Definition
bwanas
noun
- Plural of bwana; a form of address or title of respect for a man, especially a European man, in East Africa.
Usage: Borrowed from Swahili; Historically used in colonial contexts; Now primarily of historical or cultural interest
Examples
- The porters addressed the expedition leaders as bwanas.
- In colonial East Africa, European settlers were often called bwanas by local workers.
- The safari guide greeted the tourists respectfully as bwanas.
- Historical accounts mention that bwanas held considerable authority in the region.
- The term bwanas reflected the social hierarchies of the colonial period.