Mining, and processing of minerals, and trading in the mineral products; has been an art that Vatsonga developed over centuries.
The main areas of mining had been Phafuri, Manyikeni, Musapa and Maphungubye.
Xitsonga has words that describe and define many minerals without borrowing the European words.
Take a look:
- Mugodi, Xiyemba – Mine
- Swicelwa– Minerals
- Mufuri– Smith
- Muthofu – Aluminium
- Nsuku – Gold
- Nsina – Copper
- Nsimbi – Iron
- Ngwedi – Iron Ore
- Ngwidi – Lead
- Ndzala – Diamond
- Nkhutu – Platinum
- Ndzalama – Emerald
- Mhemba – Limestone
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.
Featured Image: Pixabay