An gnewa
"forward"
aubergine
eggplant
balafon
the stringed instrument played by the griots
baobab
a leaf from a particular tree in Mali, used as a condiment
brigand
bandit; highway robber
bulwark
a person, institution or principle that acts as a defense agianst something
calabash
a gourd used for storing liquid or food
chaff
to mock or tease
cleave
split or sever
cowries
shells used as money for the Mandingo people
craven
fainthearted; without courage
credence
credibility
Daffeké
"a fine charger" (powerful steed)
dais
a raised platform
discomfiture
frustration; lack of ease; defeat
distaff
a staff that holds unspun fibers during sewing
effrontery
impudence; nerve
exchequer
a person or department that maintains a government or court's revenue
extoll
praise highly; exalt
fetish
a physical object that contains a magical power
flog
whip
gibe
insult
glade
an open area in a forest
gnougou
a condiment used by the Mandingo, especially common at Niani
granaries
large structures intended for the storage of grain
griot
A singer, storyteller and historian of old Mali. Griots also serve as counselors to kings, advising rulers based on their wisdom and knowledge of history.
hecatomb
sacrifice to the gods consisting of 100 cattle
impetus
moving force; impulse; stimulus
impunity
exemption from punishment
insurgent
a person who revolts against civil authority
jinn
a spirit of nature, common in Mandingo religion
largesse
generosity in bestowing gifts
macabre
having a grim or grisly atmosphere
mattock
a hand tool used for digging or chopping
mithkal
an Arab unit of measurement, used in Mandingo to mean the smallest possible amount of something
morose
gloomy; sullen
mosque
a Muslim place of worship
n'na
the Mandingo word for mother
nafiola
an unknown botanical
nascent
new, just coming into existence
obsequies
funeral rites
opulence
richness; wealth; abundance
pagne
colorful wrapper worn by West African women
plastron
turtle shell
prudence
caution; discretion
rampart
a defensive wall
rancour
malicious resentment; spite
redoubtable
formidable; dreadful
savanna
a grassy plain in tropical or sub-tropical areas, with few trees
scimitar
a sword with a curved blade
Simbon
title meaning "master hunter"
sofas
soldiers in the army of the Mali Empire
soothsayer
one who practices divination (the process of telling the future)
subjugated
subordinate; under control or domination by conquest
tabala
the royal ceremonial drum
taboo
a prohibition enforced by magic; the breaker of a taboo often suffers punishment by a magical force.
taciturn
silent or uncommunicative
Tana
a hereditary taboo
tempest
great storm
trice
a very short period of time; an instant
vainglorious
boastful; prideful; self-important
veneration
respect or awe
viceroy
a figure of authority who serves under a higher sovereign; a second-in-command
wori
a popular game played in Africa involving small stones
wraith
a ghost or spirit that possesses humans
