswahili)

"That's your problem"

SWAPO

The South West Africa People's Organization, a socialist political party in Namibia

topi

A type of round cap often worn as part of Muslim religious observance

ugali

A dish made of flour cooked in boiling water or milk

uvumi (Kiswahili)

Rumors

"Wapi ule mwivi?" (Kiswahili)

"Where is that thief?"

"Wewe mwenda wazimu" (Kiswahili)

"You're crazy"

"Wewe punda milia" (Kiswahili)

"You zebra"