kibwebwe

How to say it

Meaning

A cloth tied tightly round the waist, traditionally by women before heavy work or dancing. It is best known from kujifunga kibwebwe, to tie on the sash, meaning to get ready for hard work.

Good to know

Ki/vi class noun, mostly in the idiom kujifunga kibwebwe, to buckle down; no plural is in use. The idiom is common in news: timu imejifunga kibwebwe, the team has buckled down.

Examples

• Wakulima wamejifunga kibwebwe kuandaa mashamba.The farmers have buckled down to prepare the fields.
• Bibi alijifunga kibwebwe kabla ya kuanza kutwanga.Grandmother tied a sash round her waist before starting to pound grain.
• Timu yetu imejifunga kibwebwe kwa mechi ya fainali.Our team has buckled down for the final match.

Forms

kibobwe