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Mbaqanga

2 stages from Zulu to English.

Today it means a style of South African popular music blending Zulu vocal harmonies with jazz and dance rhythms

Where does the word "mbaqanga" come from? It comes from Zulu umbaqanga, adopted directly into English (1960s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
umbaqanga
Zulu · 1900s
"steamed maize bread, a mixture"
originally an everyday steamed maize dish; applied to music as a term for its humble, 'mixed' style
2
Stage 2 of 2
mbaqanga
English · 1960s
"a South African township music genre blending traditional and jazz styles"
adopted into English through the South African recording industry
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