indaba

Everyday

1. (South Africa) An important meeting or conference to discuss something, originally a gathering of Zulu or Xhosa people. tree →
2. (Scouts) A large meeting of Scout leaders. tree →

In the lessons

A word from the Zulu and Xhosa languages, used in South African English and in Kipling's Just So Stories for a big gathering or talk. Today it is used for conferences and meetings in South Africa and in the Scout movement.

Examples

• The chiefs held an indaba to settle the dispute. tree →
• The Scout leaders met at an international indaba. tree →
• The animals gathered for a great indaba. tree →
• The government called an indaba on water shortages. tree →
• Everyone had a say at the indaba. tree →
• In South Africa «indaba» can also mean «my business»: «That's your indaba!» tree →

Note

From Zulu «indaba» (matter, business, talk). Countable: an indaba, indabas. Mainly South African English.