mbaqanga

noun

mba·​qan·​ga ˌu̇m-bä-ˈkäŋ-gä How to pronounce mbaqanga (audio)
: a South African dance music that combines traditional elements (such as chanting and drumming) with elements of modern music (such as jazz)

Examples of mbaqanga in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Stimela merged the flexibility of jazz and the sleekness of R&B with the buoyant rhythms of South African styles like mbaqanga; its songs also recognized the tensions of living under apartheid. Jon Pareles, New York Times, 14 July 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mbaqanga.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Zulu umbaqanga, literally, steamed cornmeal bread

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mbaqanga was in 1964

Dictionary Entries Near mbaqanga

Cite this Entry

“Mbaqanga.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mbaqanga. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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