mababu

How to say it

Meaning

Male grandparents, or more broadly, forefathers and ancestors.

Good to know

Plural of babu (class 9/6 person noun; takes human/wa- agreement). Often used for 'ancestors' collectively.

Examples

• Mababu wetu waliishi karibu na mto huu.Our ancestors lived near this river.
• Je, mababu wako walitoka wapi?Where were your grandfathers/ancestors from?
• Mababu hao hawakuandika historia yao.Those ancestors did not write down their history.
• Watoto watawaenzi mababu wao kwa hadithi hizi.The children will honor their ancestors through these stories.

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