nzumbi

Kimbundu

Etymology

Compare English zombie, jumbie (“evil spirit”), Kongo zumbi (“fetish”). Possibly related to nzambi (“god”).

Noun

nzumbi (class 9, plural jinzumbi)

  1. ghost, spirit

Descendants

  • Sranan Tongo: dyumbi
  • → Portuguese: zumbi

References

  • Assis Junior, Antonio de (1967), “nzumbi”, in Dicionário Kimbundu-Português: Linguístico, Botânico, Histórico e Corográfico [Kimbundu–Portuguese Dictionary: Linguistic, Botanic, Historical and Chorographic] (in Portuguese), Luanda: Argente, Santos & C.a, L.da, page 379
  • Matta, Joaquim (1893), Ensaio de Diccionario Kimbúndu-Portuguez (in Portuguese), Lisbon, Portugal: Editora Antonio Maria Pereira, page 120
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