Culture & Etiquette

1. Setšo

   Culture, tradition

   Usage

   The basic word for talking about local ways of life and customs

   Grammar Note

   A very frequent word in texts. Written with š

2. Setšo sa Bapedi

   Pedi culture

   Usage

   Names the way of life and customs of the Pedi people

   Grammar Note

   Attested in this form. Ba- is the prefix for people

3. Bapedi

   The Pedi people

   Usage

   The people of Limpopo and nearby areas who speak Sepedi

   Grammar Note

   The language name is Sepedi (Se- marks a language)

4. Kgoši

   Chief, king

   Usage

   Title of a traditional leader, used with respect

   Grammar Note

   The standard spelling uses š; kgoshi is not used

5. Kgošigadi

   Queen

   Usage

   Title of a female traditional leader

   Grammar Note

   Built from kgoši plus the feminine -gadi

6. Kgošigadi ya Pula

   The Rain Queen

   Usage

   Name for the queen of the Lobedu people, linked with the Modjadji area

   Grammar Note

   Attested in this form in texts

7. Balobedu

   The Lobedu people

   Usage

   The people of the Modjadji area, ruled by the Rain Queen

   Grammar Note

   Ba- is the prefix for people

8. Khelobedu

   The Lobedu language

   Usage

   The speech of the Lobedu people, a local variety close to Sepedi

   Grammar Note

   Texts describe it as the language of the Balobedu

9. Mošate

   The chief's royal place

   Usage

   The place where a traditional leader and household live

   Grammar Note

   Texts also have ba mošate (people of the royal place). Written with š

10. Baetapele ba setšo

    Traditional leaders

    Usage

    A way to refer to chiefs and other traditional leaders together

    Grammar Note

    Attested as baetapele ba setšo

11. Moropa

    Drum

    Usage

    The instrument played for songs and dances

    Grammar Note

    The plural is meropa. Letša moropa means to play the drum

12. Dinaka

    Dinaka (pipes)

    Usage

    Used as an instrument name; the same spelling also means tusks or horns

    Grammar Note

    Plural (singular naka). Texts list it with meropa and lekope as instruments

13. Mmino wa setšo

    Traditional music

    Usage

    The music of local songs and dances

    Grammar Note

    Attested in this form

14. Lenyalo le be le le bose

    The wedding was lovely

    Usage

    A remark to make after a wedding

    Grammar Note

    Attested in this form (English: I had such fun at the wedding)

15. Mehlare ya setšo

    Traditional medicine

    Usage

    Medicine made from plants and similar materials, also defined in legal texts

    Grammar Note

    Attested in this form; a name to recognise, not a claim about effects

16. Sepedi se bose

    Sepedi is lovely

    Usage

    A compliment to give locals about their language

    Grammar Note

    Attested in this form (English: Pedi is really lovely)

17. Mokete

    Celebration, feast

    Usage

    General word for a gathering held to celebrate

    Grammar Note

    The plural is mekete

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