Swahili
mkaja
MKA-ja
How to say it
SwahilimkajaMKA-jasoon
Englishpostpartum bandagesoon
Frenchbandage post-partumsoon
Meaning
a cloth or bandage traditionally worn by a woman around the waist after childbirth; also a ceremonial gift given by the groom's family to the bride's mother.
Good to know
two related but distinct customary senses: the postpartum binding, and the wedding gift.
Examples
- Bibi alimfunga mkaja mama mchanga baada ya kujifungua.Grandmother tied the postpartum bandage on the new mother after she gave birth.
- Familia ya bwana harusi ilileta mkaja kwa mama wa bibi harusi.The groom's family brought the customary gift for the bride's mother.
- Je, mkaja hufungwa kwa muda gani baada ya kujifungua?For how long is the postpartum bandage worn after childbirth?
Not yet checked by a native speaker.