Kinyarwanda
umupfumu
Word parts: umu-pfumu
oo-moo-PFOO-moo
How to say it
Kinyarwandaumupfumuoo-moo-PFOO-moosoon
Englishwitch doctorsoon
Frenchsorcier guérisseursoon
Meaning
a traditional healer or diviner who is believed to use supernatural powers, sometimes for harm.
Good to know
can carry either a neutral sense (traditional healer) or a negative one (sorcerer); tone depends on context.
Examples
- Bamujyanye kwa mupfumu kugira ngo amuvure.They took him to a traditional healer to be treated.
- Umupfumu yavuze ko azi icyamuteye indwara.The witch doctor said he knew what caused the illness.
- Ese wizera ibyo umupfumu avuga?Do you believe what the witch doctor says?
The same word in
Not yet checked by a native speaker.