Vatsonga are mainly coastal people, Vatsonga controlled ancient coastal trade posts from Sofala (in present Mozambique) to Saint Lucia Bay (in present South Africa). Vatsonga had a developed mercantile system part of international trade industry with India, China, & Arabia. Vatsonga have an advanced maritime knowledge.
This piece lists little of the vast Tsonga maritime terminology;
- Byatso – Boat
- Byayela – High Tide
- Dzivativa / Nkhalana – Lagoon
- Gudlwana – Submarine
- Lwamumbi – Indian Ocean / Home of Mumbi (The Creator)
- Lwandlana – Sea
- Lwandle – Ocean
- Mahlanganini – Confluence
- Mahlangano – Estuary
- Munakan’we – River Nascent
- Mpakani – Beacon
- Mpolwe – Port
- Mukhumbi – Canoe
- Mutluti – Sailor
- Muweti – Navigator
- Nambu – River
- Nambyana – Stream
- Ngalava – Yatch
- Nhlalawa – Poop
- Nhlaluku – River Bank
- Nhlohla – Peninsula
- Nhlongo – River Basin
- Nhlongolwani – Dam
- Nkinga – Bay
- Nsinga – Small Bay
- Nsoma – Anchor
- Ntluto – Sailing
- Ntsiti – Mast
- Riboboma – Waterfall
- Ribuwa – Beach
- Rigingiri – Coastline
- Tiva – Lake
- Tsanga – Wind Sailing Craft
- Vutshevi – Fishing
- Xihlala – Island
- Xihlalana – Islet
- Xikwekwetsu – Ship
- Xitatarhu – Raft
- Xiweti – Compass
Copyright: The reproduction or broadcast without written permission of any material published on vivmag.co.za and its supplements is forbidden and expressly reserved to Cheleni Perspectives PTY LTD, under section 12 (7) of the copyright act, 1978 and any amendment thereof.
Image source: www.swellnet.com