Hottentot
Hottentot is an archaic term that comes from the Dutch and refers to the nomadic Khoi-San people. The term appears to be related to an Old Dutch term that means stammerer. It also is a reference to the language of the Khoi-San peoples which is characterized by distinctive click consonants. The term Hottentot is considered a derogatory term today. In the 19th century, the Khoi-San were often regarded as a type of missing evolutionary link, tying “modern” humans with primitive apes. These hypotheses represent the scientific racism of the time.
Hottentot Apron
The term Hottentot Apron refers to two things: the loin-cloth covering that Khoi-San women wear to cover their genitalia, and the elongated labia minora of the Khoi-San women which covers the vagina.
Gallas
Gallas is an archaic and offensive term for the Oromo peoples of Ethiopia in East Africa. The term refers to their refusal to accept Islam as their religion, but was used by Europeans throughout the 19th century.
Bushman
Bushman is a commonly-used term referring to the nomadic Khoi-San peoples of Southern Africa. Historically, the Khoi-San lived off of the land, traveling through the bush and subsisting on what they could hunt and gather. It is slowly falling out of use today.
Harlot
Harlot is a dated word referring to prostitutes and sex workers. The term was very common in the 19th century.
Afrikaans
Afrikaans refers to the language used by the white Dutch peoples who colonized South Africa in the 17th century.
