1
Stage 1 of 3
-cathama
Zulu · ancient
"to walk softly, tread carefully"
the verb root describing stealthy, careful movement
2
Stage 2 of 3
isicathamiya
Zulu · 1920s
"a style of soft, harmonized a cappella singing"
named for the gentle, tiptoeing dance steps of migrant mineworkers who sang quietly at night hostels
3
Stage 3 of 3
isicathamiya
English · 1980s
"a South African Zulu a cappella choral singing style"
entered English through the international popularity of groups like Ladysmith Black Mambazo
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