Etymology Map
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Lobola

2 stages from Zulu to English.

Today it means a bride price or dowry paid by a groom's family to the bride's family, in southern African custom

Where does the word "lobola" come from? It comes from Zulu ukulobola, adopted directly into English (1897).

1
Stage 1 of 2
ukulobola
Zulu · 1800s
"to give the bride price"
described the customary transfer of cattle or goods to a bride's family
2
Stage 2 of 2
lobola
English · 1897
"the bride price paid by a groom's family"
adopted into South African English for the marriage custom
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