Swahili
kafnri
kahf-NEE-ree
How to say it
Swahilikafnrikahf-NEE-reesoon
Englishto ward off evilsoon
Frenchconjurer le mauvais sortsoon
Meaning
to protect or ward off evil by magical means, such as protecting a field or homestead; related to kafara (a protective charm or sacrifice).
Good to know
a dialectal term connected to warding off evil by magic.
Examples
- Mganga alikafnri shamba kabla ya kupanda.The healer warded off evil from the field before planting.
- Je, watakafnri nyumba mpya kabla ya kuhamia?Will they ward off evil from the new house before moving in?
- Hawakukafnri banda hilo, ndiyo maana mifugo iliugua.They did not ward off evil from that pen, which is why the livestock fell ill.
The same word in
Not yet checked by a native speaker.