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Harmattan

2 stages from Akan to English.

Today it means A dry, dusty trade wind that blows from the Sahara across West Africa, typically from November to March.

Where does the word "harmattan" come from? It comes from Akan haramata, adopted directly into English (1670s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
haramata
Akan · 1600s
"the dry Saharan wind"
an Akan (Twi/Fante) name for the seasonal dry, dusty trade wind
2
Stage 2 of 2
harmattan
English · 1670s
"a dry, dusty seasonal wind blowing from the Sahara over West Africa"
recorded by English traders and travelers along the Guinea coast
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