mabaniani

How to say it

Meaning

Shopkeepers of South Asian descent who ran small retail trade in East Africa, historically neither Muslim nor Christian by faith.

Good to know

Plural of baniani (class 9/6 person noun; takes human/wa- agreement). A historical, community-specific term — names an ethnic trading group rather than 'shopkeeper' in general.

Examples

• Mabaniani wa Zanzibar walimiliki maduka mengi mjini.The Baniani shopkeepers of Zanzibar owned many shops in town.
• Je, mabaniani hao walifika lini pwani ya Afrika Mashariki?When did those Baniani traders arrive on the East African coast?
• Mabaniani hawakuuza nyama kwenye maduka yao.The Baniani shopkeepers did not sell meat in their shops.

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